YQ300: Red Team Wrap Up

For the Yukon Quest 300 Aliy specifically chose younger, lesser experienced dogs to give them some exposure to a competitively paced race. She said overall she was even more happy about this 300 than last year (if you remember last year she was excited and surprised just how good the “latinos” were). On the road trip home from Dawson I asked her about each of her team mates.

BEEMER and OLIVIA – were both exactly what she thought they would be. There were perfect ‘veteran’ dogs and she knew she could count on them for everything. They know what to do and were there if she needed them. She didn’t want to count on them, she really wanted to give the youngsters the responsibility but it was nice to have them there! Olivia was in “4X4 Low”, working hard the entire time.

MISMO was “large and in charge” – he is a BIG dog. ‘Mis’ was by far was the strongest throughout the entire race. At the beginning of the race Aliy could tell that he was almost cocky, which is unlike him, and shows he’s starting to come into himself. When he was partnered with someone he talked himself up: “Did you see what I did? Watch this”. For most of the race she ran him in middle of the team but for the last eight hours of the race she put him in SINGLE LEAD, at first just to shake things up. Aliy said “I told him he needed to do well so I gave him the opportunity. It took a little coaching for the first 10 mins because he started drifting into the deep snow but he soon figured it out and ran, straight as an arrow with a tight tug line.” He definitely took his coaching to heart and from then on he was the man! For a while before that he ran in lead with Chipper but Mis is such a big dog that when he dipped for snow he bulldozed little Chippy into the snow so Aliy moved her back.

WEDGY was behind in miles compared to all her team mates and was the most inexperienced of the team at the start line. Wedgy missed out last year so this season is her learning season and Aliy was glad she got to go on the race. Wedgy learned a lot such as how to pace herself more than she used to. Aliy is excited to see her progress from here.

LYDIA almost puts too much effort into her work. Aliy was hoping this 300 mile race would teach her to pace herself more. There is certainly no lack of confidence in her ability – she really does take after her Momma Olivia.

CHIPPER really surprised Aliy. She is a biscuit pup through-and-through and she couldn’t help herself to lunge in harness, even one hour from finish line! Chipper might not be the biggest, toughest bruiser in the pack – but she works so hard and puts so much effort in. Aliy kept telling her that during the run: “Chipper, a small dog working hard is more valueable that a big dog that doesn’t work all the time.” As mentioned above, Chipper did run in lead for a time during the last leg but Mismo is no gentle giant so she got put back to swing for for a few hours, only put back about two horus from finish. Aliy was really happy with her Chipper’s first 300 mile race.

SANDY did well. She has more experience than all the other two year olds but this was her first race with Aliy. She is a hard worker and never lets up. She’s doesn’t stand out and is not flashy but, boy, she works hard.

KODIAK had the most 300 mile experience, running in Allen’s championship winning Copper Basin 300 team last month. He and JUNIOR ran in lead for much of the race. Both were fairly inexperienced in really tough situations and in this race they learned what ‘tough’ meant. Kodiak was side-by-side with sister Junior almost the whole race, either in lead or team on last leg. He never faded.

Kodiak and Junior

JUNIOR has more of the “Yippy, skippy, I want to leave the checkpoint” attitude than her siblings. She is very happy go lucky, is full of enthusiasm and very vocal. She and Kodiak are a great team.

DUTCH definitely had the most pep when team stopped, either at checkpoints, camps, or for a snack on the trail. At the starting line he was the craziest to go! Dutch is always pretty excited to go but right now he’s in the best shape of his life and the tiredness was not getting to him. He’s come a long way since the CB300 and is learning how to use his body and muscles better. This race has taught how to ease it back a smidge and in he was in ‘4×4 LOW” by the end. He finished the race in swing with Felix. Dutch is going to get stronger and stronger and Aliy felt that pressing him a bit in the swing position was good for him and now he is a good, strong swing dog. He also showed his sensitive side when Spencer took Lydia back to the truck at Carmacks where she was dropped. Dutch and Lydia live next door to each other, play all day and often run together. When Lydia walked away Dutch tried to follow and started crying after her. Aliy had to try to distract him. Awww, bless him.

Those four siblings have very different personalities. LYDIA is confident and in your face. Kodiak is confident but much more polite about it. Dutch is emotional and Junior is the happy, driven cheerleader. All of them are incredibly talented sled dogs.

FELIX ran in swing for much of the race and he did well. He was almost picked for Allen’s team, such is the confidence in his abilities, and he was a welcome addition to Aliy’s Red Team. Felix puts a lot on the line early and he didn’t have a lot of reserve so he needs to learn to conserve himself a bit. Each race he learns that lesson a little bit more. He is definitely a Biscuit pup and works wherever you put him, whether running with Mismo in the middle of the team, in wheel or swing. He’s just a happy dog!

NELSON is a good, solid dog and Aliy was disappointed he didn’t get to finish the race. He is fine now and is definitely in the frame for an Iditarod spot.

Overall, Aliy said it was not a pleasant 300 mile race; it was more of a endurance event that you could feel good about completing because once in a while you forget you have the ability to function in a ridiculously cold arctic environment. It’s not every day that it’s 50 below – she has seen it in the Iditarod, Copper Basin and the Gin Gin but never from start to finish! This was the coldest race she has ever run, by far. At those temperatures your concern isn’t about strategy – it’s all about protecting your dogs and yourself from the cold and all energy goes there.

So, have you guessed the Most Valuable Dog? MISMO!!