Brent Sass arrives in Cripple, then takes off toward Ruby

Eureka musher Brent Sass has made it to the Cripple.

Sass checked in shortly after noon Thursday, making him the first musher who has taken the mandatory 24-hour layover.

According to Iditarod Insider writer Sebastian Schnuelle, Sass stayed in the checkpoint just long enough to check in and pick up a few supplies before heading back out on the trail toward Ruby.

Four-time champion Jeff King, who last won in 2006, left Cripple at 3:05 a.m. this morning and is closing in on Ruby. He has not taken the 24-hour break yet, though.

Reigning champion – and three-time winner – Dallas Seavey was the first musher into Cripple, checking in at 3:31 p.m. Wednesday. Seavey remains in the checkpoint this afternoon, presumably wrapping up his 24-hour layover.

Six other mushers – Noah Burmeister, Robert Sorlie, John Baker, Kelly Maixner, and Ralph Johannessen – also checked into Cripple on Wednesday and remain in the checkpoint as of noon Thursday. None have completed their mandatory 24-hour break.

Lots of other mushers are on the trail between Ophir and Cripple, all of whom have taken their day-long layover.

After Sass, Ken Anderson, Nicolas Petit, Hugh Neff and Mitch Seavey are within 20 miles of Cripple and should check in later this afternoon.