Tuesday, March 12, 2002 , 4:42 PM, Roxy Wright reporting from Nome

Ramy arrived here at 10:49:18, for a 9 day and 49 minute race, breaking the old record and his highest place finish ever - 2nd place! Ramy is ecstatic.. We are all very proud of him. Abby and Molly were very happy to have their Dad back off the trail.

We just went down to the finish line to see John Baker come across the line in third place Congratulations to John on a great job. This was John's 7th Iditarod, his highest finish prior was two fifth places.

The next teams expected in are Vern Halter and Jon Little, who left White Mountain at 9:10 and 9:13 this morning. They have been running within minutes of each other, in and out of check points, since they left the Yukon River at Kaltag.

I would like to apologize for Greg and I's lack of "on the spot" reporting on the last leg of the race from Elim to Nome.Circumstances beyond our control prevented our up to the minute reporting. When Greg and I got to Nome by snowmachine last night, we were both glad to finally arrive. Traveling the route by snowmachine or flying it in a small airplane, can help one to fully appreciate the enormous feat that both mushers and dogs put out in order to complete the Iditarod.

Thanks to all the Downeys - Rob, MaryJo, Sara and Alex - for providing ANNAMAET, dry dog feed for Ramy's team. Ramy has been feeding Annamaet since 1998, finishing 1st in the Quest '99, 4th in 2000 Iditarod, 12th in 2001 , and second in 2002. The dogs love it, always eat it, and Ramy would not use any other kind of dry feed.

Alaska Central Express will be flying all the dogs to Anchorage tonight. Stan and Sally Smith in Chugiak will be caring for the dogs until Ramy gets home from Nome. I will fly home to Fairbanks tomorrow on Frontier Flying Service.Thanks to these sponsors and friends.

March 11, 2002, 7:00, Roxy reporting from Koyuk

Ramy was out of Koyuk this morning at 5:37 with 8 dogs. Martin was out at 2:30 with ten.Ramy carried Andretti into this check point and dropped her here. (Think I forgot to say that the dog Ramy dropped from the team in Kaltag was Backtrail.)

The checker just came in and said John Baker was out at 6:55. John got in at 5:43. Unlike Martin and Ramy who stayed here for about 4 ½ hours, John stayed long enough to water and feed his dogs, and then kept on going. His run time over from Shaktoolik was 7:25, Ramy’s was 5:51. Looks like he is trying to catch Ramy. He has been having consistently slightly slower run times than Ramy. I don’t think he can beat Ramy to Nome – Go Ramy!

Martin joked with me when he got up from taking a nap – saying isn’t Ramy going to keep going here. If he had, it would have put him in position to perhaps race Martin one the last run from White Mountain to Nome. Ramy said he felt like the best thing for his team was to run conservatively, at this point. Ramy has four 2 yr olds (Bean, Twister, Coaster, & Brady) and one 3 year old (Risk) in his team along with Muldoon, Therese and Walker. Ramy wanted this run to be positive for young dogs. Last night when we passed Ramy on the trail, he had Bean in single lead. He had been using Risk in lead most of the way from Anchorage, so it was nice to see another dog helping to give Risk a break. Ramy said that Bean was actually doing a little better on the coast conditions (wide open, wind).

After having it blowing hard in Unalakeet, and checking the weather forecast for high wind warnings for Shaktoolik to Koyuk, it was a pleasant surprise to have relatively light wind coming in here last night. Looks like weather is not going to be a factor for this race.

Greg and I were trying to do some calculations for when to expect the first team in to Nome. If they do not stop in Elim, they could be into Nome in about 27 hours from the time they left here. That would put Martin in at 5:30 Tuesday morning, breaking nine days and setting a record. However typically, teams rest 3 or 4 hours between Koyuk and White Mountain. Going off last years times, it took Doug Swingley 35:02 to cross the finish line, from the time he left Koyuk. Based on this run/rest , would put Martin into Nome on Tuesday at 11:32.

