Iditarod 2022 Top Ten(ish)

Fifty years. Fifty years of changes; of challenges. Trails shortened; rerouted; growing increasingly faster. Faces coming, going... aging. Champions getting younger, getting older. From HAM radio reports to GPS trackers. One vet for an entire race to an entire team of them. Women going from being a talking point, to champions, to the favorites of every race. An entire lifestyle reborn. Fifty years is a legacy many sports only wish they had, and cannot be rivaled.

With all the talk of it being the historic 50th, a lot of teams have their sights set on the prize of top team in the world. From previous champions hoping to add to their collection of trophies (and one possibly hoping to break the record for most wins) to a grandson of the race founder hoping to finally bringing a championship to the family name. There's a lot at stake emotionally for the top teams of Iditarod 50. So let's take a look at the top... ten... ish, who very well may have the best chance.

Aaron Burmeister - He ran an incredible race in 2021, and had there been just a hair more trail I'll argue to my dying day that Burmeister would be the Iditarod champion of 2021. Aaron has said in interviews this is likely his final Iditarod, his children are getting older and he wants to devote more time to their passions with his support, plus business outside of dogs has been busy. Aaron's goal has always been to bring the Iditarod Champion title to his hometown of Nome, and this could be his last chance. He's hungry to beat the rest of the field (and I suspect very much so Dallas Seavey). It will be exciting to see how Aaron takes on the 50th. 

Brent Sass - The multi-time Yukon Quest Champion is having a banner year in the mid-distance races. He won the Copper Basin, as well as both the Alaska side Yukon Quest and the Canadian side. Brent should be right at the front of the pack as they charge down the final leg of this year's Iditarod. He's on the upswing and with the Quest not being a thousand mile race this year, his team should be a little more rested this go around. Look for Brent to start and finish strong. 

Dallas Seavey - You either hear "We are the Champions" or you hear "The Imperial March" when you read or hear Dallas Seavey's name. He's the hero and the villain to many. But the now FIVE TIME Iditarod Champion is on the cusp of making history yet again as he runs for a possible sixth title. If Dallas accomplishes another win in Nome, he will break the very long standing record by Rick Swenson for most wins. Though the win is what Dallas has in mind, he often says he doesn't really focus on any records (do we believe him?). It was said that tying Swenson's five would never be done - six is unheard of. The pressure is on, whether he admits it or not.

Joar Leifseth Ulsom - The 2018 Iditarod champion has never finished out of the top ten, and don't expect him to now. The new dad has trained and raced all season building his Iditarod team and has a strong set of dogs in front of him. Ulsom will probably keep to the traditional race schedule we're used to seeing from the top teams as he "builds the monster" and will pick off teams as he goes down the Yukon and up the Coast. 

Michelle Phillips - Phillips is coming off of a well fought second place finish in the Canadian Yukon Quest last week. The Canadian musher has made her mark in the sport over the last few years and is in the running for top female musher in this year's race. Michelle nearly cracked the top ten last year and with several of last year's top ten out of this year's race she should have no problem making that next step. Don't count her out. 

Mille Porsild - While Michelle is fighting to become top woman, Mille Porsild will be fighting to keep it. The new to Iditarod but not mushing or racing musher will have everyone watching as she again races to improve on her last Iditarod. She jumped 10 places last year improving from her 15th place rookie finish to 5th place... so, she isn't just in the running for top rookie. Mille will give all of the teams a run for their money. Do not be surprised if she takes down all of the established favorites this year.

Mitch Seavey - The three-time Iditarod Champion is back after a short hiatus from the race. Mitch sat the 2021 season out and allowed son Dallas to create a hybrid team out of both Seavey kennels. It definitely had the fandom talking about a possible retirement in the musher's future, but that's not the case... at least not yet. Mitch watched his father help Joe Redington work to create the Iditarod, and helped his dad train for the first race. He'd always known he would run the Iditarod with the hopes of one day winning it. He's managed it three times, watched his son win five (once from the sidelines!), and is still more than capable of winning his fourth. Mitch hasn't finished out of the top ten in decades (well, we won't count the severed finger withdrawl of 2011) and came second in his last Iditarod.

Nicolas Petit - Nic hasn't run as many races as he has in seasons past. Some for choice, some because of trucks not wanting to run in the cold. Petit's name was shockingly missing from the winner's finishes this season, and one has to wonder if the King of Mid-Distance's reign is coming to an end. Or, is he taking notes from the others' books and he is focusing more on the Iditarod and his chances to come down Front Street first? Time will tell, but I'm not willing to leave him off the list just yet. Expect to see Petit's classic get out ahead early approach again this year.

*Nic Petit had to WD from the race due to testing positive for Covid. Jeff King will run in his place.

Peter Kaiser - Kaiser's Iditarod ended prematurely last year when his dogs ended up with an illness (as many did in 2021), but they've bounced back this season. Pete has dominated in the mid-distance races taking place this season around Bethel - including regaining his Champion title in the Kusko 300. As long as his team can handle the insanely warm weather of South Central in the first few days of the race, Kaiser's team should be right in the mix for top spots. It truly is only a matter of time before Pete gets his second Iditarod title (and what a story that would be). Kaiser- and really all of the "village teams" are a reminder of Redington Sr.'s true goal for the Iditarod - to keep the mushing lifestyle alive and well in Alaskan villages. Peter Kaiser is one in a long line of those teams and an extremely successful one.

