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Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Cabela's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Coverage

Cabela's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Coverage: "2005 Leaderboard


1 Robert Sorlie
2 Ed Iten
3 Mitch Seavey
4 Ramy Brooks
5 Bjornar Andersen
6 John Baker
7 Paul Gebhardt
8 Lance Mackey
9 Jessie Royer
10 Jeff King
11 Martin Buser
12 DeeDee Jonrowe
13 Aliy Zirkle
14 Doug Swingley
15 Jessica Hendricks


Well folks, that's the standings on the Iditarod's Top 15 positions from the Cabela's Iditarod web site. What a switch in two (2) days! Marty has fallen to 11th place (was 12th until he left the manditory 8 hr stop in Elim). The front six (6) are running a snow grinding race for the finish at Nome. I don't know how close they are yet .. but the Nome Cam shows it is 7:06:17 AM AST .. still dark but people are beginning to gather for the finale to what has been a really interesting race.

The weather has been a major factor. So have unexpected mishaps and errors. But this is the best race I've observed in a number of years. And it is all made so much better with the ability to gaze upon the hourly progress of the mushers via the Internet. I can only imagine what the 2010 Ididtarod Race will be like. Dog-cams; musher podcasts; virtual dog-teams .. who knows. One thing is for sure .. the weather could turn this into a wheeled sled race instead of skis !!!

There was also considerable talk this year about the lack of preparedness by race officials. The trail in many places out past Iditarod were not even prepared, forcing the leaders to be trail busters as well. This benefited the positions from 15 to 25 a lot. They were not forced to expend the energy. This could account for the swell of new faces in the Top 6 places.

However, nothing is taken from Bob Sorlie .. the 'Mighty Norseman'. He has led this race from the very 'get go'! Amazing race he has run. Unless he just keels over - he should have the 2005 Iditarod trophy in his hand within an hour or so .. to take back home with him to Norway.

If you want to watch the Crossing of the Finish Line .. then turn your browser here a LIVE STREAM from ABC Alaska ... it should be neat.

I do hope Marty Buser makes a good run to finish low in the Top 10. We'll have to see when he crossed the finish line.

O'fieldstream

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