Time 8:50am Race Mile 425
Woohoo! Off they go after their 25 hour 10 minute rest in Cripple. Aliy as all 13 dogs with her. She now has the first of the two green ‘mandatory stop’ ticks next to her name in the current standings. The second tick is the eight hour stop teams must make somewhere along the Yukon River (checkpoints from Ruby to Kaltag).
Unfortunately the live feed from Cripple was pointing in another direction so we didn’t get to see them leave. As anticipated, they have dropped back down the leaderboard as many of those that took their 24s in previous checkpoints back have passed by, so they have left in 29th position at 8:38am.
Seems the trail over from Cripple to Ruby has been difficult and a bit of a slog for the teams that went through overnight and report are that there is ‘weather’ coming as the teams get closer to the Bering Sea coast so there are still many challenges ahead. We’re only half done!
During their long break Aliy’s goal will have been to give the dogs as many calories as they could eat, as much rest as they could get and spend time massaging and stretching so they are fighting-fit ready to take on the second half of the race. She herself will have had a couple of good long sleeps and should be feeling pretty great herself. She’ll be looking to make up some places so needs everyone in tip-top shape for the 550 miles to the finish line.
As for the SP support crew – it was an odd day yesterday. Although we didn’t have to watch the tracker (although we did, of course!) there were a number of other things going on that demanded our attention concerning the happenings in Nome at the end of the race. Things are changing rapidly in the whole country, and indeed the world right now and the Iditarod is not immune to the effects of the virus and we learned yesterday there will be no Musher Banquet, no Meet the Musher and no other Iditarod festivities in Nome at the end of the race, in the interests of public health (see Iditarod announcement). This changes everything for the support crews so we are all just waiting to see what will happen over the next 24 hours in terms of logistics. We don’t know quite what will happen yet.
Go Aliy Go! I’m kinda glad the cam was pointed elsewhere because in all my NOT sleep deprivation, I had her leave time wrong! Oh well. Watching a lot of stuff yesterday as well as all of you. We talked this morning how this would affect the support team and the logistics for you folks getting to Aliy and team at Nome and then turning around to get back home and I’m sure “home” is high on Moira’s radar as well. Luckily, you’re family and have a place to stay. Stay positive that we will persevere on all fronts. The race is only half over! The world will continue to turn. Well wishes to ALL from us here in Colorado.
Yes indeed!!!
Off to the races!!!
So pleased to see them back on the “road” again and the relatively warmer temperatures would affect the speed especially with snow cover abounding. This team will be learning so much by the time it is over, they’ll be in great shape for future adventures!!!
WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!
Yep, lots of watching the live feed for a possible glimpse of Aliy.
During Aliy’s restart this morning I thought maybe I had the time wrong, but her tracker started right up and she registered as out of Cripple.
It’s a good thing we can come here for the SPK centered coverage that we love.
<3 🙂 <3
You spoil us fans!!!
The President announced new travel restriction on March 11th. The first thing I thought of was mushers like Thomas Waerner, and how that might impact their kennel crew.
"Effective from 14 March 2020
Foreigners who have been present in or transited through the following 26
European states: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland in the past 14 days, are not allowed entry into or
transit through the United States."
I noticed the change in Iditarod plans yesterday. Today Alaska registered its first case.
Be careful, especially traveling. Apparently the bulk of our cases came in through San Jose International airport. People have the virus and don't know they are spreading it. Be safe, wash hands often, avoid spending time close to people with a "cold."
We don't want to pose a risk to our elderly friends and family.
I don't want to be quarantined away from my grand son. 😉
I hope everyone at SPK stays safe and healthy.
Have a wonderful second half of a race. Being able to follow the Iditarod , Spkennel ❤️And Jefe is a wonderful distraction in these troubling times . Happy trails Aliy and the doggies . Barking from Melbourne , Australia . Joanne and Denali.👩🏼🌾🐶
Exciting times between Cripple and Ruby today.
So far Aly has moved her team up from the 29th position when she came off her 24 hour rest to 22nd.
Obviously rest of the other teams is not taken into account, but I’m hoping she is feeling really great about her team’s run.
🙂
RUUUN – while the weather permitts!
Snowfall, above freezing : all next week, and right now “wicked wind from the South”
Aliy’s team has a nice speed all day now….: made up some distance to the front and probably enjoys it. Hope she can run @ night a lot to stay cool without upsetting the rythm of those small paws.
About logistics: it will work out fine. Dogs need to go home early and “banquet” there with the musher having a party.
No looong days in Nome!
Social media and panic and social media contribute to non-socializing.
Thank you very, very much for your enjoyable updates and insights.
SPK team( that’s you), the dogs and the mushers are the Best. Aliy is FANTASTIC.
The team has done well after Cripple; she is resting outside Ruby as I type, so probably Galena for 8 hour. I hear the trail hardened so it must have been fun to see the dogs enjoy a decent trail while feeling frisky and ready to go
Thanks for the info and updates. My internet is lousy so have to be careful I don’t run out.
The virus I never thought would effect the Iditarod but hope Allen and Doug can be there for the finish.
Oh, Moira also!! You all are Great with the updates so will stay tuned to SPK for info! I have played the
Run Dogs Run 2 several times. Love seeing Aliy and the dogs!