It snowed all day out in Willow! It was warm and wet and a bit yuck but it was Iditarod Sunday and there’s no where we would have rather been.
After an early breakfast for both canines and humans we headed in convoy up the Parks Highway to Willow Lake. We had plenty of time to get everything all lined out and ready for Aliy to complete her final gear check and sled pack. We had the dogs out of the truck early so they could enjoy the snow and a meat soup, before we took our time dressing in harness, booties and some leggings. ‘No jacket required’ as it was warm. Aliy packed all the jackets in her sled so she has them ready when they settle down to sleep or for when it gets cooler.
Aliy’s line up for the first leg was Dutch and Junior in lead, Spark and Amber in swing, then Kodiak and Violet, Rodney and Five, Jefe and Bruno, QT and Chevie with Decaf and Cloud in wheel. I spoke with Aliy on the way up to Willow and she talked us through her line up:
We got the team relatively calmly (ahem *Rodney*) to the starting chute thanks to the well organised staging crew.
Dutch and Junior were the old pros – calm and focused at the front end of the team. Spark was looking around finding old and new friends in the crowd while Amber was bouncing and barking and revving up the whole team. Kodiak was so pleased to be back in the ‘big time’ – he was barking, smiling and excited, and we were so happy to see him back to his best. Violet was matching his excitement and seemed pleased to be near the front. Rodney was circling as usual and Five was putting up with him like only a brother can do. Jefe was barking and ready and Bruno was a cool banana. QT and Chevie had plenty of energy and Cloud and Decaf were ready to leave! Now!
It was with mixed emotions we watched the team head down the start chute and disappear around the corner – relief that we got them to the start line safely, excitement for the race ahead and a little sad we don’t see them again until Nome.
LOVE the pic of Decaf with his tongue out! Like “we got this people”
Got to watch the livestream for a change it didn’t drop just as Aliy entered the chute. Took a bunch of pics of the TV and man the team was moving so fast that all my shots are blurry! Go team go!
GO GO GO – and I spy some extra sleds atop Hollywood!!!
Love the team run-down, and looking forward to getting comfortable with the new website features at Iditarod.com. Warmer temps cetrainly put more frostbite in the rear view mirror.
But nothing is ever as good as the SP Kennel website – the sound recordings are marvelous, love hearing Aliy’s answers to Moira’s questions!!!
WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!
We’ll be glued to our computer the whole way! Go Aliy and dogs and thanks for all of the updates!!
We’ll be glued to our computer the whole way – can’t wait to watch this race unfold! Go Aliy and dogs and thanks for all of the updates!!
Thank you so much for sharing.
Will Aliy be wearing a shoulder cam?
Also when do you expect her to arrive at the first checkpoint?
And they’re off! It’s all tracker now (love the new tracker look!) ….lots of company on the trail to start….bet Aliy can’t wait to get the parade strung out a bit! Love the audio rundown of the Team! Sounds like they are all paired up and ready for an adventure!
Long time insider. Love the great spews sight. Question? Are all the people in red coats your dog handlers or part of them volunteers? Also the blue dog coats at start was a nice touch.
The red coats are all SP Kennel Crew
What great pre-race pics of the athletes. Kodiak looks so handsome and proud! Welcome back to the big stage Big Guy! Five- “Is this my best side?” Decaf- such a cutie! And Chevie looking rather calm and focused for a newbie. Junior looks to be amping it up! Aliy looks and sounds to be “psyched” to win this! I’ll say it again- the audio clips are such a treat for your fans and add so much!! Thanks Crew. I’m so excited about this new look line-up (despite my #1 guy being back at the kennel). It sounds and looks like quite the formula for success!! You’ve got this Red Team! Race hard and safe! I’ll be watching intently and with nervous anxiety your journey to Nome. Godspeed!! 🙏❤️🐾
Love the audio interview and love the paragraph that describes what was going on when lining the dogs up and getting ready to go. Almost felt like we were right there watching. And Yay for Kodiak! Go Team!
Good luck from Minnesota! Don’t tell the other pups, but we’ve got a soft spot for Chevie. 🤗💕
I loved having the human team members names flash on the screen! We see them all the time and hear about them, but to put a face to a name – just great touch!
They all look good and ready for it.
PS
The photos of the dogs are amazing.
Go Team RED!!! Run doggies run!!