Jessie Holmes gets his win

Jessie Holmes at the Copper Basin 300 finish.
Still from CB300 Live Feed.

After playing the bridesmaid several times over, Jessie Holmes is the 2025 Copper Basin Champion. The fan favorite took charge of the race on day one and didn't look back. 

Holmes ran fast straight out of the gate, traveling at first with his B team run by Kelsey Winters. By the second checkpoint their race schedules changed with Winters running a slightly more conservative run rest schedule (but just barely). Holmes then traveled (or battled) for trail with Cody Strathe of Squid Acres. Strathe managed to get within a few minutes of Holmes on the second day, but Holmes kicked it into high gear as they ran into their planned time differential mandatory rest. Between the time differential and his lead, Holmes had it in the bag.

Yes, there were still miles to go in the race and we've learned over the years to not count out the weather, wildlife, and other circumstances throwing a wrench in even the most sure of leads, but in this case - Holmes had the winning ticket.

In a race that was warmer than it has been in years, as the rest of the state dealt with hurricane like winds and rain, Team Can't Stop managed to pull off what their musher has been trying to do for the last seven years. Yes, Holmes won the Kobuk 440 which is a HUGE feat in 2017, but for most of his career he consistently lands in the top five - and many times the top three. This could be the turning point to become the Holmes era (especially since he tasted that Iditarod win last year).

Rounding out the top five, Strathe was able to keep everyone behind him (except Holmes, of course) to take second. Third was a surprise as Dave Turner and his Racing Chaos team picked off teams in the final run. Fourth was Kelsey Winters who also ate up a lot of time and trail on those ahead of her Monday. Fifth went to Jonah Bacon who kept with the front runners for much of the race.

There are currently seven teams into the finish with many more to come through the night and into Tuesday. Your current Red Lantern is Sydnie Bahl. 

Keep watching the race, folks, it's far from over. The trackers will ping until the final team is off the trail. CB300's Facebook Page and Kale Casey are both going live as teams come into the finish. 

Cheer on those teams and let them hear you!