Jon Little and Vern Halter left Shaktoolik at 3:08 and 3:09 this morning. We should be seeing them in here sometime after 8:30,if they continue to maintain the run times they have had at the last few check points. DeeDee arrived here at 5:43,and fed the team. If Jon or Vern check right out, they might sneak past DeeDee.

Greg and I will be packing up and hitting the trail shortly. Will send in another report from White Mountain. Roxy

March 10, 2002, 5:23 AM, Roxy reporting from Unalakleet

Ramy was into Unalakleet at 3:26 this morning. His dogs all ate and drank good, which is very important (especially with the wind blowing) to keep them well hydrated. Martin Buser came in at 0:12. Matins run time was 10:14, Ramy’s 10:21. The wind seemed to have picked up from around midnight and three oclock , when I got up to see Ramy come in. Both Martin and Ramy said it was difficult following the trail coming in here. Ramy said he hadn’t seen hardly any trail markers for the last few miles. Martin had been sleeping, but got up and visited with Ramy. They were both happy, smiling and joking. – feeling good with how their teams were performing. Martin was very encouraging and supportive of how Ramy is doing. Ramy said, “remember when you told me to make a schedule, ten years ago, and I would be running with you?” When Ramy first started in to long distance mushing – he spent some time at Martin’s training. They both talked about having a schedule and running their race to their own team (not running it in response to what other teams are doing) and feeling that that was an important ingredient to having a strong team at the end of the race. They both had a bit of a time trying to thaw some juice and food out for themselves. Ramy went and used his cooker down on the ice by his team, and was glad he did. Someone had rounded up a microwave for the mushers to use at the checkpoint, but Martin was not having much luck with it warming his food – was melting the container instead.

The mushers first concern when they stop is to care for their dogs – feed, water, unbootie….But then it is equally important that they make sure that they themselves eat properly and get plenty of liquids.

Visiting with DeeDee Jonrowe, yesterday in Kaltag, she said that she personally had a hard run into there. She had run low on her own intake. She said her and Ramy had shared what they had while resting between Galena and Nulato. The top four all took a break at the same place, first Martin, then Ramy, DeeDee and John Baker; coming and going at different times. While visiting with John Baker, he said he had really goofed up by oversleeping twice in the race. I had reported his oversleep coming into Cripple, but he also overslept in Cripple while on his 24 hour layover. He could have left sooner than he did, he hadn’t asked for a wake up call because he usually wakes up fine on his own. John is from Kotzebue, so his dogs are used to the open and wind which the teams will be encountering for much of the rest of the trail. DeeDee felt like he would be a strong team to watch because of this.

Harold and Haryln Sager, have graciously taken Greg and myself into their home here in Unalakleet, for a place to sleep and…shower. I just checked the internet update, and do not see any teams in behind Ramy, yet. I kind of expect John Baker to be the next one in, as he is traveling faster than DeeDee, and the other teams out of Kaltag with them (Jon Little, Vern Halter, Charlie Boulding and Ramey Smyth did not stop in Kaltag, which means they will probably take a break somewhere on the way over. Vern seems to be mainting a somewhat shorter run and rest schedule than Martin and Ramy, which is helping him to maintain a very strong team. I expect to see him start to try and make a move, but he is three hours behind Ramy and 6 behind Martin.

Jon Little was the third musher out of Kaltag, but he is running with a lot of seasoned professionals. (I think that he too is being reconized as a name to watch.) Jon got started with dogs, after watching the 1991 Iditarod. He started skijouring with a pet, moved to a small recreational team, and then got the competition bug to race as friends of his did. This is Jon’s 4th Iditarod, moving steadily upward from 36th in ’99, 23 in 2000, 15th in 2001 and ?? in 2002.

Well, I am anxiously awaiting to see the times and order that the mushers arrive in Unalakleet. Will try to talk with them and have more up later today. Roxy

March 9, 1:24 a.m., Roxy Wright reporting from Nulato

Greg and I arrived here by snomachine, about an hour ago. We passed Martin Buser and Ramy, camped about thirty miles from here. DeeDee Jonrowe checked through Galena, while we were there.

