2025 Iditarod champion Jessie Holmes, fresh off his 24-hour rest in Takotna, has pulled out of Ophir checkpoint (mile 352) at 2:00 am Alaska time, and is in the lead in this year's race.
(Technically, "expedition class" racers Kjell Rokke and Thomas Waerner are ahead of him, and have already left the Cripple checkpoint (mile 425). "Expedition class" racers aren't eligible for placement or prizes in the race, aren't required to take mandatory rests, and can swap fresh sled dogs in and out at their convenience, so Rokke and Waerner's lead is more due to advantages from the rules than their mushing prowess.)
Paige Drobney, Mille Porsild, Michelle Phillips, Ryan Redington, and Travis Beals all left Ophir 1½ to 2 hours after Holmes. For some reason, the official Iditarod standings indicate Drobney, Williams, and Beals haven't yet completed their mandatory 24s, although it also shows that both spent over 24 hours in Takotna. I'm assuming it's an oversight or an error on the part of the committee and will be corrected soon.
I understand Takotna wasn't the preferred spot for many teams to take their break, but many mushers got thoroughly soaked after Rohn (mile 188), where the trail follows the south fork of the Kuskokwim River and freezing water flowing over a layer of ice can be a hazard. Fearful of the predicted low temperatures overnight, many decided to stop in Takotna (mile 329) to dry out the dogs, boots, clothes, etc. Several mushers reported having their pants frozen on and not being able to get them off until they got indoors.
Porsild's sled took a full-on plunge into the river, resulting in a soaked sleeping bag, mukluks, and sled bag. With temperatures dropping to -40 to -50° F, all her gear froze instantly. To add to the adventure, her sled then took off on a glacier and into a section of trees were it got stuck. It took her 45 minutes to get the sled back on the trail, but at the cost of her mittens. Fortunately, "expedition class" musher Thomas Waerner came along and kindly lent her a pair of his so she could make it to Takotna without frostbite.
Bailey Vitello wasn't so lucky. He frost-bit the bottom of his foot and had to pour hot water over his frozen boots to get them off. However, he's still in the race at 11th place, and as of this moment was the last musher to leave Ophir.
Rookie Jodi Potts-Joseph encountered a bison somewhere on the trail before McGrath (mile 311); fortunately, Jodi, her dogs, and the bison were all unharmed, but she's still back at McGrath in last place (second from last if you include "expedition class" racer Steven Curtis, who's still back in Rainy Pass (mile 153), 200 miles back from the lead).
In summary, as of 8:30 am Alaska time, 11 teams (Jessie Holmes, Paige Drobny, Mille Porsild, Michelle Phillips, Ryan Redington, Travis Beals, Peter Kaiser, Jessie Royer, Riley Dyche, Wade Marrs, and Bailey Vitello) have left Ophir and have completed their 24-hour rest, even if the standings don't yet recognize their breaks. Seven other teams, including Matt Hall and Jeff Deeter, are currently taking their mandatory 24 in Ophir, and four more have left Takotna after completing their 24.
After Ophir, the trail diverges into the northern and southern routes and rejoin at Kaltag (mile 629). This year follows the northern route through Cripple (mile 425) and then through the Sulatna Crossing to Ruby (mile 495) on the Yukon River.
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