Bob James of GCI Presents the GCI Dorothy G. Page Award to Brent Sass at Cripple (Photo by Insider)

Veteran musher Brent Sass (bib #27), of Eureka, Alaska, is the first musher to reach the Cripple checkpoint, the halfway point of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Sass arrived at 3:50 p.m. with 13 dogs in harness.

By arriving first in Cripple, Sass wins the Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award, and has a choice of either $3,000 in gold nuggets or a smartphone with a year of free GCI mobile service.

The halfway award honors the late “Mother of the Iditarod,” Dorothy G. Page. The trophy, which is made of Alaska birch and marble and features a photo of Page, remains year-round at Iditarod headquarters.  The award was presented to Sass under the Cripple Banner by Bob James of GCI.

“As the official technology partner of the Iditarod, we are proud to power one of the most historic sporting events in Alaska,” said GCI Contributions and Events Senior Manager Megan Mazurek. “This race travels through some of the most remote terrain in our state, which we understand very well as GCI works to close the digital divide in rural Alaska. Through our partnership with the Iditarod, we understand how much fans and our neighbors around Alaska really rely on GCI’s statewide network. Congratulations, Brent Sass!”

Brent Sass Rests Between Nicolai and McGrath (Photo by Insider)

Sass has completed Iditarod five times.  He earned rookie of the year honors in 2012 finishing in 13th place.  He has two top 10 finishes – 4th in 2020 and 3rd in 2021.  He is a three time 1000 Yukon Quest Champion – 2015, 2019 and 2020.  He’s been honored with the Yukon Quest Humanitarian award in 2015 and 2019.  Brent’s kennel, Wild and Free Mushing, is located in Eureka, Alaska.

Previously Brent has earned the GCI Dorothy G. Page Halfway Award in 2020 on the northern route and in 2021 on the southern route.  Both times he opted for the gold over the phone.  Will this third time be the charm and take him to Nome as the Champion?

Upon receiving the award from Bob James of GCI, Sass thanked GCI for their support of the race as well as the mushers.  Between the phone and service for a year or $3,000 in gold nuggets, Brent chose the gold.  James had the gold in a bright neon yellow bootie, similar to those Sass uses.  James also had a dog bowl and dumped the gold nuggets into the dish.  Sass left the gold with the GCI guy for safe keeping.  It will be represented to Sass in Nome.

About his love for mushing Sass says, “Getting to know each dog’s behavior and personality is what makes dog mushing such an adventure.  Every day is exciting whether it is traveling on a new trail of learning something new about the dogs.”