SPK Dog Log

We’ve just received this pic of the Black Team at the start line. You can see Junior and Chipper in lead looking ready to roll!

Mark said he did get some video but will be unable to send it through until there is some reliable wi-fi so we’ll get that to you later.

A note from Macgellan: CB300 Analysis Tip: When you refresh the GPS tracker, don’t forget to hover over the numbers to see how long it’s been since the last update! Location on the map is shown since the last GPS update. Not all beacons refresh at the same time, so you may have to do a little mental extrapolation about how far a team may have gone since it’s last update!

For example, see the screen shot below – how far has Matt Hall actually travelled in the intervening 16 minutes…?

5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Thunderbirds are Go!

Aliy and the Red Team left the starting chute at 11.16am and are now safely on the trail towards the Red Eagle Lodge in Chistochina.

The KCAM live commentary said that once in the chute Aliy was “smiling and taking selfies with the volunteers” so it sounds like she was nice and relaxed which is a good sign. She lead off with Waylon and Lydia – Dutch is just fine and will likely get a chance to lead the team at some stage during the race.

If you refer back to the post Aliy wrote earlier in the week about each dog she said Lydia “will really drive the speed of your team and can be found in lead often when we want to go really fast” so I guess that’s her strategy for the first leg! The commentators said the team sure were ready to go!

Allen and the Black Team got onto the trail at 11.48am just as the sun came up.

The commentators said “It is said to be a fast trail and Allen does well with fast trails. He’s the one to beat.”

The handler team of Chris, Mark and Wes will now head to the checkpoint to await the teams. There is limited internet and cell coverage so we’ll do what we can to get you some details asap.

In the meantime, keep watching the GPS trackers, the CB300 website and the Copper Basin Facebook page for updates.

Those of you who have followed my so-called “analysis” of the CB300 in years past know exactly what I’m going to say. For those of you who are new to following the race (and any of you veterans who need a reminder) here it is: The only thing that really matters is cumulative run times!

Here’s why: The CB300 rules require every musher to take at least 18 hours of total rest at the various checkpoints, one of which must be 6 hours plus the “start differential.” (NOTE: The “start differential” is the difference in time between when a particular musher starts the race and when the last musher starts. Waiting those extra minutes during their long rest is how the times are evened up and made fair between mushers.)

The top competitive teams will only take the mandatory 18 hours of rest (plus start differential). They will take their rests in different amounts at different checkpoints according to their strategies, but they will only take the minimum. (NOTE: Unless they make a timekeeping mistake, which can happen due to miscalculations made under pressure, fatigue, etc. That’s just one reason why having great handlers who accurately keep the musher informed is so important to a team’s success!)

Therefore, between the start and finish lines, all the top teams will take the same amount of rest and pro-rata amount of start differential. The winner will be the team that has the shortest amount of cumulative run time!

That said, it is always fun to see who is “in the lead” on the course. Just beware that a team which takes more rest early in the race will appear “behind” but may overtake a “leading” team while they make up mandatory rest later.

It’s also great fun to speculate about different team strategies for rest times, whether or not they affect a team’s speed, etc. I encourage you to have as much fun as you want with the speculation and drama!

Just remember: No matter where the teams appear at any time on the GPS tracker, the true “leader” is the the team with the lowest cumulative run time between checkpoints! (Spoiler alert: I am projecting that the winner will cross the finish line sometime around noon local time on Monday!)

I will post updates on run/rest times as data comes in from the checkpoints. Meanwhile, let’s get ready for another exciting CB300 race… Go SPKennel Black and Red Teams!

We just received a few photo updates from the crew in Glennallen!

The dogs enjoy a stretch upon their arrival in Glennallen yesterday.

While veterinarians check out the dogs, Aliy visits with a next-generation musher and Allen has a pep talk with a few of his teammates.

Early this morning, the dogs are ready for a big breakfast to start race day!

We will do our best to keep you posted… Go SPK!!!

In just one short sleep’s time the CB300 will be underway, starting at the Gakona Lodge and Trading Post, at 11am Alaska time.

