The Latest: Frenchman clings to lead in Iditarod race | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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The Latest: Frenchman clings to lead in Iditarod race

FILE - In this March 3, 2018, file photo, defending Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey rounds a turn during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, Alaska. Poor weather on Friday, March 9, 2018, caused some logistical challenges for mushers in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (AP Photo/Michael Dinneen, file)
Original Publication Date March 10, 2018 - 2:56 PM

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Latest on Alaska's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race (all times local):

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4:30 p.m.

A native of France is clinging to the lead in Alaska's 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Nicolas Petit was the first to leave the checkpoint at Grayling for the 122-mile stretch to the next checkpoint at the village of Kaltag.

Sled positioning trackers show Norwegian musher Joar UIsom and defending Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey jockeying for position Saturday as they closed in on Petit nearing Kaltag.

All three have completed mandatory eight-hour and 24-hour breaks in the race.

Poor weather Friday prevented small planes from delivering food to one of the four checkpoints on the Yukon River.

The race began last Sunday in Willow, Alaska, with 67 teams.

Four racers have scratched.

The racers are expected to reach Nome early next week.

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1:50 p.m.

Another musher has dropped out of the running in Alaska's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Race officials say 29-year-old Robert Redington withdrew from the race shortly Saturday morning at the checkpoint in Shageluk (SHA'-guh-luk), saying it was in the best interest of his team.

Redington, of Willow, Alaska, is a grandson of late Iditarod co-founder Joe Redington Sr.

He is the fourth musher to scratch since 67 teams began the race last Sunday in Willow north of Anchorage.

Nicolas Petit is leading the race, followed by defending champion Mitch Seavey and Norwegian musher Joar UIsom.

The race ends in Nome early next week.

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11:15 a.m.

A native of France has regained the lead as front-runners pass the midway point in Alaska's 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Nicolas Petit was the first to leave the checkpoint at Grayling for the 122-mile stretch before the next checkpoint at Kaltag Friday afternoon and was nearing the village late Saturday morning.

Petit, who now lives in Girdwood, Alaska, was followed out of Grayling by defending champion Mitch Seavey and Norwegian musher Joar UIsom.

All three have completed mandatory eight-hour and 24-hour breaks in the race.

Poor weather Friday prevented small planes from delivering food to one of the four checkpoints on the Yukon River.

The race began last Sunday in Willow, Alaska, with 67 teams. Three have scratched.

The winner is expected to reach Nome early next week.

News from © The Associated Press, 2018
The Associated Press

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