SPK Dog Log

We are all ready for the team as they come off the trail sometime tomorrow!

We got to Dawson in record time and not because we did anything illegal, simply because we left Fairbanks at around 9pm and there was zero traffic, and all the places we might normally stop to get a bite to eat were all closed up by the time we got there. So… we just kept going and snacked on trail mix and dried fruit.

Once we got to Dawson we checked in with Gaby, the Checkpoint Manager, and picked up the drop bags we sent ahead. Then we found our camp spot (the spots are pre-assigned by bib number) – a really nice, secluded spot where the dogs will not get disturbed by any foot traffic up and down the main thoroughfare. After some planning we set to an shovelled out the spot for the dog shelter and our arctic oven handler tent. Thanks also to Bob Huston (our sled sponsor), John and Jen for helping us out – it really made a difference to have so many hands on deck!

Before

Bridgett and John shovelling snow

Ready for the tarpaulin

The dog shelter is so cozy – we’ve laid out a couple bales of straw and have their jackets and blankets all ready to wrap them in. They will be snug as bugs in rugs! We’ll take you on a tour in the next day or two.

Phew. Now we are sleeping. With the computer…

As I write this, the SP Kennel Black team is out of Eagle and cruising down the trail to Dawson, holding steady in second position about 20 miles behind leader Brent Sass. This is a remarkable accomplishment. Here’s why I say that:

Let’s face it, we’ve all become a bit spoiled over the past few years cheering for SPK with dogs like Quito, Olivia, Chica, Nacho and their sibling superstars in the team. Those dogs have had amazing careers racing for SPK, but now they are all either retired or running shorter races to teach the youngsters their craft.

Much like college sports, top sled dog teams often change rosters almost completely over a four year span. When you get a group of superstars at their peak all in one “class” you let them compete together as long as you can. When their time on the roster comes to an end, you can find yourself almost starting over with a new class. That’s pretty much the case now at SP Kennel.

Here’s something to think about: Of the 14 dogs on the SPK Black Team right now, 6 dogs (Mismo, Chipper, Kodiak, Dutch, Felix and Commando) have no YQ1000 experience at all. The only 1,000 mile experience they have has been running with Allen once (twice for Mismo and Felix) on the Iditarod “puppy team.” Running on a “puppy team” is all about having fun, gaining experience and getting to the finish line. There is no “race pressure” on them, it’s all just a casual series of eat-sleep-run days on the trail.

With these youngsters — SPK’s “next generation” — racing in the YQ1000, Allen must walk a fine line. He must push them to be competitive, but not so hard that they get too tired, lose confidence or spoil their positive experience. Allen truly excels at this. Being so close to the lead 400 miles into the race really shows that they have “the right stuff” to become future champions. Allen must be pleased and very proud of them.

I would be shocked — delighted, of course, but shocked — if this young SPK team wins the YQ1000. They’re up against teams which have vastly more experience in the race. A second place finish would be fantastic, even astonishing. I will be immensely impressed and thrilled for the future if they finish in the top five.

Speaking personally, the only thing about sled dog racing that ever bothers me is the focus that is placed on the mushers rather than the dogs. I’m the first to admit that dog breeding, training and care along with race strategy and skill are all reflective of a musher’s outstanding ability. That said, it’s the dogs who wins races, not their musher. I remember Lance Mackey speaking at the Iditarod finish in Nome after his fourth consecutive win: “Anyone could have won with my dogs.”

In line with my comment above about four-year cycles for dog teams, it’s worth noting that Lance’s four consecutive wins (2007-2010) were followed by four years not finishing higher than 16th. Susan Butcher and other mushers have had similar four-year peak records. We all know that Aliy had three consecutive 2nd place Iditarod finishes with a superstar SPK team, after not having finished higher than 11th in her previous 11 races. After a great four-year class of dogs, you generally have to restart and rebuild with the next generation.

Please understand that I am not trying to take anything away from the mushers or their mastery of everything that is involved in sled dog racing. All I’m trying to do is place the spotlight on the next generation SPK team in this year’s YQ1000 and emphasize both how well they are doing and what it may mean for the future. Knowing Allen, I can assure you he is racing with a smile on his face. No matter how the team places in this race, you can bet the future is bright… Go SPK!

Today is the transition day.  Aliy, Moira and the handling team are making there way around on the LONG route to Dawson.  They are currently in Carmacks, making great time.  Allen is in Eagle, though I expect he will be heading out shortly on his stretch to Dawson.

