SUBLETTE COUNTY, WYO – The veterans around the mushing game called yesterday a perfect dog sledding day. With temps ranging from 7 to 28 degrees and a slight breeze, dogs kept cool and mushers actually wore their toques all day.
Lina Streeper retained the ‘yellow parka,’ covering the 42 miles of the reverse Upper Green track in 3:05:07. Dave Torgerson came in second, just a shade over four minutes behind, despite a crash-and-drag to start the race. Bruce Magnusson held on to his overall second place standing by finishing to show yesterday. Alix Crittenden continues to run solid fourth place performances.
It’s tight in the middle of the pack with a battle for seventh between Dennis Laboda and Austin Forney, who are only 23 seconds apart.
Today, mushers head to Driggs. The trail is up and down with numerous switchbacks. It should be challenging for dogs and mushers alike just to stay on the track.
Jerry Bath’s take:
Much can happen with 2 more days of racing to go.
The Driggs, Idaho stage is up, up again then down, up and down again. It is another shorter stage of approximately 30 miles. Some pretty good switchbacks and tight turns with 1/2 mile of cliff-hanging narrow trail on the backside. On and off a road in places, then through the sage flats for the turnaround.
There are plenty of opportunities to meet a team in tight spots and or unseen corners. It’s a blast but a nail biter at the same time.
Can Bruce catch Lina? Only 15 minutes behind her and Dave 7 minutes behind Bruce. Can Dennis and Austin knock off JR? That is the squeeze play for tomorrow. Jeff and Greta cannot play it safe just yet!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch. It’s the traditional Handler Games:
