Alaska Dispatch

Nearing the halfway point in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, more than two dozen mushers have chosen to take their 24-hour layover in the Athabascan village of Takotna. The small riverside community buzzed with activity as volunteers doted on mushers and dog teams while a steady stream of diners passed through the checkpoint restaurant scarfing down $20 meals -- $17 for a cheeseburger and fries and another $3 for a slice of one the beloved race stop's famous pies.

Looking well rested after pulling into Takotna close to 11 p.m. Tuesday, veteran Jeff King strolled through the checkpoint offices in search of ointment for his dogs' paws. His team is in good shape. He's made it this far with no dropped dogs and none nursing injuries, something he attributes to the soft snow that slowed his team in the earlier legs of the race. Going "too fast can be the kiss of death," he said.

King believes he has one of the faster teams this year and says so far he's having as good a race as he's ever had, despite accepting that he's turned into somewhat of a "fair-weather musher."

He does best when the weather's nice and the trail is fast, conditions he's optimistic will linger as the race presses on toward Nome.

He plans to keep playing to his team's strength -- speed -- by resting plenty to keep them running fast. After moving out of Takotna, King will reevaluate his strategy once he makes it in to Ruby.

"By Ruby we'll know who's in it for the roses. Right now it's very hard to tell," he said.

With a steady running team that stays healthy, King is hoping to fend off other top racers like John Baker, Hans Gatt, Mitch Seavey and Sebastian Schnuelle. Even Lance Mackey, who's dropped dogs and is currently in Takotna but running further behind, can't be counted out, he said.

"I've been around long enough to know that around every corner there is something that could cramp your style," King said.

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