The Red Team consists of 13 of the 14 Yukon Quest champions. Commando, Dutch, Spark, Kodiak, Clyde, Champ, Five, Rodney, Nomex, Driver, Junior, Violet and Felix.
They are strong, fit, a bit cocky, and rearing to get going again. Aliy has added into the mix Chipper, who has such an attitude that she will fit into the “cocky boys club” beautifully; Scooby, who is one of the cocky boys; and Cayenne who will gel in with Junior and Violet well.
Cayenne is an Iditarod rookie and is Aliy’s “emotional choice” – the dog that perhaps doesn’t make sense on paper but in her heart she knew she was ready and she wanted to take her.
Chena is one of the best leaders in the kennel but Aliy felt she’s might not use her in lead so much and that her talent would be somewhat wasted in the back of the team. As such, she will be a main leader and “big fish” for Allen’s team. She will be happier and more animated at the front end.
The Black Team, as is always the intention, is full of inexperience with some experience to keep them headed in the right direction and to show the youngsters the ropes.
Quest Champion Chena will be a main leader and will work well with Amber, Daisy, Tinder and Schmoe at the front end of the team.
His main other experience comes in the happy, smiling form of Wille who will race in his EIGHTH Iditarod as an understated team dog.
Allen then has a long list of rookie three and two year olds: Barista, Decaf, McCaw, Ginger, Jefe, Sanka, QT and Bruno. He also has one four year old rookie in “M”.
His intention is to get as many of these dogs to the finish line so will run the race to the pace of his slowest dog.
There are always dogs that miss out on making the team. We know sponsors and fans of those dogs are disappointed but we hope you trust us enough to know we have their best interests at heart and will not put them in a race they are not fit or ready for. Many were very close and on the list right up until we loaded the truck for Anchorage.
Bean was dog #17 for the Black Team and was brought to Anchorage in case something happened. We wanted to give her a run so she enjoyed the Ceremonial Start and will drive back to the kennel with Jeff and Mark.
The other two year olds and all the yearlings were just not ready yet to run 1000 miles so look for their names next year: Chevie, Dancer, Creamer, Gold, Prata and Bronze.
You will see some names missing that you might have expected to run. Most of them are out due to niggling injuries that have put them behind in miles this season.
Izzy has been battling a minor but annoying injury all season. She will take time off over the summer and come back next season ready to run! She has been much missed in racing teams all season as she is one of the best in the kennel.
Mismo, another of the superstars of the kennel, developed a sore leg earlier in the season, just before the Copper Basin, and it persisted longer than we had hoped. He got to the point where he is very behind in miles and so will also take the rest of the season and summer off to be back for next season. We all miss the big fellah on the squad but it is best for his long term if he sits this one out, we don’t want to put him in a race he is not fit for.
Outlaw is overcoming a leg injury so has the rest of the season off. He’ll be watching the tracker from the kennel and cheering his brother, nephews and niece and all his mates.
Iron has also fallen into the “overcoming niggling injury” category. He finished third in the Copper Basin 300 with the Black Team but then has trained on and off due to some soreness he developed soon after the race. He’s an excellent dog who is bummed not to be racing and we’re sure he barked for hours after the dog truck left.
Sandy has unfortunately been out of training for much of the season, again with niggling injuries. She’s a super sweet and talented little thing and we are sorry she is not on the team. While the crew is away she has been moved to the front of the yard next to Scout so will have fun playing with the grumpy old man!
Lydia is the unluckiest of all, she was on the list to lead Allen’s team for weeks and weeks but coming up to race time she pulled up with a sore wrist and didn’t have time to heal properly. We are all sad for her as she was really ready to go!
None of the other “mature” dogs put their paws up early in the season to run this race. They are enjoying their five miles to the bridge and back and we are more than happy to let them do just that.
During this time we move the dogs around so they have someone new to play with. Currently Prata is in a playpen with Biscuit and they are having a ball! Iron and Dancer are enjoying each others company. Chevie, Ernie and Izzy are all sharing a big beef bone – one minute Chevie has it, next minute Izzy has taken it then before you know it, Ernie is gnawing at it. All the while Lydia will bark at them.
Mismo and Outlaw are larking about in next-door play pens, barking and playing. The puppies play with Nutmeg and Quito while Gold and Bronze run around in circles, playing constantly. Nacho and long-time girlfriend Olivia live together and enjoy each other.
Everyone that is left behind will be spoilt with bones and treats and extra pats and, for those that are up for it, some shorter runs around the local trails. A tag-team of Wendy, Jeff and Liz will take care of them while everyone else is away. Thanks team!
These are some awesome looking Teams for sure! Congrats to Cayenne, Chipper and Scooby for making the cut onto the Red Team! Also good to know Chena will be a happy lead dog on Allens Team….a reward for being such a good dog on the YQ! Thank you for letting us know about the other furry faces we have missed all season…I was getting worried about them and am relieved to know there are no super serious injuries that have benched these wonderful atheletes!
So on to the Restart…..and then refresh, refresh, refresh that Tracker!
Thank you thank you as always SPK Crew for your great information and helping us all stay in touch! Staying glued to my computer for the next week or so – GO Dawgs!
Just like any other sports team, you wouldn’t want an injured team member to play on an injury and risk further injury and possibly put them out of commission completely. I appreciate your smart and caring decision for those that were not quite up to the task right now. Red Team, run like the wind and enjoy the ride. Black Team, have fun and learn lots. Go Sanka! And here we go!
