SPK Dog Log

As Macgellan mentioned, Meghan and I took three teams out for training yesterday. Each team went on the Yukon Quest trail for at least some time so they could feel connected to their mates. To be honest it is difficult to avoid the Quest trail in Two Rivers as almost all our runs will intersect it or travel along it at some point.

As Macgellan said, it is so important the dogs all still run to keep in condition and occupied! While the handler team is in Dawson, Wes will be helping out by running the dogs and Brie and Ryne will be caring for the yard, feeding and scooping for us so it really is a huge team effort. It does certainly take a village – Two Rivers Village!

Teams training on Monday

With Aliy’s SPK Red Team victory in the YQ300 last night, our attention shifts exclusively to Allen’s SPK Black Team in the YQ1000.

Allen has pulled out of Eagle Checkpoint, about halfway down the Yukon river between Circle and Dawson. Hugh Neff followed him out 30-minutes later, and they are both chasing Brent Sass. As I’ve mentioned, the three of them are long-time friends and competitors who’ve been in this situation before. It’s shaping up to be a very exciting race!

Meanwhile, the SPK Crew are all on the road for the 1,000 mile drive to Dawson, where they will set up camp for the Team’s 36-hour layover. We won’t have any communication from them until the Team and Crew meet in Dawson sometime tomorrow.

To fill in the blank, I’ve got a couple of “catch up” posts for you to enjoy, and I will try to address a few of the questions you’ve asked in the comments, on Facebook, etc… Stay tuned!

Check out the cool pic by Sam Harrel and article from the Fairbanks News-Miner. Click on the picture to link to the story:

Sissy (obscured), Nelson, Rambler and Waylon pose with Aliy

Congratulations Aliy and her Red Team of Pud, Rambler, Honda, Willie, Viper, Waylon, Sissy, Scooter, Mismo, Nelson, Felix and Izzy – the 2014 Yukon Quest 300 Champions!

Communications at Central are limited so just as soon as we can we will post pictures from the finish line but we are all familiar with Aliy’s mega-watt smile and you can bet she has that on right now! I just had a call from Bridgett in Central. Aliy is so proud of all of her team, all of them did a stellar job and she can’t speak highly enough of them.

The dogs have had a big kibble meal and a rub down and are now resting in their dog truck ready for the journey home. Aliy has also eaten a big meal and is ready to think about her journey home too. She will arrive in the early hours and, just in case we are sleeping when she gets here, we made this to greet her when she walks in the door.

As for the other race that’s happening… currently Allen, Brent and Hugh nearing Trout Creek cabin then on to Eagle. There is a mandatory four hour rest in Eagle which I’m sure dogs and mushers alike will be looking forward to. We are reliant on the Yukon Quest website, tracker and Facebook page just like you for the next wee while as no handler teams can get to Eagle.

You will have noticed that Allen dropped a dog in Slaven’s cabin – it was Puppet. She was a bit sore and wasn’t eating well but she is now home and resting after a massive meal and Algyval massage. She looked happy to be home.

Allen will have been disappointed to leave her behind as she is one of his favorite dogs and she and he have a close and special bond. You know he will have made the decision in Puppet’s best interests.

In a few short hours we’ll be on our way to Dawson – it is a long, long drive so we will be out of contact until probably Wednesday so… Kaz and Macgellan: tag, you’re it!

It’s official… Aliy and the Red Team have won the Yukon Quest 300 mile sled dog race!

With a total time of about 2 days, 8 hours and 30 minutes, the team ran a very fast pace.

Congratulations to Aliy and all her fantastic SP Kennel dogs!

Aliy and the Red Team are storming down the trail, only a few miles from the finish line in Central!

I have no idea which members of the SPK crew are there to meet her, but I’m sure they’re all on station and looking for a headlight weaving toward them.

If anyone gets a photo and can send it to us, we’ll post it just as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Moira just texted to say that Puppet has already arrived in Fairbanks by plane! She’s driving to town to fetch “Puppet Dawg”… Stay tuned!

Many thanks to Donna Quante for this awesome photo of Aliy and the Red Team start!

Her caption is perfect: “My favorite shot so far–every dog on this team is busy!

No, the Yukon Trio is not a folk group… It’s Allen, Hugh and Brent!

The trio all left Slaven’s Roadhouse within 30-minutes this afternoon:

For those of you who are more graphically oriented, it looks like this:

I officially declare that the drama, suspense and end-of-sleep starts now!