Iditarod musher Aliy Zirkle suffered a concussion and had “orthopedic injuries to her upper body” in a “significant impact” when she arrived at the Rohn checkpoint on Monday night, racetrack officials said Tuesday morning.
According to a release from the Alaska National Guard on Tuesday morning, Zirkle was injured in a fall.
She scratched from the race at 20:05
A 210th rescue squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter picked up Zirkle at Rohn Roadhouse around 12:15 a.m. Tuesday and flew her to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, according to the Guard and race officials.
The 50-year-old Zirkle was in a stable but protected condition Tuesday morning, Iditarod officials said. By that time, she was discharged from the hospital and rested with her family in Anchorage, with plans to return to Two Rivers.
According to breed officials, Zirkle had 14 dogs in harness when she arrived in Rohn. Her dogs were not injured and were cared for by volunteers at the checkpoint in anticipation of the first flight to Anchorage. From there, the dogs in Two Rivers would be driven back home.
It was not immediately clear how Zirkle’s accident occurred.
Zirkle announced her retirement from competitive performances ahead of Iditarod, her 21st, this year. She and her husband and fellow musher Allen Moore own and operate the SP Kennel in Two Rivers.
According to a Facebook message from the kennel, Moore was on his way to Anchorage overnight.
“We will update you as we know more,” the report said. “We are absolutely devastated about Aliy and the dogs. 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 in touch. ‘
ZIrkle is one of the most beloved racers of the race, a three-time runner-up who finished in the top-10 seven times.