The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat - is present in all competition. Today Linwood Fiedler decided to scratch in Ruby. He left thecheck point, only to return, his eicght dogs were not feeling right. Upon returning, though others urged him to just stay and rest longer before going
on, Linwood made the choice he felt was right for his team. Last year Linwood finished the Iditarod in second place. He went all the way to Anvik, before taking his twentyfour hour layover. The strategy worked, to top all the field except for winner Doug Swingley. Today Martin Buser looks like he is in the drivers seat, when just a year ago he was down to a small team and finished a disappointing 24th place. His decision was to set an example for his sons, completing what he had started. These are hard choices, and only the musher can decide what is best for themselves and their dogs.

March 9, 2002, 7:22 AM, Nulato

Ramy went through : in 7:08 - out 7:10; Martin was 4:30 and 4:32. Ramy is maintaining the approximate spread of 2 ½ hours.

8:34 Am - John Baker in at 8:01, out at 8:20. Looks like John is trying to make a move. He will need to take an 8 hour in Kaltag, so DeeDee and Vern Halter maybe able to pass him there, but his team looks strong. John had planned on going to Ruby to 24 hour, so on route to Cripple had rested. He over slept - he gave Ramy a hard time for not waking him up when Ramy went by. Ray Redington Jr. woke him up. John was tired getting into Cripple,a few dogs were a bit off, and John 24 houred in Cripple. Because of his stop out on the trail, he was into Cripple seven hours behind Martin, instead of a possible 2 to 4. His team was very focused, all business at their brief stop here. John picked up water, abit of food and left. John commented he needed to hunt more next year - said his dogs must of ate a whole seal last night. John said the dogs really like seal meat and will eat it when they won't other things.

DeeDee came in with 8 dogs at 8:23, out at 8:32. She got water, gave the dogs a little broth with feed, loaded the remaining water and was down the trail.

Greg Loudon, my nephew, and I plan to try to find a internet connection here, have some breakfast, and hit the trail for Unalakleet. Tough, trying to stay with the front runners on a snowmachine.

March 8, 12:00, Roxy Wright reporting from Ruby

Martin Buser left Ruby at 11:58, after taking his mandatory 8 hour layover. Martin arrived here at 3:58. Race observers thought it was faster than in the past. Mushers are required to take 8 hours at any of the villages on the Yukon. Ramy was the second team in this morning at 6:31, followed by DeeDee Jonrowe at 6;54, Linwood Fiedler at 8:01. I believe all of them are taking their 8 hour, here in Ruby also.

I talked with Race Marshall, Mark Nordman, and he said the race was going smoothly. Mark said of the first teams into here the strongest looking were Martin, Ramy and Vern Halter. They all took just around 8 hours to cover the 75 or 80 miles from Cripple. Vern Halter was in at 9:20, which puts him 2:51 behind Ramy. Martin has a lead on Ramy of 2:33. It is still a long ways to Nome, so you never know till the end. Martin has a comfortable lead, which could be hard for anyone to make up on him.

Sounds like Linwood had a tough run over from Cripple. He will drop another dog here, putting him down to only eight. He said he planned on taking some longer rests, he wasn't planning on chasing the leaders. He told me he hasn't had many good runs - some sick dogs - he had to haul 3 dogs into both Nikoli and Cripple.

Bill Cotter arrived here at 8:36, however he will be taking his 24 hour layover here, and others took theirs already in Cripple. Bill had a female leader in heat on the run over, she stopped and backed up for the dogs behind. Bill put her in wheel, and the team all turned around for a gathering at the sled. Bill says she is going home today.

I talked with Emmett Peters this morning in Ruby. Emmett said he picked Martin or Ramy for first. Emmitt said that Ramy was smiling, laughing and joking when he got in, and that was always a good indicator how the team is doing. Emmitt won the Iditarod in 1975. Reminiscing about the team, he shared a few stories. He had taken his 24 hour layover at home here in Ruby. He said he didn't get much sleep, with everyone coming by to visit. About ten miles down the river , Emmitt bundled up, crawled in his sled to rest while underway, he fell asleep and woke up thirty plus miles down the trail, team moving good and he had passed two teams. He had Nugget in lead. Nugget also led Carl Huntington's team to victory in the Iditarod the year before.

