IditaProject Forum

How About Jen Freking!!!
She's doing a great job for a rookie! She's not the front running rookie (yet) but she's having a good run so far. I am impressed that she did the Rohn to Nikolai run in 13 hours 42 minutes, that's five minutes faster then Jeff King, 1 hour and 18 minutes faster than Lance, and more than 2 hours faster than Martin Buser! Go Minnesota!

Brian

Been waiting to hear an update on the horrid story of the snow machine crashing into Jen's team and killing 1 of her dogs and injuring another. While I know Jen and Blake would love to be able to continue their runs, I know the devestation of losing a dog must be unbearable for them. What a careless, stupid accident! Why snow machines need to go that fast, that close to the trail, is beyond me!
The Minnesota contingent has you in their thoughts Jen.

Brian

Utterly shocking! I can only imagine how devasted they must be

I posted this on the main page but here it is for those who haven't seen it yet...from Jen's website;

""After a good rest and reflection, we decided as long as the rest of
the dogs were healthy and ready to go, we would continue to Nome.
Aries spent the night here at the school getting IV fluids and pain
meds. He was flown out this morning for further care. He has been a
really good boy through all this. He has a lot of soft tissue damage
beneath his left shoulder, but he has been stable and calm the whole
time. Hopefully, he will be able to recover fully. Lorn had been an
incredible member of the team the whole race. She had eaten well and
performed 100% the whole way... I was so very proud of her. The
accident was the worst nightmare imaginable. We are so lucky neither
Blake or I was struck and more dogs were not injured. I thought wwe
had just witness half my team killed at the time.

After 3 hours of sleep, we went out to feed and the dogs were all
quite perky and ate great. At the time of the accident, we were both
sure our race was over. However, on the long run to the checkpoint we
realized we would be working through this tragedy wether we were on
the trail or scratching. If we were not traveling together as we are,
it would be harder to go on. But we have eachother for support and
company. We just want to travel the rest of the trail with no
thoughts of competition at all.

Thank you for all your support.

Jen and Blake""

Glad they aren't stopping....

I'm a huge fan of Ken Anderson (and Gwen!), but I have to say I'm so awestruck at the poise and spirit of this wonderful couple Blake and Jen. Can't imagine enduring that tragedy, and on your rookie race no less. They truly have the spirit of Alaska and are true-blooded mushers. Godspeed Frekings.

E

Terrible accident.

I cannot figure out how such a horrible thing could happen. How could that happen?

I'm so glad they were able to persevere and carry on with their goal of finishing the race!
I certainly respect their decision to go on and work through their grief on the trail.
It seems a fitting tribute to both Lorne and Aries for Jen and Blake to finish.
I wish them all the best.

Brian

She made it! Into Nome in 50th! If Jen isn't the odds on favorite for most inspirational Musher, then there's just something cockeyed going on with somebody, somewhere!
Congratulations Jen AND Blake.

Brian

MelanieGouldFanBrian wrote:If Jen isn't the odds on favorite for most inspirational Musher, then there's just something cockeyed going on with somebody, somewhere!

I second that Brian, Such a fantastic tribute to your dogs Jen and Blake!!! Congrats!