The race strategy for the Red Team was to travel the Iditarod trail in equal runs after leaving the Takotna Checkpoint. That way the dogs and Aliy could settle into a comfortable and consistent run/rest schedule.
This however, required the team to camp along the trail instead of using the checkpoints. Aliy has always been comfortable camping with her team whether it is 30 degrees above zero or 30 below. So, the team passed through Ophir Checkpoint, camped, then passed through Cripple Checkpoint, camped, then passed through Ruby Checkpoint on route to Galena Checkpoint.
This video finds the team traveling down the mighty Yukon River after leaving Ruby.
Awesome video! I remember constantly watching the spot tracker at work and not getting anything done that day. My co-workers were glad when mushing season was over.
I'm looking forward to reading your trail notes & watching your videos to have a more complete SP Kennel Iditarod 2012 experience. Love that you do this for all of us!
Wow!!
No kidding you didn't have time to do video!!!
IIRC – This was the near point where you made a big move – and gave a hat to the elderly lady who was quoted saying "women gotta get out there back in front" – we were all still cheering when you led the way at the 1/3 mark.
Woof!!!
What does the poling do to help the dogs? It seems like one little pole compared to the heavier sled weight – does it give an extra lift or what?
Just a curiousity question/comment – is the camera on a headband or something? If not, with you poling and filming and staying balanced on the sled runners, and directing the team… well, I am even more impressed than before! Wow! In any event, thanks so much for sharing these and allowing me to live it vicariously through your eyes! It is great to get a little feel for what you are doing, and it's great to see the dogs working too. Loving it!
The "Aliy Cam"" is in Aliy's hand. We did have a mount for it but it got damaged a few races back.
Ski poling is best when done with two poles – one on one and side and one on the other – and it achieves about the same propulsion as a kayak paddle. When you are only poling with one paddle it's kinda like a paddling a canoe, you should switch sides once in a while.
Even if it helps the dogs .01 mph … over a 9 day period, it would help????? Someone do the math for me…
Hi Aliy… Here's your "math" re. ski poling:
Your OVERALL speed for the entire race was 4.35mph…
Dallas' was 4.37 and Ramey's was 4.34…
So, yes, it helps over the long run, even if it's only .01mph…
In my opinion, the nature of sled dog racing has changed forever… Exertion of the musher will continue to play a pivotal role in the results…
It's no longer viable for a musher is stand/sit on the sled and simply say "Go dogs!"… Adding human power via poling and kicking is required…
Thus, musher fitness is — and will continue to be — a major factor in racing… "Get after it!"
Terry, thanks for asking about how the camera is used. I was wondering that myself. Aliy, you do a fine job with the panning of the cam to the sides and back, that is fun to watch. Very smooth.
I'm very impressed with all the videos that you took time to film and how well you and the Red Team did in the race.
Amazing !!