Holmes Leads Iditarod, Rokke Finishes Under New Rules

0:00Here's more Anchorage news for March 17th. Jesse Holmes holds a strong lead in this year's I Did a Ride Trail sled dog race. The 43-year-old musher, who won last year, is pushing toward back-to-back victories in the 1,000-mile event. He left the Coyote Checkpoint mid-day Monday and should reach Ellem soon, setting up for a mandatory 8-hour rest at White Mountain before the final. Push to Nome Holmes has kept a steady pace without big risks, maintaining a 3-hour edge over his closest rival, neighbor Paige Drobney. His dogs are healthy, eating well, and rested, thanks to smart early rests and high-fat snacks on the trail. His meals from Seward is also surging, but trails slightly after a 5-and-a-half-hour stop in Coyote. Competitors like Drobney plan careful rests at Ellem to avoid hazards on the tricky Norton Sound Coast. Beals admits time is running short for a comeback, with few chances left for bold moves. The front pack has stayed disciplined over 700 miles, balancing runs and rests to

1:02insert what veterans call race mode. Trail conditions have been tough but typical. The sticky snow, wind, and some musher's battling frostbite. This year, parts near Ellem and Galovan go over land instead of sea ice, adding miles and steep hills. A slight headwind is forecast for Tuesday, which could slow the leaders. In other news, Norwegian billionaire KL Ingo Raka became the first to finish under the new Expedition Class rules. He relied on support and dog swaps, unlike competitive musher and arrived in no Monday with our prize eligibility. He and then is brought to you by our sponsor. Lay back. Press play. Let the pillow do the rest. Sound meets comfort. S-O-L-L-I. SullyPillow.com.