Ryan Air Gold Coast Award

As the first musher to reach Unalakleet, Nicolas Petit wins the Ryan Air Gold Coast Award.  Petit is a veteran musher from Girdwood, AK.  He arrived in the checkpoint at 09:46 with 10 very spirit dogs.  Wilfred “Boyuck” Ryan, president of the company was on hand to present the inaugural Gold Coast Award to Petit.

The award consists of $1,500 in gold nuggets from the Bering Straits regions, as well as a carved ivory sled dog team made by Leonard Savage of Holy Cross.

Ryan Air is a new Lead Dog sponsor of the Iditarod for 2019.  The company was founded in Unalakleet and its core business is serving the people who live along the Bering Sea coast and throughout western Alaska.

“The Iditarod is a celebration of Alaska culture and history and we are thrilled to be a part of it. My grandpa, Frank Ryan, delivered mail by dog team between Unalakleet and Kaltag in the early 1900’s, and my dad, Wilfred, mushed dogs in the territorial guard with Muktuk Marston. Our support of the race is a continuation of that spirit of service and dedication to the communities along the trail,” said Ryan.

Ryan Air and the Iditarod community congratulates Nicolas Petit on earning the Inaugural Ryan Award. The award will be presented again in Nome at the finisher’s banquet.

The ivory sled dog carving by Leonard Leonard Savage of Holy Cross is pictured with a Ryan Air PC-12 in the background.  Photo is courtesy of Ryan Air.