While Nicolas Petit came and went into Shaktoolik, staying a mere 8 minutes, Jessie Holmes and Aliy Zirkle arrived in Unalakleet 3 minutes apart in 6th and 7th position. Both decided to stay and put down straw for their dogs. Jessie said he enjoyed his stay at Old Woman Cabin. He packed up and left there, right as Paige Drobny was pulling. Jessie felt his timing was ideal, with avoiding the warmest part of the day, and preventing his team from slowing down.

Aliy was greeted by her husband Allen Moore. Allen is sitting out the 2019 Iditarod after coming off a 3rd place Yukon Quest finish in February: “ I miss you out there “, Aliy said. And she was equally glad to greet her dad Doug here in Unalakleet. Each musher has a bit different of a routine and Aily proceeded to give her team bowls of fresh, un-baited water. Hydration is key for sled dogs, specially in these warm temperatures.

With Both Jessie and Aliy pulling over to camp, Mitch Seavey is getting a firm hold on 5th place. He is going to be glad to find that out, once he reaches Shaktoolik. 

Once Pete, Joar and Jessie Royer get to Shaktoolik and find out, that Nicolas has not stopped, that will be a bit of a blow to their strategies. From my own racing days I remember how dishartening it was, when I came to a checkpoint and Lance had already left. Nicolas likely will go to the shelter Cabin about 20 miles out of Shaktoolik. That gives him a couple of options once he leaves there. Depending by what time the chase pack shows up, he can once again skip Koyuk, to break the run into White Mountain into 2 equal runs. Or if he pulls the hook before the chase pack arrived at the cabin, he could try to snag a short rest in Koyuk also. Nicolas is still in the driver seat of Iditarod 2019. Hopefully he will stay on the trail……

Here a few pictures:

Aliy Fans were out in force

Aliy checking in

Another Aliy fan

Jessie Holmes bedding down his team

Nap time for Jessie Holmes dogs