Here they are – the 14 athletes that will accompany Aliy down the Iditarod Trail to Nome.
Aliy will take with her: Amber, Bruno, Commando, Dutch, Decaf, Five, Driver, Jefe, Mismo, Nomex, Rodney, QT, Spark and Violet.
Aliy has no Iditarod rookies, although Bruno, Decaf, QT and Jefe didn’t make it to Nome last year due to their race being shortened and coming home early. Her most experienced team mates along this trail are Commando, Dutch, Driver and Mismo who have each run in four Iditarods. Siblings Amber, Nomex, Spark and Violet have all run in three while brothers Rodney and Five have two Iditarods under their harnesses.
Commando has the most 1000 mile races to his name with eight, including a Golden Harness from the Yukon Quest. Eight of her team finished the Quest two weeks ago.
The final configuration on the line is not quite decided yet so we’ll let you know who she decided to lead out with.
There are many dogs that missed out on making an Iditarod team as we were running only one team this year. All those left behind have contributed to the training program and are a huge part of helping this team get to the start line. It was an agonising decision for Aliy but she is confident she’s chosen the best 14 for the job. We understand sponsors and fans of the dogs that missed out are disappointed but we know you’ll be supporting team down the trail regardless! Scooby will be getting extra love and kisses as he tries to figure out all the fuss of going to Anchorage for an 11 mile run.
Later today we will send Aliy and her mates on their way then the crew travels back to Two Rivers. We will update here as soon as possible but make sure you keep an eye on the Iditarod Insider plus our Facebook and Instagram pages as we can post directly there from Willow Lake.
GO TEAM!
Sounds like a talented roster. Best wishes for a fast, safe race! Commando- hope you’ve “got the Con” for this one. Scooby- sucks to be the 15th man but you’re still a winner and have youth on your side. Go back to the kennel and tell all the others how sharp you looked in wheel going down Front St.
Eight tons of experience, with six tons of excitement making up this team.
You’ll have thousands of tons of excitement watching online.
I’m praying for health for every team member, especially Aliy, energy, focus and excitement that lasts all the way to Nome. I’m hopeful this race will be as fun and exciting at 2012 and 2014, with a large portion less uncomfortable drama, and a large serving more fun drama.
Enjoy this race Aliy!
You are never alone out there. Even on stretches between Shaktoolik, Koyuk and Elim, we’ll be watching, rooting for YOU, and hoping you can draw the energy to give out some excited whoop whoops to rally the team.
GAME ON!!!
Go get it!
🙂
Glad to hear my main man Decaf is making the trek. Good luck and safe trails to Aliy and teammates. Hats off to all of you and keep your eyes on Nome!! Go SPK!!
and Scooby looked great right in front of the camera running those 11 miles. Way to go Scooby.
Go Aliy! Wedgy, Mike and I, our families and coworkers are all cheering you along the trail. We’re wishing you a fantastic race, and this looks like a super fun team!
Go Aliy. You and your team look ready for anything. Good luck 😀🤞💕
Ok…..ready to rock and roll…..almost GO time!! Glad Aliy has a veteran Team for the race…..and I’m super excited to see Mismo back in action!! Let’s get this race started!!
I just listened to Aliy’s comments on the Iditarod Insider of how she chose her team.
WOW! That is fun! Good luck with the newbies. If those two litters were wine, you’d be saying it was a really good year.
YAY!!! “Our” girl, QT, made the team!!! We are rooting for Aliy, QT, and the whole team to have an AWESOME race!
Debbi & David Robinson
Great team. Go Aliy run swiftly, safely, & joyfully. Have a blast. Will be watching and cheering all the way to Nome.
Meant to say Fourth Avenue earlier– getting ahead of myself. Go Team!
Chena texted me earlier, saying she is so proud of her teammates chosen, and will be watching the tracker closely.
And keeping her paws crossed for a safe and super fast trip to Nome!!!
WOOF WOOF WOOF
Let’s go, Aliy and pups! Though I’m sorry “my” Barista doesn’t get to race, I’m sure she will be giving many encouraging howls from back home for the team, especially for her littermate, Decaf!
Best of luck for the race Aliy! and great to see sparkie is part of the team!
GO ALIY!
The team has tons of experience with those talented dogs! I’m glad that my favorite SPK dogs- Dutch, and Spark, are on the Iditarod team roster. Safe travels on the trail, Aliy. I will be rooting for you all the way!
Good luck! You have a great team to get you to Nome in 1st place!
Go Aliy and Red Team Dogs!!
GO SPK! Thank you, SPK team for the updates and the video from the ceremonial start – that was awesome. I’m so psyched. This team has a lot of experience and a lot of passion. Can’t wait to see how it all plays out. I will be thinking of Aliy non-stop for the next how many days and glued to the computer. I hope she feels our well wishes and encouragement. There are a lot of us out here sending her and the 4-leggeds positive energy. Stay happy and safe, Red Team, and go go go. 🙂
I am beyond disappointed. I did not travel to Anchorage this year, but still love to see her off via the live feed. The gateway has closed and even posted as expired on the Facebook page. I wonder if they set up the wrong time frame with the broadcasters.
Nothing to be done about it.
Good racing Aliy. I would have loved to see that frisky team head out of the chute, but hopefully they will catch you somewhere along – and at the finish.
Linda, It took me about 10 attempts to get onto the live feed. The links given earlier might not be working, but several other Iditarod links weren’t either. Then it cut out almost immediately at #5….. so tried again and again. I did get to watch Aliy. On the Insider’s page, under “videos” it has a link for “Live Replay” and you can watch all the archived live videos from this race. It is well worth watching #19’s Re-start! <3
Thanks for posting the run off and the updates. Iditorad webpage and app not up to date. Wishing Aliy and the team good luck, smooth winds and sweet running. Vowing for you all the way from Bangkok, every leap of the way! Go go team!