Veteran musher Jim Lanier took the lead in the Iditarod late Wednesday night leaving Ophir just before midnight. He was being trailed by Trent Herbst. Lanier was racing with 13 dogs, Herbst with 15. Neither musher had taken a 24-hour required stop.
Mitch Seavey, Aliy Zirkle and Dallas Seavey took their 24-hour stop in Ophir and were following the leaders Thursday morning. Past champion Jeff King and defending champion John Baker also had taken their long stop in Ophir and were trailing Dallas Seavey.
Fan favorite Lance Mackey was out of Ophir about 6:30 this morning and was racing to catch up with the leaders. He was racing with 12 dogs.
Brent Sass continued to lead the field of rookies. He was out of Takotna this morning. Silvia Furtwangler was the first musher to drop out. She scratched in Nikolai.
Fan favorite Lance Mackey was out of Ophir about 6:30 this morning and racing to catch up with the leaders.
Martin Buser and his son Rohn led the field yesterday for a period but were still in Ophir Thursday morning.
