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Iditarod musher Aliy Zirkle suffered a concussion and “orthopedic injuries to the upper torso” in a “significant impact” as he arrived at Rohn checkpoint on Monday evening, officials said. race Tuesday morning.
Zirkle was injured in a fall, according to an Alaska National Guard statement Tuesday morning.
She struck out of the race at 8:05 p.m.
An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from the 210th Rescue Squadron picked up Zirkle from the Rohn Roadhouse around 12:15 a.m. Tuesday and took her to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, according to the guard and race officials.
Zirkle, 50, was in stable condition but kept on Tuesday morning, Iditarod officials said. By that time, she had been released from the hospital and was resting in Anchorage with her family, intending to return home to Two Rivers when she could.
Zirkle had 14 dogs in harness when he arrived in Rohn, according to race officials. His dogs were uninjured and were being looked after by volunteers at the checkpoint, while awaiting the first flight to Anchorage. From there the dogs were to be brought home to Two Rivers.
It was not clear exactly how Zirkle’s accident happened.
Zirkle had announced his retirement from competitive mushing ahead of this year’s Iditarod, his 21st. She and her husband and fellow musher Allen Moore own and operate the SP Kennel in Two Rivers.
Moore was on his way to Anchorage overnight, according to a Facebook post from the kennel.
“We’ll keep you posted when we know more,” the message read. “We are completely devastated for Aliy and the dogs. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we process this information and learn more. It may take a while, but we’ll keep you in touch. “
ZIrkle is one of the race’s most beloved runners, a three-time runner-up who has finished in the top 10 seven times.
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