Iditarod Champ Repeats as Kobuk 440 Winner

Jessie Holmes secures second consecutive victory in grueling Alaska sled dog race

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:11am

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An abstract, expressionist painting featuring blurred, energetic figures of sled dogs and mushers racing through a snowy landscape, with splashes of bright neon colors capturing the raw athleticism of the sport.The relentless pace and unbridled power of Alaska's premier sled dog race leaps off the canvas in this vivid, energetic painting.Anchorage Today

Jessie Holmes, the reigning Iditarod champion, has won the Kobuk 440 sled dog race for the second year in a row. Holmes crossed the finish line in Kotzebue, Alaska on Sunday morning with eight dogs in harness, completing the challenging 440-mile course from Kotzebue to Kobuk and back in a total race time of 2 days, 17 hours, and 41 minutes.

Why it matters

The Kobuk 440 is one of Alaska's most prestigious and demanding sled dog races, testing the endurance and skill of both mushers and their dog teams. Holmes' back-to-back victories cement his status as one of the top sled dog racers in the state, further solidifying his recent Iditarod triumph.

The details

Holmes arrived in Kotzebue at 6:11 a.m. on Sunday, taking the win. Finishing second was Kevin Hansen, who crossed the line 22 minutes later with 10 dogs. Calvin Daugherty took third, arriving at 12:38 p.m. with eight dogs, followed by Kristy Berington in fourth and Larry Daugherty in fifth.

  • Jessie Holmes won the Kobuk 440 on Sunday, April 6, 2026.
  • Holmes' Kobuk 440 victory comes just 19 days after he won his second straight Iditarod race.

The players

Jessie Holmes

A musher from Brushkana, Alaska who has now won the Kobuk 440 sled dog race two years in a row, adding to his recent back-to-back Iditarod championships.

Kevin Hansen

The runner-up in the 2026 Kobuk 440 sled dog race, finishing 22 minutes behind Jessie Holmes.

Calvin Daugherty

The third-place finisher in the 2026 Kobuk 440 sled dog race.

Kristy Berington

The fourth-place finisher in the 2026 Kobuk 440 sled dog race.

Larry Daugherty

The fifth-place finisher in the 2026 Kobuk 440 sled dog race.

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The takeaway

Jessie Holmes' dominant performance in the Kobuk 440 sled dog race, coming just weeks after his second straight Iditarod victory, solidifies his status as one of Alaska's premier long-distance mushers. His ability to push his dog team to victory in back-to-back grueling races is a testament to his skill and the strength of his canine athletes.