Both teams are now on the trail towards Nome!
After the excitement and hubbub of the Ceremonial Start yesterday it was a more relaxed start to the day as we made our way up to Willow for the re-start.
With such low bib numbers we didn’t have too long to wait for our turns. First up was Allen’s Black Team. His line up to start the race had Quito and Chena in lead, Lester and Junior in swing, Nacho and Chica, Sissy and Spark, Lydia and Tinder, Nomex and Iron, Champ and Driver, Violet and Amber.
After a quick sprint back to the other truck we then got Aliy and her Red Team away. Her line up today was Waylon and Kodiak in lead, Scruggs and Schmoe in swing, Mismo and Chemo, Commando and Chipper, Dutch and Izzy, Scout and Willie, Sandy and Mac with Clyde and Felix in wheel.
I have a load of great pics from today to go through so will post them tomorrow, in the meantime I hope you enjoy the videos of the start!
As I write this both teams are resting in the Skwentna checkpoint. Sebastian Schnuelle posted some pics from Yentna that showed Aliy carrying Mac in her sled as she ‘blew through’ the checkpoint. She didn’t drop him there so we presume he was a bit hot from the afternoon sun and excitement of the start line so was taking a rest. What probably doesn’t hurt is that he will be an extra 70lb of ballast to help keep the team a little slower on the hard and fast trails.
Allen and the Black Team rested along the way for a couple of hours. Whether or not the rookies (oh, why not – shall we call them the “yahoos” this year??) got much rest is another question. It can take them a few checkpoints for them to get the resting routine sorted out. The more experienced members of the team will be setting a good example and settling down quickly when it is time to sleep. Sebastian posted some super pictures of the Black Team dropping down towards the Big Susitna River.
More in the morning!
Wow that was a very excited 🔴 team at the start and l loved the " film me film me " ⚫️Team woof woof from Denali and Joanne 🇦🇺.
Glad to know the crew made it safely back to the kennel! YES, we saw you all sprinting back through the crowd once the Black Team was off down the trail! All these red beanies bobbing through!! Looks like all is well and the Teams are settling in! Lets hope the Yahoos learn to SLEEP at the rest stops! Im sure they will catch on soon enough!
Woof, woof, woof!!!
Thanks so much for this news from the start – and glad to hear Mac is staying cool in the sled!!!
I wonder about the "caboose" look for stability…
Thanks so much for these photos and keeping my fingers crossed no pun intended as Finger Lakes looms for the teams!
Best,
Margaret
I'm glad the crew made it back home safe! I watched the restart through Aliy and then watched intermittently after that. 86 teams is a lot of teams to get moving down the trail. Thanks for posting the videos after a long day.
Absolutely exciting and joyful!!! Best to both teams!!!
Love it! Am ready to pull the tracker up at work to keep an eye on everyone. Love the "yahoo's"! They've got some great guidance heading down the trail.
Another skill for Quito. She knows how to count, and backwards for the countdown. She was tiptoeing a bit as the announcer moved from five, four, etc. , but then at GO, she lunged forward bringing the whole crew with her. Whatagirl!!
What a thrill each time I watch your re-start little and beautifully edited videos!!!
Thank you so very much and thanks also to the "crew" who got both teams off to a beautiful start – I was only able to watch these videos without sound earlier (it was 5am in CT when I initially watched them).
Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, and…
Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof, woof.
WOOF, WOOF!!! For the mushers!!!
Moira
Thank you for the FANTASTIC start videos,
and the links for Sebastian's photos.
Mac taking a ride, woohoo!
and Violet and Amber's tails, LOL!
🙂
Just watched Aliiy go through Finger Lake…love the new II checkpoint live feature. Sandy's spinning circles wanting to go and all the dogs looked fantastic.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Great videos! Spark sure does look ready to roll! Glad you're home safe and sound. Enjoy the quiet and no more of me stalking around staring at the dogs!!! Go SP Kennel Go!
Lots of power coming out of the chute. I saw a dog was dropped in Skwentna. The river ice took its toll.
Yes, thanks yet again – did a double-take at @11:52 EST to see who was in second place – how's that again? WOOF!!!
Red Team dropped a dog according to records out of Finger Lake
Heard on the live feed that Aily dropped a dog in Finger Lake. Hope it's just a minor thing!
The coverage this year is fabulous! I get to see my absolute two favorite teams "in person!" What could be better!!
I agree, the ID coverage this year is awesome! I first watched the videos early this morning when I rolled out of bed. I just watched them again and realized that Aliy was in a black coat when the black team rolled out. Love the "team" attitude.
I couldn't help wondering what was going through Aliy's mind when she was saying good bye to Quito. looks like Quito's doing a great job getting those Yahoos down the trail. would be fantastic if the Black team could stay that close to the Red. go teams!!
glad you're back at the kennel safely, Moira & SPK support team. keep up the fabulous job you do keeping us up-to-date on our favorite teams!!