TRAIL UPDATE

A good day on the Trail with bright blue skies after some early snow.

Casey Fagerquist, Jill Martindale and Petr Ineman have reached Unalakleet where they’ve enjoyed a restorative pizza from Peace on Earth Pizza courtesy of ITI racer Steve Cannon who had anticipated their hungry arrival.

They dutifully left a food offering to ward off the wandering spirits at Old Woman cabin. Old Woman is the transition point between the protective inland and the gusty, harsh Bering Sea coastline.

The top racers had a good speed until 10 miles from town where 4 snowmachines passed them and they lost 8mph.

Jussi Karjalainen has left Kaltag and is on his way to Unalakleet tonight.

Toni Lund has left Nulato to ride at night as daytime temperatures have been higher in the past two days.

He now has the lead over Italian racers Robert Gazzoli and Willy Mulonia as well as Kiwi athletes Graham Muir and George Adams who are all in Nulato.

Resting in Galena is foot racer Beat Jegerlehner who is on his way to a sixth finish in Nome.

An ITI1000 Veteran with many race credentials, Beat has three finishes on the Southern route in 2013, 2018 and 2019. He also has completed two ITI1000 on the Northern route, respectively in 2014 and 2016.

Also taking a much deserved break in Galena is Danish skier Asbjørn Skjøth Bruun. The skier has been going fast despite soft snow. He is restoring before a big day towards Nulato on the Trail tomorrow.

ITI1000 Veteran and foot racer Klaus Schweinberger is currently halfway to Ruby.

Pictured below from top to bottom, Kaltag, (1&2), a hazy morning on the Trail (3, 4 & 5), Tripod Flat cabin, Casey and Jill, Old Woman cabin where a food donation is always left for good fortune, the Trail and the Bering Sea coastline, Peace on Earth Pizza in Unalakleet.

Thank you Casey Fagerquist for the pictures.