Howdy Kaiser Race Fans! Pete and the Team are home safe and sound!
As I drove up to the airport to meet them, I thought of something and I want to share it with you now–
We at Kaiser Racing are so blessed to have friends like the Ryan’s. More like family, really, they always come out of the woodwork to help at a moment’s notice.
Consider today– It’s a bit traumatic to have to pull the plug and scratch from a race. But here we are less than 6 hours after Pete had to do that very thing and he and the Team are home relaxing and recovering. A Ryan Air Casa aircraft diverted from Holy Cross to McGrath to retrieve Pete and the Team. Just like that!! Words are really hard to describe how appreciative we are. It is just truly amazing to have support like that. Boyuk and Lee– Thank you!
What’s more, they have been there from the beginning. When Pete made the decision to be a professional dogsled musher Ryan Air was the first major sponsor to sign on and not only sign on, but provide Kaiser Racing gear as well as air support.
Every year that the Iditarod has ended in Nome, most Teams have to deal with airlines and make reservations. Not Kaiser Racing– The plane is ready when we are. All of the Southwest Teams have been able to get a ride back from Nome thanks to Ryan Air.
Then there was the time when we had all made reservations to go to Nome, but Pete ended up going faster than we anticipated and there were no flights to get there in time… Boyuk to the Rescue!! A Pilatus PC-12 showed up with Boyuk at the controls as the entire pit crew got a ride up to Nome.
I could go on and on, but I just want to say thanks Ryan Air and especially to Boyuk and Lee. We didn’t get to see you guys as we do each year at the banquet, but it’s not because you weren’t on our minds! See ya Soon!!
In terms of Pete and the Team? Well they actually look really great! A little accident in the plane had Pete cleaning up the plane after they deplaned, but other than that as they ran out into the Yard, the rest of the Team greeted them with barks of joy. Good to have them home again! A few days of healing up and they will be back at it on the tundra.
As we say goodbye to the 2021 Iditarod we are wishing Richie Diehl the best as he continues on toward the finish. Last year Richie also had to withdraw from the race due to the very same issues as Pete. A scratch isn’t the end of a career, it’s just a fact of racing, a speed bump, so to speak. Richie has done better this year than ever coming off a scratch last year, proving that saving your dog team for later is a very good strategy. Not for the race, but for the kennel as a whole. It is also what makes the career of Aliy Zirkle so incredible after finishing 20 consecutive races and we want to wish her well as she retires this year. Good luck Aliy! You have brought many good things the dogsled mushing and will be missed.
Lastly- Kaiser Racing Fans- You are the best! Thank you for all of the well wishes to Pete and the Team!
Go Team Kaiser!!
Thank You Ryan Air!
