Iditarod 2010: Wednesday Night Wrap-Up

Both SP Kennel Teams are in Takotna, taking their mandatory 24-hour rests. According to the GPS, the teams are parked only a few yards from each other, so perhaps the dogs are swapping stories of the Trail.

Bridgett received a call this afternoon from Aliy and relayed the following to me:

Aliy is in really good shape, as focused and positive as she has ever been. The dogs are in good shape too, with just a few minor "dings" from running across the rough trail. Aliy is giving them lots of rub downs and thinks this 24-hour rest will be good for all of them.

Standouts on her team include Biscuit and Tatfish who are, according to Aliy, "just insane!" Eating everything in sight, jumping up from every rest and ready to roll. She also repeated that ChaCha is still totally on her game, still barking and definitely "the boss." One more superstar is Nutmeg who is "the best she's ever been." So, it all sounds good for the Red Team!

Allen had just arrived when Aliy called, so all she could report about the Black Team was that Spicy and Moonpie were the other two dogs dropped after Olivia. We don't have any information about why, but it's a good bet the rough trail was to blame for typical "front end" soreness.

Since Aliy's Red Team arrived in Takotna at about 2am this morning, they will leave shortly after 2am. Allen's Black Team arrived a little before 2pm this afternoon, so they will leave about the same time tomorrow.

I will be on the road early in the morning and off-line all day as I gather up as many dropped dogs as I can and drive back up to Fairbanks. I'll hope to receive some intel along the way and try to post an update tomorrow night.

Go Teams!

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