Daniel Vetsch for Ultimate Iditarod

CHECKPOINT ACTIVITY
ULTIMATE IDITAROD TEAMS



CHECKPOINT ACTIVITY

Throughout yesterday and into the evening, Tanana was a buzz of activity with at times up to thirty teams parked in the checkpoint. With that many teams in the checkpoint and the small amount of parking area it caused the same effect as sardines packed into a tin can. At times it looked as though it would be impossible for even one more team to find a place to park. It was unexpected that so many teams would decide to take an extended break in Tanana. The common feeling among mushers was that they wanted their dogs to get a good rest before making the 130-mile trek down the Yukon River to Ruby. It seems that throughout the mushers there is a feeling of apprehension towards the next run because of the sheer distance and monotony of it. The river provides a flat wide trail but it doesn’t do much to keep the mushers’ minds active. This makes it more difficult for the mushers to stay awake when they are already sleep deprived and fatigued.

Cali King preparing food for her dogs while at Tanana

By this morning things have slowed down considerably in Tanana with all the front-runners and the majority of the pack on their way to Ruby. There are still about a dozen teams in the checkpoint and a few more still on the way. The teams at the back of the pack are going through totally different experiences and have different goals then the front-runners. They are not intending to be competitive but are in the race for the challenge it provides. There main goal is to finish and that in itself is an epic achievement.

ULTIMATE IDITAROD TEAMS

Mitch Seavey pulled into Tanana last night a little after nine with a strong looking dog team. He still had all sixteen dogs in his team and was very pleased with how they were doing. He had a relaxed attitude and was not looking stressed in the least. He was even joking around about his team saying that it would lighten his workload if he sent some dogs home but they are all working so good that he can’t take them out of the team. He was also right on schedule according to his race plan and very content with how his race was going. I believe that Mitch will be moving up in the standings because he started the race conservatively and has a well-rested, fast moving team.

A veterinarian examines one of Debbie Moderow’s dogs

Although Cindy Gallea’s team is not faring quite so well she is still in good spirits. She had to drop one of the older, more experienced dogs in her team because of an athletic injury. It partially ruptured one of its Achilles tendons and therefore was unable to continue in the race. Unfortunately this was one of her main leaders so she will definitely miss having him in the team. She also thinks that her dogs have picked up a virus that is making them sick. Some of her dogs have started vomiting because of this virus, which can bring about dehydration more readily. She still has fifteen dogs however and is taking good care of them to get them over this bug that they have. Right now it is too early to tell how hard this virus will hit her team but she is optimistic about the outcome and is continuing down the trail.

Tyrell Seavey arrived in Tanana about four this morning after resting part way between Manley and Tanana. He was very pleased with his team and how they were operating. He left the checkpoint with fourteen dogs and was planning on taking two six-hour breaks on his way over to Ruby. Because he is running a young team Tyrell is planning on traveling shorter distances with longer breaks in between. This allows the young dogs to become accustomed to racing and traveling 1200 miles without quite the physical and mental demands of a competitive schedule. He left this morning with fourteen dogs and lots of power in those dogs.

Tyrell Seavey as he leaves Tanana

Jim Gallea is on a very similar schedule to Tyrell because he is also running a young group of dogs. The two of them are in very similar situations and are actually about the same time apart from when they started the race. Jim was content with his team and impressed with how they were functioning so far. He pulled into Tanana at 6:15 this morning and ended up resting the dogs for several hours. When he left he had fourteen dogs pulling and was very optimistic about the rest of the race.