Ryan Redington - Speaking of Joe Redington Sr., his grandson Ryan is running the 50th Iditarod calling it "Redington's Run" (a name with double meaning after Hobo Jim's passing late last year - who penned a song with that title after Redington Sr. passed in 2001). Like Nicolas Petit (and mushers like Martin Buser before them), Redington likes to start fast and push for most of the race, he's deviated from that slightly this season when he pulled the plug early on his race in the John Beargrease. Redington's sole focus this season has been in preparing for the Iditarod. He wants so badly to finally bring a championship to the family name that started it all. That's a lot of pressure for any musher, and time will tell how Ryan handles it.

Travis Beals - Okay, I called this a top ten, but I have eleven names. I can't help myself. There are several names on this list that could probably come off, but I've already done that and you'll see the honorable mentions below. I joke every year that I need to have a top fifteen or a top twenty, that's just proof that mushing has so many strong kennels right now, it's great to see. But, I digrees. Beals is another steady team that is hard not to bet on. Travis has an outside chance of taking the top prize, but that's all it takes - especially in these last few years that strange weather played a huge part in who finished and who didn't. Expect Travis to build a monster of his own - they've certainly proven to be made of tough stuff this season.

And like I said - the honorable mentions. I could have put these names in the "top ten" but I already cheated and snuck an extra name in there. Still, these teams have a really great chance of being top ten.

Jeff Deeter - With all of the snow storms in the interior this year, Deeter's training and race schedule got very skewed. Every time they turned around they were having to dig out their kennel and house. That can possibly affect Jeff's race to Nome, but I expect him to still challenge for the top ten. He's an up and coming team that I expect will be a well known name before too long. He could play a spoiler this year even with all of the issues his winter has given him.

Matt Hall - Matt gave a good chase for Brent Sass in the Alaskan Yukon Quest this year, and should give him and the others just as much fun in the Iditarod. Matt can easily find himself in the top ten if he plays his cards right (see what I did there). The Smokin' Aces dogs are on the right track to take control of the race. 

Matthew Failor - How can anyone leave Failor off of their list - even if just an honorable mention - the man ran last year's Iditarod right before going in for hip replacement surgery. WHAT?! He managed a 21st place finish last year after having to scratch in 2020 when he along with two other teams got stuck in the overflow (just ahead of the famed Elim 11). Don't expect Matthew to sit back and take it easy this year (that was last year's strategy). 

Richie Diehl - I hate leaving him off the list but I already cheated with one of the teams make it a top 11. Richie is another "village musher" who has proven himself and his team. He came in 9th last year and could easily be that or higher this year. Diehl has also had a good race season on the West Coast of Alaska and that could come into handy once he hits the coast.

As always, it's difficult to stick to the 10 and only 10 names. There are so many fantastic teams on the roster year in and year out that it's difficult to not want them all to be crammed into those spots. More and more the passing of the torch seems to have happened - I mean, we don't have Jeff King in this year's race... no Lance Mackey... no Aliy Zirkle. Still, the 50th running of Iditarod is certain to be a memorable one as we watch it play out. Good luck to all 49 teams set to run the race this coming weekend. May the trail be safe and swift, the dogs and mushers all stay healthy... and may they all reach Nome and that burled arch.

Have a favorite team you're hoping to see take the prize? Who are in your top ten(ish)? Comment below with your thoughts and cheers! And, if you like what you see and want to see this blog continue, you can buy me a slice of pizza (that actually goes to internet costs)!

Iditarod 2021 Sign Ups are open

As we watched the world rapidly shut down in March, the 48th running of the Iditarod plugged along through the wilds of Alaska. Somewhat fittingly, the Iditarod became the literal LAST Great Race On Earth. As professional sports are mostly on hold, with many trying to save their seasons with drastic plans of empty stadiums and other social distancing means, the Iditarod is also facing a different world as they gear up for Iditarod 49.

Most Iditarod fans know June signals the start of the new mushing season. The last Saturday in June is typically held for the Iditarod Volunteer Appreciation Picnic and Musher Sign Ups (as well as ITC Elections and Annual Meetings). However, due to the current Covid-19 Pandemic, the Iditarod made an announcement last week that they made the difficult decision to not hold the summer festivities.  Fans and mushers lamented, but ultimately were understanding (to be fair I think most mushers were grateful - being a mostly busy introverted bunch).

With the decision to cancel the Picnic, the Iditarod felt there was no reason to wait until the end of June to start the process of sign ups. They announced late in the week that teams could begin signing up. Along with the changes for June, they also announced a change in the break down of fees and due dates. Because of the lack of revenue most kennels are seeing due to the Covid-19 shelter-in-place mandates (lack of travel means lack of tourists taking rides and touring kennels), the Iditarod has come up with ways to help lessen the financial strain signing up for the thousand mile race puts on kennels.

For teams signing up now through June 27 (what would have been the opening day of sign ups were it not for Covid-19) teams signing up will only pay a $2000 entry fee (a 50% decrease from last year's fee). June 28 - August 31 the entry fee goes up to $3000, and September 1 - November 30 the fee is the standard $4000. Late entries (December - February 12, 2021, discretion by the Iditarod Qualifying Review Board) must pay a $4000 late fee on top of the $4000 entry fee. All applications will be reviewed by the Qualifying Review Board before final approval.

