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Iditarod 54 Day 6 Update: Jessie Holmes Reaches the Yukon First and Paige Drobny Chases

March 13, 2026
Editor and/or Contributors

In this Day 6 update from the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, teams are moving onto the long and demanding Yukon River stretch of the trail. Jessie Holmes becomes the first musher to reach Ruby on the Yukon River, earning the “First Musher to the Yukon” award and continuing a strong performance in this year’s race.

The episode breaks down the current leaderboard and examines how the top teams are managing their mandatory rests and race strategy as they head deeper into the second half of the race. Paige Drobny continues to run a strong race from Squid Acres Kennel and remains in close pursuit of Holmes.

Listeners also hear a detailed musher profile of Paige Drobny, including her background in fisheries biology, her life along the Denali Highway with fellow musher Cody Strathe, and the story behind their well-known kennel, Squid Acres. The show also explores the unique villages along the Yukon River and includes a moment in mushing history recalling the dramatic 1978 Iditarod finish between Dick Mackey and Rick Swenson.

Musher Profile: Paige Drobny

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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