CB300: Both Teams Are Out Of Chistochina

As you can see, Allen left Chistochina — the third checkpoint of the Copper Basin 300 Mile Sled Dog Race — at 10:29 this morning. All 12 dogs were looking great as they pulled out. As Kaz pointed out in the last post — Thanks Kaz! — race position is almost meaningless at this point in the race. Until all the rests have been taken, you’d have to do some pretty fancy figuring to know who’s where and in what position. That said, however, you can be sure that it is a very close, competitive race and that Allen is right in the thick of it among the very front contenders!

Although you can’t see it in the picture — because I had to shoot it and bolt from the checkpoint to get back here before the race officials updated the sheet — Aliy left Chistochina at about 12:30 this afternoon, also in very good position. She dropped one dog — Garlic — but the rest of the team looks great. The teams will now travel over some pretty tough mountains and rugged terrain on their way to Paxson.

Bridgett just called me from Paxson and we formulated a “plan” for tonight. We figured that since Allen will be arriving there in the dark, there’s not much point in me driving up there to try shooting any video. Besides, if I went up there I would not be able to post an update until I got back here in the wee hours of the morning. So, instead, I am going to wait here in Glennallen and she is going to try to phone in a field report as soon as she can after Allen arrives. Hopefully we will be able to give you the latest information at the earliest possible time.

But, of course, you know how “plans” go around here, so there’s really no telling what will happen. You can be sure, however, that Bridgett, Bob and I will do everything we can. So, stay tuned!

Meanwhile, here’s a video from Chistochina to bring you up to date: