Right now Aliy is two miles behind Mitch Seavey with eight miles to go until Safety then another 22 miles after that to Nome. Jeff King is 13 miles behind Aliy… It’s still anyone’s race and we won’t be calling this until someone crosses the line.
You may have read the Anchorage Daily News article about Aliy and the team howling at the checkpoint as they were waiting to leave; this gives me chills just thinking about it and I hope to goodness someone caught that on video! All reports are that the team looked great going out and she was positive and upbeat and the Insider video showing them leave confirms that! Bill Roth from ADN took this photo at the checkpoint this afternoon.
You can see she left with Quito still in single lead, Nacho and Scout, Willie running solo, Scruggs and Beemer, Mac and Olivia with Biscuit and Chica in wheel. They are all dressed for the wind in their Horizon Lines wind jackets in anticipation of “the blowhole”.
The Alaska Dispatch headline is “Forget Seavey vs Zirkle: Iditarod comes down to Quito vs Tanner, lead dogs supreme”. Go Quito! Although Aliy and the other 15 team members have had quite a lot to do with it too!
Click on picture to link to article
The team in Nome are heading down to the finish line to organise the dog yard and snacks for the team then very nervously await their arrival onto Front Street. I will be handing the “blog-baton” over to Macgellan from here for a bit as we will be tending to dogs and Aliy for a while and won’t be able to get back to update you.
For now let me just say that whatever happens this evening we are all so incredibly proud of her and her entire team of Quito, Scout, Beemer, Olivia, Rambler, Dingle, Scruggs, Chica, Boondocks, Nacho, Puppet, Mac, Waylon, Willie, Biscuit and Tug. All of them have worked hard all season for this moment, whatever position they finish in! I’m sure you will join us in being unashamedly proud of the SP Kennel Red Team right now!
Macgellan, it’s over to you!
very well said. Good Job everyone involved in SP Kennel teams, Allen, Aliy and families. All us fans love you guys! I hope you all get to watch the Aliy/DeeDee Jonrowe Insider video! Give momma Quito and Daddy Biscuit a BIG hug!
padee santa rosa ca
I agree… Aliy and her team are winners~No matter what!!
Proud of you all!
Sending fast vibes your way, Red Team. If willing made it so… Aliy, you and your team are so incredible. No matter what happens in the next few hours, you and your dogs are amazing.
Sending good, speedy vibes your way!!!
God speed – my hats off to both teams! This has been an incredible race, and I agree – no matter what happens, the humans and the dogs are amazing!!
Fantastic Job to both teams. Excellent teamwork and heart. SP Kennel is a champion.
Awesome race so far! The team has been strong and so has Aliy. Team red rocks!
They have amazing wind behind them as we are watching them cruise down the trail. So wish We could be there… But Loving that we are all watching every move live. 😉
GO ALIY!!! we are so proud of you!
Ticknor's
Aliy and team showed toughness, tenacity, and spirit when many of the other top mushers lagged.
They are all amazing .. I already said that, but it does NOT hurt to keep saying it.
So very proud to have been able to come along on this trip with you!
Nicely run race Aliy and pups!
What an awesome and inspiring run this year. Aliy and team, hoping for first place for you but for so many of us YOU'RE the winners no matter what position you are in when you get to Nome. Good luck to you!!!
OMG almost an hour off last years time in to Safety. Amazing! We love you and are SOOOO PROUD of all of you!!!
Great job by the entire team – both 4 legged and 2 legged!!!
SP Kennel's been fantastic this crazy race season! The mushers & dogs have raced their hearts out & the behind the scenes support group has included all of us at home (cheering Aliy, Quito & the rest of the team) with updates, photos, & video. THANKS TO ALL OF SPK FOR A GREAT RIDE-ALONG!!!
Very proud of the Red Team!
We love you Aliy!!! Your devotion, determination, courage, selflessness, perseverence and grit are so inspiring! You are truly one of a kind and I am in AWE of what you are doing and what you and your marvelous team have endured and accomplished. Go! Go! Run with the spirits….win this thing… y'all truly deserve it!!!
GO ALIY!!!!
This probably won't get up because Macgellan may not be able to review this to post in time. Go like the wind, we are pulling for you too..
Goooo Aliy Goooo!
Awesome job to Aliy, Allen, the dogs and all the crew! High quality act from beginning to end. Thanks for sharing such wonderful qualities with all of us.
Red Team, Aliy and dogs, you are the best!
We can't imagine a better Iditarod than 2013. Olivia, here's a special long distance smooch (smoooooch)!
XOXO
Tonia and Herb
Sent my daughter to bed but cheering for Aliy and the red team…wow! what a race…
You and your dogs are AWESOME, Aliy!!!
Many kudos to your support crew, too…
Way to go!!!
Yes, so proud of you, all of you, Aliy and team, Allen and team, and your whole crew. What another great year. Will so enjoy the 'rest of the story' when Aliy sets to writing it in the spring (or whenever she's up to it! ) Rest well and celebrate!!
Julie V.
Does anyone know if there's a video of the Aliy's dogs howling @ White Mountain ?