Palin/Quam first to leave McGrath checkpoint

MAT-SU — Executive director Kevin Kastner called trail conditions during the second day of the 2011 Iron Dog, “a mixed bag.”

“They’re moving fairly quick on some sections, but we just got a report that our trail guys basically had their collective butts kicked,” Kastner said Monday afternoon as he was busy fielding phone calls from the trail at the Iron Dog’s home office in Anchorage.

Kastner said Iron Dog trailbreakers had their hands full as they stormed from McGrath to Ruby clearing the way for the pro class racers. Kastner said the crews hit 6-foot snow drifts and, at points, it took an hour to go a mile. Despite the harsh conditions, the leaders were still able to travel at a reasonable rate.

“The pro guys are still making pretty decent time,” Kastner said.

The team of Todd Palin and Eric Quam was the first to leave McGrath Monday morning after a layover. The Palin/Quam team left just after 7 a.m. Monday, the first of three teams to leave before 7:45.

As of 3 p.m. Monday, the 2011 Iron Dog had already ended for a half-dozen teams, including 2009 champions Todd Minnick and Nick Olstad. The Wasilla riders were forced to scratch after Minnick was injured during a crash early in the race.

Kastner said Minnick reportedly didn’t see a big chunk of ice less than two miles into the race.

“Unfortunatley, Todd ran into that, flipped his machine and was sent flying,” Kastner said. “He hit hard enough he wasn’t able to get up under his own power.”

Kastner said Olstad fireman-carried his partner back to the start, where medical personel were able to attend to Minnick. The duo was forced to scratch Sunday night.

Another popular Valley team, Tyler Aklestad and Tyson Johnson, scratched in Puntilla Lake after mechincal problems. Akelstad of Palmer and Johnson of Skwentna finished as the runner-up team in 2007 and 2009.