Hometown Musher Josi Shelley Wins 2026 Yukon Quest Alaska

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Josi Shelley, a musher from Fairbanks, Alaska, has won the 2026 Yukon Quest Alaska sled dog race after leading the pack for the final stretch. Shelley got into the final checkpoint in Nenana late Sunday night and left shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Monday, finishing ahead of Jonah Bacon, Jason Mackey, and Patrick Mackey.

Why it matters

The Yukon Quest is a prestigious sled dog race that serves as a warmup for the Iditarod, Alaska's most famous dog sled race. Shelley's victory is a major accomplishment for the local Fairbanks musher community and will likely boost her chances of success in the upcoming Iditarod.

The details

Shelley spent just over 12 hours camped out in Nenana before departing for the final stretch to the finish line in Fairbanks. She was leading a pack of four mushers, with Jonah Bacon, Jason Mackey, and Patrick Mackey trailing behind her. Defending race winner and Fairbanks musher Jeff Deeter scratched from the race on Friday, while another Fairbanks musher, Keaton Loebrich, scratched on Feb. 8 just a day into the 750-mile race.

• Shelley got into Nenana late Sunday night and left shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Monday.
• The Yukon Quest serves as a warmup for the 2026 Iditarod, which begins on March 8 in Willow, one day after the ceremonial start in Anchorage.

What’s next

The Yukon Quest serves as a warmup for the 2026 Iditarod, which begins on March 8 in Willow, one day after the ceremonial start in Anchorage.