JUNO, Alaska – In the early hours of Friday morning darkness, they lined up the streets along the Bering Sea coastline.
Holmes pumped his fist as he ran along with the sleigh with a headlamp beaming from his forehead as he finished a 1,128-mile (1,815km) race across the Alaska wilderness at Gold Rushtown, Gnome. This year’s running distance was the longest in Iditarod’s 53-year history.
He said his victory felt “magic” and gave his dog a credibility and embrace to which he described as family.
Who is Jesse Holmes?
Holmes lives in the Nenana Interior Alaska community, about 300 miles (480 km) north of Anchorage, where he is a carpenter and lives a self-sufficient lifestyle. He found the fame of reality television as a longtime cast member of “Life lower Zero,” a national geographic program that documents the struggles of people living in remote Alaska.
Originally from Alabama, Holmes has lived in Alaska since 2004, where he competes in a passion for the wilderness and a sled dog race.
This year he was Holmes’ eighth Iditarod, and he has now finished six top 10 in the last year, including third place and 2022.
His victory this year depends on adversity. He was helping to repair a remote building in Gorobin after the area was surrounded by the wreckage of typhoon Melbok when parts of the house fell on him in 2022. He suffered from several ribs and broken wrists and was forced to train that winter with one arm, the Anchorage Daily News reported.
His dog team
Holmes added that he had raised the ten dogs that led him to victory, each holding in his hand as a puppy.
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“I’m really proud of these dogs, and I love them, and they did it. They deserve all their trust,” he said.
He was especially praised by his lead dogs, Hercules and Polar, decorated with a finish with a wreath of flowers.
“These are the best in the world,” he said with a smile, his arms covered around them.
Trail
This year’s lack of snow forced a change to the route and starting point for the normally 1,000-mile (1,609km) race.
There are checkpoints along the route for rest and refueling. The masher feeds the dog, lie down and brings out a straw, and sleeps as much as possible. In addition to equipment and food, a masher sled must be able to carry and cover the injured or tired dogs. They need to carry the appropriate emergency food to their dogs when they leave the checkpoint, or when they leave their daily meals and snacks.
The temperature of the gnomes that Holmes ended was -6 degrees Fahrenheit (-21 degrees Celsius). He crossed the finish line after a 14 hours and 55 minutes and 41 seconds race on the 10th. He came about three hours before second-place finisher Matt Hall. Paige Drobny finished third.
“I say one thing to you: I care about not being tired,” Holmes said to the cheering fans chorus. “It’s hard to put words in, but it’s a magical feeling and it’s not this moment. It’s about every moment along the trail.”
He witnessed a beautiful sunset, explaining that the moon is shining snow and aurora, and said he had time to reflect on his late mentor and the race winner. I just wanted to join that club with them. I’ve been hoping for it for a long time. ”
What will Holmes win?
Holmes is bringing home $57,200 for his victory, including awards that include $4,500 worth of gold nuggets and 25 pounds of fresh salmon, plus awards that finish first in the early stages.
He described the race as “10 quality days.” I got the value of the money. ”
Becky Borler
