Contents: For best understanding of how the Iditarod race itself works, go to SP Kennel website - http://spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/
No RED TEAM live video at finish---SPK fans cause "Denial of Service"? Or was that "Denali" of service? Temporary method up, 1190 plus hits for Aliy to like 160 for a few spots back finisher!!!
BREAKING NEWS from newspapers about attack on Red Team:
Advice from Taylor Swift to Red Team leader here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfWlot6h_JM
HOT TIP: Both teams took 24 hr in Takotna.
Red Team running long YQ1000-like scheduling to take advantage of cooler night temperatures!
And Black Team resting a lot but still in the hunt (altho' we know that is not their musher's intent, but their leaders might have other ideas)!
THE FIELD and story.
HOW ABOUT THE WEATHER?
Ceremonial Start SP KENNEL LINE-UPS: SP Kennel will have its cameras on the progress of #5 and #13 in traffic at Ceremonial Start (12 dogs only each)! We'll be sure to watch it at SP Kennel website (link above)...if not live!
Reportage from ADN: http://www.adn.com/section/iditarod
"Regrettably, this incident very much alters the race of the two mushers competing for a win," the Trail Committee writes. "However, both are going to continue on their way toward Nome."
Snowmobile hits two Iditarod dog teams, kills dog
WFSB CT EYEWITNESS NEWS CHANNEL 3
Posted: Mar 12, 2016 5:28 PM EDT
Updated: Mar 19, 2016 5:33 PM EST
Alaska officials say someone purposefully drove a snowmobile into two Iditarod-race dog teams. (Source: KTTU/CNN)
(KTTU/CNN) - Someone purposely plowed a snowmobile into two dog teams competing in Alaska's Iditarod race.
Race officials say the attacker targeted mushers Ally Zirkle and Jeff King in separate incidents near Nulato on Saturday.
The snowmobiler tried to strike Zirkle's dog team at least three times, forcing her to fight back. One of her dogs was injured.
The attacker later rammed king's sleds, killing one of his dogs and injuring at least two others. The snowmobiler drove away after the incidents.
But local law enforcement officials say someone later called them and confessed to attacking the mushers.
The suspect has not been identified yet.
Zirkle and King are ok and they plan to continue the race.
Read more: http://www.wfsb.com/story/31454981/snowmobile-hits-two-iditarod-dog-teams-kills-dog#ixzz468bc5Z1M
After a required 8-hour rest, taken in Galena, (where they were arrived the first place team), and timed to resume at sunset when it was cooler, Red Team 15 dogs strong proceeded onto the Yukon River for the 37 mile run to the next check point, Nulato (see map and stories above). I assume they would have continued thru Nulato without stopping had there been no incident.
My guess is because the attack led to upset, anger, fear and a host of other emotions, as well as dropping a dog (Clyde) it also required reporting the attack to the officials and the police. This was time - 3 or 4 hours - that delayed continuing with the race.
At the time, all the IDITAROD INSIDER video showed for Red Team Nulato sign in was Red Team leader requesting a spot to pull in and saying very little.
It was confusing. Later the INSIDER video was made longer and it was quite horrifying to hear the details...
MR. CLYDE'S heroic defense ("taking one for the team") outside Nulato still makes his musher feel grateful worse things didn't happen. Her statement: http://spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/2016/03/statement-from-aliy-zirkle.html
Question #1: "Woof...woof?" (Translation: In retrospect, did you notice anything different about you musher's health?) Ans. "Woof." (Translation: "Yes - Red Team leader seemed more concerned about making sure she gave each one of us our favorite type of snack; she was also talking while simultaneously videotaping with her hand held camera while also one-handed driving thru the Dalzell Gorge. This was my third Iditarod, you know..." Clyde offered in response.)
Question #2: "Woof?" (Translation: How do you feel about the future for your kids?) Ans. "Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof." (Translation: "I have five reasons to be happy - NOT THAT OTHER SLED DOG 'HAPPY' - my kids are beautiful and handsome and full of energy. Maybe they will run next year with Allen and the Black Team.")