Is matching the names of the dogs with the letters in the rosters where possible an Iditarod requirement, an SP Kennel tradition, or just something fun you did when filling out the rosters this year?
YAY!! HIP, HIP, HOORAY!! “Our” QT-girl made Allen’s team!! We couldn’t be prouder!! Go QT, GO!!! Run those long legs with tail-wagging, happy glee!
We will be glued to the tracker watching 24/7 rooting for Allen, QT and teammates, and Aliy and her team of awesome dogs especially to have an incredibly safe, happy, trouble-free, and most of all a hugely Successful race!
Love, PRAYERS, woofs, wags, and purrs from,
Debbi & David Robinson
Spruce Pine, NC/Washington, IN
Proud Sponsors of QT 💞
WOOF WOOF WOOF
GO CHENA!!!
Thank you so much for finding the place Chena will enjoy the most and be best suited for! “Dr. Chena” should enjoy another 1000 miles. I know she is cheering for her mates on the awesome Red Team, too!!!
I like Chena too, Margaret, and am glad to see her keeping those youngsters in line.
Yea Willie!!! Tried and true what a great dog. Boondocks is very jealous. She says “show them what we seasoned vets can do”!!
Thank you for the detailed information! It sounds like it will be a fantastic race with amazing athletes on each team. I was glad to see that a few of my favorite SPK dogs made it on the teams: Spark, Dutch, Chena, and Clyde.
Go SPK!!
You are right that Teresa and I did feel disappointed that Dancer did not recover enough from early sore paws to gain strength over the season, but are very confident that you have done best for the team and for Dancer (which means the best for us!).
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Jeff tells me that she is a power house, a female version of Bruno, so if she can keep to a good training schedule next year, we hope to see her on several of the teams.
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I absolutely love seeing all those young dogs running on the Black Team though. That is excellent and a good omen for the upcoming years.
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Beat the pants off the very nice, but earnest man, Mitch Seavey – even if he does have #13. The Red team is taking 13 dogs from the Yukon Quest team – even better!
Wow–what teams! So sad for those at the kennel but know it is in their best interest.
I like to guess who each is going to take and did fairly well. 14 out of 16 and 12 out of 16.
Glad Perky got a chance on Allen’s team but ALL are great dogs let’s face it!!! Nice to hear
about those that didn’t get to go as I have been wondering about them. Good Luck
Allen & Aliy! Take Care SP Dogs–show your stuff!!!
Wowzer, Schmoe and Willie for an encore run…..helping the younglings along. And congrats to the three additions to the red team…..especially Chipper, the wonder dog. Wishing all team members a healthy race with beautiful vistas. Good Luck And monster appetites to all.
Wow! All 11 of your four year olds will be running the Iditarod this year. That is impressive to have all of them healthy and fit for this race. I’m happy for M, that she made the Black team. She is a sweetheart and has learned quickly the SPK ways.
Willie! I think he’s trying to outdo Biscuit. Hopefully Biscuit gave Willie some pointers for running this route at his age. Yikes!
Scooby! Look at you on the Red team. Make it all the way to Nome buddy, and make us all proud! I’m sure Rodney and Five have told you all about running 1000 miles on the A-team.
Way to go Cayenne, get out on that trail, and show us all that Champ isn’t the only super star in your litter girl.
I am so excited about everyone setting out on this race.
Thank you too for giving us some insight into those who will stay home and ‘man” or “dog” the kennel, while the others are rocking on the trail.
Our hearts are with you today!
Great seeing 13 of the 14 awesome YQ champs heading out with Aliy and the additions look awesome too. She says they are cocky and ready. Go like the magnificent machine you are, all 17 of you, and my heart and prayers are with you every step.
Happy to see four of the five Surfivers will be making the big run this time with only Ernie staying home. These have a special place in my heart. It is also exciting to see more of the younger pups getting their feet snowy in a real race as Allen and some old timers show them the tug line. The future of SPK is on good feet and everything is looking positive. GO SPK!! You all are and always will be winners!
Woohooo!!! It’s almost go time. Tracker is up and running. Wishing all the best luck to Aliy, Allen, and all the dogs for a super fun, safe, and fulfilling race to Nome. I’m pulling for you guys (pun fun) from Colorado.
GOOD LUCK!
Stephanie 🐾🐾
Enjoy retirement Nacho.You will Always be the BEST !! Good luck and Godspeed Red and Black team!!!
Yay for Willie! What great team lineups! Go Aliy and Allen!
Wedgy and I will be watching the tracker and cheering!
I am so excited for the Red team blasting their way – hopefully – past the speedy Mitch! And the Black team learning their way to Nome (some of them learning, some of them refreshing, some of them probably going “c’mon, you guys!”)
I am soooo psyched for another long distance challenge for SPK. Go, Red Team, go! We will all be following and cheering you on. I know I will. I am excited that you have a lot of experience and training behind you on this journey. My heart is with you, every mile.
And Allen – keep those rookies happy! I know you will – you always do. Again, my heart will follow.
Another week of wishing I could do more than watch a computer! ARGHHHHHHH!
All of us “SPK Heads” love you and hope you both have a happy and healthy and SAFE journey towards Nome. The trail is here – time to get a move on!