While we're in a wait and see period - as are most mushers, I assume - as to who will sign up, we do know a little information on what the roster should look like in March. Reigning Iditarod Champion Thomas Waerner, who only arrived back in Norway this week after being stuck in Alaska post race due to the Covid-19 shut downs, has already stated to the media he hopes that he and his team will be back in 2021 - depending on travel restrictions. Three-time champ Mitch Seavey announced at the end of the 2020 race that he planned to sit on the sidelines for 2021 (it's not retirement!) and is combining his A-team with son Dallas' A-team to create a SuperTeam "to see what they can do." Dallas, of course, is a four-time Iditarod champion - among other records. Four-time champ Jeff King had to sit out this year's race due to a medical emergency just days before the start, and it's unclear if The King will head down the trail in 2021, but it would be shocking to not see him try to make the start line. It's everyone's guess that we haven't seen the last of four-time Champion Martin Buser either, but it's not for sure until his name is on that list.

Another up in the air former four-time (consecutive!) champion is Lance Mackey. Mackey finished 21st in this year's race, but was DQed in May after drug test results showed he had Methamphetamine in his system. Mackey's family says he is taking the time to focus on his health, and the entire mushing fandom is behind him. One can only hope Mackey can overcome this latest hurdle, but it remains unseen (and possibly unlikely) if he will make the starting line in 2021.

It is unknown when we will start seeing the roster for 2021 live on the Iditarod Website. As of June 6 the musher profiles still list the 2020 teams. However, some teams have taken to social media to let their fans know they've signed up. As of June 6 the known teams are:

Dan Kaduce of Dew Claw Kennel
Ryne Olson of Ryno Sled Dog Kennel
Riley Diche of Dark Horse Racing Kennel
Paige Drobny of Squid Acres Kennel

Hopefully we'll see more names added to the list soon.

Iditarod 2020 Top Ten

Each year it's harder to choose a top ten for the Iditarod, there are so many quality top teams it can be very hard to narrow down who has the best chance. Time and again we see that the slightest blip can control the race. A star lead dog has to go home unplanned. A freak snow storm blows in. A musher cuts their hand or severs their finger... or falls asleep and lets their team take the wrong turn and run the wrong way for over an hour.

It's cliche but the trick to winning the Iditarod is run your race, have everything go right for your plan and have things go wrong with everyone else's. It's not just skill involved, but luck. Weather, trail conditions, it all plays its part and it's completely out of everyone's control. Nearly 50 years into the Last Great Race and even with all of the improvements to training, trail, dog care, equipment... it still comes down to Mother Nature calling the shots.

So which teams have the best shot? It's hard to say, but here are ten that should be right up there.

Aaron Burmeister - Most years I put Burmeister in the "honorable mentions" because he's always a contender, and last year he came in 10th. Burmeister's team is a solid team, and he's a fantastic dog driver. Nome's "hometown hero" would need a lot to go right for him to be the top team to finish, but it's not too much of a stretch to see him challenge for that title. Deeper snow trails seem to be a game changer for Burmeister, and Alaska has had a fairly decent snow season. Expect Burmeister to hang back a bit until the halfway mark before turning up the speed.

To learn more about Aaron Burmeister check out his Iditarod Bio, and Facebook.

Aliy Zirkle - The overwhelming fan favorite, and for good reason, Aliy Zirkle is still a top ten team. Though her best finishes came in 2012-2014, she has consistently been top 10 for the last ten years. She is one of the few mushers to never have a scratch to their name since starting her first Iditarod 19 years ago. As has been her team's schedule, they once again ran the Yukon Quest with Aliy's husband Allen Moore and placed a very respectable 4th on a very difficult trail. Aliy CAN go all the way and make it first to Nome. Is this the dog team to run her there? Time will tell.

You can learn more about Aliy and SPKennel through her Iditarod Bio, Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Jessie Royer - I have to apologize to Jessie for counting her out last year. Royer was the first woman to Nome last year coming in third behind Pete Kaiser and Joar Leifseth Ulsom. Royer is a solid dog musher, and even though she didn't hit any of the big races in Alaska this season until Iditarod, she's not sat back and let everyone else have all the fun. Jessie just won Race to the Sky in Montana - again - and is no doubt on the road to Alaska to get the team acclimated for their 10 day trek across the state. Do not be surprised if Royer once again is one of the top teams in Iditarod.

To learn more about Jessie view her Iditarod Bio, Website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Joar Leifseth Ulsom - The 2018 Iditarod Champion narrowly missed out on his second title last March, coming in just twelve minutes after Champion Pete Kaiser. Joar has run the Iditarod 7 times and has NEVER BEEN LOWER THAN 7TH. He is one of the safest bets to make the top ten, and the silent threat for first. Joar's team isn't *slow and steady* but they definitely give off that vibe of quiet calm. Look for Joar to make his move once they hit the coast.

You can learn more about Joar from his Iditarod Bio, Website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Michelle Phillips - She was just 4 hours behind Brent Sass in the 2020 Yukon Quest, and for most of the race had people convinced she'd come out the winner. Phillips did not run last year, opting instead to cheer her husband Ed Hopkins along his first Iditarod. She's not cracked the top ten in Iditarod, but that could very well change this year. The only question is if her dogs have enough rest on them after a very challenging Quest.