Question #3: "Woof, woof...woof?" (Translation: How did you pick their names?) Ans. "Woof!" (Translation: "Not my job. Aliy and Sam, her grand kid, they came up with Ernie [South Pole explorer Ernest Shakleton ] and Scooby; Rodney looked like a 'Rodney', Ginger is ginger-colored and Five...he's the fifth born! I might have picked different names, but nobody asked me.").
Question #4: "Woof, woof?" (Translation: Inquiring minds want to know what it is like to run 1000 miles.) Ans. "Woof, woof, woof!!!" (Translation: "Wow, so glad you asked! It is amazing to travel across Alaska and taste the varied cuisines from village to village. Also, this year I managed to take a slightly different route to Nome after the bad man attacked my musher and teammates - and discovered some special "for-Iditarod-only" food stops - all you can eat for free!!!).
Q. Does Mr. Clyde have any advice to Red Team? A. "Make a left at Koyuk" he replied quickly. Woof! Also, "Read the sign post at the next stop after Koyuk as 'milE'" not because dogs are dyslexic, but because Clyde is superstitious and doesn't want any of his Red Team fellow members to be encouraged to be "ELIM-inated."
So far her prayer working as Red Team attempts to recover from assault before Nulato...here's a song to get doggies moving - you think they can convince themselves it is evening?
Chena's "Snow Prayer" for Iditarod 2016: Her analysis and map of even-year Northern Route with links there to the official Iditarod analysis of trail map...
The snow comes
on little puppy paws.
It sits gazing
over Alaska's
well muscled limbs
and sleepless moves toward Nome.
(Apologies to Carl Sandburg, "The Fog" and cats, who's poem inspired Chena.)
QUOTES FROM SP KENNEL POSTS INCLUDED BELOW IN ITALIC
Our own observations and graphics (not official in ANY WAY). Arranged according to SP Kennel video publishing date.
Go to SP KENNEL WEBSITE.
- VIDEO ONE
- VIDEO TWO
- VIDEO THREE
- VIDEO FOUR
- VIDEO FIVE
- VIDEO SIX
- VIDEO SEVEN
- VIDEO EIGHT
- VIDEO NINE
- VIDEO TEN
- VIDEO ELEVEN
- VIDEO TWELVE
- VIDEO THIRTEEN
FOR COMMENTARY ON THE REMAINING PART OF IDITAROD XVIV, PLEASE VISIT LINKS BELOW:
- "Armchair Musher" report of where the RED TEAM went next: http://iditarod.com/musher/update-on-aliy-zirkle-on-norton-sound/
- "Armchair Musher" report on RED TEAM progress (Clyde calls it "milE") out of Elim: http://iditarod.com/musher/aliy-zirkle-out-elim-at-9-24-with-13-dogs/
- "Armchair Musher" report of "balk" by third place team: http://iditarod.com/musher/brent-sass-returning-to-white-mountain-checkpoint/
- "Armchair Musher" commentary and earlier report; explains why RED TEAM finished in third place: http://iditarod.com/musher/evening-in-white-mountain/
All videos available on SP Kennel "Channel" listed here with date posted - link here: http://spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/
R E D T E A M M U S H E R A L W A Y S T A K E S V I D E O W H E N T R A I L I S G O R G E O U S - A N D W H E N T H E R E I S S U F F I C I E N T L I G H T ! ! !
DAY #1:
Look for Finger Lake on larger version of Iditarod Northern Route map above
Posted April 2, 2016
#1 - VIDEO 100 MILES ON
Smart money favors the Seaveys, as well as the Iditarod commentators one of whom is named...Seavey. SP Kennel RED TEAM sandwiched between them, now passed by them - racing to the front as the daylight comes to an end? Perhaps after the sun goes down it will feel more like winter? Or perhaps the dogs are acclimated since it wasn't very cool at the Yukon Quest, either?
Until we see what kind of updates the SP Kennel website provides, we will continue our commentary...and now we know...furthermore...
