by DanTech » Sat Mar 10, 2012 11:24 am
I worked the UNK checkpoint a couple-3 times when Ally was starting to make waves as a musher in the Iditarod community. The things about UNK as a checkpoint that sets it apart from most others are a number of factors: distance ratio (completed to whats left), at the coast where dynamics of the race change for multiple reasons, the media circus aspect, etc.
In most years, the race really defines itself in UNK. Mushers are either positioning to win, to place or simply to be "happy campers out for a stroll". Aliy impressed me as a winner back then because of her attitude, her dog care, and her energy. She wasn't a front-running leader in those years yet Aliy was showing herself a musher to watch--as a leader on the trail. It thrills me to see her running such a smart race. Lot's of trail left to go and the coast can have significant impacts on any race, yet Aliy has what it takes to win.
Go Aliy!!!