To learn more about Michelle and the dogs of Tagish Lake Kennel visit her Iditarod Bio, Website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Mitch Seavey - The three-time Iditarod Champion (and record holder for fastest time and oldest champion) had a bit of a difficult race last year and ended up 9th after several wins in the top 3 over the last few years. The second generation Iditarod musher (his dad, Dan, is one of the original Iditarod mushers known as the Trailbreakers who helped to start the race) is your classic dog musher... but he's also proven you can teach an "old dog new tricks" and that's why he's finding himself consistently vying for the title - keeping all the "young guns" at bay. Don't expect this year to be any different. He's in it to win.

You can find Mitch all over the internet, check out his Iditarod Bio, Website, Facebook, Tour Facebook, Instagram, Tour Instagram, and Twitter.

Nicolas Petit - This guy's only real kryptonite seems to be the run from Shaktoolik to Kaltag. Nic has easily taken the lead for most of the last three Iditarods only to have something go wrong as he heads up the coast. In 2018 he got lost following the wrong markers, and ended up losing his lead to Joar Leifseth Ulsom. Last year his dogs altogether stopped in the same section, and Nic suspects they had remembered too much of what had happened in '18 and didn't want to repeat it so they sat down. Nic has had a far easier race schedule than in previous years as well, so maybe 2020 is his year?

To learn more about Nic and "the kids" visit his Iditarod Bio, Website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Pete Kaiser - The reigning Iditarod Champion is still riding high after making history in 2019. Pete also regained his Kusko 300 Champion title after losing it to Matthew Failor last year. Last year I made the statement that it wasn't a question of if Pete would win the Iditarod but when... and so it was not surprising to see him running first down Front Street in a snow and windstorm in Nome. It's hard enough winning the Iditarod more than once, back to back is an even bigger challenge, but Pete has a solid team and a good strategy. It would not be surprising.

To learn more about Peter Kaiser check out his Iditarod Bio, Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Ramey Smyth - Can I just point out that Ramey beat Mitch in last year's Iditarod? Smyth is known for his fast finishes, and is a force out on the trail. He charged up the trail nearly catching Dallas Seavey and Aliy Zirkle in 2012, and he seemingly came out of nowhere to do it. While we shouldn't expect him to do that again and win, do not count this team out ever. Even when the race starts off on the wrong foot, Ramey pulls it together like no other. Expect him near the top again. (Oh and he's another one of those 2nd generation mushers, his dad ran the first Iditarod, his mother ran in the 2nd Iditarod!)

To find out more about Smyth check out his Iditarod Bio, and Facebook.

Travis Beals - The last two years Travis has been in the top 10, and if you go by the pattern you could maybe thing he will be in the top 3 this year as he seems to be improving his placement with that big a leap each year. There's a reason why they named their kennel "Turning Heads". Travis' goal from the start was to be one of the top kennels in the world, and he's well on his way. It will be interesting to see what 2020 has in store for Beals.

To learn more about Travis and Turning Heads Kennel read his Iditarod Bio, Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.



But I can't stop at 10. The field is so deep there are so many incredible teams, and the littlest things on the trail can turn the race on its head. So let me give you five "honorable mentions" who could really blow apart the predictions above.

Jeff King - It's hard not having King in the top 10, and he's my best bet to actually be one of the "honorables" to crack the top 10 and even challenge for the lead. 4-Time Iditarod Chamion Jeff King was a late entry for this year's race due to his not being sure he'd be recovered from shoulder(?) surgery in time for training and the race. Everything seems to be going well, and King entered a couple of mid-distance races and did quite well. It's hard to say where Jeff will end up, but I don't expect him to be out of the top 20.

You can read more about Jeff and the Husky Homestead from his Iditarod Bio, Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Matthew Failor - The 2019 Kuskokwim Champion didn't crack the top 10 in the 2019 Iditarod, but that doesn't mean he isn't on the upswing. Many teams had their race slow when the snow storm blew in as they ran up the coast, and he still managed a top 20 finish. He's yet to crack the top ten, but he's gotten close a few times. He could sneak in this year.

To learn more about Matthew Failor and his dogs, check out his Iditarod Bio, Website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Paige Drobny - Not going to lie, I'm starting to feel like I should put Paige in the top 10. She's another one that could definitely jump to the top this year, or any year. The Top Dawg at Squid Acres Kennel, Paige came in seventh in the 2019 Iditarod and it would not be surprising to see here there again - it's just such a competitive field it's hard to know just who will rise above the rest. The dogs of Squid Acres managed a third place finish in the Yukon Quest with Cody Strathe, so this could be another year Drobny is top 10.

To learn more about Paige and the dogs of Squid Acres click on her Iditarod Bio, Website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Richie Diehl - Diehl nearly chased down Matt Failor in the 2020 Kusko 300, barely missing out on a second place finish. Diehl is another Western Alaska musher who has really made a mark on the sport of long distance mushing. In 2018 Richie managed a top 10 finish and barely missed out on the top 10 last year. Like Drobny he should probably be in the top 10 predictions, but the field is so strong that some mushers just ended up down here because there wasn't room!

To learn more about Richie you can check out his Iditarod Bio, and Facebook.

Wade Marrs - Stump Jumpin' Kennel has three top ten finishes under their belt, but Wade's last two Iditarods have been especially tough. He was unable to complete the 2018 Iditarod, scratching on the Coast, and last year's difficult trail saw the team finish in 14th. However, Wade could very well break the top 10 again with his team. Wade grew up watching and learning from many of the best dog drivers, and has applied all he's learned to his own kennel. He was president of the Iditarod Finisher's Club, and is very active with the continued positive advancement of the sport.

