John Baker, Martin Buser, Bruce Linton lead Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race out of Cripple

Baker leads Iditarod at halfway point

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Satellite tracking shows three mushers have left Cripple, the halfway point in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

John Baker of Kotzebue has the early lead Thursday, followed by four-time champion Martin Buser of Big Lake and Bruce Linton of Kasilof.

The next checkpoint is at Ruby, and the next 150 miles will be on the Yukon River.

Six of the 71 teams that left Willow on Sunday have scratched.

The jockeying for the lead remains fluid as mushers take a mandatory 24-hour layover and two eight-hour rests. Many mushers — including defending champion Lance Mackey, Mitch Seavey and four-time winner Jeff King — took their 24-hour stop in Takotna, known for a huge feast provided to the competitors.

Dallas Seavey of Willow won $3,000 in placer gold nuggets for arriving first in Cripple.