It’s 7pm Saturday night
Susan A Smith, a teacher at Takotna, got some great pics of our teams (and others) at the checkpoint a few days ago. She has generously agreed to let me use some to share with you below – thanks Susan.
RED TEAM UPDATE
After resting six hours in Grayling, the team continued 40 miles along the trail where Aliy stopped the team for a two hour break.
A two hour break is enough to give the dogs a sleep, a meal and change booties. It does not afford any time for the musher to sleep so I expect about now Aliy is getting bleary eyed, although that is probably a perpetual state for mushers in 1000 mile races.
As I write this she is travelling with Pete Kaiser, Richie Diehl and Ray Reddington Jnr towards Kaltag. It is difficult to tell with the trackers updating at different times but it appears they could possibly be taking turns breaking the trail after it is blown in by the wind.
They are still about 50 miles from the checkpoint and there are several strategy options ahead for Aliy. She could run her team all the way to Kaltag, rest there and move along the trail to Unalakleet, 85 miles away, or she could stop at one of the two cabins along the way: Tripod Flat or Old Woman. Another option is to take another rest before Kaltag then “blow through” the checkpoint, stopping instead at Tripod Flat or on the trail. 50 miles at their speed is around seven hours of running so I speculate she will stop again before Kaltag as it has been already about five hours since they left their camp.
I am just guessing what strategy she will chose, it’s quite difficult from my seat here in Two Rivers so I guess we will all just have to watch the tracker and extrapolate from there.
The Insider video from Heister and Lee at Kaltag this afternoon shows the checkpoint bathed in sunshine and they mentioned this afternoon was the first break in the weather since race start. Pictures of the teams travelling on the Yukon from earlier today, however, shows winds and limited visability so they will be pleased to get off the river. The forecast for the next 36 hours towards the coast is for “nice” weather but the coast is notorious for winds and storms and, as we know, ANYTHING can happen.
Photos Susan A Smith – Takotna
BLACK TEAM UPDATE
Allen is resting his team often and long which is contributing to their good speeds along the trail. They rested eight hours in Iditarod and another three along the trail before getting to Shageluk at 1:42pm this afternoon.
Photos Susan A Smith – Takotna
RETURNED DOG UPDATE
We’ve had word that Commando was the dog Aliy left in Grayling. She will be disappointed to leave him behind because he is a rockstar, but never fear, she has lots of other choices of lead dogs including his Yukon Quest Golden Harness partner-in-crime Dutch, Kodiak, Spark, Junior and Chipper with back up by sometimes-leaders Five, Clyde and Nomex.
No word yet about Cayenne but Linda, our coordinator in Anchorage, will keep us updated as soon as she hears more.
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Note: At 2am Sunday morning we go into daylight savings time so just a heads up if you notice something weird going on with the times.
Seeing Aliy in 4th on the GPS there for a bit this evening made me think she found the dog that was missing its’ zip! Go teams Go. It’s strange to see such a tight-knit race being run. Usually there’s the front, the middle and the back of the pack. Seems to be just a big, long string of teams this year!
Great racing going on! GO SPK GO
Commando….bummer to hear he left the Team, but relieved to know she has a Team full of good leaders but man, Commando….love that dog! Bet he will get lots of attention and love as he heads back to the care of SPK handlers.
I know often times in the past Aliy blows through Kaltag and heads to the 1st cabin on route to the coast…..but the creature comforts of a checkpoint have to be calling your name right about now! Then again, Kaltag is fixing to get quite busy, so perhaps camping out beyond town is the way to go??? Time will tell!
Positive thoughts out to Commando and Cayenne. May you be safe and well cared for until you are safe with your SPK family again.
Thank you for the beautiful pictures Susan Smith.
12:27 AKDT (put clocks ahead). Watching through the day I noticed she had rested near Eagle island and was even in 4th position at one stage. Then she ran with Pete, Richie, and Ray, as you said. But then she pulled off and at this check 20 miles behind them, currently in 13th position.
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But, she clearly has a plan. Her pace and and chosen stops are methodical. It has been a rough race; it seems the current top ten have chosen to slog along, even if at an excruciating slow pace at times to keep their positions.
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I need to sleep. What will I find in the morning?
Wonderful pictures Susan! This race is going to be a barn burner by the looks. Aliy looks
to be in a good position also but it’s not over yet. Weather? Will be glad when Cayenne
and Commando get back. Moira you are right she has other leaders but sure Commando
wishes he could get his steak too. Do they? Go Allen & Aliy!!!
Sorry to hear Commando won’t finish this race. Good job Commando! At this moment, Aliy has been in Kaltag for an hour so I guess that means she is staying there to rest??? The race standings page at this moment does not have her 8 hour Yukon rest checked and I thought she did that back in Shageluk. Maybe the check mark will reappear soon. It also shows that Richie, Pete and Ray have not done their Yukon River 8 hour mandatory so maybe they are doing that now in Kaltag. Aliy’s en-route time to Kaltag was better than the leaders, but not quite as good as the three she was breaking Trail with yesterday. Interested to see what Mother Nature does to this race today.
And the missing check mark has reappeared. I feel better now!
Photographing SPK is such a pleasure. These dogs are not only champion athletes, but also beautiful inside and out. I probably took 50 or more of both teams.
Thanks for the updates, been reading back, got a late start this season due to work interference safe travels to Nome!