To learn more about Wade Marrs visit his Iditarod Bio, Website, Facebook, and Instagram.


As I noted, this field is incredibly strong. There are other names like Brent Sass, Jeff Deeter, Jessie Holmes, Kelly Maixner, Jason Campeau, Linwood Fielder, and Ryan Redington (to name a few) could easily blow apart these predictions. So much of it comes down not only to talent and experience but luck of the bib draw, the weather, etc. Every little factor becomes a big factor in how this all shakes out. No matter what, this is looking to be an incredibly challenging and exciting race and I'm here for it. Are you?

Comment below with your thoughts, who are YOUR top ten and how do you choose? Are you running a Fantasy Mushing team? Let me know your hopes for this year's Iditarod in the comment section below.

Mitch Seavey "takes his hat off (quickly)" to Copper Basin Finishers

Mitch Seavey was the latest musher to take to Facebook following his scratch from the Copper Basin 300. Temperatures averaged in the -40s all weekend on the trail, and reports had the second checkpoint on the trail hovering at -60. While 13 teams have managed to make it to the Chistochina checkpoint - the final stop before the finish - 15 teams so far have scratched. Seven teams are still racing, six have come into the finish.


"It was -44 F. at the start of the Copper Basin Sled Dog Race," Mitch wrote. "At the first checkpoint, 75 miles into the race, it was -52 and -60 at Sourdough, the next checkpoint. We (Hal Hanson with second team) scratched from the race out of concern for frostbite to the dogs. Personally, I was quite comfortable, considering the temperature. I’ve been experimenting with some new gear and called it a success, especially heated insoles in my boots! Using contact lenses for the first time avoided frozen glasses – another plus."
Several teams chose to scratch at Point Lake after hearing reports of the temperatures dropping so low, including Iditarod and Quest veteran Michelle Phillips. 
Mitch continued, "Caring for dogs in cold temperatures is a challenge. Booties, coats, leggings, male wraps, flank protectors and more are deployed. As long as the team keeps eating well, cold temperatures are manageable, unless something goes awry, such as a wrap or protector getting dislodged, urine-soaked or snow-filled. Then a problem can develop quickly.
Cold can also be depressing to the dogs. More than ever, they rely on their musher to set a positive tone and mood, and as long as we project joy and optimism, they will join in the festivities. But extreme cold can be depressing to humans, too."
Weather, and especially temperatures are always a huge factor in races. Mushers have to take into account what their dogs are capable of, and what they're prepared for. 
"The first time I won the Copper Basin Race was in 1997. Warm temperatures as high as 48 F. stopped teams as they waited for cooler evening temperatures. I kept going, developed a big lead, and won the race. I was criticized and even dissed by the race marshal at the finisher’s banquet for running when it was, “too hot” and for taking a “big risk.”
I shrugged. “Apparently, it wasn’t too hot,” I said flatly, as I took the check and sat down. Today, 50 F. is a common cut-off temperature for teams doing long runs, especially in fall training."
Ultimately, Mitch chose to do what was best for his team on the day of decision. That does not mean it was the right decision for another team.
He concluded, "Techniques, gear, experience and even the dogs themselves continue to improve as the years go by and conquering extremes is at the heart of sports. At 60 below my hat’s off (and back on quickly) to the teams who reached their goals in the 2020 Copper Basin. If I’d been carrying the diphtheria serum to Nome, I would have gone on. But geesh, I was just hoping for a nice training run! Congratulations finishers."
Hal Hanson's next race will be the Willow 300 on January 30. Mitch Seavey's next race will be the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race set for March 7. 

Iditarod 47 - Top Ten

As the clock winds down ever closer to the start of the 47th Iditarod, thoughts are turning to who will become the next champion. The pool is growing larger for potential champions. Knowing who is going to take the top prize is more difficult every year. In fact, this year's top ten is really a top fifteen since I just can't seem to narrow it down further. So, yeah, I have a few honorable mentions.

Top Ten

Aliy Zirkle - SPKennel's top dawg, Zirkle is the 2000 Yukon Quest Champion who has been so close to the Iditarod Championship she could taste it. Aliy is everyone's favorite. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone - fan or competitor - who could say a bad thing about her. But enough about why we all love Aliy. She is a true dog woman. Her dogs just ran the Quest with her husband Allen Moore and gave it a good go, but tapered off during the final push. Aliy's team struggled last year during the Iditarod when a storm blew in early on in the race and she finished out of the top ten. That being said, I'm not ready to count Aliy out yet, and last year's finish might be the push she needs to come back "with a vengence".

Jeff King - King is a four-time Iditarod champion who is still gunning for another. While his fellow four-timers seem to have conceded that the race has changed since they won their races, Jeff hasn't given up on the illusive number five. King was just hours away from number five in 2014 when a storm blew him off course and he was forced to scratch. Jeff has proven that he is willing to take chances, but not ones that will do wrong by his dogs. He's an old hat at this race, and that experience comes in handy. His dogs come from a long line of champions. Everything is there to come together, the problem is that a lot of other teams have grown up studying "the winningest musher" and now he has more teams threatening to dethrone him. I was *this close* in bumping him down, but you can't count out Mr. The King.

