MARCH 21st More news about ALIY ZIRKLE

 MARCH 21st  More news about ALIY ZIRKLE and few tidbits about the race stats.

351 sled dogs crossed the finish line

36 teams

10 women finished

26 men finished

MARTIN BUSER finished his 38th race. 19 finishes were in the top 10.

Those wondering about ALIY ZIRKLE: ALIY crashed her dog sled 5 miles out of ROHN. It happened on an icy section of the trail just past DALZELL GORGE. Her sled flipped and she remembered the impact to her head. She saw black and had severe pain on her right arm and shoulder. ANN BERRINGTON was right behind her but she didn't think she saw her crash. All she remembered is she had to get back to ROHN. She couldn't use her arm and began vomiting. Reaching ROHN the Doctors immediately took care of her and her dogs. She remembered hearing a haze of doctors talking about medication and that a helicopter was coming for her. She was taken to Providence Hospital in Anchorage where her husband, Allen, came quickly. She was drugged and dazed for about 48 hours. They said the head injury was more of a concern than the arm and shoulder. No surgery was needed. She was sent home to recover. As of the end of race time, she hadn't been outside as the head injury didn't react well to light and sound. She was not on her computer or phone so Allen recited the IDITAROD play by play. She did have to look at DALLAS and AARON coming in though. 

It can be a dangerous sport. Perhaps helmets should be worn. That may be something to discuss for the coming years. 

Wishing ALIY a speedy recovery and a time to get back to her dogs.

MARCH 19th THE 2nd END

 MARCH 19th THE 2ND END:

I finally got two pictures to print. These are the last two mushers in. DAKOTA SCHLOSSER (r) and VICTORIA HARDWICK. I had the sec. down incorrectly. DAKOTA4 sec and VICTORIA 6 sec. Only a few seconds apart. VICTORIA received the RED LANTERN AWARD for last in. 

VICTORIA HARWICK (left) and DAKOTA SCHLOSSER

VICTORIA HARWICK

MARCH 18th ---THE END

 MARCH 18th ------THE END

The last two in were DAKOTA SCHLOSSER (r) and the VERY end VICTORIA HARDWICK.

In 2019 VICTORIA also captured the RED LANTERN. The time for both 10days 9hours 22min and 4 seconds for DAKOTA and 6 seconds for VICTORIA. 35th and 36th place respectively. The RED LANTERN or WIDOWS LAMP is the symbol of perserverance for the IDITAROD. It is given to the last place musher--also a symbol for not giving up, making the decision to fulfill the teams purpose. Both DAKOTA and VICTORIA tried their hardest to tie but ultimately finished seconds apart. The lantern is lighted at the beginning of the race and the winner will blow it out. It really is quite a prestigeous award. I have pictures of VICTORIA and DAKOTA finishing BUT for some unknown reason they won't print. I'm so sorry. Try to picture it. 

Its sad that the finishers banquet held each year had to be cancelled due to COVID. That is where all the award given out on the trail are presented and a very delicious dinner is served. We will have to wait till next year. 

FROM THESE MAGNIFICENT ATHLETES AND THEIR MASTERS WE THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HOPE NEXT YEAR WILL BE FREE OF COVID AND WE CAN CARRY ON..... TILL THEN

MARCH 18th SKWENTNA - DESHKA LANDING

 MARCH 18TH SKWENTNA - DESHKA LANDING (FINISH)

I have waited till midnight EST to report as most of the remaining teams were doing an 8 hour layover in SKWENTNA so no action. I watched the others (all but two left) come in to the finish. Families were there to greet them and cheer for them as the public wasn't allowed. Everyone had a COVID test when they finished. 

CHAD STODDARD --ROOKIE OF THE YEAR--came in 23rd. He won $2,000 and his name on a trophy that will live in the IDITAROD HEADQUARTERS.

Watched MARTIN BUSER come in 27th. It looked like DEEDEE JONDROW was there to welcome him? Not sure. He said in OPHIR he got so cold. His fingers turned white (Raynaud's Syndrome) and he was very afraid about that. Had to stay and warm his hands for about an extra 4 hours. 

HAL HANSON was interviewed by LIZ in SKWENTNA although he has finished. He didn't want it to be over. He said he could have just gone on!!This was his first IDITAROD. He had all male dogs, 2 year olds. They did get a virus (stomach) and he got sick but they were well enough to go on and felt fine by SKWENTNA. LIZ was telling him everyone usually gets an IDITAROD belt buckle when they finish and this year they would get a GOLD LOOP TRAIL ONE. 

SEAN UNDERWOOD came in and was cheered on as of his experience last year. If you are interested you can check the story from last year. He didn't finish last year but HE DID THIS YEAR and everyone was cheering for him. 

LARRY DAUGHERTY was interviewed by LIZ in SKWENTNA and seemed the most relaxed of the mushers. He is a RADIATION ONCOLOGIST and still has time to train and race. Good for him. He said the SKWENTNA SWEETIES were wonderful hostesses. He said wouldn't it be great to spend his 24 hours here next year!!!! He also said after the turnaround, coming back was a lot more fun due to all the fresh snow. He was worried about THE GORGE, STEPS etc and said it was wonderful and so picturesque. The Alaska Range was magnificent. He also had problems losing things...he forgot his hat and parka and had to turn around on the ice and go back for it!!! He also lost his phone. Someone DID find it but it had been run over many many times. No phone meant no books on tape, no music and no text to his wife to say he was ok. He didn't seem too frantic about it just laughed at his "misplaced" items. When he came in to the finish it looked like AARON BURMEISTER was there to greet him???? Not sure about that. 

WILL TROSHYNSKI (r) came in to the finish. He said it was getting too warm. He is from FAIRBANKS and the dogs are used to colder weather. He thought the Alaska Range was magnificent, especially on the way back. He said he has ADHD so he stopped at every checkpoint packing and unpacking his bags!!!

There are only 2 mushers left DAKOTA SCHLOSSER (r) and VICTORIA HARDWICK. They have left SKWENTNA. It takes about 7-8 hours to get to DESHKA LANDING from there. Not sure where they are now. Seems like their numbers are the same and maybe they are travelling together. Would be fun to see both of them win the RED LANTERN AWARD (last in). 

SEAN UNDERWOOD AT THE FINISH

MARTIN BUSER AT THE FINISH

DOGS STILL READY TO GO

MARCH 16. CONT'D

 MARCH 16th CONT'D

LIZ interviewed DR. JODIE GUEST COVID CZAR of the IDITAROD. They have had only 1 positive test from the mushers. They have been testing more frequently. So far about 320 tests have been done. They are doing a Q Device molecular test that takes about 20 min for the results. The test likes temperatures of about 50 degrees (thats PLUS) but that is impossible on the trail so JODIE carries the testers in a cooler equipped with hand warmers. When they take it out for testing, they hold it with hand warmer too. She said it works well. She uses a Q HEALTH monitor for the results. This will be made available to the population in months to come for home testing. More than 1/2 of the volunteers and the communities have been vaccinated. That's about 25%. She said Alaska seems on top of the vaccinations and is doing a good job.

As of 7PM EST 21 have finished. The BERRINGTON TWINS are in SKWENTNA but have taken their 8 hour rest and I assume will be on their way to the finish soon. MARTIN BUSER is also in SKWENTNA but he is still resting. Everybody left ROHN. 5 are in RAINY PASS, 4 in FINGER LAKE and 6 in  SKWENTNA (3 of those have had their 8 hour rest). 

BRENT SASS (3rd) COMING IN TO THE FINISH

HOWLING DOG

BEAUTIFUL FACE

ANOTHER OF AARON COMING IN

MARCH 16, 2021 RUN FOR THE FINISH

MARCH 16th RUN FOR THE FINISH

Just a short glimpse this am to keep you up to date--with pictures!! As of noon EST:

There are 19 in the FINISH (where its snowing)

A NICE PIC OF DALLAS AT THE FINISH

DALLAS AND AARON BURMEISTER TALKING AT THE FINISH LINE

AARON--2ND

AARON BURMEISTER COMING IN

FRIENDS

THE LATE MAYOR RICHARD BENEVILLE OF NOME AND SENATOR LISA MURKOWSKI IN 2020-- WHAT A GUY THE MAYOR WAS!!!

6 in SKWENTNA, 4 in FINGER LAKE (MARTIN BUSER one of them),4 in RAINY PASS and 3 in ROHN.  

Remember CODY STRATHE saying he hoped he would be in the top 20 as those were the $$ spots. Well, his partner PAIGE DROBNEY finished 19 and he is ready to come in 20th!! Dreams do come true!!

JESSIE ROYER came in the pack of 20. She talked about her trip. She and JEFF DIETER encounted a moose in their path!! They yelled, tried to "look big" and the moose just puffed up with ears flat and charged them. They had to keep him away from the dogs and landed JESSIE off in the deep snow and would chase them if they ran. FINALLY after maybe an hour, as they were giving up, he decided the fun was over and he went away!!! She also talked about how wonderful it was to have about 6 new inches of new snow in the TUNNELS and on the GORGE. Said it made those rides more enjoyable. She said she had chains for her sled if necessary. I never knew or thought of that. 

Next year I will try to get my picture placement and numbers more in order. Sorry so many doubles. Also had two great videos of DALLAS and AARON coming in 1st and 2nd and talking about the race. Just not able to get videos on my blog. I have a year to work on that!!

MARCH 15th CONT'D

 MARCH 15, 2021 CONT'D

Now that the race has been won it makes me a bit sad that the INSIDER fades out and not as much reporting happens. HEY, I think if you race in the IDITAROD and actually FINISH-- YOU ARE A WINNER!! Everyone should get recognition.

I will go back to RAINY PASS where it was -6 this am. See it's getting warmer going south. This is more of a supply stop and the teams will camp outside the checkpoint.

As of 10pm EST the standings: DALLAS SEAVEY, AARON BURMEISTER AND BRENT SASS (TOP THREE WINNERS) THEN WADE MAARS, MILLE PORSILD, NIC PETIT, RYAN REDINGTON, JOAR ULSOM, RICHIE DIEHL AND RAMEY SMYTHE (TOP 10 FINISHERS) . ALSO A FINISHER MICHELLE PHILLIPS 11th and in DESHKA LANDING--FINISHED!! 

There are 5 teams in ROHN, 5 in RAINY PASS, 2 in FINGER LAKE, 8 in SKWENTNA. Few days left to go. Let'

DALLAS'CHECK FOR $40,756.00 from EXXON MOBIL

DALLAS THANKING HIS DOGS

DALLAS COMING IN.

s cheer them on!!! 

There are a few things missing this year, due to COVID and the route change. No wide wind-in-your-face YUKON, the winds of SHAKTOOLIK, ground blizzards of NORTON BAY, fierce storms of the GOLD COAST, LITTLE MCKINLEY, TOPKOK, the blow hole, the one of a kind SAFETY ROADHOUSE and the ARCH with BURLS IN NOME. This race had its excitement as well and I'm just happy they had a race at all. 

I have 2 video's one of DALLAS and one of AARON but not sure I can share video's. I'll try. Ok not able at this point, sorry. I'll keep trying.  

I did find HENRY----WHAT?????

MARCH 15th DALLAS WINNER OF 39th IDITAROD

 MARCH 15, 2021

This is DALLAS SEAVEY'S day. He finished the race in 7 days, 14hours, 8 min, 57 sec. It's his 5th win, now in a tie with Rick Swenson's 5 wins. He went 848 miles on the IDITAROD GOLD TRAIL LOOP race. He came into DESHKA LANDING at 5:08 Alaska time with 10 dogs in harness. It was snowing so the site was picturesque. It is said, he is the winner due to how he manages his team and his time. He can see the big picture and sets a plan and adapts it. The dogs he has counted on for this race: PROPHET, GAMBLE, CANTON, PECOS, SWIFTER, COBRA, WEST, VIACON, NORTH, MUSTANG, YAK, RIP, FRISBEE AND ACE. 

There are 9 teams

DALLAS SEAVEY --WINNER

DALLAS THANKING HIS DOGS

DALLAS COMING IN FOR THE WIN

left in NIKOLAI, 6 in ROHN, 5 in RAINY PASS, 3 in FINGER LAKE and the rest are in SKWENTNA doing there 8 hour layover there and then on into the finish in DESHKA LANDING.

Sadly, JEREMY TRASKA (r) scratched in NIKOLAI with 9 dogs in harness. Scratched for the good of the team. So close and for a rookie what a thrill. Sad. There are 36 teams left.

MARCH 14, 2021

 MARCH 14th NIKOLAI--ROHN---RAINY PASS--FINGER LAKE--SKWENTNA (s)

This could be the next to last day of the race. 37 teams are left. DENNIS KANANOWICZ scratched in MCGRATH with 11 dogs in harness for the good of his team.

It was -20 in RAINY PASS last night and +5 today. There are 10 teams going thru the RAINY PASS checkpoint. This checkpoint is a supply stop (like the one in UNALAKLEET)

AT 5pm EST standing were DALLAS SEAVEY, AARON BURMEISTER, BRENT SASS and MILLE PORSILD. They were all in FINGER LAKE. 7 were in RAINY PASS  4 in ROHN 13 in NIKOLAI and 9 in MCGRATH.

BRENT SASS said the BURN was like a winter wonderland with the snow that had fallen.

Tonight there are 3 teams doing their final 8 hour required rest before the finish at the UN-BURLED ARCH at DESHKA LANDING. DALLAS, AARON and BRENT.

DALLAS SEAVEY won the award in SKWENTNA. The NORTH RIM BANK ACHIEVE MORE AWARD. $2,500 check and his name on a trophy that will be in the IDITAROD HEADQUARTERS.

The three teams have 65 miles left to go. DALLAS has about 1 1/2 hours on AARON. The winner should be in tonight about 2:00 or 3:00 am Alaska Time. The finish is closed to the public. 

AURORA at NIKOLAI

GHOST TOWN of IDITAROD

TRAIL FROM THE AIR

THRU THE SNOW

BEAR PROOF BUILDING

SKWENTNA LIGHTS

BRENT SASS

AARON BURMEISTER inSKWENTNA

AURORA IN NIKOLAI

MARCH 13th CONT'D

 MARCH 13th CONT'D

As of 11pm EST standings are: DALLAS SEAVEY, AARON BURMEISTER and BRENT SASS all in ROHN but now DALLAS has left and is camping 20 miles outside ROHN. In a short time, AARON and BRENT passed by DALLAS.

RYAN REDINGTON,JOAR ULSOM, WADE MARRS and RICHIE DIEHL are in NIKOLAI along with 16 total there with 12 in McGRAPH. 6 are left in OPHIR all the teams going south now BUT 2 in IDITAROD. The TWINS are 24, 25 and MARTIN BUSER is 27th

AARON BURMEISTER wins the BRISTOL BAY NATIVE CORP FISH FIRST AWARD (WHEW!) being the first to arrive in ROHN(s). He wins 25 lbs of fresh Bristol Bay salmon filets, $2,000 and a wood burned art piece by Apay'uq Moore. BRISTOL BAY is home of the worlds largest wild sockeye salmon fishing. Fishing and fish are always a priority here. Both dog mushing and fishing are long standing traditions in BRISTOL BAY. 

Looking forward, the FAREWELL BURN will be in better shape going back as it has snowed which will cover up those roots and that dirt--hopefully. The POST GLACIER and BUFFALO TUNNEL will still be a challenge. 