AliyCAM to the rescue!!! There will be a baker's dozen of hand-held video reports from Red Team musher! Some will be fixed camera and educational in nature.
The actual technical look of this part of the race is very difficult - from Finger Lake to Rainy Pass (includes Happy River Steps); to Rohn (Dalzell Gorge).
Day #2
Posted April 4, 2016
#2 - VIDEO RE: SNACKING PROTOCOL
Upon arising we note over night lots of higher-number mushers have forged ahead, perhaps answering the question about which bib # would best to pull...however it is too soon to tell. Traffic jams still appear to be the order of the day as Finger Lakes and then...The Happy River Steps part of the race loom (links to other articles here as well): http://www.adn.com/article/iditarods-notorious-happy-river-steps-more-mild-mean
Out of Finger Lake dropping one dog prior to Happy River Steps (no mention of them this year that I can recall, but I am not always correct!).
"...This was their longest rest during a 55 mile run that took us from our camp spot before Rainy Pass Checkpoint, up through the mountain pass, down through the Rohn Checkpoint and out into the Farewell Burn to our next camp. This stop was about halfway. We took additional breaks both before (and after?), but not for as long of a duration."Posted April 6, 2016
#3 - VIDEO: RAINY PASS
Running uphill to breach the top and then... http://iditarodphotos.photoshelter.com/gallery/2016-Daily-Race-Photos/G0000vJUpL5da85k/14/C0000ObNcDBNlJD0
"...There is actually a metal sign demarcating the pass itself...standing by the sign...was Iditarod photographer, Jeff Schultz...'Did you get any really good photos of my team this year?' He said 'Yup, while summiting Rainy Pass.'”
Felix, bopping along with Clydie, admires the gorgeous mountains...when the deep purple falls...
Posted April 8, 2016
#4 - VIDEO: RAINY PASS "DOWN" PART 1
How do dogs see the red markers?
One of the types of Iditarod trail markers...artistic depiction, not to scale, in BLUE, for, we think, the 4-legged competitors.
"...In this video you will notice three types of Iditarod trail markers that are used to mark the route. There are: permanent yellow metal reflectors nailed to willows or trees, red flagging (our words here, for 2-legged competitors) on branches or bushes and (our words here again - for the 4-legged athletes) the annually-placed wooden lathe with a white reflector and a blue ribbon. On other sections of the trail there are tripods or tall “telephone pole” type markers...(our words here again - for moose)"
Could the "caboose method" of carrying dogs to the rear really have worked if mushers still had to negotiate the Happy River Steps? Did they actually do the Steps this year?
Posted April 9, 2016
#5 - VIDEO: RAINY PASS "DOWN" PART 2
Posted April 11, 2016
#6 - VIDEO (GULP!!! almost too scary to depict - that's OPEN WATER NOT PUDDLES)! DALZELL GORGE:
- Comment from Red Team musher that this is a treat because she rarely gets to pass this spot during daylight hours (night was just falling...).
- Boy is this team confident - remember, they don't like to swim! So we can all see THE OPEN WATER raging as the team races at an amazingly rapid pace around curves both vertical and horizontal, trail narrowing...official Iditarod instructions:
"...The Gorge is only about two miles long (it seems like twenty) and then you’re suddenly out of it and onto the Tatina River. From the end of the Gorge it’s only five miles down the river to the checkpoint at Rohn Roadhouse. There is always some minor overflow (and sometimes not-so-minor overflow) and shallow open water along the river on the way to Rohn. The river surface can be very icy and slippery and there may be some rough ice. Just keep the dogs moving come up off the river ice onto the left bank and into the trees about a mile before the checkpoint. The trail will shortly turn down the right side of the runway; the checkpoint cabin is back in the trees at the far (south) end of the runway. Rohn is a good place to get some quality rest for you and your dogs. The checkpoint area is sheltered from the wind in big spruce trees..."
