John Baker has overtaken Hans Gatt as the Iditarod’s fifth day takes shape on the icy wastes of Alaska.

Yukon Quest 2010 champion Gatt was out in front with his dog harness yesterday (March 10th 2010), but has slipped to seventh in the standings in recent hours.

Dallas Seavey and Cim Smyth are holding their own in the top ten, along with the likes of Jeff King, Robert Nelson, Martin Buser, Ramey Smyth and Bruce Linton.

The highest-placed rookie at the moment is Michelle Phillips, who is currently in sixth place.

Baker is a commercial pilot by trade but also enjoys mushing near his home in Arctic Alaska.

A regular in the top ten of the Iditarod during his 14 year of competing, he has never won the Last Great Race, with his best previous finish third.

Early favourite Lance Mackey, who has taken home the title three times, is down in 15th place, while six mushers have retired from the race since the start on Saturday (March 6th 2010).