The Iron Dog board of directors voted 12-0 Monday after a two-hour debate to deny an appeal by Tyler Aklestad and Tyson Johnson, who sought to overturn their disqualification from the race, which happened just as they appeared poised to repeat as champions.
Board President Jim Wilke said in a press release it was the "most challenging situation the organization has faced in its 34-year history."
The board certified Cory Davis of Soldotna and Ryan Simons of Alberta as 2017 winners of the race from Big Lake to Nome to Fairbanks.
On Friday, after a photo surfaced of two bystanders standing on the rear of Aklestad's and Johnson's snowmachines, the race marshals disqualified the team, citing a rule that no "physical contact" with the snowmachines was allowed in the Ruby to Tanana stretch of the race.
The team was disqualified about 300 miles from the finish line but continued on the course, reaching Fairbanks on Saturday afternoon.
"The mood of the meeting was somber and the board agreed that it was a very difficult situation, but found that the race marshals' ruling was correct," a Iron Dog press release said.