Former Champions Lead Iditarod King Sets Pace Heading Toward Final Layover Before Dash To Nome

Fighting a week of sleep depravation and shrinking dog teams, the Iditarod leaders pulled out of this Norton Sound village midday Monday, heading for a final 8-hour layover before the dash to Nome.

Three former champions hit the trail within 90 minutes of each other, while another contender decided to ease back to care for her tired dogs.

First out was 1993 winner Jeff King of Denali, who left at 11:22 a.m. local time. Defending champion Doug Swingley of Simms, Mont., followed at 12:07 p.m. Martin Buser of Big Lake, the 1992 and 1994 winner, left at 12:35 p.m.

But Willow musher Dee Dee Jonrowe, who has hung with the leaders the past 500 miles, said her priority now is getting her team to Nome safely. Two of her remaining eight dogs are fighting off diarrhea, and others have had it the past few days.

“I’m not rushing it, not anymore,” she said while packing her sled in the bright noon sun. “I’m taking care of this dog team now.”

Tim Osmar of Kasilof also had reached Koyuk, at 10:42. Two other teams were on the trail to Koyuk Monday afternoon.

King appears to be in the best shape late in the race. He left Koyuk with nine dogs in harness. Swingley, Buser and Jonrowe have eight.

Buser conceded as much, saying King probably had the race won if he avoided mistakes and bad luck.

From Koyuk, the leaders will swing westward along the top of the Norton Sound coast toward the next checkpoint of Elim, 48 miles away. Then it’s on to Golovin, 28 miles away, and another 18 miles to White Mountain and a mandatory eight-hour layover.