ID: Willow Re-Start and Day One Summary

Both teams are now on the trail towards Nome!

After the excitement and hubbub of the Ceremonial Start yesterday it was a more relaxed start to the day as we made our way up to Willow for the re-start.

With such low bib numbers we didn't have too long to wait for our turns. First up was Allen's Black Team. His line up to start the race had Quito and Chena in lead, Lester and Junior in swing, Nacho and Chica, Sissy and Spark, Lydia and Tinder, Nomex and Iron, Champ and Driver, Violet and Amber.



After a quick sprint back to the other truck we then got Aliy and her Red Team away. Her line up today was Waylon and Kodiak in lead, Scruggs and Schmoe in swing, Mismo and Chemo, Commando and Chipper, Dutch and Izzy, Scout and Willie, Sandy and Mac with Clyde and Felix in wheel.



I have a load of great pics from today to go through so will post them tomorrow, in the meantime I hope you enjoy the videos of the start!

As I write this both teams are resting in the Skwentna checkpoint. Sebastian Schnuelle posted some pics from Yentna that showed Aliy carrying Mac in her sled as she 'blew through' the checkpoint. She didn't drop him there so we presume he was a bit hot from the afternoon sun and excitement of the start line so was taking a rest. What probably doesn't hurt is that he will be an extra 70lb of ballast to help keep the team a little slower on the hard and fast trails.

Allen and the Black Team rested along the way for a couple of hours. Whether or not the rookies (oh, why not - shall we call them the "yahoos" this year??) got much rest is another question. It can take them a few checkpoints for them to get the resting routine sorted out. The more experienced members of the team will be setting a good example and settling down quickly when it is time to sleep. Sebastian posted some super pictures of the Black Team dropping down towards the Big Susitna River.

More in the morning!