It’s 6.30pm Alaska time.
Aliy is out of McGrath and on her way to Takotna! We’ve seen and heard several interviews with her in Nikolai and you can almost hear the disbelief in her voice about how bad the trail was. Seeing photographs and video of her pulling out of Nikolai and in-and-out of McGrath it looks like her sled is in one piece and the dogs look terrific. The trail has snow which will make everyone happy.
I’ve stolen this pic from Sebastian Schnuelle of the team coming in to McGrath (click the pic to link to his story).
Aliy is driving a new sled this year – Allen made new sleds for them both this season and it is a testament to his sled-building skills that it looks to have held together. Good job Allen!
We are very happy and relieved that Allen and the Black Team are in to Nikolai! We’ve been willing him on all afternoon and we’re all so pleased they have made it. You can guarantee he will have some great stories from that piece of trail and we’re looking forward to hearing them and sharing some of them with you.
Those of you who have the opportunity to hear Allen tell trail stories will know what I mean. He can be describing a situation that will make your hair stand on end but he’ll tell it in his laid-back southern drawl and a big smile that it will sound like nothing at all. Two of his favourite phrases are “there’s always something” and “it’s never easy” and he goes in to races knowing that. Boy, there was definitely “something” and it wasn’t easy there today!
We still haven’t heard anything about the dog dropped from Allen’s team. With the number of teams that have scratched in Rohn and Rainy Pass there are now a large number of dogs that need to be flown back to Anchorage so it is likely to be tomorrow or even the next day before we get to pick them up. It could be that they fly them forward to McGrath where they can bring a larger plane back to Anchorage. We will just have to wait and see. At each checkpoint there are volunteers and vets who are prepared to care for dogs for as long as they are there so we know they will be in good hands.
Have you all seen Terrie Hanke’s article about Aliy and Allen? It’s a great read.
Great links.
I love always Sebastian's pictures and articles.
It looks like “tougher than nails” Aliy and her super rock star Red team have made it into Takotna (ready for their almost 26 hour rest, I hope).
They sure looked awesome in the I. I. video of the team heading through McGrath!!!
Once again, I could be wrong, but I believe Aliy and her team are more than an hour and a half ahead of last year.
Why Aliy 2014 vs. Aliy 2012 and 2013,
because Aliy 2012 and 2013 was amazing,
but I believe Aliy 2014 is Superb.
Where do you find the interviews? I've only seen one on the Insider.
LouiseR
I just wanted to say THANKS again for all of your posts and updates! They really make me feel like I'm along for the ride – go SP Kennel!
Thank you for all the updates as all of the students in my classroom are pulling for Aliy as well as myself!
I was so glad to see Allen and the Black Team pull into Nikolai! With the worst now behind both SPK Teams they can concentrate on other things rather than just trying to stay upright! I hope Aliy's hip is on the mend…the 24 hour rest will do her good! It's been one heck of a race opener! Thanks for the updates!
Thanks so much for this update and sweet dreams to the Red Teams as they take their rest!!!
Thank you for the update! The team looks awesome!!! I hope Aliy gets her ibuprofen as well 😁
I read in an Iditarod article that, at some point Aliy was dominating the Race!!!! Go Aliy and team!!!!
LouiseR
On the GPS tracker page in the box with Current Race Time at the top, scroll down to Aliy’s name and click on it. On the bottom of the square that opens for her, click on expand. If it is working, it will give you a link to Aliy’s race videos. You can find a couple more by scrolling down the page for pre/post race videos.
Aily : )
watching closely and praying and sending luck to you and your team. We are pulling for you. Ron with Shiloh, Buddy and Mini Me along with Tatonka, Cheyenne,Mia, Brutus, Kodiak, Teddy, Camanshie, Brownie mama, Brownie boy, Tonto, Chewy, Spirit, Sarge, Fuzz Ball, Rascal 1 & 2, 6 cubs. You Go Girl following you several times a day! Ron ragodfrey@yahoo.com Blessing and Luck to you!
Rest well in Takotna, both Red & Black teams. Stick to your strategy.
Keep safe & go quickly.