Brent Sass Scratches in Eagle Island with Medical Issues (Photo: David Poyzer)
As we comprehend the news of Brent Sass scratching at Eagle Island for health reasons, twelve teams have departed Eagle Island (mile 592) for Kaltag (mile 652). Front runners – Redington, Diehl, Kaiser, Holmes, Maixner, Porsild and Failor are all moving at more than 8 mph. These colder temperatures and light winds are favorable for the dogs and trail conditions.
The press release about Sass scratching read as follows, “Veteran musher and 2022 Iditarod Champion, Brent Sass (bib #14), of Eureka, Alaska, scratched at 7:42 a.m. today at the Eagle Island checkpoint as he didn’t feel he could care for his team due to current concerns with his periodontal health. Sass had 11 dogs in harness when he arrived in Eagle Island, all in good health.” According to Iditarod Insider Greg Heister, an Insider plane is on the way to Eagle Island to transport Sass to Unalakleet for medical attention. His team will also be transported to Kaltag then Unalakleet.
Christian Turner Prepares to Feed His Team in McGrath 2014 (Photo: Terrie Hanke)
The next team to leave the tent checkpoint of Eagle Island will likely be Christian Turner from Mackey, Australia. Turner earned his belt buckle back in 2014 claiming 38th place with a puppy team from Dallas Seavey. The next year he improved to 15th place. Now in 2023, he is taking the “A” team from Mitch Seavey’s Idita-ride kennel. Turner considers himself extremely lucky to be on the trail with the Seavey dogs and says, “I love the wilderness and landscapes of the Iditarod trail and can’t imagine a better time than enjoying the trail with great dogs and great people.”
Turner finds himself behind a dog team in the 51st Iditarod a bit unexpectedly. Back in November, Turner watched a video posted by Mitch Seavey of his good looking dog team but with the comment that he wouldn’t be competing in the next Iditarod. Turner messaged back saying, ”I’ll run your team.” Seavey replied, “Let’s make this happen.” Suddenly Turner needed to get serious about running the Iditarod. Turner, a rep for Non-stop Dog Wear, began physical training in Queensland and is confident the month he spends in Alaska before the race will help him acclimate to the cold. Turner works as a carpenter but participates in dry land mushing behind a bike or scooter. Mitch Seavey is sitting this Iditarod out while rehabbing a should.
Soon to arrive in Eagle Island is KattiJo Deeter. KattiJo is a second year rookie after scratching in 2022. She was one of the mushers affected by the infamous Blow Hole Storm. Caught between White Mountain and Safety in horrendous winds, Kattie was one of three mushers who were aided by snowmachine in getting to a safety cabin to shelter during the storm. Once the storm subsided, she mushed the rest of the way to Nome. She has the unique distinction of mushing all the way to Nome but not being an official finisher. She’s back in the race not so much for unfinished business but because there was so much of the trail, the race and being with her dogs that she loved.
KattiJo and here husband , Iditarod veteran Jeff Deeter, are owners of Black Spruce Dog Sledding. They offer tours both winter and summer as training, racing and exploring by dog team permits. While Iditarod is their main focus, they participate in mid-distance races to train up the younger dogs and themselves for the annual 1,000 mile ultimate sled dog journey.
Jessie Royer Claims Third Place in 2019 Iditarod
Iditarod veteran Jessie Royer is out of Grayling, heading to Eagle Island. Royer grew up on a cattle ranch in Montana. She acquired her first sled dogs when she was 15 then worked with Iditarod Champion Doug Swingley who also lived in Montana. She’s worked on ranches and as a horse wrangler before heading to Alaska in 1998. Royer has worked with Susan Butcher and David Monson at Trail Breaker Kennel in Fairbanks. Jessie is 19 for 19 with Iditarod starts and finishes. She’s been in the top 10 three times with a best of 3rd place twice. Jessie won Montana’s 500 mile Race to the Sky at the age of 17 being the youngest and first female winner. Her victory in the 300 mile Race to the Sky in 2023, marks her seventh championship. Jessie won the Invitational La Grande Odyssee in France in 2005. Her hobbies are horses, hunting and mounted shooting.
Royer holds the honor of finishing Iditarod with a full team of 16 dogs in 2017. She also clocked her best time in the 1,000 mile run of 8 days, 13 hours and 8 minutes that year. Not surprisingly, Jessie was honored by the veterinarians with the Humanitarian Award and by her fellow mushers with the Most Inspirational Award.
Iditarod checkpoint has returned to ghost town status. Gregg Vitello has departed for Shageluk. Gerhart Thiart is only a couple of miles outside of Shageluk and Eric Kelly is resting in the checkpoint located at mile 487.
The entire Iditarod Nation sends best wishes to Brent Sass as he receives medical attention and begins his healing process.
