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March 9, 2012 by
March 8,2012 9:30 pm AST
Day 5 on the Iditarod trail started early for SP Kennel. Aliy and the Red Team headed out of their 24 hour mandatory rest at 1:16 am (my calculation was off by 2 minutes last night). Aliy left Takotna with 15 dogs in harness, leaving Meg with the wonderful vet crew and volunteers. She stayed between Mitch Seavey and Dallas Seavey until they began to take breaks. Aliy stopped about 70 miles into her run to Cripple, having blown through Ophir. A great sign that she didn’t drop Rambler there.
After what looked like a 4 hour rest on the trail, Aliy and the dogs continued down the trail at a steady pace. She passed through Cripple about 6:30 this evening, all dogs still on the line, and returned to the front of the pack. Mitch Seavey, who had been resting in Cripple, quickly headed out after her. It is a 60 miles trip to Ruby and the start of the trail on the mighty Yukon River. Aliy is once again running her own race and staying out of checkpoints.
Ryne finished her 24 hour mandatory rest almost 12 hours after Aliy finished her rest. Ryne left Takotna with 14 dogs at 1:30 pm AST. We were not able to talk to Ryne directly, so all information we have is through Aliy and others out on the trail. Rumor has it that she forgot her calling card!
Ryne is pleased with her dogs and her runs. Although tired, she is reported to be happy and very upbeat. She arrived at Takotna within 5 minutes of her plan, an amazing feat! She is planning to run conservatively along the Yukon. It is my belief that if she continues to manage her runs and dog team as she has, she will begin to pick off teams in front of her once she hits the coast.
The Zirkle / Moore family is beginning to reposition for the final half of the race. Allen arrived in Nome this morning. Bridgett kicked him out of the house and away from the computer this evening, an excellent call! Doug is awaiting Meg in Anchorage before heading to Unalakleet on Sunday. Allen, Bridgett and Scotty will meet him there (as I assume will Timber). By Tuesday, most of the clan will be out in Nome waiting for Aliy and Ryne’s arrival.

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16 Responses

  • It is so good to see Ryne doing this well in her first Iditarod. Both teams are shining and right after Allen doing so well in the Yukon Quest.

  • Thank you for telling us where/how the Zirkle/Moore family are organising themselves! Indigo was wanting to know if Mr Moore would be in Nome to see Quito, and if baby Timber was enjoying his first Iditarod. We are all eagerly checking Aliy and Ryne's progress. They are both doing so well. Hopefully our friends Kate and NJ, who are Iditarod volunteers, will be in Ruby by now. You cannot believe how pleased Indigo is that Kate and NJ will be able to 'look after' Aliy and Ryne (and Quito!)
    From Indigo's Mum

  • This really does appear to be a great year for SP Kennels! Thanks for the updates, Kaz!

  • Following here in Southwestern CT, where it hasn't hardly snowed at all this winter (yet) – I am so proud of SP Kennel, two-legged and four-legged racers and support team!!! Woof, woof!!!

  • Thanks Kaz for the update. Aliy and the dogs are fantastic. Love all the video of her and the dogs.
    Glad to hear Ryne is doing well.
    There have been a few pictures of her also. Go Girls Go!!!!!!!

  • Hello and good luck wishes from the Fountain's in MI to the Zirkle team. We are cheering you on and watching updates. Stay healthy and safe….

    Gary & Deb Fountain

  • Hope to have video from Aliy Cam after Unalakleet. Weather has prevented us from getting out to any checkpoints, so we haven't been able to get a video card yet.

  • She is doing great! Having stopped once again, she is higher in the placements coming into Ruby than she was at Cripple. She is running a fantastic race.

    I sympathize with Allen (and Bridgett)!

  • Just a quick plug for Mitch Seavey's Facebook commentary (being done by another son).

    IdidaRide was doing some of the most even-handed race coverage, even before the post about 30 minutes ago pointing out the obvious — Aliy is winning!

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