Iditarod 2021 is well underway and there has been drama and a lot going on along the trail the last hours.

Aliy Zirkle is injured and is unfortunately out of the race. Her team reports that she is in a stable condition and that she has been transported back to Anchorage from Rohn. The accident happened on the trail between Rainy Pass and Rohn. We feel with Aliy, her race was the last in a long line of impressive long-distance races. We wish Aliy a good recovery and we thank her for the inspiration she has spread all these years.

Aliy Zirkle enters the Kokuk checkpoint in good spirits on March 17, 2020  © Melissa Shelby

We begin to see the various strengths and weaknesses of the teams now. The strategy for those at the front has so far been to run fast and relatively hard. Maybe the tough opening will lead to some of the teams taking the long rest already in Nikolai, but probably more will take the 24-hour layover at McGrath.

Ryan, Dallas and Nicolas have run fast in the beginning. That is what characterises the Iditarod; there are many good teams who are willing to give everything right from the start, without being conservative in their race strategy, says Thomas Wærner.

The best mushers manage this, while still keeping the dogs in their comfort zone. It is important that the dogs do not chase too much speed, especially on hard trails like this, because then the strain injuries can occur, with swollen wrists or sore shoulders.

Dog welfare is the most important thing in long-distance dog sledding and at the slightest sign of injury, stiffness or lack of mood, the dogs are taken out of the race, to be followed up by veterinarians and rested.

Dallas Seavey at the Iditarod race-start, Deshka Landing, 2021  ©Dave Poyzer

It is a focused Dallas Seavey that is currently number two, behind Ryan Redington, on his way to Nikolai. This stage is 75 miles/120 kilometers, with some demanding sections at the beginning.

Joar is also among the first ten mushers. The question is if he will rest long at McGrath or if he will run all the way to Iditarod, as he has done before?

He's running a strategy similar to the one I had last year. It's going to be exciting to see how far into the race Joar pushes the long rest

Thomas believes that Dallas will take an early 24-hour period, since he has been running hard from the start.

It's fun to see that there are so many strong and even teams. It is often the case in the first part of the race, but in the second half the teams will spread out more.

It is quick to end up in a downward spiral, if you do not take care of the balance between running and rest. Small differences can make a big impact. If you give the dogs half an hour extra rest, you may get an hour faster time on the next run.

Optimal rest is about getting the dogs to recover physically, get a lot of calories in them and make sure they get a good sleep.
The dog team of musher Meredith Mapes (Bib # 46) Rohn Checkpoing, March 10, 2020  © Melissa Shelby

A good way to analyze the teams is to look at the speed they hold towards the long rest. It is a sign of strength if you get into a long rest with a lot of speed in the team. The rest will make the dogs fully recovered.
If, on the other hand, you enter the rest with a team that begins to lose speed, appetite and mood, it will take longer before they are recovered.

In addition to Aliy Zirkle being out of the race, Cindy Gallea has also scratched at Skwentna. Gallea became ill. Musher Sean Williams scratched before the start, due to family health concerns.