Last call to Rohn!

Today’s Wild Winter Women update oversees the pivotal cutoff for Rohn at 2 PM, with several racers narrowly making it in time. Sunny Stoer and Laura Rushfeldt arrived in under an hour before the cutoff. Both skiers opted to bivvy high in the Dalzell Gorge last night. When it comes to river valleys in the Alaskan winter, higher is often warmer. In the words of a veteran, “If you have to bivvy, bivvy high in the Gorge. Once you drop onto the Tatina River, you are committed to getting to Rohn."

Those who reached Rohn before 2 PM can breathe a temporary sigh of relief, knowing they have four days to cover the final 120 miles to McGrath. The cutoffs this year have caught many racers who would’ve had no issues in most years. Amber Crawford, a 2x 350 champion and the first woman to complete the 350 in all three disciplines, flew back to Anchorage after mechanicals hampered her Rainy Pass ascent.

As the temperatures rose today, so did the winds, offering a 13 mph headwind for racers on the final stretch into Nikolai and a tailwind for those bound for McGrath. According to weather reports, racers entering the Farewell Burn will be at the whims of 19 mph crosswind gusts until tree cover resumes near Bear Creek Cabin.

Our skiers are no doubt welcoming the warmer (3F) temps and seem to be managing a bit of a glide today. Skiing in ultra cold temps is more like walking with the world’s most unwieldy snowshoes.

Amanda and Jennifer are biking towards Bear Creek Cabin. We’ll see if they opt to forgo the two mile round trip detour and camp along the route. Veterans Missy and Kinsey decided to skip the cabin last night. Both are former champions in the ITI 1000 and 350, respectively, and are currently bound for Nome this year. Kinsey has recently arrived in McGrath with Mark while Missy trails 25 miles out.

The last 20 miles leading into Nikolai features alternating marshes and woodland. Judging from the splits, cyclists are switching between walking and riding. The snow in these marshes can be paradoxically soft relative to the air temperature. Cyclists may find it impossible to dial in an appropriate tire pressure as the trail flips between marsh mush and hardpack in the woods.

Leah, Stephanie, Becca, and Mayella should be rolling into Nikolai this evening, after a layover last night at Bear Creek Cabin. Last year’s foot champion, Herman Watson, is also resting in Nikolai.

The Athabascan community of Nikolai is the first Native village on the ITI route. Racers staying in the local community center may have the opportunity to meet Stephanie Petruska, a longtime friend of ITI racers. Stephanie’s family has deep roots in Nikolai, the ITI, and the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. The ITI community is immensely thankful for the enduring hospitality of the Nikolai community.

Our women’s footrace leader, Faye Norby, is back on the trail after a 5 hour rest at Bear Creek cabin.

Faye has previously won the 350 women’s foot race in 2020 and 2022. This year, she is headed to Nome. As of today, she is the sole female foot racer left on the course.

Nicolas Janssen has just become the 350 men’s ski champion while Jesse Gladdish secures her spot on the 350 women’s bike podium. ITI 1000 leaders Miron and Tyson should be arriving at the Cripple Creek checkpoint soon.

The interior is forecasted to warm up on Monday with temperatures in the 20s, which will no doubt soften up the overland route. Hopes are pinned on the possibility of the Kuskokwim River trail being put in by then, offering a smoother and more efficient route to the finish line.

Written by Kendall Park.  Photo credit Derrick Seys of Finger Lake CP’s last racers Klaus Schweinberger and Thomas Dane on foot under starry skies.