The Race is On!

Martin Buser's Team
Photo by  Sebastian Schnuelle on Facebook

You might have noticed that mushers have been stopping for 24 + hours, this is mandatory. Each team has to rest for 24 hours plus the differential from the start. For example, Martin Buser left first so he had to rest 24 hours plus 2 hrs. 10 minutes. The 2 hrs. and 10 minutes is how long after Martin started that the last musher left Willow. James Volk will only have to rest for 24 hours.

Photo by  Sebastian Schnuelle on Facebook

In the photo your can see sleds parked and dogs resting. Most of the time they rest during the heat of the day, and run at night.

Photo by  Sebastian Schnuelle on Facebook

When the team comes into the checkpoint their food and supplies are in their dropped bags. These bags were flown in before the race. Musher try to pack everything they might need into these bags.

Photo by  Sebastian Schnuelle on Facebook

The Iditarod Air Force moves people, supplies, vets, and dogs up and down the trail. Many of these planes land on skies in the winter. 

Once the mushers have taken a 24 hour break, it will be easier to know who is "really" leading the race.