CB300: Analysis -- Meiers Lake Update

Lots of action overnight in the CB300! While the top teams are all resting in the Meiers Lake checkpoint, let's start sorting out the situation in this dynamic race by taking a look at various teams' rest strategies back in Sourdough.

Allen and Aliy both took 5-hour rests, exactly according to their race plans. Nic Petit blew through Sourdough, taking only 30 minutes there. In sharp contrast, Matt Hall took his full mandatory 6-hour rest plus his start differential.

The 7-hour difference between their rest strategies may have put Nic far ahead on the race course, but not actually ahead in the race.

As I have said many, many times: The only thing that really matters in the CB300 is cumulative run times between checkpoints. Nic's shorter rest put him into Meiers about 6 hours ahead of Matt, but he's actually about a half-hour behind. He is also a few minutes behind Allen and only a few minutes ahead of the next top teams. Trust the math, not your eyes!



It is worth noting that Nic's short rest in Sourdough did not materially slow his pace to Meiers. His run-time of 4:41 is only a few minutes slower than teams which took longer rests. In contrast, Matt's 7-hour rest may have helped his team run at the fastest pace. Looking at the entire list, there's a noticeable correlation between rest times and run times: the longer you rest, the faster your dogs run.

Longer rests early result in less rest later in the race. We'll have to watch how that plays out, especially between Nic and Matt. Allen, Aliy and Ryne are using a middle strategy, taking 5 hours rest at the first checkpoint.

It is still very early in the race, and we all know that anything can happen... Go SPK!

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