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When I got to "Old Woman" cabin I was surprised to see Sigrid's team still "parked" there. I hadn't expected to see her until Unalakleet. I hadn't planned on resting here, but I was going to quickly stop and water my dogs.
Sigrid came out of the cabin and she was as white as the snow. I had never seen such pale skin before. She told me she had gotten terribly sick and couldn't go on anymore. She was near tears when she said she probably would have to scratch from the race. Having to deal with my infected hand I kinda understood what she was feeling. No one - especially no rookie - that makes it this far wants to scratch. I knew she didn't want to scratch either.
Long story told short: I stopped my team and rested for a couple of hours, giving Sigrid some more time to rest and sleep inside the cabin. She started feeling a little better, but was still week and afraid of travelling by herself. So we decided I would travel in front of her and if she had problems or would fall of the sled I could stop her team.
So we travelled for a while like that, but the more time passed the better she felt and since her dogs had been resting longer than mine, they were faster too. So, she passed me and kept on going to Unalakleet. I was only 6 minutes behind her, but since her dogs got several hours of rest at "Old Woman" cabin she decided to cut her rest short here.
I was really bummed. I just knew in that moment that I wouldn't make the Rookie of the Year anymore. I would have to cut my rests short in order to keep up with her and I didn't want to do that to my team.
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Sigrid is travelling behind me towards Unalakleet I loved this part of Alaska - it's beautiful
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