We finally have confirmation of what many believed would be the case hours ago. Jeff Deeter and rookies KattiJo Deeter and Sebastien Dos Santos Borges have scratched from Iditarod 50. The three received Search and Rescue assistance to get to the shelter cabin last night and that is considered outside assistance. There's no doubt that the mushers all knew what the help would ultimately mean, still it's a sad end to their race.
You can read the Iditarod's press release in full:
"Iditarod mushers Sebastien Dos Santos Borges, KattiJo Deeter and Jeff Deeter scratch between White Mountain and Safety checkpoints
Anchorage, Alaska –– Iditarod mushers Sebastien Dos Santos Borges (bib #44, rookie), KattiJo Deeter (bib #19, rookie) and Jeff Deeter (bib #34, veteran) have scratched from the Iditarod between the checkpoints of White Mountain and Safety.
In the late evening on March 18, 2022, Iditarod Race Marshal Mark Nordman was notified that all three teams had accepted assistance between the checkpoints of White Mountain and Safety. Due to the ground storm and high winds, all three teams received snowmachine assistance by White Mountain search and rescue to the Nome Kennel Club shelter cabin, where they stayed until improved weather conditions allowed for Iditarod volunteers to assist with transporting the mushers and their teams to Nome.
The mushers have been in direct communication with the race marshal while at the shelter cabin and the race teams are reportedly in good health. Upon arrival in Nome, the race teams will be given a full veterinary check."
Borges' facebook page confirmed the scratch, as well, as say that once the musher returns to Nome the focus will go fully towards finding missing dog Leon in Ruby. So far Black Spruce Kennel's social media remain silent on the scratch. I'm sure once the mushers and their teams are safely into Nome and better rested/recovered we'll get more of the story.
This leaves the Final Four out on the trail. Two are nearing the checkpoint of Safety, while the other two are coming up on the shelter cabin. All look to be on schedule to come into Nome before the musher banquet Sunday evening.
