The lights are about to go out in Nome as the final two acts of the 2015 Iditarod played out this evening.
The lights on front street
At the Nome Convention Centre a packed house enjoyed a fantastic meal by the culinary team from the Millennium Hotel in Anchorage (those chocolate covered strawberries are divine!) and some excellent entertainment.
We got to hear from each of the special award winners and every finishing musher present. There were some great tales of extraordinary dogs as well as great sportsmanship, camaraderie and bravery. Congratulations to all the special award winners and to all the mushers that finished the 2015 Iditarod.
It was also another chance for mushers to catch up with each other, some of whom won’t see each other for a whole year, until the 2016 Iditarod.
Soon after the banquet finished, Cindy Abbott and her team crossed under the burled arch on Front Street and received the Red Lantern award. Everyone is now safely home.
Congrats to all the Teams in the 43rd Iditarod!!! I must say there was a bit of a void this morning getting up…no mushers on the tracker to check….no current standings to ponder over….oh the withdrawls!!
Safe travels home SP Kennel!!
Bravo, team members from both the Red and Black Teams, 2 and 4 legged, an we're looking forward to following the exploits of SP Kennel as it rebuilds – or reloads – for another fabulous season in 2015-2016!
Best,
Margaret
What a great post, Moira! It must have been a night to remember!!! So glad Cindy finished the Iditarod this year! She has worked very hard to accomplish that and I'm very happy for her!!!
The musher's tales were great, I'm sure!!!
Thank you for keeping us updates throughout this great adventures! And congratulations to everyone at SP Kennel both human and dogs! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👣👣👣🐾🐾🐾⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alas, this big year of racing has past. What memories, WHAT TEAMS! We know you all were so busy this season and we FANS so appreciate every, EVERY post here and everywhere! Safe journeys back home to Two Rivers or where ever you travel. (New Zealand Moira)Did I mention we Love SP Kennel teams and pups and all the sponsors and support folks. THANKS so MUCH! Enjoy some rest, and normal eating. We look forward to the wrap ups and pics and a Hooowl or two. =)))
Padee, Santa Rosa CA
Sponsor of "CHIPPER" the Lead Dog to Nome!
Hooray for all!
Great wrap up for an amazing event, so eager to hear the many tales along the trail. Would be nice if there was a large compendium. Every race has its major challenges.
Glad the entire crew is buttoning things up to head back to Two Rivers. There will be a lot of work once you get back sorting, sifting and reorganizing everything from the race.
Thanks again for all the great inside information on our Red and Black teams, such a great job!
Best, Trish McAleer
Thanks for this post and the way you brighten our lives every day. The joy and delight you bring is immeasurable.
Ditto to Barb's comment!!!
My thanks to all the wonderful SP Kennel athletes, handlers and crew. I also want to thank the fans who regularly add their comments. I've learned a lot this year by reading your well written responses to this incredible blog.
Ditto on having withdrawal. Safe travels back home everyone, both pups and humans. Thanks for all the updates and information that have been posted on this site. It really allowed us to be a part of the racing season from many, many miles away. From Edmond, OK where it's almost 80 degrees today.
I echo all the posts that have gone before me. I've truly enjoyed reading everyone's comments.
Thanks again (for the 100th time) to everyone at SP Kennel. You've provided me the joy and excitement of watching my favorite teams –from my favorite kennel — make the 979 mile journey across some of the most beautiful landscape I've ever seen!
Thanks for taking us along on the 43 Iditarod. What a wonderful adventure it has been. Safe travels back to Two Rivers.SPK you are so generous with your time in keeping us updated and involved. The future (like next year) is very bright.
Am bummed that the racing season is all over. Wish there were more races. Congratulations to both of your teams on your accomplishments. 5th place is still a great accompliishment. Looking forward to great things from the pups from Allen's team.
Will miss the dogs who are "aging out". Will miss Quito especially. You obviously have great leaders as you get through the toughest situations. Quito is a "hall of famer" for sure.
Glad the Red Lantern came in during the banquet. How special it must have been for her to see her fellow mushers. What an accomplishment.
Safe journeys home. Looking forward to your stories of the trail.
Speaking for Chena, as her sponsor, a hearty "Woof, woof, woof" each to the Red Team leader and the Black Team leader.
If she could speak in human voice, she would say to Red Team leader – "Bring on the treadmill" this summer. Chena also loves Allen's mustache.