The Top seven mushers have left Nikolai, according to the Iditarod’s standings page, many after three or four hours of rest. Sebastian Schnuelle left a little more than 30 minutes after Buser.
Defending champion Lance Mackey left the checkpoint in third place, after dropping three dogs in the checkpoint. He had dropped his famous lead-dog, Maple, who was not in the leader spot this time around, in Rohn. Maple was Mackey’s lead dog in his 2009 and 2010 victories, and won the Golden Harness award in 2010.
Mackey is now down to 12 dogs.
Behind Mackey and on the trail to McGrath, 54 miles away, are Hugh Neff, Robert Bundtzen, Mitch Seavey and Ray Redington Jr.
Michael Williams, Jr., Hans Gatt and Paul Gebhardt round out the Top 10. They are still listed in McGrath as of 2:50 p.m.
Top 10 Stats:
1- Martin Buser - Out of Nikolai 12:31 p.m. Tuesday
2- Sebastian Schnuelle - Out of Nikolai 1:09 p.m. Tuesday
3- Lance Mackey - Out of Nikolai 1:42 p.m. Tuesday
4- Hugh Neff - Out of Nikolai 1:44 p.m. Tuesday
5- Robert Bundtzen - Out of Nikolai 2:03 p.m. Tuesday
6- Mitch Seavey - Out of Nikolai 2:17 p.m. Tuesday
7- Ray Redington Jr. - Out of Nikolai 2:21 p.m.
8- Michael Williams, Jr. - Into Nikolai 9:44 a.m. Tuesday
9- Hans Gatt - Into Nikolai 9:51 a.m. Tuesday
10- Paul Gebhardt - Into Nikolai 9:51 a.m. Tuesday
