As Iron Dog pack rests in Nome, stragglers battle whiteout

As blowing snow cut visibility to near zero, stragglers in the world's longest and toughest snowmobile race struggled toward Nome this morning for much-needed rest.

Just three of the 18 teams remaining in the race were still on the trail as the sun rose over the Seward Peninsula -- with one far back.

Rookies Stacey Green, 47, and Cliff Johnson, 42, were well-acquainted with the miserable conditions they faced leaving Unalakleet at 9:04 a.m., bound for Shaktoolik. Both Arctic Cat drivers live in Nome and have competed in numerous area races over the years.

Just six minutes behind them was the father-son combo of Robbie Muir, 52, of Anchorage, and Jeremiah Jones, 30, of Denver. The tandem finished ninth last year during a particularly rugged race, but mechanical issues have pushed them down to 17th so far this year.

Bringing up the rear was a team of Polaris drivers, 45-year-old Mike Fuller of Chugiak and 35-year-old Billy Long of Wasilla. They left Ruby at 8:35 a.m., still some 440 miles from Nome. Unless they find a sudden burst of speed, they will be out of the pro class race tonight.

Race rules mandate that all teams must reach Nome by 11:59 p.m. tonight Teams that fail to do so are re-classified as recreational trail class teams, whose race ends in Nome after 1,000 miles.

Drivers will start heading for the Fairbanks finish line at 8 a.m. Thursday. Weather may not be much better. A nasty ground storm is blowing up, centered near White Mountain.

"Our weatherman is predicting nasty weather till Sunday," Marlene Moto-Karlhere of Deering posted on the Iron Dog blog, reporting 50 mph easterly winds.

Thirteen teams have scratched.

2011 Iron Dog

Standings Wednesday

Into Nome

1) Marc McKenna and Dusty Van Meter, Ski-Doo, 7:41 p.m. Tuesday; 2) Todd Palin and Eric Quam, Arctic Cat, 7:44 p.m. Tuesday; 3) Tyler Huntington and Chris Olds, Polaris, 7:45 p.m. Tuesday; 4) Scott Davis and Cory Davis, Arctic Cat, 8:04 p.m. Tuesday; 5) David Branholm and Matthew Spernak, Polaris, 8:48 p.m. Tueseday; 6) Doug Dixon and Wayne Wold, Arctic Cat, 8:57 p.m.; 7) Ryan Sottosanti and Andrew Zwink, Polaris, 9:39 p.m.; 8) Aaron Marks and Arnold Marks, Polaris, 9:53 p.m.; 9) Andy George and Tre West III, Arctic Cat, 11:09 p.m.; 10) Curtis Cherrier and Jim McAllen, Polaris, 11:21 p.m.; 11) Robert Hingsbergen and Steven Williamson, Arctic Cat, 12:52 a.m.; 12) Aaron Bartel and Jason Wichman, Ski-Doo, 3:39 a.m.; 13) Race Price and Eric Watson, Arctic Cat, 5:31 a.m.; 14) Jake Goodell and Theron Willard, Ski-Doo, 6:01 a.m.; 15) Vernon Albert and Kyle Malamute, Polaris, 6:01 a.m.