Iditarod has its second official scratch

Iditarod released a statement Tuesday that a second team has scratched from Iditarod 54. Rookie Jody Potts-Joseph and her team of ten dogs have ended their race ahead of reaching Nome. The musher had many fans concerned as she sat for many hours at the Tripod Cabin area allowing Grayson Bruton, the red lantern, to catch her and pass her. 

While Jody's team back at home posted on her social media early Tuesday morning that musher and team were well and that Jody was just giving them a little more rest, fans still found themselves wondering what was really happening.

"Rookie Iditarod musher Jody Potts-Joseph (bib #32) of Eagle Village, Alaska, scratched from the 2026 Iditarod at 11:19 a.m. today at the Tripod Flats Cabin, located between Kaltag and Unalakleet, in the best interest of her team," Iditarod wrote.

"Potts-Joseph communicated her decision to ITC Race Officials via two-way communication, and ITC personnel are assisting her with the safe transport of her 10-dog team to Unalakleet via snow machine.

The Iditarod Trail Committee recognizes Potts-Joseph’s determination, dedication, and sportsmanship throughout this year’s race and looks forward to seeing her back on the Trail in the future."

After the press release was posted, Jody's social media team posted an update from the musher giving a little more insight into her decision. Potts-Joseph's team was showing signs of kennel cough and she was concerned for their well being. A musher's number one goal is to keep the trust with their canine team-mates, and so with the love and care any musher would give Jody did the wise thing and ended her race.

"To the dogs that traveled the course with her, we send our utmost thanks and praise," her team wrote on Facebook. "To Stoller, Blaze, Anna, Stormy, Coconut, and Freya, who are all waiting for their team back in Talkeetna. To Coki, Sunny, Ninjuu, Natrah, Lebowski, Kobuk, Loki, Revna, Bodil, and Ginger, who remained with her til the end of the run—we lift you up for safe travels back home."

On Iditarod's official release on Facebook about Potts-Joseph's scratch, 6-time Champion Dallas Seavey sent out a message of support. "So bummed to see this," Seavey wrote. "I was having a blast watching her and the team on the trail. Recover well, and hope to see you on the trail again soon!"

With Jody officially out of the race, Iditarod Veteran Grayson Bruton is now Iditarod's current Red Lantern. Jody's scratch is the second official scratch of this year's Iditarod.