Gender Makes No Difference
Hands-down one of the absolute human top-athletes in the world of long-distance sled dog racing is Alaskan Aliy Zirkle. She is a woman. Her “most extraordinary dog” throughout time: Quito. She is a female. In Zirkle’s own words, “she was magnificent.”
Quito, a two-time Golden Harness Award Winner, passed away on the day of the 2019 Iditarod start.
A 1000-mile Golden Harness Award is the highest recognition a sled dog can earn in this sport—earned through outstanding performance in a race and then being recognized by the competition, as the fellow dog mushers in that race cast their votes to determine the dog that earns the award.
Does it matter that Zirkle and Quito are females? Not really. In this sport, males and females compete on entirely equal footing. But as Zirkle came to realize, maybe this fact, that she is a female and at the top of her sport – maybe one of the toughest sports in the world – give her a unique opportunity to guide and inspire women. In the way that Quito inspired her.
Zirkle did not grow up in Alaska or with a life destined to run sled dogs. She made it happen. Growing up in “the south,” the exotic island of Puerto Rico was home for much of her childhood. Her first dog mushing experience was hooking up one of the many stray dogs she took in to care for to pull her sitting on a skateboard. In her final year majoring in Biology, she moved to Alaska and lived in a wall tent in a remote Alaskan village. During her first winter, Zirkle adopted six huskies, built a dog sled and explored the surrounding wilderness with her dog team. She also entered her first dog race. Finishing second to last, it was not the thrill of winning that got her hooked. But Zirkle was hooked; She loved the solitary, independent, wilderness lifestyle with the dogs.
Every year since 1998 Zirkle has raced either the 1000 miles of Iditarod or Yukon Quest. She has reached the finish line every time. Without a doubt one of the absolute darlings of Iditarod fans for her bright and yet insanely tough nature paired with her deep connection with her dogs, Zirkle today continues to be a fan favorite to win the Iditarod race year after year. And she has been ever-so-close, again and again. Zirkle has finished second in the Iditarod three times, three years in a row. In 2012 she came in second across the finish line 59 minutes and 44 seconds behind the winner; in 2013 it was just 24 minutes; and in 2014 it was an incredible mere 2 minutes and 22 seconds.
In 2016 Zirkle was leading the Iditarod race when suddenly faced death, and it was with great uncertainty that she actually was able to continue to make it across the finish line after being attacked by a man on a snow machine. The Netflix-produced “Losers” series tackling the question “In a ‘winning is everything’ society, how do we handle failure,” profiles athletes who have turned the agony of defeat into human triumph. One episode (6 – “Aliy) features Zirkle and this harrowing experience that tested her incredible fortitude.
Netflix subscribers – don’t miss this one… get the popcorn popping and get comfortable to enjoy. It is remarkable, about a truly remarkable athlete and human being.
Zirkle did win the grueling 1000-mile Yukon Quest (2000). She was then the first woman to do so—and no woman has won it since.
Is 2020 the year Zirkle adds the Iditarod Champion trophy to her incredible rap sheet, becoming the third woman to win the Iditarod?
Tuesday, March 1st 2022, Ryan Anderson and his dogs crossed the finish-line first in Grand Portage, making him the John Beargrease Sled Dogs champion.
Redingtons bold move backfired - he’s out of the race!
We can finally say it once again - QRILL PAWS 2022 IS READY TO ROLL! That’s despite another difficult year for race organizers and everyone involved in sled dog events.
Aker BioMarine, the Norwegian biotech company behind QRILL PAWS, launches QPaws - The Dog Activity App to help track and improve the health of active dogs across the globe.
We think knowing the basics in nutrition is important for anyone. That’s why we decided to write a series of articles on basic dog nutrition. First topic up - water and energy sources.
Summer is here, and it’s time for long, relaxing walks in the nature with your furry little friend. Unfortunately, it’s also time for ticks to start crawling around in the bushes. Take your precautions to make sure that the bug doesn’t ruin your summer!
The name “canicross” is a combination of the words “canine” and “cross-country”, which is actually a great description of the sport. Canicross is simply cross-country running with your dog!
Over the past weeks, Norway’s Toughest Dog has been crowned amongst the dogs who were signed up for Femundløpet 2021. Furry rocket Ronja took the title home, together with a ton of dog food for herself and her kennel. With the amount of requests and questions about a competition for all dog owner, we weren’t in doubt - #mintøffing2021 became a reality!
After three years, Dallas Seavey is returning to the Iditarod, after the 2017 helter skelter incident that shocked his life and mushing career.
The mushers have to relive their own nightmares on the way back over the trail's most demanding sections between Nikolai and Finger Lake.
After three years, Dallas Seavey is returning to the Iditarod, after the 2017 helter skelter incident that shocked his life and mushing career.
At age 10 she harnessed her border collie Bear and a goat to pull hay to the horses. Now, for the 19th time, Jessie Royer (44) has harnessed her 16 most competitive dogs to win Iditarod.
Growing up with sailing and surrounded by golden beaches on the East Coast, Susannah Tuminelli has travelled a long way, when she now starts on the trail.
In March last year, Iditarod mushers were chased down the trail by a pandemic. Now, 12 months later, the world is still in the midst of the disease.
The Swiss born Martin Buser (62) lines up for his 38th Iditarod race this year. The Wayne Gretzky of dog sledding, has been inducted into the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame.
In the aftermath of cancelling this year’s edition of Femundløpet, organisers and sponsors put together the alternative online competition – Norway’s Toughest Dog. And what a support from the community!
Even though this year’s race had to be cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will be winners. And the prize is no less than 1000 kg dog food. The famous Norwegian dog trainer Maren T. Rørvik leads the jury.
As a fantastic way of thanking the everlasting effort from the organisers of Beargrease 2021, the mushers put on the most thrilling final sprint in the history of the race. In the end, only 7 seconds separated 1st and 2nd.