Zirkle out of hospital; Seavey gets McGrath prize; UAA ski scholars

IDITAROD MUSHER AILY ZIRKLE IS OUT OF AN ANCHORAGE HOSPITAL AND RESTING WITH FAMILY AFTER SUFFERING A RACE-ENDING INJURY MONDAY NIGHT.

ZIRKLE ARRIVED AT ABOUT 8PM AT THE ROHN CHECKPOINT INJURED FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT ON THE TRAIL THAT LEFT THE VETERAN MUSHER WITH A CONCUSSION AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT UPPER BODY INJURIES. IT’S NOT KNOWN YET EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO CAUSE THE INJURIES. ZIRKLE’S DOG TEAM WAS NOT HURT, AND WAS BEING CARED FOR BY VOLUNTEERS.

IDITAROD 49 WAS TO BE ZIRKLE’S FINAL COMPETITIVE RACE BEFORE RETIREMENT. THE TWO RIVERS MUSHER IS A THREE-TIME RUNNER-UP IN THE RACE AND IS A FAN FAVORITE.

 

VETERAN MUSHER DALLAS SEAVEY WAS THE FIRST IDITAROD RACER TO REACH THE MCGRATH CHECKPOINT TUESDAY, WINNING THE ALASKA AIR TRANSIT SPIRIT OF IDITAROD AWARD. SEAVEY ARRIVED AT 4PM, AND WON A NUMBER OF HANDMADE ITEMS FROM RESIDENTS OF MCGRATH.

 

THE UAA SKI TEAM HAD 19 STUDENT-ATHLETES EARN NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ACADEMIC AWARDS FROM THE COACHES ASSOCIATION. TO QUALIFY, THE ATHLETES MUST HAVE A GRADE-POINT-AVERAGE OF 3.5 OR BETTER.

UAA SKIING WILL BEGIN NCAA NATIONAL COMPETITION TOMORROW IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.