A monster race and valiant competitive effort ended for Aliy when she crossed under the burled arch on Nome’s Main Street at 8:29pm in second place for the best Iditarod finish of her mushing career. The crowd who had come to watch Dallas Seavey cross the finish line hung around for an hour to show Aliy their appreciation for her incredible effort. Aliy threw the other competitors a curve ball by doing a 3 leg 220 mile run from Takotna to Galena. By the time she reached Galena she had established herself as a contender and played her role in making Iditarod 2012 a thrilling race until the end.
The dogs are curled up and resting and Aliy has had a good meal and is headed to bed. Thanks so much to everyone for their support and comments. I, like you, am looking forward to Aliy’s post which will tell us more about her trip.
Our focus is now shifting to Ryne’s race, who this morning led a charge out of Shaktoolik into the wind and pack ice of the Bearing Sea taking her from 33rd to 24th place in the current standings. She is in the middle of some adventures of her own which we will share with you tomorrow.
Thanks and good night,
Wes
What an awesome race! We've been on the edge of our seats for what seems like an eternity! So proud of Aliy!
Way to go red team!
Thank you so much Wes, Kaz, for all the wonderful updates. I should go to bed also, had to wait for the video of Aliy and check on Ryne and all other mushers. have learned so much this year from your blog and all the comments and stories of the past and present Iditarods. have a good sleep Aliy and team. from Maureen W
Thank you so much Wes, Kaz, for all the wonderful updates. I should go to bed also, had to wait for the video of Aliy and check on Ryne and all other mushers. have learned so much this year from your blog and all the comments and stories of the past and present Iditarods. have a good sleep Aliy and team. from Maureen W
Dear Aliy and Team,
The word WOW is the biggest compliment I can even think of at this thrilling time for you, such a champion you are, great race,
wonderful dogs, great support from all of SPK…. YEA, YEA, you and Allen and all of SPK… HOORAY!!
And we ARE ready to cheer Ryne in too!! Rest and enjoy your huge accomplishment!!! Julie and Frita
Thank you aliy for an amazing race. We've been cheering you on along with 66 pre k students and are in awe of your resole, dedication and spirit. What a race!
Thank you for making it an amazing race. Your dedication, resolve and spirit are inspirational. We've been watching you along with 66 pre k students and cheering for you all of the way! What a race! We are especially impressed by your care of the dogs and fortitude. Rest well.
Thank you aliy for an amazing race. We've been cheering you on along with 66 pre k students and are in awe of your resole, dedication and spirit. What a race!
Great race, great lady. Honor you for the way you love and respect your dogs. Thank you for you kindness to all you encounter…you are a hero! Your # 1
Awesome job Aliy, we are all so proud of you!!! Now get out of that cold and come down to Miami for a nice vacation! YOu all deserve it!
Thanks for a great race! Kelly
Highest congratulations to you, Aliy! You made this a race well worth watching and you did it your way and so successfully! America and the world are proud of you–enjoy your well-deserved triumph and we shall be watching for your race next year.
Well done, Aliy and dogs! Looks like it's a great year for many of the women mushers – probably 2 in the top 10 and 4 in the top 20.
And Ryne's Red/Black team is charging forward on the trails. What a rookie effort.
Thanks to all the SP Kennel folks for bringing us along for the ride. I look forward to all the post-race analysis.
Here's to a well deserved rest to Aliy and all the dogs. Get ready for the celebration at the banquet this weekend. It's well earned.
congratulations Aliy!! Peter and Linda
WOW!! Fantastic Aliy!!
As usual I check the first day of the race and then forget about it (easy to do down here with 60-70 degrees). But today was thinking of Doug and you came to mind, so figured I'd better check. I suppose he was trying to tell me something…
I'm so happy for you, the dogs and everyone at SP Kennel, congratulations on the many years of hard work! Wow, I'm still in shock!!!
Way to go, Aliy! Looking forward to cheering you and the team on next year!!
I'm proud of Aliy and the dogs for an awesome performance. I just saw the Insider video and they all look amazing! Congratulations on gaining some time on Dallas on that last run and for holding off Ramey Smyth! I can't wait for the trail notes and hope Ryne writes some too!
A well deserved sleep for Aliy! GO Ryne!
Ryne has been running with Lance Mackey and Jody Bailey (as part of a larger group) for several days.
I can't wait to hear her stories!
A huge congratulations to Aliy! Women like Aliy make me so proud to be an Alaskan woman.
Great fun, great sportsmanship! It just doesn't get better than this, well, maybe one place better!
Wes, we haven't heard your stories about your race! Jeanne
Congratulations Aliy, the dogs, and the entire team that helped make this happen! SP Kennel is what first interested me in the Iditarod and educated me a bit on what it's all about. I'm delighted with the results and happy for you all.
Wonderful job Aily, such strength and determination from you, the dogs and everyone in support. Could not be more proud of all the hard work you did not only in the race but in preparation. Everyone is a winner here!! Thanks for such a great experience and sharing this with us all. I can't wait to hear your thoughts after you have taken a much needed rest.
Woooo Wooooo Wooooo!
Best, Trish
I noticed Ryne leading that charge. I was so proud of her .. then it shifted to Mackey marching them along the middle section. That will be an amazing story to hear and I look forward to her post about it.
What can I say? She is a great person and great competitor.
awesome!
We'll be folowing your next adventures!
More Aliycam!
As always, what a valiant and noble TEAM ! Aliy Zirkle and SPK are the beautiful, strong, enduring, spirited, athletic face of dog-racing. Silver & Silver.
Thank you for everything.
Team Miller ~ Eyes to the Moon ~
looking forward to more reports on rhyne. she is doing an excellent job for a rookie.
go rhyne, go!
We felt the excitement all the way to California! Thanks to Tina Neal for the heads up – we enjoyed the ride!!!