The tripod connected  to the clock that determines the winner or winners of the Nenana Ice Classic tripped this afternoon. The official time is 3:48 pm.

All eyes were on the tripod this afternoon with a multitude of vehicles in the parking lot, but as the crowd dwindled, the ice began to move. And when the ice moved, it headed downstream at a rapid rate.

It is as if the tripod and the ice it was anchored in was only awaiting the announcement of this year’s jackpot before itself determining a winner. The board of directors announced the prize after their meeting Thursday night. This year , some lucky winner, or winners will take home a jackpot of $363,627. This total sets a new record for the classic.

The tripod had held firm throughout the month, sitting on ice that was getting increasingly rotted. But, eventually it gave way to spring and the breakup of winter in Alaska.

  clock, ice classic, Nenana, tripod, trips