Jessie Holmes, First to the Yukon, Shares Meal with Anvik Elder, Wilson Maillelle. (Photo: Iditarod)

Jessie Holmes arrived in the Yukon Community of Anvik early Friday morning at 04:03.  He intends to take his 8-hour Yukon rest while enjoying a five-course gourmet meal prepared by Marx Bros Café’s Executive Chef, jack Amon.   The first to the Yukon award has been presented since 1983 at either Ruby on the Northern route or Anvik on the Southern route.  This is the first year that Marx Bros Café is sponsoring the award.

The menu prepared by Chef Amon consisted of a lobster bisque, garnished with a king crab salad creme fraiche followed by the Marx Brothers Caesar salad, a filet mignon with a red wine demi-glace, sauteed with maitake mushrooms, asparagus and mashed Yukon gold potatoes.  Dessert was the famous Marx Bros. Café cheesecake.  Being the meal was prepared for two, Holmes invited Anvik Elder, Wilson Maillelle to dine with him.  Jessie thoroughly enjoyed the company and his meal, especially the cheesecake.

Looking back at the past ten races, who was first to the Yukon and also the finish line?  There have only been two racers to achieve both firsts – Brent Sass in 2022 and Dallas Seavey in 2021.   Sorry Jessie, you’d perhaps like more assurance but 2 out of 10 is no guarantee.

The race becomes crazy exciting after teams complete the 24-hour lay over.  The team in the lead is the team in the lead.  There’s all sorts of leap frogging along the trail.  Teams hit the Yukon and can find a fast trail or strong headwinds.  The top teams begin to separate from the rest of the pack. 

This morning, viewers could see the breath of Bruce Lee and Greg Heister, the Insider guys, on their update from Anvik.  Video of Jessie arriving in Anvik showed frost on his scarf and hat.  Likewise the dogs had frost on their whiskers.  Happy day the temperatures are dropping!

Tracker Friday Morning with Heavy Traffic From Iditarod to Anvik

There’s a steady stream of mushers arriving in Anvik.  Holmes said the trail from Shageluk to Anvik was smooth – a good ride at 7.73 miles and hour.  Nic Petit made the 25 miles at 6.79 mph.  Arriving behind Holmes and Petit, Brent Sass ran at 7.77 then went on through toward Grayling, a distance of 18 miles.  Peter Kaiser has also arrived in Anvik.

Richie Diehl of Aniak is the fifth team to arrive in Anvik.  Richie earned his coveted Iditarod finisher’s belt buckle back in 2013.  He has ten starts and nine finishes.  Diehl has three top ten finishes – 6th in 2018 and 2022; 9th in 2021.  No doubt Richie would like to break into the top five.  Watching an Insider clip of his team departing Takotna after his long rest, his dogs were excited and all into running.  Earlier this year at the Kusko 300, Richie finished in 5th.  He won the Kusko back in 2021.  When he’s not mushing dogs, Diehl enjoys boat and snowmachine rides with his wife Emerie.  Richie is a carpenter and has attended University of Alaska – Anchorage.

Kelly Maixner, a pediatric dentist, is soon to arrive in Anvik.  Kelly is a native of South Dakota.  He began mushing in 2008 during his residency and now resides in Big Lake.  At the 2020 finisher’s banquet in Nome, Kelly announced he’d be sitting a few years out to enjoy life with his wife and five children as well as his Wee Care dental practice.  After sitting out just two years, he’s back to race with a team of Dallas Seavey dogs.  Kelly has finished 7 of 8 Iditarod starts, earning his belt buckle in 2011.  His best finish has been 13th place.

Also out of Shageluk, enjoying the run to Anvik is Matthew Failor.  Matthew and his wife Liz operate Alaska Husky Adventures located up the Hatcher Pass road outside of Willow.  Matthew apprenticed with Martin Buser and took Martin’s “B” team to Nome in 2012.  He’s finished 10 of 11 Iditarod starts with his best being 13th place.   Matthew is originally from Ohio.  He graduated from Ohio State University and is an Eagle Scout.  Failor met his wife Liz Raines, a former news anchor, during the 2018 Iditarod.  They are expecting their first child.  It’s a boy was written in Sharpie on his race bib for all to see during the Ceremonial start.  Liz works with the Insider crew providing commentary and interviews.  Failor’s race team is 17th Dog.  Back when mushers started with 16 dogs for Iditarod Failor wanted to honor friends, family and supporters, thus the name 17th Dog.

Gregg Vitello is resting in Ophir.  Brent Sass is on his way to Grayling.  Teams are spread out over 170 miles with the greatest number running between Iditarod and Anvik.