by Andrew Hinkelman
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A familiar face is in front of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Jeff King, a four-time champion and the last person not named Mackey to win, was the first musher to pull into Takotna Tuesday evening.
King arrived at 10:48 p.m. with all 16 dogs still on the line.
King was also the first musher to reach McGrath, and stayed there just three minutes. Just about a half hour behind him there were John Baker and Mitch Seavey, both of whom passed Sebastian Schnuelle coming out of Nikolai.
Schnuelle came through McGrath in fourth, with Hugh Neff, Hans Gatt and Sven Haltmann all within an hour of him.
Three-time defending champion Lance Mackey also rushed through McGrath, coming through in eighth place. Gerry Willomitzer and Zack Steer were hot on his heels, both within five minutes of Mackey on their arrival and departure.
