Aliy lead the way out of Unalakleet after a bit over 4 hours of rest. Of the front runners, she was the only musher to have rested on the trail between Kaltag and Unalakleet. Jeff King, Martin Buser and Sonny Lindner have also started making their way to Shaktoolik.
This section of trail will be very challenging. Both Sebastian Schnuelle and Joe Runyan are reporting poor trail conditions with little to no snow, glare ice, frozen ruts and increasing wind. Sebastian wrote that it would take a strong sled, a strong minded lead dog and a strong musher to navigate the hills and open coastline to Shaktoolik. Aliy and Quito are strong, mentally and physically and Allen built and rebuilt her sled into a lean, mean machine. She is currently about 25 miles from the checkpoint and by her speed, she appears to be in the Blueberry Hills.
Aliy receiving the Gold Coast Award (Click picture for Insider Video – http://iditarod.com/race/?vid=56929)
Allen has arrived in Nulato and is resting his team for their trip towards the coast. Once there, Allen will decide how much the Black Team can race on their way to Nome. He must be so proud of his youngsters!
This is Aliy's year. We are monitoring every inch of the race and sending her our thoughts and prayers. Thank you all for the great updates!
I was hoping the trail conditions would improve…so sorry to hear that is not the case! We are sending swift and safe thoughts to Aliy and the Red Team….I think we are all in for a long 48+ hours of watching the final leg of this race unfold! I just wish they had some more snow to run on!
Go Red Team!!!
Go Black Team!!!
Wooooooof!!! Wooooof!!! WOOF!!!
Thanks so much, Kaz!!!
Great reporting!
–Margaret
I hope her injury is not too serious. After she crosses the finish line a winner, she can go visit the Norton Sound Medical Center! The COO of that wonderful hospital runs the bicycle race equivalent to the Iditarod!
Go Aliy Go!!
Allen,you totally ROCK!The way you train the dogs and bring them up only when ready and give them graded race experience is so cool!
Awesome Aliy! You deserve it. You and your team have trained well for this, including your marathon.
A combination of the best and brightest dogs and dedicated coach/trainer/musher is all coming together.
Thank you Kaz
Hoping for the best on the trails ahead – Aliy can do it! Go Red!
Aliy is bringing in the diphtheria (Tdap) vaccine from Anchorage to Nome on her sled. The children in Nome are blessed to have a talented and dedicated musher.
Go Aliy GO! Amazing. Folks are praying for you! God Speed be with you! Ron in AZ ragodfrey@yahoo.com
Go RED Team!!
Hats off to Aliy and Allen and all of the dogs! Man, this is such a tough trail this year. Hang in there, guys. We fans may not be on the trail, but we are all there with both of you in spirit!!
IM routing for you from california. You're getting a whole new fan base here…can you hear em? They're yelling Go,Aliy go! I'll be back in Ak for the finish. Can't wait!
You go girl! Red team rules!
Go SPK!!!!! WOOF!!!!
Thanks Kaz for the update. I hope Aliy 's injury is not very serious. What a rough trail this year. Keep to your plan Aliy. You have a ton of fans cheering you on!