Iditarod musher Aliy Zirkle suffered a concussion and “orthopedic injuries to the upper torso” in a “significant impact” as he entered Rohn’s checkpoint on Monday night, race officials said Tuesday morning.
Zirkle was injured in a fall, according to a statement from the Alaska National Guard on Tuesday morning.
She scratched the race at 8:05 pm
A helicopter from the 210th HH-60G Rescue Squadron Pave Hawk picked up Zirkle at Rohn Roadhouse at about 12:15 pm Tuesday and took her to the Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, according to the Guard and race officials.
Zirkle, 50, was in stable condition but protected on Tuesday morning, Iditarod officials said. At that time, she had been discharged from the hospital and was resting in Anchorage with her family, with plans to return home to Two Rivers when she could.
Zirkle had 14 dogs stranded when he arrived at Rohn, according to race officials. His dogs were unhurt and were being cared for by volunteers at the checkpoint, awaiting the first flight to Anchorage. From there, the dogs were to be taken back home to Dois Rios.
It was unclear exactly how Zirkle’s accident occurred.
Zirkle had announced his retirement from competitive mushing before this year’s Iditarod, his 21st. She, 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 kennel post.
“We will update it when we know more”, said the post. “We are totally devastated by Aliy and the dogs. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we process this information and find out more. This may take some time, but we will keep you in touch. “
ZIrkle is one of the most loved drivers in the race, a runner-up three times who finished in the top 10 seven times.
