BEd of straw fit for canine royalty

Aliy Zirkle arrived Elim, approximately half hour in arrears of Dallas Seavey, and parked her fast travelling team on a  bed of straw, giving them the canine accomodation of royalty. Her intentions are proprietary, but it Appears that her goal is to grab a short nap, give her dogs a nap and a hot meal, and hit the trail in direction White MOuntain.

Aliy Zirkle, greeted by a crowd of Elim fans, arrives at 3 51PM

A crowd of Elim fans, kids running alongside her sled “Aliy, Aliy, Aliy” in clear voices rising above the rumble of photographers and well wishes.

Aliy decided to rest her dogs in Elim, leveraging the ready access to hot water, a warm building to sleep and dry clothers.  She has not determined her exit time, but remains a sufficient cushion to not only protect her second place finish but also test Dallas SEavey.

Aliy Zirkle, big fan with the kids, and for good reason. She is a cheerful personality.

Seavey bolted thru Elim, but in a tell tale manuever of loading flakes of straw and bags of dog feed, indicated he would stop somewhere on the trail to rest and feed his dogs.   Seavey, as a matter of habit, is known to stop about every six hours to change booties, check dog’s feet, prepare and feed a hot meal, and allow his dogs a mental break.  Even for only an hour or more, he is committed to this schedule.

MEANWHILE< an airplane flys above the resting Seavey, who has apparently stopped on the ice to feed and rest his dog.  The passengers  deplane and in time report this information to Aliy, who of course reformulates her plans, naturally sensing an opportunity to get on his scent trail again.   MORE ON THIS DEVELOPMEnt as it unfolds.

In a peculiar fix, it is impossible for Dallas to be supplied information, unless, according to the fair play rules of the race, he is informed by a disinterested party—-like a local snowmachiner.

Iditarod fan checks out Aliy leaders