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Nikolai

Total mileage from Wasilla: 279 miles

March 05, 11:30 a.m.

Three-time Iditarod Champion Jeff King making his way through Rainy Pass.

After I posted the update last night I rode on to catch up with Bill.  Unfortunately the extra stress had broken the reminder of the suspension and so he was stopped until we could get the mechanic's help.  He had driven it 40 miles closer to Nikolai though so it will be much easier for the mechanic to reach him.  I stopped and helped him set up a camp and made sure he had everything he needed since he was going to stay with the machine and I was going on to Nikolai to guide the mechanic back.  He was more than happy to stay and get a little extra sleep since we've been riding pretty hard for the last few days.  I made the twenty miles to Nikolai in a little over an hour and made some arrangements to go back and help Bill in the morning.

    So as we wait the leaders press on.  Fiedler, Brooks, Baker, Jonrowe and Buser have reached the Ophir checkpoint and continue to race on.  They are several hours ahead of record pace and moving fast.  The last report has Mitch Seavey out of Takotna on his way to Ophir and Jim Gallea left Nikolai at 11:39 p.m. heading towards McGrath.

Two of Nikolai Ettnye's dogs rest on their straw in the hot sunshine.

    Currently camped in Nikolai are Hans Gatt, Nikolai Ettnye, John Bramante, Palmer Sagoonik, Melanie Gould and Lance Mackey.   Both Gatt and Mackey are taking their 24hour mandatory rests.  Some of the others are waiting for it to cool down before continuing on.  It is currently hot and sunny here which is really nice for these resting teams.  

    The rumors are really starting to fly about Swingley.  Most rumors seem to imply he is retiring after this race and that this is some sort of "victory lap" giving him a chance to thank the checkpoints and experience the part of the Iditarod that he has been too hurried to enjoy the last few years.  Whatever his plan is he definitely has people wondering.

Reporting from the trail for Ultimate Iditarod,

Tyrell Seavey

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