Seward’s Mitch Seavey made it to Kaltag first as of 7:41 am Saturday morning. Farther back on the trail, two of the mushers in the top ten were reportedly attacked overnight by a snowmachiner.
Iditarod Sled Dog Race officials wrote in a release that Aliy Zirkle (3rd) and Jeff King (6th) were attacked in separate incidents on their way to the Nulato checkpoint.
Zirkle reported the snowmachiner “repeatedly tried to harm her and her team” and one of her dogs was injured.
The attack was reported to Iditarod race officials, a Village Public Safety Officer, and the Alaska State Troopers.
King’s team was also attacked by a snowmachiner 12 miles outside of Nulato. One of his dogs was killed and two others injured in the incident. He also received medical treatment in Nulato but the extent of his injuries was not identified.
Both mushers say they plan to continue in the race to Nome.
A suspect in the attack has been identified and investigations are ongoing.
