As the Iditarod Nation awaits the crowning of the 2026 Iditarod champion, all eyes are on Jessie Holmes. He’s made it through the infamous Blow Hole and he’s passed by the Nome Kennel Club Safety Cabin without needing shelter. He’s fast approaching Safety. He’ll check in then depart to climb Cape Nome and the end will be insight. Somewhere along the route, he’ll be handed his bib and given a hand getting it on over his parka. With less than half a mile to go Holmes will leave the Bering Sea for Front Street. The fire siren will have sounded and a squad car will be waiting to escort him to the burled arch and his second consecutive victory, assuming all goes according to his plan.
Holmes has been dreaming about this moment since last year. He’s wanted to join a very small club that currently has just two members, Susan Butcher and Lance Mackey. Susan and Lance are the only two mushers who have followed a first win with a second win in consecutive years.
For Susan it was in 1986 and 1987. She then followed that with her third win in 1988. For Lance it was 2007 and 2008 followed by third and fourth consecutive wins in 2009 and 2010. Will Jessie think seriously about adding more wins to his string should he win tonight? Most likely.
Of course there have been others who have had consecutive wins, but only Susan and Lance have consecutive first and second wins. Dallas has 3 – 2014, 2015 & 2016 with his first in 2012, Doug Swingley has 3 – 1999, 2000 & 2001 with his first in 1995, Rick Swenson has 2 – 1981 and 1982 with his first in 1977.
Enjoy the photos of Jessie taken by Siri Raitto and David Poyzer in Unalakleet and the Blueberry Hills en route to Shaktoolik.
