The Black Team left the Two Rivers checkpoint right on time at 10.31pm.
The eight hour layover was used to good effect with both musher and team getting good rest, good food and psyching up for the final push to the finish line. The exit wasn’t pretty; there were a great deal of people lining the trail making it a bit confusing for Quito and Olivia to lead out but with Allen taking the lead they were soon on their way. At this stage it doesn’t have to be pretty – just effective! These dogs know this trail well as Allen has run from this checkpoint to the finish line a few times this season.
You will notice he put neck-lines on a few of the dogs, this will be simply to keep them focussed on the task at hand.
I’m not sure if the video conveys the tension in the air; it really was palpable and continued through while Hugh Neff left 16 minutes later.
So, who’s sleeping tonight?
Hugh's team showed the same confusion at the rise out of the dog yard onto the trail, bunching up similarly.
The team picked up speed by the time we got back home and I raced (ha ha) to my computer. One spot recorded 8.3 mph, so they are definitely moving on out.
Not sleeping tonight! Trying to figure out what time to hit the bridge tonight, and of course Allen's tracker isn't working right now! I have to be to work at 8:30, but I really want to see the finish first.
Not sleeping here 🙂 Julie
SLEEP WHO NEEDS SLEEP LOL
Bring home SP Black team GO ALLEN!!
No One Is Sleeping in Alaska, and I've been Wide Awake for 3 hours here on the East Coast in North Carolina…..
Looks like Allen had a little trouble with dogs "spooked" coming out of the Two Rivers Checkpoint, but they're "Cooking On All Four Burners" now, Outracing Hugh Neff and his 10 dogs into Fairbanks!
Hope Allen Cruises Into Fairbanks WELL AHEAD of Hugh This Year……Who Cares if Allen Turned off his GPS "accidentally" cause that's what Hugh Neff did last year coming into Whitehorse, eh?
Go dogs!
Dakotah John, I'm in Greenville NC! Hi sleep deprived neighbor! SP Kennel fans are everywhere.
GO ALLEN !!! the last ten minutes… !!! and the Winner is…? 😉
congrats to Allen and his Dogs and all the best for the red team, Aliy by Iditarod!! greetings from Switzerland, the Homeland of Sven Haltmann
eek. I don't see Allen's bib.
Love seeing Allen work! Allen and Aliy are such hard working people. GO ALLEN!
Congratulations Allen, and You Too, Hugh!