- We just received a lovely note post-Iditarod from Chena and her team dog tags 2015-2016 - Red Team YQ300, YQ Official team dog tag PLUS Black Team Iditarod XLIV green dog tag "5H"!!! And in a special P.S. from Chena - she remarked that she was not afraid of the water because she remembered how well Mac swam last summer and how she had noticed his "doggie paddle" technique after the initial racing dive to catch up with Tig, Aliy's black Labrador Retriever!
- Trees in the distance once you get past this open water...and on into Rohn Roadhouse checkpoint..."Farewell Burn" coming next - no video from SP Kennel...
Day#3
Into Nikolai!!! The front pack including Seaveys, Mackeys, Two Rivers Mushers and others who are young...we watched the Red Team arrive via streaming video live!!!
MOOSE EXPANDING NORTHWARD REPORT
Resident of Takotna admires the spirit of the Red Team, she said, nibbling on some veggies...story about moose encounter here.
Day#4
Takotna is selected for 24-hour stop by Red Team and interview with Emily Schwing underlines Red Team leader's respect for her 4-legged teammates. Red Team can leave after midnight tonight (12:23am March 9) after taking 24 hrs and addition a couple more to make up for edge gained at the start (#12 of 85 teams). That means 4 hours later, EST. or in the middle of the night back here in Weston, CT.
Day#5 more or less.
"On the road again" for the Red Team, 15 strong plus musher!
Posted April 13, 2016 - below...
#7 - VIDEO ON THE WAY TO CRIPPLE
In this video you can tell from the constant "dipping" especially by Felix, that the lack of snow in Central Alaska this season makes it necessary to keep getting distracted with all the effort at staying hydrated - Aliy even remarks how Scruggs, we think that's who we heard her say, got his nose buried in a snow bank whilst "dipping." And Scruggs is a master at that technique, too!!!
"...While certainly enough to mush a dog team, the snow is not enough to cushion my sled (bang! bang!) or cover all of the vegetation and tussocks."
SLOWING DOWN IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY...
Clyde, perhaps, has a sense of foreboding as Red Team moves toward midpoint of race (@Cripple), Team still 15 x 4 legs each strong...
LOOK FOR "CRIPPLE" ON MAP ABOVE
Posted April 15, 2016
#8 - VIDEO "RURAL ALASKA" AND SOME THOUGHTS.
PHILOSOPHICAL DISCUSSION WITH SCOUT WHO IS IN LEAD AT THIS POINT
And a brief video about the road less traveled - this is a "360 degrees" special AliyCAM - looking back toward Central Alaska towns now uninhabited, as airplanes buzz overhead.
Posted April 16, 2016
#9 - VIDEO MOSTLY AT NIGHT : Mismo in single lead on the Yukon River - in first place."...For the next hour, he obediently trotted down the trail, watching and listening as I scouted for the reflective trail markers with my headlight and then and “Geed” and “Hawed” him directions. He’s no dummy, so he started to pick up on the visual clues and would steer the team toward the reflectors before I would command him..."
Day#6
Galena is Red Team 8-hour stop - Red Team first into Galena @10:30ish AK time Friday morning...4 hour difference to the East Coast, so @10:30pm Weston-time, the Red Team should be finished with their 8-hr layover...and then everything began to spin out of control for Red Team as well as Jeff King's team...this drama is now fully over, and our assumption was correct - a plea bargain - but even more curious was legislative intervention - not intentional, we assume.
READ SP KENNEL REPORT OF FINAL DISPOSITION, INCLUDING LINKS TO NEWS REPORTS IN ADN AND FAIRBANKS DAILY NEWS MINER
ChaCha, who is so protective of her son Clyde, especially now that she knows that the sled was overturned while he was in wheel. She doesn't always hear everything perfectly now, at 15 years of age, says "What - the fleas are representing the attacking perp???"
POST-IDITAROD REPORT: MR. CLYDE'S POST-NULATO* GOURMET TOUR OF IDITAROD TRAIL AND LINK TO BREAKING NEWS STORY
* "'Nulato' sounds like a great name for a doggie treat" Mr. Clyde muses...
- Dropped in Nulato after "taking one for the team" Clyde resolves to make a good impression;
- Clyde reads online version of HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES while waiting to get to Anchorage...
