Jessie Holmes Wins Iditarod for 2nd Year in a Row

0:00In Birmingham, it's March 19th. Here's what is happening. Jesse Holmes, an Odinville native, has won the I Didorod Dog sled race for the second year in a row. The grueling 1,000-mile trek across Alaska ended Tuesday night in Nome, where he crossed the finish line after 9 days, 7 hours, and 32 minutes with his team of 12 dogs. The race kicked off March 8th in Willow, after a ceremonial start in Anchorage the day before. Mushers face two mountain ranges, the frozen Yukon River, and tricky ice on the bearing sea, testing both human and canine endurance. Holmes celebrated by pumping his fist to the cheering crowd, and his dogs chow down on meat right after. He praised lead dog Zeus for handling nearly every run, and veteran polar for powering through the final stretch with real grid. A former star on the reality show, Life Below Zero, Holmes is just the third musher in 54 years to repeat as champion immediately after his first win.

1:01He's finished in the top 10, 7 times, and 9 starts, including top 5, the last 5 races. Meanwhile, this year's field had 34 competitive musher's, one of the smallest ever. Officials reported one dog death on the trail, within the crops he planned, amid ongoing debates about the race's challenges. Holmes eyes a third straight victory next year. Dean in is brought to you by our sponsor. No need to switch positions. The sound is already where your head is. S-O-L-I-S-O-L-P-L-O dot com.