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Iditarod 54 Day 10 Update: Jessie Holmes Nears Victory as Finish Line Looms in Nome

March 17, 2026
Editor and/or Contributors

On this Day 10 update from the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, the finish line is in sight as Jessie Holmes approaches Nome with a commanding lead. Holmes earns the North Rim Bank Achieve More Award and is just miles away from claiming victory under the burled arch.

Travis Beals remains in second place but would need a major shift in pace to close the gap in the final stretch. Meanwhile, teams continue moving through the trail behind them, with the back of the pack still hundreds of miles out.

The episode also covers two significant scratches: Jody Potts-Joseph, who withdrew after concerns about kennel cough in her team, and Mille Porsild, following the loss of a dog on the trail.

Listeners also hear a musher profile of rookie Kevin Hansen, an Inupiaq musher from Kotzebue, and a discussion on life in Nome, including food, culture, and what awaits mushers at the finish line. The episode wraps with a look back at a dramatic 1976 moment involving Norman Vaughan on the trail.

Musher Profile: Kevin Hansen

Iditarod 54: Podcast Playlist

About the Iditarod

The Iditarod is held each year starting on the first Saturday of March, with a ceremonial start in Anchorage and an official re-start in Willow on Sunday. In 2026 the race will follow the northern route. For more information, please visit Iditarod.com

About The Burled Arch Podcast

Award-winning podcasters Robert and Michele Forto hosts the Burled Arch podcast and covers the race nightly on various media platforms. For more information, please visit Mushing.com

About Team & Trail

Team & Trail became a significant factor in the growth of sled dog racing worldwide. Sled dog racing needed an international association to standardize rules and racing events. The Team and Trail Foundation, a non-profit (501(c)3 pending) whose mission is to support the dog mushing community and lifestyle, was founded to offer unique sports sponsorship opportunities. For more information, please visit teamandtrail.org

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