One of the Trail Breakers. Big job to get the trails passable and as groomed as possible.

AARON BURMEISTER first to arrive in ROHN (s)

Standing in awe of the Northern Lights in IDITAROD

MARCH 13, 2021 - 8 left for TURNAROUND

 MARCH 13th with 8 left for the TURNAROUND. Then everyone will be going in the same direction - SOUTH. 

At 3PM EST standings: AARON BURMEISTER, BRENT SASS, DALLAS SEAVEY, RYAN REDINGTON and JOAR ULSOM. They are all in NIKOLAI (S) SOUTH. 

MILLE PORSILD is in NIKOLAI in 8th position. TWINS in 24, 25th. MARTIN BUSER 26th.

PETE KAISER scratched in MCGRATH (S) with 10 dogs, for the best of the team. 

RILEY DYCHE scratched in IDITAROD (S) with 9 dogs, in the best interest of his team.

THEN THERE WERE 38!!!

LIZ RAINES asked CODY STRATHE . His partner is PAIGE DROBNY who is running in the top 10 of the pack. CODY said they were not having too many problems with "passing" north and south on the trail. In a few places, the snow was deep and the trail was only wide enough for one sled so they would stop and maneuver around each other. Sometimes the dogs would start to "mingle" and get all tangled up so that took some time but otherwise not a problem. CODY is one who builds sleds. He has built about a dozen being used in this race. Many racers like light sled for speed etc but CODY builds a sled that is "hearty". It may be a bit heavier but can withstand bumps and bruises from The BURN, the STEPS and the GORGE and otherwise. CODY said he would like to finish in the top 20--if you are in that pool you get paid out--after that its your $$. Also asked if the dogs need his headlamp to see the trail. The answer---NO--- he said they see well enough on their own and if its a full moon all the better. When his lamp is on sometimes it creates a tunnel light and limits the dogs vision. 

Northern Lights by IDITAROD--spectacular this year

DALLAS SEAVEY IN IDITAROD

RYAN REDINGTON in IDITAROD--whats left of the GHOST TOWN

Sorry I know you have seen enough of DALLAS😏

MARCH 12, 2021 TURNAROUND

 MARCH 12, 2021 TURNAROUND

OPHIR--It was -52 degrees!!!!. You'll see a few pictures that will confirm that temperature. Such a different year. Not much access to recharge headlamps, music outlets, videos etc. Other than the access, with these temperatures batteries have a quick life and some of the equipment just won't work like in OPHIR. 

RICK CASILLO scratched in IDITAROD. He had 13 dogs in harness at that time. He said it was for the good of his team. THEN THERE WERE 40!!!

When BRENT SASS arrived in OPHIR he asked the temperature. When they said it was -52 he said GOOD!!! Cold is so much better for the dogs and the mushers hope they have the right gear to keep them warm. 

DALLAS SEAVEY won the award for the first person to the YUKON. It'
s a 5 course gourmet meal prepared by the Lakefront in Anchorage. This will be in the spring for Dallas and his guests. He also gets an "After Dinner Mint" of $3,500 in $1 bills with a bottle of Dom Perignon.

PETE KAISER all frosted in OPHIR

As of 9:00pm EST the standings: DALLAS SEAVEY, BRENT SASS, WADE MARRS, RYAN REDINGTON and AARON BURMEISTER. All of them have now started BACK. They are in MCGRATH. 

JOAR ULSOM is 7th, JESSIE ROYER is 12th, MARTIN BUSER is 25th and the TWINS are 27,28th.

OPHIR to MCGRATH is 41 miles but a LONG RIDE. DALLAS somehow did it in 5 hours. He said as of now "THE RACE IS ON"!!! When they are back in MCGRATH they are again COVID tested. 

DR. STU NELSON is the head VET. He has been there for years. You can see him in many places, checking dogs and the other VETS. He is well respected by his peers and the mushers--I think the dogs too!!    

JOAR ULSOM frosted in OPHIR