Neff was asked to scratch or be disqualified from this year’s race due to concerns for his team’s health.
Some legendary careers are winding down. Other mushers are taking a break. All are grappling with higher costs in an already-expensive sport.
Thirty-four mushers have registered so far for the 2023 race, which would make the field among the smallest in history.
The decision covers not only mushers but staff and volunteers as well.
Jessie Holmes was medevaced from Golovin to Nome and then flown again to Anchorage for additional care.
Alaska mushing legend Lance Mackey, who won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race four times, died this week at age 52 after a long battle with cancer.
Mackey announced last year that he had been diagnosed with throat cancer a second time.
The opening day of registration included entries from 19 Alaskans and two mushers from Outside.
The dog has been reunited with his musher, Sébastien Dos Santos Borges of France, who flew to Anchorage this week, according to Iditarod officials.
An appeals board determined the penalties assessed against Mille Porsild of Denmark and Yukon musher Michelle Phillips were outside the scope of the rule in question.
Furious weather ended the Iditarod for six mushers on March 18. Here’s how the misadventure unfolded for Jeff and KattiJo Deeter as they neared the race’s finish line.
“It was just a really terrible accident due to my negligence,” musher Jessie Holmes said.
Those involved in the search say they continue to receive tips about Leon’s possible whereabouts and remain hopeful.
Two of the mushers were demoted in final race standings while another must pay a $1,000 fine.
Musher Apayauq Reitan of Kaktovik crossed the finish late Saturday night, winning the Red Lantern award and $1,000 for being the final sled dog team to reach the Bering Sea coastal community.