Brent Sass disqualified from the 2024 Iditarod

For the second time in less than a week, the Iditarod Trail Committee (ITC) Board voted to disqualify a musher from the race. The ITC released a statement Friday morning stating that they had convened a special meeting on February 22, where the Board unanimously voted to disqualify Brent Sass from competing in the 2024 Iditarod, citing pursuant to Rule 53, Personal Conduct Policy. The statement did not release any further details.

In response, Sass took to social media, posting his response to the ITC, stating that he does not intend to withdraw from the Last Great Race.

“All of the accusations against me are completely false and have been fabricated to try and ruin my reputation and end my career. I have full intentions to fight these defamatory allegations to the fullest of my abilities to clear my name and continue running and racing sled dogs,” Sass wrote.

He went on to say that with the race set to start in less than two weeks, and with thousands of dollars invested, he cannot afford to back out of the competition.

“I have way too many sponsors, family, and friends that have supported my kennel and career this season. Let alone the 120,000+ fans that are eagerly waiting to watch me race in this year’s Iditarod.”

Fans of Sass voiced their support to the legendary musher, with many threatening to not attend, while others threaten to pull their support of the race if the musher is pulled from the competition. Sass thanked his sponsors and fans for the continuing support over his long career.

“I, along with my whole family, would like to thank all of my sponsors, my fans and the races that have supported me this season, and the last 18 years of racing. I am beyond disappointed with the decision the Iditarod has reached to disqualify me. The anonymous accusations that have been made against me are completely false.

While the future is unknown, I will continue to be an ambassador of the sport, a supporter of my community and be surrounded by my four legged family.”

Sass is one of only six racers to have won both the Iditarod and Yukon Quest sled dog races. The Yukon Quest is a 1,000 mile international sled dog race from Whitehorse, Yukon to Fairbanks, Alaska. He won the Yukon Quest in 2015, 2019 and 2020 and 2023, and the Iditarod in 2022.

In other Iditarod news, the ITC announced on Friday that after reviewing additional information was provided to the Board regarding Eddie Burke Jr., the Board voted to reinstate Mr. Burke as a competitor in the 2024 Iditarod.

These are developing stories.