The Nome daily nugget. (Nome, Alaska) 1906-1918, 1916-04-11
SWEEPS1AKE RACERS
COMMENCE THEIR
LONG DASH

With half of Nome at the start
ing post and the other hall anXi-
Gus to get there, the five entries
in the ninth annual All Alaska
Sweepstakes race to Candle and
return crossed the starting line
on their long, cold journey over
the barren wastes to Candle and
return, at nine this morning. As
the teams lined up at one minute
intervals before Queen Mary and
her maids of honor, the eager
crowd rushed in to close quarters,
crowding and jostling the dogs
and driver in their anxiety to see
the speedy animals which, for
three long days, will fly over the
frozen trail until four hundred
miles will have passed beneath
their feet and they return once
more to the haven of rest at
Nome.
For some reason, the crowd
tailed to give vent to any demon
stration as the furry racers sped
out on their long journey. One en-
thusiastic individually shouted
loudly as Seppala shot forward
at the flag but aside from this
there was .subdued atmosphere
and even the dogs were quiet, as
if they felt that it was, indeed, a
long, long way to Candle. Aver
was the first to face the line and
after the usual checking and
marking at the hands OF the bust
ling officials, the olive flag in the
hands of Queen Mary trembled in
the air for a moment and then fell.
The great race was on. Aver
failed to see the flag and started
slow but, at the word, the tremb-
ing dogs leaped forward and
sped down the street at a dizzy
pace, the eager animals fairly tear
ing imp the brittle snow.
Aver was scarcely more than
passed from vision before Seppala
with his handsome Siberians came
up and minute later he too had
flashed across the tape Bobby
Brown, as lean and well trained in
appearance as his rangy animals
followed, Delzene, with a half
dozen men hanging on the tow
lines to restrain the eager rushes
OF the racers, came up and, amidst
the usual hearty chorus of Good
bye's' followed the others. Last
came the Drowned and bearded
Norseman, Kjedsted, with his
stocky animals. A few moments
at the line and he too was gone.
All made excellent time down
the coast.
Aver arrived at Cape Nome, IS
miles away, at 1921. At II 90
he reached Safety and Solomon
at 80. His time was RI min
utes ahead of that made by Allan
last year. Brown arrived at Sol
ONION at the same time as Aver.
making the distance in 3 80. Sep
pala was next in 1885. Delzene
took 3 40 to make the 60 mile run
and kJegsted 3:55' Aver stopped
tour minutes at the cape and Kjeg-
sted pulled up for nine minutes at
Safety. Weather reports from
along the trial indicate fair trail
all the way to Candle. Along the
coast the weather is slightly low
ering but there is little hint of a
storm. AT Council it is reported
windy but with brilliant sunshine.
Reports from along the route ear
ly said that Aver had one dog in
the sled and four loose. 1t is also
reported that the dog carried was
injured by striking a horse team
before he was we'll out of Nome.
Four of the racers have reached
Timber as we go to press; Aver
arriving at 1891, Brown second at
3:35, DelZene third at 2.az and
Seppala at 1893, Ayers time up
to this point is 6:36. All are long
behind the time made last year
up to this point. Seppala having
made the run in sos in the 1915
race
Later-K iepsted arrived Of