Jessie Holmes - Many counted out the rookie last year, chalking him up as nothing more than a reality TV star, but Holmes came to play. He not only won Rookie of the Year, he broke the top ten. Jessie's got speed on his side, and he has the right kind of ego to get him to the finish in first. He definitely believes in himself and his dogs. But ego is most definitely a two edged sword and it can cloud judgement. Push too soon and the dogs will slow on the coast. They did incredibly well last year, but a storm helped a lot keeping many of the veteran teams at a slower pace. It will be interesting to see what Jessie Holmes and team will be capable of this year.

Joar Leifseth Ulsom - Can Joar repeat? Repeat wins are difficult. Even if every dog is the same, the elements and trail change from hour to hour and there is no guarantee that you will have even close to the race you had last time. Joar quickly climbed the standings in his Iditarod career, now he has to maintain. That's hard to do in any sport, and especially in dog mushing. Joar had the perfect storm blow in to help him advance to the number one spot. I don't expect Nicolas Petit to lose the trail on the Norton Sound again. If Joar wants to become a repeat champion he is going to have to stay within striking distance and have enough gas in the tank to jump out ahead when the time is right.

Matt Hall - It's kind of mind boggling that this will only be Matt's third Iditarod, but the 2017 Yukon Quest Champion has made sure to keep his name in the running for top ten. He nearly missed out on a top ten finish last year, and was on his way to a strong lead in this year's Yukon Quest when he was sidelined (by choice) waiting for a diagnosis of one of his dogs (doggie cancer sucks). Even with having to make up quite a bit of time, Hall managed a very respectable fifth place finish on one of the most difficult Quests in memory. It is completely within reason to see Matt make the top ten, and I wager he could very easily challenge for first.

Mitch Seavey - "Da Man" or "Old Man" Seavey, depending on who you talk to, has found the fountain of youth and has kept many of the young guns at bay in the last 7 years. The Three-Time Iditarod champion has proven time and again that you can teach the... once around the block... guy new tricks. Master strategist, dog man, and just all around expert - you just don't want to count him out. But, like Zirkle, Mitch can sometimes be the "weak link", but more recently he has worked to improve his athletic ability to be able to do more behind the sled than we're used to seeing. I don't expect him to pull out the tricks from Dallas's books and run sprints up mountains with the team, but don't be shocked to see Mitch not only keeping up but surpassing known fast teams. It's all about "building the monster" as they say.

Nicolas Petit - Someone is starting to gain somewhat of a comical reputation as one who is directionally challenged. Last year Petit was solidly in the lead when he took a wrong turn during the run across the Norton Sound, he lost not only valuable time, but the extra work the dogs ended up dealing with as they backtracked slowed his team. The misstep cost him the win. He's had a few misdirections in several of his mid-distance races this season. Whether it's a loss of focus, or flat out being asleep, or something else - who knows. But it doesn't take much guessing to know that Nicolas is going to run this Iditarod like he has something to prove. Expect Nicolas to get up in front early and fight hard to stay there.

Peter Kaiser - The four-time Kusko 300 champion missed out on a fifth title this season, but not for lack of trying. Kaiser managed a fifth place finish in last year's Iditarod which threw many curveballs at the teams crossing the thousand miles of Alaskan wilderness. One of the strongest Western Alaska teams, Kaiser has steadily climbed the rankings and is poised to do well yet again. It's not a matter of if Kaiser will be an Iditarod champion, it's when. His dogs have it in them, and so does he, but just like all the other champions that have gone before, everything has to go very right for them, and other teams have to have something go wrong. Kaiser has the tools.

Travis Beals - This is another pick that I went back and forth on. When Travis is on, he is very very good, other times he's middle of the pack. Beals had a decent season again this year, and looks to have a solid team. Travis did very well in last year's snowmageddon Iditarod, so one would expect it to go well again this year. He is determined, and it would not be a surprise to see him crack the top ten again.

Wade Marrs - After last year's disappointing race where he scratched on the coast, Marrs is back and should be a contender. The face of Stump Jumpin' Kennel and the former ITC Musher Board Representative, Wade is one of the most exciting "up and coming" (though after this many years, is he really still up and coming?) teams. Marrs trained with some of the best in the sport while in the junior ranks, and he's shown to be a pretty quick study when it comes to racing against some of the best in Iditarod. While using his own methods, Marrs has picked up a few tricks watching how Dallas Seavey races Iditarod, and it's no wonder his schedule seems to match up with those of the Seavey teams. It will be interesting to see how a healthy Wade matches up with the pack this go around.


Dark Horses

I couldn't stop at 10. Honestly there's at least 15 teams that could easily be top ten depending on circumstance. This is a highly competitive field and it's exciting to see. So I have been stressing all week trying to justify my picks, and I can't so I'm adding a few more who could easily make it into the top ten.

Aaron Burmeister - No stranger to Iditarod, Burmeister has knocked on the door to the title for many years now. His short-lived retirement(s) proved that he isn't quite able to give up the dogs or the lifestyle. For some, the race just gets inside them and they have to continue on. Each time Burmeister comes back, he reminds everyone just how good he is. Last year he came 12th, in 2015 he was third. He has a very good chance of breaking into the top ten again. He just has to play his cards right.