- But what's this? He goes to Nome to be with his buddies at the finish!!! Shares what he found out regarding cuisine along the Northern Route.
- "I tried to make friends and influence people at each way point along my re-routed trip to Nome, and be a good eater (ha, ha, that wasn't too hard) and I also was careful to not be too 'energetic with the ladies' for fear that it might reflect badly on my musher's spotless reputation" said Clyde, or "Mr. Clyde" as he has been known from time to time in Weston, CT.
- Since Iditarod, he's discovered online "Call of the Wild" by Buck. Or his "voice" Jack London. Clyde prefers Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle's style. "Dogs should write about what they know" and so Clyde is preparing to write a cookbook. "First you have to gather delicious ingredients, and remember that it all gets mixed up in your stomach" never mind the recipes.
Day#7
The days blurred together for us, not knowing what had happened...but AliyCAM2016 #10 ("Camp Spot") to the rescue!
"...Schmoe was unsettled during most of this camp. He has always been one of my most emotional dogs, so that didn’t surprise me. We had been through some rough events together about 12 hours prior to stopping here."
Posted April 17, 2016
#10 VIDEO "CAMP SPOT"
A brief video of the gorgeous site at the portage between the Yukon River and the Western Coast, in sunlight, as Schmoe picks up vibes and is restless - he's the guy who is always first to howl, when asked to do so by his musher. What's this? In the heat of the day, not in a hurry anymore, trying to keep it together, Schmoe can't sleep because he must stand guard over the Red Team and his brave musher. The sun beats down. The stand of trees in the distance in this video reminds us of Fall in Weston, CT. Switch the autumn leaves for a frozen Yukon River and it might look like this (right). There is something about a landscape with just a clump of trees in the distance that tugs at your heart. And a therapeutic howl perks everyone up!
MEANWHILE...
In case you were wondering how this website tried to find out the full story, we refer you to our exclusive interview by Ass't Runner Willie (his picture at this link only) "embedded reporter to the Red Team" of Clyde, who was injured in an attack, with an up close and personal "eye witness at night in the dark" account!!! As this day is drawing to a close, where is the Red Team (in case you didn't get this link before)?
Hard to answer that. Depending upon who was was dropped after the long jaunt to Unalakleet. But tho' diminished in numbers the team still seem game to be trying to gain on the leaders!!!
Posted April 19, 2016
#11 VIDEO - "CHECK OFF UNK"
An explanation in a brief video of how the team is doing considering their experiences so far, heading into the sunset. And what has been learned about the meaning of "team" and the different individuals who make up that team. And the value of remembering that there are mornings after to hope for.
"...I came to realize for the latter part of this race, that this team worked that way. Not everyone was excited all the time... I was very pleased that we were all simply 'trying our best.'”
Posted April 21, 2016
#12 VIDEO - "BLUEBERRY HILLS"
For those only along for the ride via the computer and AliyCAMs, in memory, this view is always one of snow and more snow and a faint glimmer of ocean in the distance. Not so, however, in 2016. Personal reasons expressed by Red Team musher.
"...This spot is also special because I stopped here - on the highest hill - in the year 2002..."
Posted April 23, 2016
#13 VIDEO - "RUNNING ON ICE"
NORTON SOUND INTO SHAKTOOLIK
Considering that we got awesome SP Kennel coverage, as well as from Iditarod Insider and especially wonderful pix and commentary from Iditarod columnist Sebastian the Speedy, we are happy. Not "Happy the Sled Dog." Sebastian Schnuelle tells it like it is. We are very satisfied that we've gotten a good part of the true inside story of Iditarod XLIV already. Bravo to Commando and Sandy, who made a great and really fast, IMO, wheel team all the way in to Nome from UNK - 261 miles!!!
Chena was very impressed with her brother and Sandy, too!
So what was the full, journalistic story (again), from a formal source?
We like to think that Clyde showed his mother's nerve!
And in post-Iditarod revelation, we heard of musher for Red Team injury.
"BREAKING NEWS STORY" IN L.A. TIMES.
