SP Kennel is a racing sled dog kennel. The dogs love to race. The mushers love to race. This season, we have regrettably had a few canceled races. But this coming weekend, we are going to make up for all that that! We plan to race 38 dogs and 3 mushers! As many as we can.
Not only will Allen and the 14 dogs of the Black Team be starting the 1,000 mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, but also 24 additional SP Kennel dogs and 2 mushers will be on their own starting line.
It is very exciting to give so many dogs a race opportunity. Each dog has worked so hard for the entire season that it will be hard to leave even just a few dogs behind. Our goal has always been to give every dog a chance to “show their stuff”. So, here we go…
The Yukon Quest 300 starts 4 hours after the 1,000 mile race. It follows the same route, uses identical checkpoints and follows YQ rules and regulations. There are 18 teams racing in the YQ300 – two are from SP Kennel. Aliy will be racing the Red Team and Ryne will be racing the Red and Black Team. You can check out the team rosters on Saturday.
Handlers are crucial before, during and after the race. Meghan will handle for the Red Team and Kristy (SP Kennel Invitational competitor) will handle for the R and B Team. Each team has its own strategy and goal. After the finish of the YQ300, Aliy and Meghan will take their truck and head north – directly to Dawson to help set up Dawson Dog Camp prior to Allen’s arrival. They will then switch hats and work for the Black Team during their 36 hour layover. After the YQ300 finish, Ryne and Kristy will head directly back to Alaska. They will return all of the 300 mile race dogs back to the kennel so they can stretch out at their own houses and begin to prepare for the Iditarod.
All in all, it’s a “good plan”… stay tuned and we’ll see what really happens.
Meghan works on her never ending “to do” list, while Rambler relaxes.
ALIY–
As a planner by profession, I applaud the efforts of SPK to try to anticipate all the possible alternative scenarios!
As someone who knows nothing about sled dog racing other than what I learn here, my comment:
WOOF, WOOF, WOOF!!! GO SPK RED & R&B and a congrats to 4 legged team members who make it to the 1000 for the BLACK!!!
–Margaret
If SPK is racing 38 dogs this weekend, how many "race potential" dogs will have been left at home?
Best of luck to all three teams.
Heather
Wow! What a schedule! Best wishes to all involved! Good luck…routing for you from Texas!
We have 38 adults racing dogs and 7 potential racing yearlings … so we will have 7 dogs at home during the Yukon Quest events.
Looking forward to following Allen's tracker. Good luck to Aliy and Ryne too.
Although I wouldn't wish for any of the dogs to be left behind, wouldn't it be fun to have some yearlings race the YQ300! Go Nelson!
Best of luck to all three teams racing at the Yukon!
I hope to see Aliy and Allen at Finger Lake in March!
Keep well!
Wow … that's making full use of all resources 🙂
Best of luck
Heather
You guys never, ever cease to amaze me! There is a lot of intelligence and leadership, in addition to the love of dogs and the sport in all of you!
God bless you all and keep you happy and SAFE!!!
Happy trails!
Oh, by the way, Mr. Rambler is so sweet and beautiful!!! 🙂
Oh, another comment, is Rambler going or staying?