More than a dozen mushers had reached Nikolai by early afternoon Tuesday in their quest to win the Iditarod. Aliy Zirkle had during the morning, but a number of mushers, including past champions John Baker and Lance Mackey were following close behind. Hugh Neff, Ray Redington, Jr., Mitch Seavey, and Jeff King were among those who had reached Nikolai.
Last year’s champ, Baker, has dropped one dog. Neff and King had dropped one member of their team. Paul Gebhardt, also in Nikolai, was running with 14 dogs.
Brent Sass was out of Rohn and leading the field of rookies.
