The Daily 5: A warm, slow trail, a lead dog's life saved & a musher tougher than a snowhook (Iditarod)

KTVA ^ | March 14, 2020 | Daniella Rivera

[Morgana]

Here are five things to know on Sunday, Day 8 of the 2020 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race: 1. Race Outlook: Weather & checkpoint changes present new obstacles

Weather and checkpoint changes are obstacles facing mushers on the trail.

Snow and warm temperatures are slowing every team down, while changes in checkpoint availability due to concerns over the novel coronavirus are forcing some mushers to deviate from their race plans.

As for leaders, the coast is still between their teams and Nome. It's not time for bold moves yet. Front-runners just want to stay within striking distance.

2. Race Forecast: More snow and warm temps

The mushers leading the Iditarod are facing snow as they make the journey from Kaltag to Unalakleet. This section of the trail is currently under a Winter Storm Warning.

Another round of heavy snow will push up the west coast and western interior tonight and Sunday before ending Monday morning.

Tonight low temperatures at the Kaltag checkpoint will fall into the upper teens with about an inch of snow expected. Looking ahead, a series of storms move into the west coast about every other day next week.

Temperatures will stay above normal with periods of snow and mixed precipitation. 3. Volunteer veterinarian saves lead dog's life

Veteran musher Matthew Failor snapped this photo of one of his lead dogs, Cool Cat, on Wednesday. He was worried she wasn't going to survive.

Saturday, he said a volunteer veterinarian saved her life by performing an emergency procedure at the checkpoint in Takotna.

[Morgana]

ALASKA PING

KALTAG TO UNALAKLEET 30F IN THE DAY 19F AT NIGHT. A HEAT WAVE.

[DUMBGRUNT]

At 9 years old, Failor said Cool Cat is the "matriarch" of his kennel. She's a good lead dog, but she's also like a pet to him and sleeps in his bed at night.

Quite an ordeal!

Thank you for posting I enjoy reading about the race, the dogs and people.

Thanks

[IronJack]

What’s a snowhook?

[Twotone]

That was a great picture he took of Cool Cat as she left for surgery. That expression told you she was going to pull through.

[pax_et_bonum]

I miss thackney.