For those of you who don’t live in Fairbanks, you probably didn’t get to see THE commercial.  Aliy, Chica and the team had some fun filming a Super Bowl commercial for The Prospector – ‘Alaska’s Finest Outfitter’ in Fairbanks.  It aired during the second half.

Check it out!

The Dawson crew are about to head out on our long drive and you won’t hear from me for at least 24 hours so I will update you of things as they stand now.

After Allen’s nap in Circle he took his time to pack his sled and equipment ready for the long run into Eagle. There are no official checkpoints between Circle and Eagle to send supplies to so they must carry enough dog food, human food and supplies to keep them safe and happy along the way. They left Circle City looking refreshed and rearing to go with Hugh Neff just a few minutes behind them.

Currently the top four of Brent Sass, Hugh Neff, Allen, Matt Hall have left Slaven’s Roadhouse and on their way to the Trout Creek hospitality stop. Ed Hopkins will likely follow them shortly. From Trout Creek they run to Eagle, Matt’s home town. It is an extremely remote community and the town really gets behind the race. I’m sure the mushers will have some fun there during their mandatory four hour stop.

It’s such a long wait until we see them again, and rather excruitiating to watch their journey on the tracker, so it is probably a blessing we will spend the next 20-odd hours in the truck! (Silver linings?) Once we get to Dawson we will make up the dog camp ready for the team’s arrival. Depending on how much time between completion of camp and the team coming in we may get to rest OR it might be straight into our “hands on” portion of the race.

For a bit of really interesting reading in the meantime, check out this Mushers’ Guide to the Yukon Quest Trail by two-time Quest champ John Schandelmeier. It will give you a great idea of the trails they are mushing on.

We also have some special treats for you, by way of videos that were made before the race, that we will post during the next day or so when we have no other news to tell. Here’s one from Clyde – Aliy interviewed him prior to the Quest.

Congratulations to Aliy, Lester, Boonie, Daisy, Amber, Violet, Driver, Iron, Champ, Sandy and Chemo, plus Chena and Sparkie at home, on their 2nd place finish, just as the sun was setting, in an exciting Yukon Quest 300.

The Red Team under Nordale Road bridge on Saturday afternoon soon after the start of the YQ300

Aliy will be so pleased with her young team; she wanted them to race a competitive 300 mile race and they have done just that. The one disappointment for her will be that Chena and Spark weren’t there to finish the race. They are both very promising lead dogs and she wanted to see what they could do under some pressure. They will get another opportunity however so all is not lost.

We have no photos yet as Central has limited cell and internet coverage so we will catch you up when we can. The Yukon Quest Facebook page has some great pics from their reporting team on the ground so keep checking back there.

Thanks to Wes and Wendy for their great care and attention to the team. It makes a huge difference to have such a good handler crew that knows the musher and dogs so well. You can sleep soon!

Congratulations to Jessie Holmes in his rookie Yukon Quest 300! We hope everyone who raced achieved their goals and had a lot of fun. There were several different strategies in play for the top bunch of teams over the final two legs so it was a fascinating race to follow. It looks like Two Rivers will be well represented in the top bunch also which is exciting!

I will make use of some down time in the truck to Dawson to get Aliy’s dog-by-dog wrap-up and get it to you as soon as I can.

Woohoo!

Both handler crews are in Circle City!

Our drive over to Circle was beautiful but it can be a treacherous journey so we decided to do it before it got dark. We knew we would have a long wait at Circle for any mushers to come in but it was a good decision and we managed to catch some much needed sleep.

Circle checkpoint is based in the village Fire Hall. Olaf and his team make it as comfortable and welcoming as can be! The local school had made ‘welcome’ banners for each musher in the Quest and there was plenty of scrumptious food for everyone. Thanks team!

At 11.37pm, Allen and his Black Team trotted happily into the checkpoint. They had just spent around 70 miles on Birch Creek, not the most interesting part of the journey as they weaved and serpentined along the river. They camped along the way for a few hours and will have enjoyed their rest in the warmer temperatures (-5 – 0F) in this part of the trail compared to the -15F we had in Central during the day.

We had a chance to chat to Allen as he ate some meatloaf and he told us that the team did great over Eagle Summit. They were screaming as they went up the hill; the usual suspects: Schmoe and Mismo were joined by Dutch, Commando and a few others in the joy at climbing a big hill!

Eagle Summit was beautiful. He said he’s seen it with 30 mile an hour winds and blowing snow so it was a treat to enjoy a calm, beautiful day. The trail from Central on Birch Creek was “perfect” and he said he couldn’t ask for a better trail.

