As mentioned in our earlier post – the lead up to the YQ is busy! Here’s what we’ve been up to so far.
Meet the mushers
This evening was the Fairbanks Meet the Mushers event and it was hugely popular, with locals and visiting fans filling the function room. The line for signatures, selfies and hand shakes snaked around the room and there were tonnes of youngsters there meeting their mushing heroes. This year’s race poster features a fantastic pic by Whitney McLaren, one of the Quest visual content team.
Padee was there tonight and captured some of the action for you.
Vet checks
Dr Tamara Rose completed the pre-race veterinarian checks of 16 dogs that were still in the running to make Allen’s team for the 1000 mile race. Every dog in the race must pass the thorough pre-race check before they can leave the start line. Mushers must also sign a medical declaration that the dogs are not on any banned medications.
Dr Rose checked each dogs vitals and completed a full hands-on examination of muscles, joints and skin. Every dog got a body condition score, similar to what your local vet does with your dogs. It is a well known scoring system that enables different vets to keep a track of a dog’s condition throughout the race. The dogs also had their microchips checked and recorded, again so different vets can easily identify a dog through the race. Vaccinations were signed off as up to date as required.
Throughout the race the vet teams stationed at every checkpoint, dog drop and hospitality stop will evaluate the dogs and consult with the musher if they have any questions or concerns. There are four compulsory hands-on vet checks of each dog at mandatory rest checkpoints – the first at either Mile 101 or Central, one at Eagle, one in Dawson during the 36 hour layover and the final one at Braeburn. The vet team also does a finish line exam before they are ‘signed off’ from the race.
Banquet and Bib Draw
Tomorrow is the Start Banquet and Bib Draw – we’ll update you about that on Friday.
Here we go! So cool the fans get their day with the Mushers! Now on to the next steps towards getting this race underway….temps forecasted to me quite cold (-20+) but par for the course for SPK Mushers and dogs! We are getting excited here in the Adirondacks!
What a wonderful report!!! Ready to exercise my rally caps and refresh finger!!!
And thank you ever so much Padee for photos!!!
Looking forward (after race starts) to the notice of which lucky dogs get to pull Black Team sled and musher!!!
WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!
Love SP KENNEL!!!
Thanks Padee for the photos! Looking forward to the start and fingers are ready. Allen looks relaxed but sure he is ready. Go Allen and Black Team!!
Nice photos, Padee – captured some very nice moments.
Looking forward to Saturday.
Thanks for sharing the pics and update. Can’t wait to hear who makes the cut for Allen’s team. Fingers still crossed for Kodiak & Chevie. COMMANDO, I know you are a “Bootie-in” (aka “shoe-in”)❣