Jessie Holmes kicks to the finish line in Kotzebue ahead of his second consecutive win and third overall in the Kobuk 440 sled dog race on Sunday, April 7, 2024.
Hunter Keefe offers food to his lead dog Senior shortly after arriving at the checkpoint of Kiana on Saturday, April 6, 2024 during the Kobuk 440 sled dog race. Race veterinarian Nikki Preston, left, stands with trail crew volunteer Jessie Royer. and in 2017. Earlier this March, he finished third in the Iditarod, which was his third-straight finish in the top five. He also finished second in the Copper Basin 300 race this season.
“She came in with more intensity in a lead than she went out with after a long, long, tough race,” Holmes said. “It was kind of like a graduation test. ... Any dog that finishes this race is the best dog in the world.” The two mushers are friends, Holmes said, and Browning was borrowing one of Holmes’ dogs for the race.