MARCH 15, 2022 UNALAKLEET, SHAKTOOLIK, KOYUK, ELIM, WHITE MOUNTAIN, SAFETY, NOME

 MARCH 15, 2022. FROM UNALAKLEET TO NOME

WE HAVE A WINNER-42 year old BRENT SASS.   👋👍He trotted into NOME at 5:38 AST tues after 8 days 14 hours 38 minutes and 43 seconds. Yelling "good dogs, good dogs" just before going under the burled arch in NOME. "I'm tired" he said. He came in with 11 dogs and maintained the lead these last few days. He said "It's a dream come true" and" I am super, super, super proud of my dogs."He had raised all these dogs from pups working towards this goal the entire time. He received a "BIG" check for $50K. Not bad.

BRENT is from EUREKA, AK living on a homestead--remote area-- about 150 miles from FAIRBANKS and 30 miles from any community. He originally came from MINNESOTA and came to ALASKA in 1998 for college in FAIRBANKS ( my school as well) where he skied competitively. 

BRENT had 3rd place finish in 2021, his best results since his first race in 2012 where he finished 13th and was the rookie of the year. 

His Dad, MARK SASS, was at the burled arch in NOME to welcome him with a big hug. BRENT sporting ice in his beard and a huge grin! He is a "dog man" said his Father. 4 of his dogs in this team had never been to NOME. His leaders STATER and MORELL named from the characters in the '93 film "Dazed and Confused" and Netflix show "Orange is the New Black"

His most formidable opponent, in second place,  35 year old Dallas Seavey. He had 7 dogs in harness at this time and was 1 hour and 8 minutes behind BRENT. DALLAS' Dad, Mitch Seavey, is a 3 X champ and is racing this year. His Grandfather DAN ran his 1st race , Iditarod, in 1973. A win for DALLAS would have given him the record for the most wins. Now he plans to step back from the race after this year.

The next teams will begin to arrive in NOME this evening. 

FEW FYI's-LISBET NORRIS is the only one to race Siberian husky's. She believes they are very versatile and hard working They are beautiful dogs. Check the picture on the next page. 

JEFF KING, another champ and racing this year, said it gets more difficult with age, others make it look easy, IT IS NOT!!!

If you go to Facebook Iditarod you may be able to see some video's. 

Pictures of BRENT coming into NOME, receiving his $50K check and posing with his leaders, Stater and Morello. Ending with an aurora that someone asked for. 

CONGRATULATION BRENT and TEAM. A JOB WELL DONE!!