Allen will have a (very) short sleep here then once they leave here, we say goodbye to them until we meet again in Dawson city.

They travel through Slaven’s Roadhouse, Trout Creek Hospitality Stop then onto Eagle checkpoint. After Eagle is American Summit, all 3,420 feet of it then into Dawson City for the 36 hour layover.

These runs between Circle and Dawson are long and the mushers will likely be camping on the trail, getting to enjoy the intimacy with their dogs Aliy and Allen talked about prior to the race. They are travelling over historic trails and seeing parts of the world few people get to see.

This is also when the handler crews start their epic road journey. We must now go back down through Central, 101, Fairbanks right down to Whitehorse in the Yukon; turn left and head up the Klondike highway to Dawson. It’s always a race between dog team and dog truck at this time.

I will be stopping back at the kennel to unload the truck and pack it for Dawson so will get a chance to update then.

RED TEAM UPDATE

By all accounts the dogs are doing a great job. They tackled Eagle Summit eagerly and sloshed through wet overflow with no problems. They have all learned a LOT on this race and Aliy is pleased with how the two year olds in particular have handled being pushed a little.

Talk about picturesque campsites!!!

Currently Aliy and her 10 team mates are is on her way to Circle having left Central in great spirits (see the Dropped Dog updates for info about Chena and Spark). We are looking forward to seeing her and the team later this morning. The YQ300 mushers then to turn around, get back onto Birch Creek and return to Central for their finish.

Immediately after they finish and feed the team, Aliy, Wes and Wendy will jump in the truck, had back down the Steese Highway and meet the Dawson crew ready for the long drive to Canada. Aliy will fit some sleep somewhere in there too!

Aliy left Sparkie with Wes and Wendy at Central. Just before they came into the checkpoint Aliy noticed Spark had a bit of a “head bob” indicating a limp in his front end. She had the veterinarians check him over and she decided to leave him. She left him on the line while the team rested in Central as he was cozily snuggled with his team mates then Wendy took him to the truck before Aliy got ready to leave.

The team has two long legs in front of them along Birch Creek which is likely to be very hard and fast and that type of trail could aggravate a sore wrist or shoulder.

Don’t worry, Spark is happy… Spark is ALWAYS happy whether he is running, resting or playing.

Like all sled dog races, the YQ rules require a certain number and length of mandatory rests in specified checkpoints. The primary reason for mandatory checkpoint rests is so that veterinary crews will have numerous opportunities to check on the dogs.

The first mandatory rest is a 4-hour stop to be taken at either of the Mile 101 or Central checkpoints. Mushers are given the option between the two so that they have some flexibility in race planning and don’t have to stop either too early or too late according to their run/rest strategies. After that first mandatory rest, mushers will stop their teams somewhere on the trail (or in a checkpoint) before the next mandatory 4-hour rest in Eagle.

The 36-hour mandatory rest in Dawson City is a special feature of the YQ1000. Not only is it substantially longer than the mandatory 24-hour rest on Iditarod, the YQ rules for Dawson City allow handlers to set up a shelter camp for the dogs, help the musher with dog care and generally make the most of the team’s quality rest. I don’t know of any other race that allows “outside help” at a checkpoint, and it’s indicative of just how demanding the YQ1000 is that such help is allowed.

After Dawson City, it’s then a long, long way before the final 8-hour mandatory rest in Braeburn, which sets the teams up for a sprint to the finish. Given that very long distance, you can be sure that teams will take at least a couple of lengthy rests between Dawson and Braeburn.

If you do the math, YQ mandatory rests amount to a total of 52 hours. In very rough terms, that’s probably about half the total amount of rest a top team will take over the course of the race. For those of you who are comfortable with back-of-the-envelope math, a team averaging a running speed of 8-10 miles per hour over a 1,000 mile race will require 100-125 hours of running time. As a general rule of thumb, dogs do best on about a 50/50 run/rest balance. So, for 100+ hours of total run time, a similar 100+ hours of total rest would be typical. Given 52 hours of mandatory rest, you can expect teams to take another 50 hours (or so) of rest on the trail or in checkpoints.

Please, please keep in mind that all the numbers I’ve just given you are rough, general, approximate figures. Top teams can often run faster than average or have fitness levels that allow them to take less rest. My purpose is just to give you a reasonably fair way of looking at the overall run/rest picture… Okay?

By now, all teams have taken their first mandatory rest at Mile 101 or Central and are zooming down the trail to their next mandatory rest in Eagle, then on to their long, comfy rest in Dawson… Go SPK!