It’s 1.00pm Alaska time so while technically not a “morning” update, I’m updating on the morning’s events so I’m going to claim it. Sorry for the delay, I’ve been waiting for the official current standings to update so I can give you correct information.
Aliy and the Red Team have pulled into and out of the Cripple checkpoint are are on their way to Ruby. They are technically running in 4th position currently. Note thought that Jeff King and our Two Rivers neighbour Sonny Lindner, who are placed 1 and 2 respectively, have not completed their 24 hour stops at this time.
There are some fantastic pictures of the team in Sebastian’s latest blog! My favourite is this one of the team coming in to the checkpoint – look at those happy faces!
The Red Team’s run time for the Ophir-Cripple leg was 12 hours 31 minutes. Don’t be alarmed at that time comparing it to others as, according to the tracker analytics, the team stopped and camped along the trail for about 3.5 hours. You will see this strategy from both Aliy and Allen throughout the race. As previously mentioned they both enjoy camping so stops along the trail are generally part of their plan.
Overnight the Red Team had a quick run to Ophir and stopped there for about 19 minutes. Aliy is still running with 15 superstars. The next thing to consider for them is the mandatory eight hour rest somewhere on the Yukon River. Mushers can choose either Ruby, Galena, Nulato or Kaltag for this stop.
Allen and his Black Team-mates left Takotna after their 24 and have just pulled in and out of Ophir. Because it is only about 23 miles between the two checkpoints the dogs wouldn’t have been ready for a long rest there, especially having just come off their 24 hour break. They’ll be pleased to be back on the trail and appear to be tripping along very nicely indeed!
He has left one dog in Ophir and we will bring you information about who that is and why as soon as we can. It is likely whoever it is will be flown back to McGrath then to Anchorage so it could be some time before we know who it is.
The Anchorage Daily News has a fantastic video of Aliy and the Red Team leaving Takotna. It shows the SP howl and you can see Allen sending the team on their way. Take a look – click here. It made us smile!
Woof, woof, woof!!!
Go Red Team!!! Go Black Team!!!
Love the video! Go SPK Teams!
Sindy
GO ALIY!!! WIN THIS ONE!!!! Go Allen….
Good work SPK Teams!
Go get em Red team dogs, run down the leaders!!
P.S. hope Quito can keep that 17th dog in line 🙂
I read somewhere that there was an error in calculating the additional minutes that Aliy's has to add to her 24 so that she'll have to add minutes to the 8 hours mandatory.
is this true? any more info on this?
Great update – thanks! I saw the ADN video earlier and loved it, dogs look great and Aliy looked refreshed too. Go Red! Go Dogs!
Wonderful update, thanks. SPK is the best. Go Aliy & Red Team.
GO ALIY! Love the video
LOVE "the Howl" extended version.
LOVE IT!
I was cracking up.
Those dogs are so absolutely lucky to have Aliy willing to take them on this trip.
They are having a blast!
the howling team made me smile
I love Allen yellling out "Love you baby" and Aliy yelling back – "Love you too"!
And the dogs Howling their joy.
Wow…so special.
I just posted to Aliy's FB page how amazingly happy and vibrant her team look. I'm so pumped about her Iditarod race, they are rockin that trail !!!! Quito is doing an incredible job, they sure are superstars. Hugs to my favorite, Mac
That was so cool! Brought a smile to my face too! Go Red Team!