Aliy and her 13 team mates cruised under Nome’s famed Burled Arch this afternoon at approximately 2:45 PM Alaska Time. They proudly claim 5th place in Iditarod 2015.
The welcoming crowd chanted ‘Aliy, Aliy, Aliy’ as the team emerged from the sea ice onto Front Street. They continued to chant and cheer as the team trotted up the street and into the finish chute.
Rockstars Quito and Scout were in lead. They led the parade of the biggest dog team in the top 5 finishers this year. These canine athletes all chugged steak and salmon snacks, waited for their booties to be removed (and thrown to surrounding fans) and enjoyed praise and love bestowed by SP handlers and family.
After thanking each dog personally, Aliy returned to her sled where she was welcomed to Nome by Iditarod officials. Next her mandatory gear was checked, her signature affixed to the official finish form and she was surrounded by photographers and journalists.
Aliy’s dad, sister, nephew, step-daughter, son-in-law, grand babies, veterinarian, handlers, sponsors and friends greeted her in the chute. Quite a gathering of loved ones enjoying the Red Team finish!
The handlers will now usher the dogs to the Iditarod dog yard. There they are thoroughly examined by a team of veterinarians, then fed and watered before being tucked into their cozy beds. Aliy will soon be finished signing autographs and talking to fans and will be on her way to a shower and bed. Well deserved rest for all.
All is well! More soon.
Kennel Mom
Awesome. It has been such an honor to be with you all at SPK throughout the years.
Keep smiling!
Grand babies?
Congratulations Aliy and team!! What a great race and what a joy to follow your Iditarod journey!!! Rest well, canines and human!
Thanks so much, Kennel Mom, our heartfelt best wishes to the entire Red Team.
A wonderful "family" at SP Kennel – both 2-legged and 4-legged.
Sincerely,
–Margaret
I loved watching Aily and dogs arrive and I love this followup post. Rest well dogs and musher. A very much deserved rest. Now will wait and watch for the Black team.
Congratulation Aliy and the Red team!! Good job.
Woohoo!! Way to go Aliy and the Red Team. This is the first year I actually got to see both the live start (hiding in the bathroom at work) and the live finish (cozy at home with my SPK beanie on). Ok yahoos, bring papa Allen home!
CONGRATULATIONS RED TEAM!!!!!!
Woo-hooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to go – what a great race – to finish 5th with happy, healthy dogs. Aliy is an inspiration to us all. Thank you for letting us follow with you. Thanks to the SPK Support Squad for keeping us up to date. Hugs all around for those canine superstars!
Congratulation Aliy! Kodiak Horizon Lines Team was rooting for you the whole way! Couldn't be more proud of you and your team. Looking forward to seeing Allen cross the line too!
What a beautiful race Aliy and Red Team doggies! Bravo bravo bravo. What talented incredible athletes you all are. You are inspiring. From Los Angeles, a great big congratulations.
Support staff thank you for all your work keeping us all current via this SP Kennel Dog Log.
Well done Aliy. Congratulations.
From Carol and Jim Shepherd plus, of course, Spicy and her pal Lexie.
Well done, Aliy and the Red Team. I ma so proud to be a supporter.
Great job Aliy! The dogs looked happy coming across the line and it was a very nice turn out of fans to cheer her in to the finish. Thanks for having such a quick update and for all the posts that have come during the race. All the best for a wonderful rest for the dogs and Aliy, and I look forward to the rest of Allen's race. So proud to be an SPK fan!
Awesome race Aliy….you sure give us fans a thrill!! Rounding out the top 5 – $44,300…..9 days spent with your best buddies…..PRICELESS!! Special shout out to Quito, Chica and Nacho….nothing like ending on a high note! Good Dawgs!,
Congrats Aliy and Red Team! It's been awesome following you. Way to go!
I watched on the webcam as Aliy came in–great reception. Dogs looked fine and I could feel the love! Wonderful race and congrats to all. A tough one well run; does not get better than that!
Dear Aliy and the Red Team, MANY CONGRATULATIONS on your WONDERFUL 2015 Iditarod!!! You raced the very best race in the world!!!
Aliy, you placed the welfare and health of your beloved dogs first and foremost!!! You as the musher, made this race a huge success!!! And we (your fans and the world) know what a great job you all did!!! In my heart you are WINNERS!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️👣🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
Get some well deserved rest as well as your amazing team!!!
Dear Kennel Mom, you have raised an amazing human being!!! Congratulations!!! 👏👏👏
And, it was wonderful of Allen not to continue his race until he knew Aliy and the pups arrived safe in Nome!!!
I missed you kennel mom! Doug has strict instructions to give you a hug! Love you, Nicolle
Hearty congratulations. The race appeared so close. You and your wonderful dog team were terrific. Enjoy your well deserved rest. Love the Outlaw. Great pic of him today with his keeper.
Such a pleasure watching Aliy and her team this year! You are an inspiration to us amateur mushers!!! Looking for Allen to cross safely, too. Way to go Red Team!
Congratulations to Aliy, the entire Red Team, and the SPK handlers! Once again you make all of your supporters and fans proud of your amazing accomplishments. We are so happy for you all and now turn our attention to Allen, Junior, and the rest of the Black Team. Again, thanks for such a fabulous race! –Cliff Michel & Family
Way to go Aliy and the wonderful Red Team! Have loved following you this year as in years before and looking forward to next year. But rest up! Can't wait to hear the stories! Have tracked you on GPS all the way!
ditto of Lourdes, VT comment.
Yeah!! Back and we are thrilled!!
What a fabulous race, Aliy & Red team. So very proud of you & team. To finish with the largest number of dogs among the top 5 teams is such a tribute to the love, concern, & care you give and have for the dogs. The welcome you received in Nome is also a testament to what a great person and ambassador you are. Well done all around SPK.
Aliy and Team–a race well run! Congratulations! It was so exciting to watch you begin your journey nine days ago, follow you for your 979 mile journey, and then finally cheer for you as you came down the chute in Nome this afternoon (or, rather this evening in VA.)
I was also so thrilled to see Quito in the lead as you came into Nome. It meant a lot!
Thank-You to everyone at SP Kennel for doing such a fabulous job of keeping us "in the know." You are all amazing.
Now, I'll wait for the Black Team to come home, and I'll know that it has been a safe journey for all!
Excellent race Aliy.
I bet Allen was surprised you made it in the top five this year, and even more impressed that 13 of your awesome teammates made it ALL the WAY to NOME, with you.
We love YOUR love for your dogs.
You just don't give up! Fighting for that top spot, up to the finish. Working your arms and legs off, running up cape Nome.
Your humble, gracious, beautiful, competitive, hard working spirit is absolutely admirable.
Congratulations to you and your Red Team, for a fight well fought. I know you'll downplay what you have accomplished,
so I'm gonna say it for ya:
"Aliy, You are friggin awesome!!!!"
So proud of Aily and the entire team – beautiful Alaskan athletes with big hearts and profound spirit.
I am glad you are all safe off t h e trail. Disappointed t h st I didn't get to see you come in as the Insider kept going off..great job Aliy and team. Hope next year we have some tv coverage.
Way 2 Go,Aliy and Red Team (esp. NACHO)!What a great race.This fan in ND is very proud of you all!Rock On,SPK!!
We're all very proud of the Red Team. We hope they're enjoying a well-deserved rest ! ♥