I will try to send another report tonight. Roxy

March 7, 2002 12:00, Roxy Wright reporting from Fairbanks

I just talked to Cathy, Ramy's wife, a little bit ago. Ramy had called her from Cripple. He said he and the dogs were doing good. He is just trying to really stay focused on running his own race. Ramy reported that he had a bout of diarrhea and nausea coming across the burn from Rohn to Nikolai. He must have gotten daughter, Molly's, bug. He is feeling better now.

Ramy said that he was stopped for a rest on the way to Cripple, when Martin and DeeDee passed him. He felt like once he got under way, he was traveling faster than DeeDee, and had made up some time on her. I believe he said they both hauled a dog into Cripple.

Ramy carried Sherry into Cripple, and will probably drop her when he leaves there. Ramy dropped Vince and Blazer, both 2 year olds, in Ophir. They were sore and he had hauled both of them, causing him to have a bit slower time. The other dogs Ramy dropped are Gordo at Yentna, and Hunter in Nikolai. So hopefully Ramy will leave Cripple with 10 healthy, strong dogs that all make it to Nome. Last year Ramy was down to 9 dogs when he took his mandatory 24 layover in Nikolai, and he finished in Nome with all nine.

Well that's all for now. If I do not get a report out tonight, I will send one tomorrow from Ruby. I will be flying out in the morning with Frontier Flying. (Thanks, Frontier, for the sponsorship!) The plan is for me to meet up with Ramy's cousin, Greg Loudon, who is following the race by snomachine. Last year Greg's uncle, Phil Loudon, flew me and my husband, Dave Freedle, along the whole trail. Without the help and support of family, friends and sponsors - Ramy's racing and our coverage would not be possible. So Thanks Everyone!

7:30 AM, March 7 , Roxy reporting from Fairbanks

Teams are coming off their 24 hour layovers, those that took them earlier in the race. Charlie Boulding and Jeff King took theirs in McGrath, and they are currently into Ophir at 4:40 and 3:31 respectively. Martin Buser rested there 4 hours, if they rest and run the same as Martin, that would put them into Cripple at about 3 or 4 this afternoon. Martin was number !4, so he should be leaving Cripple about 8:00 tonight, which with a well rested team should still put him in front of Jeff and Charlie.

Another team to watch is Vern Halter, he 24ed in Takotna, has 15 dogs and good run times. Vern is currently out of Ophir, at 5:17 this morning . Of the teams in Cripple who had rested at Takotna and went through Opir, their run times were: DeeDee Jonrowe 10:42, Ramy Brooks 11:29, Linwood Fiedler 12:05, and John Baker 15:45. If Vern were to match DeeDee, it would put him into Cripple about 4:00 this afternoon. He woul probably rest there at least 6 hours, so leaving about 10:00 tonight. Looks like there are at least about 10 teams in the top positions that will be within a couple of hours of each other, after they are all on the trail having completed their 24 hour layovers.

Ramy has 11 dogs (we had a scare when they showed him with 9 dogs out of Ophir yesterday) and is right on his planned schedule. I have been an pins and needles, and have spent ALL my time following the race on the internet and compiling race data and statistics. I am not sure where our reporter, Greg Loudon, is. I will be flying out to Ruby tomorrow, courtesy of FRONTIER FLYING SERVICE. Our thanks to them and all of our other sponsors. I will join Greg on snomachine, at least as far as Kaltag. Who knows, maybe I will follow the race all the way to Nome!

