Aliy has had a good sleep, some good food and good coffee and is now feeling fantastic!

We’ll get more stories and pictures soon but in the meantime Aliy just wanted to thank you all for your support; for all your well wishes and love. For everyone that was in Nome or at home watching, everyone who has commented on the blog, Facebook and Instagram and sent emails and messages, or even just liked a post or picture – she really appreciates you all.

For those that didn’t get to hear her finish line speech:

“Thank you for welcoming me. You guys are too good to me. That’s all, I don’t know what else to say”.


Screen shot from Insider video

When asked how did she feel about this run? “Good, it went really well. It felt really good, I thought I had a chance for a little while honestly and then by the time I got to Shaktoolik it was pretty obvious Dallas had the team to beat. I kinda tried to, let’s see, I threw a Hail Mary in Shaktoolik and apparently it was caught by the other team and intercepted coz it didn’t work out quite as well as I wanted it to. It was a good shot.”

“My dog team is phenomenal. They were a little bit slow this afternoon – is it afternoon? – because of the heat but by the time we got to the outskirts of Nome all these people cheered them up and they ran like the heck, so it was great. It was a great run. Starting at 40 below and now it’s, what, 40 above?

She was asked about the “Hail Mary”: “I thought that maybe if I could push my team to catch Dallas going across the pack ice going into Koyuk then maybe I could keep up with him but it turned out that was… I didn’t catch him and I ended up having the rest my dogs a little longer anyway.”

I saw you have a moment with your lead dog, did your lead dog help you get through a lot of this?” – “My little red lead dog, his name is Scout, he’s seven years old. He’s not the most social guy, in the dog yard he’s the fun police, he doesn’t like a lot of other dogs having fun around him. And he’s that way on the trail, he’s all business. So, he was getting a little irritated at the rest of the team ‘coz I kept telling them to go down the centre of the road. They weren’t doing it so he was getting a little irritated. He’s a fantastic guy… Scoutee”

More soon.

28 Responses

  • Yay for Aliy and the Red Team! You guys did a great job and we're proud to support you! Love Scout, the task – master he is. 🙂

  • Haha! I remember her saying that about Scout being the fun police and had a little chuckle about it. I can relate Scout. I'm a rule follower too and I like everyone else to do the same LOL! Too cute!

  • Happy Aliy is rested, surely she will need more soon.
    It was a great speech, especially with all the emotion and sleep deprivation.
    Worldwide, you are loved.

  • I saw Aliy come in via the webcam and cried. It was pretty awesome. Scout sounds like a great leader for the next year or two and I know those kind of dogs–very serious and dedicated. I work with stock dogs–herders–but good dogs are much the same all over. That is kewl! Glad all are in and all is well!!

  • No, thank YOU Aliy! Thank you for being such a great role model for so many kids out there. Thank you for being such a great sport, and such a positive influence for all of us. You can count on our support again next year!

    Tammy, Sue, Willow and Palmer.

  • Congratulations on a good and safe run this year. Scout sounds like a good sound no nonsense fellow. I knew a dog like him, the play police is what we called him. But such great dogs, they are.

  • Great job Aliy and Red team dogs!

    Aliy, after you have rested, could you give an update on how each dog performed, positions run, and if they are a contender for next year or retiring from the Iditarod.

    In watching the last week, I have become fan of Schmoe. Not sure why but he has my attention.

  • I am still watching and re-watching all the Insider Videos. Aliy is funny and so positive… love her attitude. It is obvious her fellow team athletes love her attitude as well. So funny…. Scout: Fun Police reporting for duty… Just keep on keepin' on, Scout. You're wonderful!!

  • Looking forward to many AilyCam videos! Sending best wishes to all at SPK from here in the lower 48.

  • Thank you for posting this. I was so sad that I couldn't hear her interview when she came in. Aliy, you and your dogs looked great and you all did an amazing job!

  • I appreciate all of you at SPKennels! I absolutely love this sport–and am a wimp when it comes to wicked cold weather–so this is cool to watch from home, too. I commend Aliy and her awesome race this year–she was and always will be top notch!!! The vet gave her puppy team an A+ in Nome—THAT says it all!

  • Aliy, while you don't know me and my family here in Montana, you are #1 in our hearts. Your spirit, integrity, and friendliness are deeply appreciated and honored. Next year, I will be up in Alaska visiting my daughter, and we will be both at the start AND end of the Iditarod to cheer you on. 🙂

  • Fan-flippin'-tastic race! The thing I like about SP is I feel like I know all the dogs. Like it's about the dogs, not the musher, you know? And that's what makes this place special.

    Well, also that I've got a big crush on Waylon, but don't tell him.

  • Thank you to all the super red team dogs, especially Scout. And Aliy you are the best. Keep mushing with the younger team mates Allen. It is great to be a follower and fan.

  • Thanks so much for letting us know Aliy has rested, eaten a good meal and had a nice cup of COFFEE!

    You Aliy, wow, are so gracious and determined giving such tremendous inspiration with your dedication to the dogs and expression of your personal drive! What a great role model of what can be done when you stick to something and never give up. Your entire enthusiastic team is premier! Thank you for an exciting race and we of course can't wait to hear all the trail details when things settle down!! You have captured us!!

    Enjoy your time in Nome, can't wait to hear more on Allen's journey as well.

    Best, Trish McAleer

  • MOIRA–

    Awesome and precise word for word retelling of the message Aliy sent this morning – love of sport and team – and all of us on the SP Kennel viewing section of the team are so proud to be allowed to participate.

    Thanks so much for facilitating all of this.

    Best,

    Margaret

  • Well done Aliy! I was at the start in Anchorage and the re-start in Fairbanks then home to NC to follow you on the website. The Red Team ran a good race! Now let's cheer for the Black Team!

  • You are most welcome and loved by all of us and so are your dogs, Aliy!!!
    Great race, proud of you!!! ❤️❤️❤️🐾🐾🐾

  • Once again….well done Aliy and the Red Team!! This was a great race to watch from beginning to end….you are AWESOME!!! I'm sure we will see you once again at the live finish when Allen and the Black Team are under the Burled Arch! Until then enjoy the coffee and relaxation in Nome!

  • I really love following Aliy and Allen in this race. It's so clear that you and your dogs are a dedicated team, and that you're in it for all the right reasons! Congratulations Aliy and the Red Team, and thank you for bringing us on yet another fantastic journey.

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