And Willie interviews a sadder but wiser Mr. Clyde...reporting to ACTING EDITOR CHACHA...WHO IS CLYDE'S MOTHER.
First Question: "WOOF?" (Translation: What happened?) Answer: "WOOF, WOOF!!!" (Translation: I saved my musher from a bad man in an evil machine)
Second Question: "Woof, woof, woof?" (Translation: Did anyone else get hurt?) Answer: "Woof." (Translation: The attacker, who I frightened first. Lunged for him [I broke a toenail] and then Aliy hit him with a two-by-four, and some miles later the perp was too scared to attack us again).
THE REAL STORY FROM RED TEAM MUSHER
And then we find out musher at Finishers Banquet/Prize Giving in Nome - that she was trying to hide:
"...She joked how after the events on the river she decided to be 'un-Aliy-like' and hide from people so tried to choose inaccessible camping spots - she really thought the camp on the pack ice would do it" and we all remember how the Iditarod Reporter ran her down out on the river for tasteful interview for the "Iditarod Insider." In the almost three minute clip, she says she is about one run or half a run behind, and whenever she comes close, they get away again. NOTE: Red Team needed about four hours in Nulato to both recover and report the "terrorist-like assault" (this choice of words by the Judge, who said he would have issued $500,000 bond requirement instead of $50,000) re: incident approaching Nulato
For the Alaska Dispatch video interview, at the same location, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKoXnEHpPrU&ebc=ANyPxKpHWUbt9Ziav4E-YwLY32X15f-OM5UxP0-R8uBL9LTFOjDLvFvS7KB18csm6eupW5QW6Y2b
Question: We correct our original statement of "200 miles," to "ARRIVING NULATO WITH 393 MILES" to go, how fast does the fourth place team have to go to win the race, barring any interventions by Mother Nature or other exigencies? EXAMPLE: After being attacked by the snow machine the Red Team had to regroup for @four hours. Would they have taken this rest, and perhaps others, if at all, had it, the attack, not happened? Considering how things worked out for the third place team into White Mountain, whose team balked at continuing to follow eventual first and second place teams, the order of finish might not have changed - remember - DOGS' WELFARE ALWAYS FIRST AT SP KENNEL.
Almost into Day#8
Felix was dropped in Unalakleet.
Red Team musher reports he was a "conservative drop." He didn't have time to get to the library to follow up on Clyde's suggestion on good read!.
It is about the beginning of the eighth day of the Iditarod. Right now, or in a couple of hours, the sun is going to be setting on a Sunday in Alaska. It looks like other Iditarods of recent years - Two Seaveys atop the leader board...but what's this? It is more like a Two Seaveys Sandwich, with Sass on top and the Red Team closing behind...taking a rest so the Red Team can slingshot thru Koyuk??? It is all Bering Sea on the left - this is important to know. - and keep mushing 'til you reach Nome! Nope, it is the tag team running wild, as others rest! Red Team not giving up or giving out - staying within striking distance but out of sight.
Day#8...PLUS ARRIVAL IN NOME
TWO SEAVEYS in to White Mountain; Sass next in line, Red Team at some distance behind but on the way to eight-hour rest.
BUT WHAT'S THIS? http://iditarod.com/musher/update-about-brent-sass-in-white-mountain/
The moral of the story is you have to listen to what your dogs are telling you. As Red Team musher put it - theirs was a team effort - every dog had great moments and oops moments, but her experience was the same considering the attack outside Nulato and her emotional roller coaster. But she couldn't let it get to her for fear the dog team would pick up her downer mood...DOGS FIRST.
Remember that the Red Team musher is a graduate of U. of P., known for female students always plastering a smile on their faces no matter how they feel (I read that somewhere else entirely - perhaps an "Ivy League school assessment" for potential applicants?)...LINK to ADN story here: http://www.adn.com/article/20160315/aliy-zirkle-finishes-3rd-after-particularly-tough-iditarod
How many Seaveys were there involved in the Iditarod this year (a trick question)?
