Part of the leaving routine for a longer stop is to walk the dogs around and stretch them out. This also serves to activate bladders and bowels so they don’t have to stop as much while leaving. Allen took each dog for a quiet walk around while we all looked on.
Then, after booting and dressing the dogs and making some line-up changes there were a few moments when it was just Allen and Brent and their teams. They exchanged handshakes and some quiet words. These two guys know each other well and respect each other a lot. In fact both crews, SPK and Wild and Free, have great respect for each other so there was certainly no adversarial atmosphere as the teams were preparing to leave.
I captured the team leaving the checkpoint. (It was a real luxury to have some action during daylight! Most of what I have has been in the dark.) You will see just how close the two teams were – as the Black Team pulled out, the Wild and Free team was ready to rock and roll.
While watching the video, check out how light Allen’s sled is!
As always, there are some great pictures of the team leaving the checkpoint on the Yukon Quest Facebook Page. They really are a talented bunch!
LOVE you guys, you are great ambassadors for our sport, showcasing competition and friendship at its best. Awesome
Seeing this video shows how really close it is. Go Allen
Go team go! Wind behind you and get to the steak.
1,000 miles and it comes down to mere minutes! This seems to be happening more and more lately….sure makes for great Arm Chair Mushing!! It's nice to know there is a lot of mutual respect between the 2 teams….no animosity….just two Teams heading down the home stretch after over a week of living with their canine companions on a gorgeous trail through the wild north country!! What a great adventure!!
Great team.
Thank you for the beautiful video.
How amazing this race has turned out to be!!! If adrenaline could fly accross the miles there would be a dome all over the world from all people sharing the emotion of this last leg of the race!!!
Everything was so quiet as the two teams prepared to depart!!! Even the dogs were quiet!!!
Godspeed!!! See you all (electronically) at the finish line!!!
It has been a pleasure following this race!!!
well said Nessmuk and Lourdes.
A week of following the race and the last leg is a nail biter. Both teams have ran a great race.
mush on.
Right now…
Aliy knows how we feel watching her.
Bless you Aliy!
Remember to breath.
Tracker shows 4m distance and after driving 11hs straight to Fairbanks I could scream: go team !
Come one little doggies, keep eating up the miles Black Team.
You are almost to your steaks (bet these aren't frozen) and a warm truck. Rewards for an amazing race. Good dawgs!
🙂
What an exciting week, and super exciting race to the finish.
Fantastic video of Allen and Brent leaving Two Rivers…
I see Brent is in. Congratulations to Wild and Free,
YQ 2015 Champs.
With the next musher 92 miles back, with an 8 hour mandatory rest ahead…
I believe it's safe to say the Black Team will win second place.
Woohoo!
Amazing, musher, fantastic dog team, terrific handlers, super support crew, and the very best coverage on the web…
SPK, you ROCK!!!
I hope Allen gets a nice warm meal, a soothing soak, and you all get some sleep this morning.
Love ya!
Awesome job SPK. Of course.
So proud of the Black Team. Woof, woof, woof!!!
Woof!!! And extra one for this exciting race – great competitors all,
Best,
Margaret
Congratulations Allen, Quito, Scout, Chica, Schmoe, Mac, Waylon, Chemo, Scooter, Nacho, Willie, Clyde, and 1st timers: Sissy, Izzy and Outlaw!!!
Congratulations and thank you to Meghan, Mark, Bridgett, Scotty, Kaz, Spencer, Aliy, Moira and Ray.
What a team?!
We are so proud of you!
🙂