Aliy Zirkle takes control of the Race—First into Takotna—declares 24

OK, there it is. A definitive move to the front, backed up with speed, and Aliy announces that she now controls Iditarod 2014.

Five minutes before arrival the Takotna checkpoint cleared with checkers assuming their position just up the trail from the community center. Our camera focused on the river, vets gathered in anticipation of first team in, and young volunteers who would grab the towline and help Aliy and team to a parking spot.

One young volunteer was stoking the hot water cooker with more split green birch.

“Musher on the river,” someone cried, similar in historical importance to ‘The British are coming.” Almost concurrently the village fire siren blasted. Someone said, “Do they do that for every musher?” “I don’t think so, just for the first one,” which seemed logical if anyone in Takotna with a disinterest in mushing planned on sleeping.

Moments later our camera lights went on as Aliy’s easily recognized diminutive leader appeared on the crest of a gentle slope into the checkpoint. Quito ( a female) was again in control of Aliy’s fast moving team. All the dogs were off necklines and pulling free on the backlines. While Aliy signed in and declared a 24 hour (she prefers Takotna for her mandatory 24), the dogs rolled in the snow, twirled in circles allowed by the backlines, then lunged, knowing they were going to the parking spot.

Of course, of course, everyone knew she wanted the preferred parking spot of the yard. One of the checkers yelled to the kids, “Help her around the building!” Aliy’s team was led in front of the community center, then directed backward around the center so that the team was protected by the building from wind off the river. In total, Aliy had about ten steps to the backdoor of the center and a wonderful paradise of all sorts of food.

Quickly she informed the vets that they were free to examine the dogs and mentioned a few minor problems. In particular I remember she mentioned, “ the one near the wheel needs a massage for a sore muscle” and “I think I will put wrist wraps on all of them.” Mushers have different techniques, but in general, Aliy is going to velcro the wrists with neoprene wraps. Some mushers add a plastic liner or may use a salve, but the theory is to warm up the wrists. Experience has shown that it is a great precautionary way to rejuvenate wrists. It’s a widely used practice to use on long distance dogs and just as massages may not be necessary—they sure make you feel better about life.

As Aliy removed booties, a team of four vets started a very thorough exam of each dog, looking closely at each paw and the soft tissue between toes, and working to check heart and lung function. They have a very involved protocol and document all in Aliy’s mandatory vet notebook and their own race library.

A couple of little girls asked if they could pet a dog. “Only if I am here,” she said with a laugh, “because I am the boss.” Two dogs in the team said hello to the girls. Then Aliy continued her chores. She was home for 24 hours!

Aliy controls the front in Takotna. Buser commands an accumulated advantage of hours gained at Nikolai. Most certainly Buser will leave Nikolai and if all goes right will pass Takotna tomorrow and reassume the lead. The question remains whether Aliy will quickly sling shot off her 24 hour to the front or battle again for the lead.