THIRD PLACE FOR RED TEAM!!! AWESOME!!! DOG CARE AWARD TO RED TEAM MUSHER FOR THE THIRD TIME!
Mismo says "Next year we'll improve!!!" Video by SP Kennel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW1WXoSJTD4
Day #1
Very interesting so far - first musher into first stop, some teams seem faster than SP Kennel, but it is not yet dark in Alaska - and it is relatively HOT for the dogs. A quote from Iditarod commenter in the field:
"This was the nicest trail I have seen coming into here. Much less icy than I had expected it. Hard packed, yes most definitely. VERY smooth going. Some team, like Brent Sass are trotting away in beautiful unison. Others seem yet to needing to find their gait. Its fun counting dogs, when passing teams with a Caboose. Nathan Schroder still ran all 16 dogs. Ketil Reitan was running 15 and stopping to load more up when I came by him. Travis Beals had 12 dogs on the line if I counted right, so did Mitch and Dallas Seavey."
OPINION:
FYI - Is this sporting? Denying all dogs equal chance for valor?
What appears to be a trend: Carrying dogs in a separate place, not just carrying a dog to be dropped at the next possible official dog drop spot, but reserving them, as it were, for later use - as in the American League, the position of "designated hitter" comes to mind. The practice of removing the certain "out" of having the pitcher come to bat and also extended the careers of older sluggers as "designated hitters" has been dealt with by baseball in the World Series, where it alternates different League rules during the post-season, we believe.
So this new difference between Iditarod and Yukon Quest makes the two races yet more different from one another. We don't think these caboose-using Iditarod mushers would care to try a Caboose method if they ever dared venture out on to the Yukon Quest 1000 or even 300 (Eagle Summit comes to mind...)
Based upon photos on the Iditarod website, it looks like a traffic jam at this point in the very earliest part of the race. Sounds like a "plan" anyway!!!
DAY #2
I still can't believe it! Chena in lead with Quito!!! At least that's the word from SP Kennel at the starting line!!! Glad to see Chena getting her chance in Iditarod - and running next to Quito at the front - she must be thrilled - I know her sponsors are!!!
And then the overflow on the Happy River 40 feet wide and knee length deep (I assume human knees) tested Chena's breast stroke...hope she made it across safely!
DAY #3
Someone dropped from Black Team but we don't know who it is yet...
DAY#4
Wet, wet. wet and chivalry from Black Team leader and Black Team now into Takotna, too - can leave at 7:30am (11:30am EST). According to our sources the Red Team and the Black Team did meet there and wished each other well for the rest of the race!!!
DAY#5
Finished 24-hr rest, and now on the road again, too!
DAY#6
Nobody or almost nobody in media is back in the pack taking pictures, so it is hard to know how the young Black Team is making out...
DAY#7
Did anyone tell the Black Team about what happened at Nulato? I guess they'll find out when they get there!
DAY#8
Black Team hoving into view of some cameras now? YES!!!
DAY#9
YES INDEED!!! - SP Kennel sends out camera squad to follow the Black Team in from White Mountain thru Safety and has another set up under the Burled Arch on Front Street!!!
Starting into a part of the race that is especially challenging to young dogs...after stopping for eight hours after about 900 miles, do dogs really want to do another 77 miles to Nome?
You betcha if you are a member of the SP Kennel Black Team!!!
Ho hum on the trail, Black Team getting ready for its "close-up Mr. DeMille" - Quito showing Chena how to look stern for the camera...and how to smile all the way up Front Street, strutting her stuff!!!
UNDER THE BURLED ARCH IN FEWER THAN 10 DAYS!!! Finishing strong and proud!!! Link to SP Kennel video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt4UM1VTno4
GREAT TIMING!
Please note that the Pavlov Volcano erupted March 27th: http://www.adn.com/article/20160328/volcanic-eruption-covers-alaska-village-ash-launches-lava-sky
Ash in upper air estimated to get as far as Fairbanks and Nome.
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P.S. Chena has learned to eat her food to gain strength for racing. Watch her leap into action!
