Tyler Aklestad and Nick Olstad win 2023 Iron Dog

BIG LAKE— Tyler Aklestad and Nick Olstad of Team 7 secured another first-place victory after crossing the 2023 Iron Dog finish line in Big Lake, at 12:05 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.

Aklestad and Olstad came in with a total course time of 52 hours, 58 minutes, and 32 seconds.

This is the second year in a row that Team 7 won the Iron Dog Pro Class Division. The Mat-Su Valley-based racers have worked together many times over the years, sharing the same passion for the sport and staying ahead of the pack.

"It was rough, but it was definitely a good run," Olstad said.

2023 racers had to persevere through intense blizzard conditions to make it back from Nome.

“Mother nature threw us a couple of curve balls. She usually does," Iron Dog Executive Director Mike Vasser said.

Vasser said that weather is always a major factor in every race but those who are truly ready for anything will have a strong and memorable run. He said the teams that do the best are the ones who prepare the most, and this year’s race showcased numerous teams that performed exceptionally well and drove that point home.

“I felt fantastic about it. Lots of cool things happened. It was a really strong race," Vasser said. “I think it all comes down to preparation… They put the time in. They pit the miles in and it just shows.”

Vasser said there were numerous races within the race for different tiers which made it even more entertaining to track. He said there were numerous milestones such as an all-women team finishing the race. He said that’s a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in over two decades.

“That was pretty cool to see," Vasser said.

The Expedition Class racers also did well this year, according to Vasser. He said there was only one team that didn’t finish, giving them one of the highest finish rates they’ve ever seen. He said the overall participation has stayed strong over the years.

“There's a heck of a lot of interest in the Iron Dog,” Vasser said.

Vasser noted that it was a record year for their helmet program. He said they gave out 450 helmets to rural Alaskan children.

To view the 2023 results, visit irondog.org.

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