Jessie Royer - I really wanted to put her in my top ten, but something tells me this is not her year. Jessie ran the Yukon Quest earlier this month, and she had a rough go of it. Not sure if it was just the extreme negative temperatures (likely) or if this is a team rebuilding year. So I have her as a dark horse this year. I'd love for her to wreck my top ten and make a high placement (or a win), but I'm going to hedge my bets on her.

Matthew Failor - Mattew just beat out Pete Kaiser last month in the Kuskokwim 300, a race Pete pretty much owns. A former handler for four-time Iditarod Champion Martin Buser before striking out on his own with his own team of dogs. It hasn't taken him long to become a true contender. The Kusko is just the first stepping stone on the way to the top. His race this year will be fun to watch as it plays out.

Ramey Smyth - One of the best finishers in the business, you don't want to ever have a Smyth team running up behind you. Ramey has come close to beating out champions in the past, and is always knocking on the door. In so many ways it feels like he should have "Iditarod Champion" next to his name, but he hasn't quite found the magic for it to happen. Still, don't be surprised to see his name creep up the standings, especially once his team hits the coast. Then all bets are off.






Thoughts on who might take the prize this year? Who do you have in your top ten? Comment below!

Weekly Mushing News Round Up (Oct 21)

Yet another week has passed, and fewer and fewer leaves remain on the trees. Snow has been reported in the interior and more northern parts of Alaska. Dryland races - which seem to be more mud than dry land - are winding down. Folks are getting snow tires on their vehicles. Some swear they can smell snow in the air. Me? I'm just wishing this rain would turn to snow so I can see the moose while driving at night. Right now they just pop out of the dark and by the time they're seen it's too late. Not fun!

If you're looking ahead to Iditarod and possibly traveling from wherever you are to the start (or finish) of the Last Great Race's 47th installment - you may find my new series "IditaGetAway" to your liking. Shameless plug, I know, but I started it this week so I'm going to say that it counts as mushing news. Hoping to have the series continue through at least December - there's so much info to discuss! Fingers crossed I can stay organized and motivated. If you have any questions, tips, or suggestions for the series let me know, I want to hit as many topics within the subject as possible!

One of Alaska's premier sled dog photographers, Laurent Dick, shared a photo this week on facebook showing Father-Son mushing duo Ketil & Martin Reitan running his team on snow outside of Kaktovik. They are the only mushers to mush HOME from Iditarod (not counting teams that live in Nome), it takes them a month to return via dog sled. Adventurers the both of them, they are signed up to run the 2019 Yukon Quest.


So, like I said, it's been pretty wet this October... all over Alaska. Iditarod musher Cindy Abbott shared a photo from training this week where it looks like everyone should've been wearing swimming wear! I guess she can chalk this up as some open water training with the dogs, but dang if it isn't nasty wet out on the trails. Cindy also shared a look at what the pups eat for snacks out on the trail. Salmon that goes for a pretty penny in the states (and even here in Alaska) is chopped up for a quick and healthy snack while dogs are training (and racing). Pretty crazy, eh?



Mitch Seavey broke the golden rule of picking favorites and shared a photo and a bit of a brag on one of his up and coming super stars named Echo. This dog must be special if Mitch takes the time to give him a shout out on social media!


Are you a teacher who uses the Iditarod Education program in your classroom? Ever wonder what it takes to be the "teacher on the trail" or where the Iditarod gets its curriculum ideas from?! Well, they're looking for their next Teacher for the 2020 Iditarod - Applications are due Dec 1. Hurry up and apply.


Dennis Kananowicz - Outlaw Dog Racing - shared some photos of training and the pros/cons of this fall's weather. Looks like they had a semi-decent day weather wise.


Another musher who was sure they were done with long distance mushing announced Friday that he was wrong. Charley Bejna is once again signed up for Iditarod! Charley made the following statement on his social media page:

"Even though I said I wasn’t going to sign up for another Iditarod, today Brown and I took a ride to headquarters to sign up for the 2019 Iditarod. It would be hard to not compete in the race as I enjoy working with my dogs and traveling across the state to Nome. Everything we do in life is a challenge and this is definitely a big one for me, especially with my diabetes. I will continue to raise awareness for diabetes as it’s a disease that is affecting myself and others on a daily basis. I will also be having a (CGM) continuous glucose monitor that will help me control my blood sugars along the race. I’m very excited to try this and see how it does in the extreme conditions. Thank you to all the sponsors, new sponsors and the support that everyone gives to the dogs and myself."

Brett Bruggenan also signed up to run next year's Iditarod, bringing the total teams signed up for Iditarod 2019 to 38 with just a month and half left before registration closes.


Willow Dog Mushing Association hosted a vaccine clinic for anyone needing to get their pets updated on the rabies vaccine (cats and dogs). Mary Helwig shared this humorous story about one of her dogs that was not so eager to be stuck with a needle.


The Berington Twins - Kristy & Anna - and the dogs of Seeing Double Kennels are stars of a short movie titled Sixty-Three Dog Night. Showing why girls rock, Anna and Kristy share their love for their dogs and their sport - and how Female Mushers are a cut above the rest. Girls kick butt!


Jessi Downey's kennel, Aimaagvik (Inupiaq word for "Home") Kennel, shared a few photos this week of their pups having fun while the musher was away. Happy, healthy dogs is what we like to see!


I get asked about podcasts to listen to - this one is kind of fun. One of Iditarod's former teachers on the trail has come up with a podcast that is run by herself and her students. Each episode is an interview with a different person involved in mushing/the Iditarod.


