TRAIL UPDATE

There has several storms passing the Bering Sea coastline.

Top racers Jill Martindale, Petr Ineman and Casey Fagerquist have decided to take advantage of a gap between storms to cross the sea ice rather than having to wait it out.

A firm Trail and a tailwind helped them traverse this potentially difficult part of the race in only 3.5 hours. For context, the same journey last year took 12 hours.

They are still pushing hard with minimal rest, which is widening the gap with the next racers.

Jussi Karjalainen is currently in Unalakleet where fellow countryman athlete Toni Lund has now joined him after a great push overnight and during the day.

Bike athletes Willy Mulonia, Roberto Gazzoli, George Adams and Graham Muir are still making great progress and are currently at Old Woman’s cabin.

Previous foot champion and ITI1000 5-time finisher Beat Jegerlehner and top skier Asbjørn Skjøth Bruun are in Kaltag.

Foot athlete Klaus Schweinberger has now left Ruby and is pushing on after a painful trek on soft, slow trail to Ruby yesterday.

A special thank you to Larry Hausmann in Galena to helping out our racers.; to Brother Bob in Nulato for opening his garage to the racers and giving them soup, and Peace on Earth Pizza in Unalakleet for good food and a space to rest. As you are aware, a lot of villages are isolating, which means new arrangements had to be made for racers along the way so these Trail Angels’ gestures are deeply appreciated.

Pictured are: Little Mountain cabin, the last shelter before the sea ice crossing; Toni Lund’s bike on the way to Unalakleet; Toni Lund; Peace on Earth Pizza in Unalakleet.