2023 Iron Dog embarks from Big Lake

WASILLA — The 2023 Iron Dog is officially underway. Pro-Class Racers embarked from Big Lake Friday, Feb. 17.

Teams 7, 14, and 39, continued to hold a strong lead as of Monday, Feb. 20.

According to a race update from the official Iron Dog website, the three teams arrived in Nome with the same time gaps between their departure times from Kotzebue.

Tyler Aklestad and Nick Olstad of Team 7 arrived 28 minutes before Casey Boylan and Bryan Leslie of Team 14.

Team 14 stayed 16 minutes ahead of Cody Barber and Brett Lapham of Team 39.

11 of the 15 remaining teams arrived at the ceremonial halfway point in Nome by 8 p.m. Monday evening.

Race officials reported steady riding for a safe arrival amongst teams, but the race has not gone on without its challenges.

“I don’t think it was rough but the biggest issue for them today is that it was really, really bad ice fog, so everybody came in with a quarter-inch of ice on their googles and their machines,” Iron Dog head race marshal Tyson Johnson stated in the race update. “The freezing fog really lowered visibility.”

Tyson reported steady snowfall all day, but the main concern was expectations over a looming storm that's expected to roll through Tuesday or Wednesday morning, right as the racers will be making their way back to Big Lake.

“It’s pretty flat, light, and kind of steadily getting worse,” Johnson said. “If that storm hits, it’s not going to be easy on these guys on the way back.”

This is the first time the Iron Dog has utilized Big Lake as a start and finish line in years.

"It's a big deal," Iron Dog Executive Director Mike Vasser said.

Vasser marveled at the sheer grit, skill, and determination all the 2023 Pro Class racers exhibited.

"It's incredible," Vasser said. "These guys are professional athletes, the best of the best."

Vasser added that the Expedition Class racers are expected to return with nearly a 100 percent finish rate.

"That's huge," Vasser said.

Vassar said the Iron Dog is in a very strong place and they're ready to continue this cherished annual tradition that brings the whole state together.

"It's growing leaps and bounds," Vasser said.

For more information about the 2023 Iron Dog, including current race standings, visit irondog.org.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com