For a inside view of the race from a checkpoint, check the Takotna School's website: tct.schoolaccess.net

March 6 11:45 AM, Roxy reporting from Fairbanks

The leaders currently are out of Ophir:

1. Linwood Fiedler, 7:36 with 11 dogs
2. Ramy Brooks, 9:12 with 9 dogs
3. John Baker 9:21 with 13 dogs
4. DeeDee Jonrowe, 9:39 with 12 dogs
5. Martin Buser, 9:53 with 13 dogs

It is a bit worrisome to see Ramy down to 9 dogs, but if they are strong and he does not drop any more, he could still be in there. With Doug Swingley out of the race, I think we have Linwood, Ramy, DeeDee, and John Baker, all vying to break into the winners circle along with Martin and Jeff wanting to make it four wins. I have put together a spread sheet to help compare these teams run and rest times.

Ramy Brooks

Martin Buser

Linwood Fiedler

DeeDee Jonrowe

John Baker

Jeff King

Run to:

Rest at:

Run to:

Rest at:

Run to:

Rest at:

Run to:

Rest at:

Run to:

Rest at:

Run to:

Rest at:

Wasilla

Knik

Yentna

4:27

4:59

7:24

:05

4:55

:05

5:02

:26

Swentna

2:52

:02

2:28

5:14

2:26

2:49

:14

2:32

Finger Lake

9:24

:01

:08

6:45

:02

9:26

:08

:01

Rainy Pass

2:50

5:35

8:56

:02

2:49

:40

3:23

7:18

3:19

5:48

3:10

6:02

Rohn

3:32

:06

3:13

6:36

3:45

8:41

3:46

:21

3:54

:24

3:36

6:42

Nikolai

13:32

6:18

12:47

:00

8:00

6:05

9:29

8:16

14:10

5:05

8:21

6:04

McGrath

5:11

:01

4:49

6:08

5:02

:06

5:31

:02

5:13

:09

4:43

Takotna

2:14

5:57

1:47

:02

2:09

6:24

2:21

6:46

2:31

5:55

Ophir

2:21

:10

2:18

2:30

:01

2:29

Cripple

Ruby

 

Tuesday, March 5 11:08 Am, 2002, Roxy Wright reporting from Fairbanks
Some exciting racing going on, Ramy was the first team to leave Rohn last night! He was planning on breaking up the run into Nikolai with a rest, he should be there any time, however. There are two team into Nikolai - DeeDee and Linwood. And where is Swingley? The last report I showed him into Rainy Pass on 3/5 7:57. That puts him about 21 hours behind the first team into there, Charlie Boulding on 3/4 10:56. Speculation was that Doug was playing with a new strategy -rest more, keep the team fast… I don't think he can make up the time, no matter how fast his team is. But then again, if he slipped through some checkpoints, perhaps he is not as far behinde as what is showing. More later, Roxy

March 4 - Talked to Jenny Loudon (Greg's wife), she said that she talked to Greg. Greg reported that Ramy was feeling good. Ramy was about the second team into Yentna yesterday with a very good time. (Will have some analysis on run times later today.) Ramy left Yentna with 15 dogs, he left Gordo because of a sore back

March 3 - I rode second sled from Wasilla to Knik. Dogs looked good. The run took us right at about an hour, which was probably one of the fastest
times. After Ramy left Knik, Dave and I dropped off a snomachine sled for Greg Loudon at Dave and Donna Olsens before driving back to Fairbanks. Greg will be traveling the entire trail, and sending in reports and pictures. Should be some exciting coverage! With our webmaster,Greg, out on the trail, Beth Fleischer will be updating our website. Thanks, Beth!

March 2- Ceremonial start in Anchorage to Eagle River. I rode with Ramy, we had a big freight sled so it took us about 3 hours, instead of our usual
2 1/2 Hrs. Mushers are allowed to take 12 dogs out of a pool of 20 on this run. Times on this run are not counted, it allows mushers to not take all of their best dogs and be able to evaluate for the final pick of 16.

March 1- Dave and I went out to Chugiak to help Ramy with final preparations for the race. We put Iditarod ID tags on the dogs, helped go over tow lines, feed for dogs, etc. All the dogs were feeling good.
Granddaughter, Molly has been sick. Hopefully Ramy does not get her bug out on the trail.