Jessie Holmes Leads Iditarod, Seeks Back-to-Back Title

0:00You're listening to Anchorage News today, powered by the Daily News Now. Defending Champion Jesse Holmes is leading the 2026 I Didaroud Trail sled dog race after becoming the first mushroom to reach the Koyuk. Checkpoint just after 7.30 a.m. on Monday. His team, called Team Can Stop, has held the front spot for much of this 1,000-mile journey across Alaska, putting him in position to join. Just five others who have won back-to-back titles, with the last repeat coming a decade ago. Other top contenders, like Pays' Drobney from Canwell and veteran Travis Beals, are close behind in trading positions as they balance runs with rest. Stops. From Koyuk, it's about 90 miles to White Mountain, where every team must take an 8-hour layover, and the leader coming out of there usually. Takes the victory. A frontrunner could hit the finish line in Nome, as soon as Tuesday afternoon. Holmes, on his 9th I Didaroud, credits his dog strong performance to smart feeding with beef, fat, and kibble, which keeps their energy high, and attitudes positive.

1:03The Alabama native, who appeared on the reality show, Life Below Zero, and earned Rookie of the Year in 2018, called this the best team he's ever had, with dolls howling eagerly at every stop. Racers have faced tough conditions so far, including bison on the trail, overflow water, and wind chills down to 45 below zero. Only one competitive musher, Rookie J. Fousher, has scratched, citing brutal early terrain. Meanwhile, 35 teams remain on course, stressed over more than 150 miles as of midday Monday. After White Mountain, it's 77 miles to the finish under the Burrowed Arch, potentially taking 9-12 hours for the leaders. The Daily News Now is powered by our sponsor. What is cooler than cool? A pillow that plays your sound. S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com