NOME, Alaska — The Ambassador Team arrived in Nome during the early evening on Monday. They made it in record time, and they had many good things to report, including good trail and solid ice at Golovin Bay.
But the 2012 Iron Dog trail is still fraught with danger, including stumps, water hazards, deep snow and rutted trails.
Team 39, Aklestad and Loyer, led most of Monday, but busted A arms left them waiting for parts in Ruby.
Several other teams faced tow-in situations last night and today, including Team 11, Palin and Davis. A severely worn belt was the culprit, and you can see video on the Iron Dog Facebook page showing Palin replacing the belt.
Race marshall Chris Graeber said it was the usual slow going through Poor Man, and that many of the teams got stacked up there again.
Team 16, Minnick and Olstad, took over the race lead and were first in to Kaltag at 5:10 p.m. Graeber said they're taking an 8-hour layover there, before they power on to Unalakleet and one more layover before a mad charge to Nome late Tuesday afternoon.
