Complete Junior Iditarod Race Coverage

First Departures From Yentna

February 24, 2002, 5:50 AM

The temperature is 8 below zero and the sky is clear and full of stars and moonlight.

Cali King was the first musher to leave Yentna at 2:57 this morning, and was followed exactly four minutes later by defending Jr. Iditarod Champion Tyrell Seavey.  Max Kornmuller left fifteen minutes behind Seavey.  

Following the departure of these three teams, a steady stream of teams left Yentna Station Roadhouse at intervals ranging from 1 to 25 minutes, and they continue to do so at the time of this update.  King, Seavey, and Kornmuller have been reported through the Eagle Song Lodge Checkpoint in that order.  King was just reported through the Susitna River checkpoint 5:38 AM.  King's lead over Seavey has stretched to 12 minutes, but King can't relax just yet.  Seavey reported to me before leaving that he was going to take it slow and easy at first, and was planning to be about 15 minutes behind King by the time they reached the Big Susitna River, 40 some miles from the finish at Settler's Bay.  By this same thinking, Kornmuller can't be discounted as a strong first-place candidate, either.  All of the teams leaving Yentna Station Roadhouse so far have looked extremely energetic.

While teams come and go and mushers take care of their dogs and talk at the campfire, a lot of behind-the-scenes activity is constantly going on.  Race judges Andy Willis and Al Marple are watching to ensure that rules are followed and questions are answered.  Phil Meyer, the race veterinarian, is running around answering dog care questions and looking over the teams.  Joanne Potts and an army of volunteers keep track of race times, when teams can leave the checkpoint, and assist in getting the teams to the checkpoint boundary prior to their departure.  A group of trailbreakers departed at 2 AM to check the trail ahead of the teams returning to the finish, and a pair of amateur radio operators communicate with radio operators at other checkpoints and at headquarters regarding race information.  The familiar sound of "KL7CY, KL7DY with dog traffic," can be heard inside and outside the main roadhouse as the information is relayed back and forth.  The Gabryszak family, owners of the roadhouse here, are running out and about cooking and serving food to the race volunteers and visitors, stoking fires, and tending to everyone's needs.  And in the midst of it all, a competitor riding his bike in the 350-mile IditaSport is preparing to hop on his bike and head toward the finish.  He has been travelling for a week now.

Even though mushers and dogs get just a little rest, checkpoints never sleep.

We'll have another update once we know the outcome of the race.  Thanks to the Gabryszack family for the use of their radio phone internet connection to make these updates possible!!!

From Yentna Station Roadhouse and the home of the Gabryszak (pronounced "Gaberzack") Family, Jim Gallea for Ultimate Iditarod.

© 2002 Ultimate Iditarod, Snowcrest Racing Sled Dogs, Seavey's Iditarod Racing Team
Reproduction or distribution in any way or by any means prohibited without permission.
Ultimate Iditarod http://www.ultimateiditarod.com  email: dogboy@ultimateiditarod.com