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Iditarod 54 Day 7 Update: Jessie Holmes Wins Fish First Award as the Race Stretches Across the Yukon

March 14, 2026
Editor and/or Contributors

On this Day 7 update from the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, the field continues moving along the Yukon River as the race begins transitioning toward the coast. Jessie Holmes continues his strong performance on the trail, winning the Bristol Bay Native Corporation Fish First Award after arriving in Kaltag with 13 dogs in harness.

The episode breaks down the current leaderboard as the top teams remain spread across dozens of miles of trail while the back of the pack continues making its way through the Yukon checkpoints.

The show also highlights rookie musher Jody Potts-Joseph, a Han Gwich’in musher from Eagle Village whose journey to the Iditarod is deeply connected to family, cultural tradition, and life along the Yukon River.

Listeners also hear another segment of Moment in Mushing History, revisiting Susan Butcher’s historic third straight Iditarod victory in 1988 and reflecting on how the race has evolved over the decades.

Musher Profile: Jody Potts-Joseph

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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