The UP200 has opened its registration. They announced the first two teams signed up, and reminded mushers looking at sign ups that they have a chance to win part of their entry fee back if they sign up by November 1.


Gotta love musher humor. This photo coming from a team in New Hampshire.


Matt Hall shared a little bit about sled dog foot care and the costs associated with making sure all of the dogs' feet are well cared for and bootied.


Rob Cooke has been on the trail with his team daily, and they've encountered some semi frozen water that the dogs are learning to avoid or at least listen to their musher when he tells them not to run over it.


And Quince Mountain shared some video today of Blair Braverman - who will run her rookie Iditarod this coming March. The team still running on their trails at home, not yet on their way to Alaska to train for the winter. Most teams will continue to train with ATVs until December - or whenever a lot of snow packs the trails and it is safe to run with traditional sleds.

Training run with Addison @addisonbrothers and @blair https://t.co/0zawj7CBqm

— Rugged Art Cowboy (@QuinceMountain) October 21, 2018

Weekly Mushing News Round Up (Sept 21)

Martin Buser and team at the ReStart of the 46th running of the Iditarod.
March 4, 2018 - Willow, Alaska.

Just going to share a few fun items today as well as some movie news - there is now a website (that I'm not involved with) that is working on "mushing news" and it's run by someone a little more dialed into the politics of the sport than I am. I don't want to step on toes, but I'll continue to do the round up of social media finds and big news.

If you've been around the Iditarod mushing scene for any length of time you know that the mushers all typically get along even when there are fierce rivalries and intense differences of opinion. Dogs, though, bring all of these personalities together and they get along more than they don't. Two old dogs who have rival kennels and tour businesses seem to have a lot of fun at each other's expense. Jeff King and Mitch Seavey shared a good laugh this week.


Yukon Quest champion Matt Hall shared some puppy sweetness on facebook today. Who wants to cuddle? I volunteer as tribute!

Squid Acres took to the interwebs to find a handler, interested in working with one of the top female mushers in the sport right now? Head on over and apply. (This is not an endorsement, simply informational.)


The Kusko 300 is doing something right when it comes to filling its purse for the race. They announced their breakdown online for their three race classes, a full breakdown will be available closer to race time. The numbers are impressive considering the Iditarod can't seem to keep the numbers steady... unless you count the steady decline. Iditarod powers that be have blamed loss of sponsors and monies on the animal rights groups, but other races seem to be thriving and get just as much flack from the terror groups. Just an interesting observation.


The Finnmarkslopet has opened up registration for all of its race classes. So far 57 teams total will run the 500, 1200, and junior races. No Americans or Canadians appear on the roster, and of the 57 teams that are signed up, 30 of them are rookies. There's still time to enter, and with Dallas Seavey having had such a good time in this year's race, it wouldn't be surprising to see another team try their luck. Seavey said after the race this year that he would be back, but that they'd probably not be able to make the trek back so soon. Seavey is not signed up for Iditarod which runs during the same time frame, and has not really spoken publicly of his race plans for the coming season. His name has yet to appear on any roster in Alaska.

Dallas Seavey has racked up a few airmiles lately, having made several trips over to Norway to give talks and run dogs over the summer and fall. He finished up an event earlier this month with current Iditarod Champion Joar Liefseth Ulsom that apparently was well received. If you attended, comment below and let me know how it went.


I found out about a neat opportunity for troubled youth in the Fairbanks area. Had no idea that this organization existed. I wish there was a program down on the Peninsula. Our kids could really use something like this.

So I just found out about @noble_paws organization that helps promote confidence and positive mental health to those in need by teaching them how to run a dog team. How cool?! https://t.co/4OI0ofElSu#MusherTwitter pic.twitter.com/3ws4ijCasN

— Toni Reitter (@tonichelleak) September 16, 2018

Lisbet Norris' kennel had a great training run today. Gotta love those happy, muddy faces.


Iditarod rookie (come March) Blair Braverman came up with a brilliant grading system on sled dog softness this week. She graded most of her dogs in her dog yard. It's very scientific. If you have time, read her twitter thread on the subject (or even if you just like pictures of happy sled dogs, she's got lots).

We all know that the sled dogs are super-athletes with a keen sense of adventure, family loyalty, and courage beyond belief.

But did you know they’re also soft? pic.twitter.com/H9V97ZMYg5

— Blair Braverman (@BlairBraverman) September 20, 2018

Last, but not least, Disney is currently in production for a new film about Leonhard Seppala and Togo and the story of the Serum Run. Willem Dafoe stars as Seppala. It's currently filming in Alberta, Canada (cheaper than coming to Alaska now that we no longer have tax incentives for Hollywood big budget movies, don't get me started). Martin Buser announced via facebook this week that he has been called upon to be the expert on set. His race team will be brought to him later this year so that he can continue to train for Iditarod 2019. He does not, at this time, plan to not run the 47th running of the Last Great Race. The movie is set to premiere on Disney's new streaming service they plan to have up and running next year. The movie does not have a release date yet. Here's hoping this is better than Spielberg/Dreamworks' animated film Balto which had so many historical inaccuracies it makes you cry. Then again, Disney did no better around the same time with their version of Pocahontas' history, so... we'll have to wait and see which version of Togo we get.


And that's a basic rundown of what was interesting in the world of mushing this week. Let me know what you think about this and whatever else is on your mind by leaving a comment or two.