This 2018 Iditarod Champion has nine Iditarod races behind him and in each race has placed in the top ten; he is hoping this year will be no exception.

Joar Leifseth Ulsom grew up in beautiful Norway, just south of the Arctic circle. With a love of nature, adventure and dogs, becoming a musher tied everything together nicely for him. In 2011, Joar moved from Norway to Alaska with his kennel of seventeen dogs and started applying himself to learning the ropes of racing. Among others, he has had the pleasure of participating in the Yukon Quest, Copper Basin 300, Nadezhda Hope Race and Kuskokwim 300.

In 2018, Joar became a proud member of the Norway based Qrill Pet Mushing Team and it was a dream come true when he crossed the finish line in first place during that year’s Iditarod. His kennel, Sivo Racing Kennel in Willow Alaska, has grown to about 60 wonderful dogs and is run by Joar and his wife, a veterinarian named Margot.

A newly minted private pilot, Joar is working diligently towards his commercial pilot’s license. Joar also became a doting father when his pride and joy, Henrik, was born in the summer of 2021. In what time he has left, Joar tries to get his little family on foot, skis, plane, bike or dog sled into the mountains that he loves so much.

SPONSORS:
QRILL Pet
Gealach Mor Kennel
Non-Stop Doggear
First Lite
The Henning Group
Angstman Law Office
Deuter
Helgeland Sparebank
Trumf Trading
Nova Sea
Lovund
Occasione by Olaisen
Maria Olaisen As
Dan Ditlefsen