March 5, 2000 - Day One
There was a snowmachine 'pileup' reported to us approximately 1.5 miles after the Knik checkpoint. Minutes before Ramy came through, hundreds of snowmachines scurried up a long hill, several loaded up with wood for campfires and supplies. The mad rush iced up the hill and dozens of machines became stuck. Spectators on foot assisted the snowmachines in getting up the hill and thought all was well. Unfortunately, the two officials on snowmachines came to the hill and became stuck as well, blocking the trail and bringing Ramy's team to a halt. Please, enjoy the race...but be mindful of the fact that the racers have a lot at stake here. Minutes of delay can cost someone the race...
It looks like Ramy and Doug Swingley both rested in Yentna before heading up the trail. Doug appears to have gained three minutes of run time on Ramy and took shorter rests in Yentna and Skwentna (both mushers picked up food drops only in Skwentna). Jeff is now only 11 minutes behind...its a fast race so far.