Both SP Kennel Teams are in Takotna, taking their mandatory 24-hour rests. According to the GPS, the teams are parked only a few yards from each other, so perhaps the dogs are swapping stories of the Trail.
Bridgett received a call this afternoon from Aliy and relayed the following to me:
Aliy is in really good shape, as focused and positive as she has ever been. The dogs are in good shape too, with just a few minor “dings” from running across the rough trail. Aliy is giving them lots of rub downs and thinks this 24-hour rest will be good for all of them.
Standouts on her team include Biscuit and Tatfish who are, according to Aliy, “just insane!” Eating everything in sight, jumping up from every rest and ready to roll. She also repeated that ChaCha is still totally on her game, still barking and definitely “the boss.” One more superstar is Nutmeg who is “the best she’s ever been.” So, it all sounds good for the Red Team!
Allen had just arrived when Aliy called, so all she could report about the Black Team was that Spicy and Moonpie were the other two dogs dropped after Olivia. We don’t have any information about why, but it’s a good bet the rough trail was to blame for typical “front end” soreness.
Since Aliy’s Red Team arrived in Takotna at about 2am this morning, they will leave shortly after 2am. Allen’s Black Team arrived a little before 2pm this afternoon, so they will leave about the same time tomorrow.
I will be on the road early in the morning and off-line all day as I gather up as many dropped dogs as I can and drive back up to Fairbanks. I’ll hope to receive some intel along the way and try to post an update tomorrow night.
Go Teams!
Thanks again for the update!
Aliy you're my musher! Go red team! I hope you don't lose any more dogs. – Amalia, Oregon
Thanks for all the fantastic updates & videos — between the SP Kennel Dog Log and the Current Standings with The Iditarod site, I feel like I'm up-to-date. However … I've checked back over all the postings & comments but I'm still missing one SP dog that was dropped from the A Team. I've noted Snickers from A; Spicy, Olivia & Moonpie from B yet the Current Standings show Aliy with 14 dogs– Many Thanks. The Ceremonial Start video brought tears to my eyes too. Aliy is very inspirational!! Love the Big Moose — You're the best!
Aliy, all members of the NH White Family wish you and Alan all the best in this difficult race. Our thoughts are with you as we follow you on the web site. The website is a delight and so informative.
Sue & Barry
Thanks for the update. Drive carefully, Macgellan.
LouiseR
A few black team photos here:
http://www.adn.com/2010/03/10/1177672/iditarod-day-5-mcgrath-and-takotna.html#id=1178004&view=large_view
Great picture of…um…Honda or Olivia…can't tell them apart!
http://www.adn.com/2010/03/06/1171086/2010-iditarod.html#id=1176598&view=large_view
Allen's time has not ben updated in over 8 hrs for a 2 1/2 hr run. I am getting worried. Help
Traci — Aliy dropped a dog in Ophir… We don't yet know who.
Emily — Almost positive it's Olivia… Broader white patch on her head and none of Honda's freckles…
Pia — The GPS has Allen on the move toward Cripple… These checkpoints are really remote and I think it's just a case of having trouble reporting the data to Iditarod HQ…