Sass leaves Central, taking early lead in Yukon Quest

Sass, of Fairbanks, was the first musher to leave the Central checkpoint, departing at 11:31 a.m. today, 13 minutes after he arrived.

Next in was Hugh Neff, who reached the checkpoint one minute after Sass left. Allen Moore of Two Rivers, however, was the second musher to leave Central, trailing Sass by 2 1/2 hours.

Sass also was the first to arrive at the Mile 101 checkpoint earlier Sunday. He left for Central after his mandatory four-hour stop, hitting a trail that includes 3,685-foot Eagle Summit, which is known for its often windy, blizzard-like conditions.

This time, however, weather on the summit was clear. One hazard was a cow moose near the trail guarding a wounded calf.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported a clear night, moderate temperatures and brilliant aurora led the Fairbanks musher to Central at 2:52 a.m. today.

Mushers in the race that began Saturday in Fairbanks have the option this year of taking their four-hour stop at either Mile 101 or Central.

Competitors may leave the checkpoint before their four hours are up if veterinarian checks have not begun. If the mushers declare their stop, but do not take the entire time, they must again declare at Central and take another four hours.

As of 7 a.m. Sunday, Hugh Neff had not declared his four-hour stop in 101.

"Probably a stupid move," he said. "Oh, well. I'll make it up on the river."

Twenty-three mushers are competing in the race, which ends in Whitehorse, Yukon.