Knik 200
Knik
Lake is so bare of snow the race officials let the teams start from
their trucks. The trucks were parked in a semi-circle facing the
starting chute. (Some like Karen's were backed into their position)
All the teams except one went through the chute. There was no way to
stop those teams once they really got going. And, all teams seemed
to leave the lake on the same trail. We had been told the first 6 or
7 miles were icy, but then the
trail was nice. I hope for everyone that's the case. Karen's
draw was number 10. We harnessed the 12 dog team and friends helped
hook everyone up. The starter went from team to team counting them
down. I stood out with the leaders for a short time and was rewarded
with happy tailwags. I watched Karen for her signal and ran beside
the leaders just a few steps to be sure they were heading for the
race chute. Karen was smiling, standing proudly on her runners,
behind that gorgeous team as she waved a goodbye. It
has turned warm here again. Reports were that it was 30 F plus and
rumors of snow or RAIN were possible. Everyone do a snow dance!
Please NO RAIN! Last Tues we were training in Willow at MINUS 10.
What happened? Tonight
I visited the team members left home. They are fed and settled in
for the evening, nestled into their straw beds. Perhaps they are
dreaming of being on the race trail too. Later,
Jamie West
Karen
and crew ran in the 2005 Knik 200
and while we wait for her firsthand tales from this particular
trail, here are
some start and
finish
photos for all of us to enjoy. Our thanks to June Price of Sunhusky
for all the photos :)
Here are pdf
versions of the start
and finish
for archival purposes.
There
is also a story on ADN.com
with a picture of Karen's team. Here is a pdf
version for archival purposes and a link to a thumbnail
photo of the team. A
NorthWapiti Group Member noticed some coverage of Karen and the team
in an Iditarod.com Zuma Diary
entry for Knik 200 Part II. The
Editor
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