Aliy and her Red Team will start in 9th position at 11.16am, Allen and his Black Team will leave wearing bib #25 at 11.48am.

Both Aliy and Allen prefer low bib numbers in this race as there can sometimes be somewhat of a traffic jam at the start and a low bib number gives you an advantage over other mushers. Allen and his team may need to negotiate a few passing manoeuvres in the first leg. Junior and Chipper’s youthful enthusiasm should help with this! You go girls!

Earlier in the day our teams arrived safely in Glennallen and after dropping off all the checkpoint bags with the volunteers, headed to the race HQ for administration and veterinary checks. Every dog competing this weekend must pass a vet examination to ensure they are fit and healthy enough to run.

Later in the evening all mushers and handlers attended the pre-race meeting at the Glennallen High School. They got a trail update from trail boss Jamey Kemp. He and his team have done a great job getting the trail in and marked considering the recent warm and snowy conditions; all done on a volunteer basis in their own time. Thanks team!

You may have seen already, but earlier in the week the race route changed with the start line now in Gakona, just after the “Tok Cutoff” road. Sections of the first 20 (or so) miles of trail became unsafe for dog teams after recent rainy conditions. The river crossings in this section over the Gulkana and Gakona Rivers were impassable by dog team so the decision was made to move the start. The “missing” 20 miles won’t be added to the route.

Local radio station KCAM will be covering the start and finish live with race updates throughout the race. And remember to keep an eye on the Copper Basin Facebook page and website for updates and their GPS Trackers.

The whole CB300 is run by volunteers who give up their time and expertise for the love of the race. We wish to thank every single volunteer who has helped put on this race – we appreciate you all!

You will certainly notice that it is the start of a new era with the dogs on the Black and Red Team rosters. No ‘Mexican’ trio and just one from the eight year old ‘Car Litter’. Instead we have lots of exciting new talent mixed with defending and previous champ experience.

Allen will lead out tomorrow with Junior and Chipper; in swing is Mismo and Tinder followed by Nelson and Kodiak, Schmoe and Scooter, Outlaw and Commando with Clyde and Felix in wheel.

Junior and Chipper

Chipper is a Copper Basin 300 rookie and just five of the team are returning from last year’s champion team: Kodiak, Schmoe, Scooter, Nelson and Felix so it is certainly a very new look!

Aliy’s Red Team has Waylon and Dutch in lead, Scout and Lydia in swing followed by Willie and his sister Boonie, Chemo and Spark, Scruggs and Nomex, Driver and Sandy.

Waylon and Dutch (these two pics side-by-side make Dutch look like a giant! He’s not really, it’s all in the angles)

Spark is a CB300 rookie and Willie, Scout, Boondocks and Chemo are either current or previous CB300 champs.

There are some great dogs still at home where Wendy and Padee are caring for them. We are in the enviable position that if someone wasn’t absolutely 100% fit they weren’t picked, keeping in mind we are still early in the season. We understand the sponsors and fans of the dogs who didn’t make the teams will be disappointed but, of course, there are still a number races to come so there are more opportunities!

Check out the Race Roster page for more information about each dog.

NOTE: the lead dogs may change depending on bib draw so we’ll let you know closer to race start if there are any changes.

Congratulations to Val who has won this week’s draw. Val is a fan of SANDY.

Sandy is right now on her way to Glenallen for the Copper Basin 300 where she will race on the Red Team with Aliy. Sandy is a screaming demon. She started her vocal antics after the Iditarod finish last year. Now whenever we lead her to harness or even walk her to a play pen she screams with delight until she gets to run. You better bring your ear plugs if she’s on your team!

As this week is all about the CB300, Val’s winner’s prize pack includes some CB300 merchandise and some other kennel goodies.

Thanks to everyone who joined the puppies’ Fan Clubs since we opened it up a couple weeks ago. Each little one has at least one fan and we really appreciate your support for them!

The next fan club draw is will be 22nd January. If you haven’t already won this season or if you are a new member your name will be in the next draw.

Click the button below for instructions on how to join:

Click this button below to take you directly to the Dog Fan Page.

Click HERE to Read ADN Article (photo by Marcel Vander Wier/Whitehorse Star).