Tell us what you think about this story and make your 2010 Iditarod predictions in the comments section. Can Lance win his fourth in a row?

Lance is also a four-time Yukon Quest champ. Dubbed the “toughest sled dog race in the world” it runs from Fairbanks to Whitehorse Yukon. Two of Mackey’s Iditarod wins came just days after winning the Quest. People said that couldn’t be done…so Lance did it twice to prove them wrong.

At this very moment Lance Mackey has a substantial lead on the last leg of the 1,000 mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Mackey is a Fairbanks resident and a four-time winner of the Yukon Quest, which also runs 1,000 miles from Fairbanks to Whitehorse, Yukon. Lance was the first ever musher to win those races back to back, and just to prove it wasn’t a fluke, did it two years in a row (2007 and 2008).

Lance’s closest competitor is the reigning Yukon Quest Champion Sebastian Schnuelle. His Quest victory this year was close, as currently 14th place Hugh Neff came into the Fairbanks finish just a matter of minutes behind. Other Interior mushers or Quest veterans in the  Iditarod 2009 top 20 include Aaron Burmeister of Nenana (4th), Jessie Royer of Fairbanks (8th), Aliy Zirkle of Two Rivers (11th), Sonny Lindner of Two Rivers (15th), Ken Anderson of Fairbanks (16th), three-time Quest winner Hans Gatt (17th) and Jeff King of Denali (18th).

The Yukon Quest is gaining more and more prominance as the mushers and mushing fans begin to realize this “toughest sled dog race in the world” has become the crucible in which the elite teams are formed. So if you’re not tuned in, get to the Quest website and get an education. The sled dog racing champions of tomorrow and today are already there!

For two years in a row, Lance Mackey has crossed the finish line first in the 1,000 mile Yukon Quest, and the 1,049 mile Iditarod. The feat is unsurpassed in mushing history and has secured Mackey’s place among the greatest dog-drivers ever. Our Fairbanks, home-town favorite is making news worldwide with tales of on the trail trickery, overcoming obstacles and unparalleled competitive spirit. Congratulations Lance, you have shown the world our indomitable Fairbanks spirit!

While the Last Great Race has built a following for being the most prestigious in mushing, the Yukon Quest has built its own on the basis of sheer difficulty. As a four time winner, Lance has seen his dogs harden into some of the best in the world. So…if you’re an Iditarod fan who hasn’t heard about the “toughest sled dog race in the world”, it’s time to get up to “speed”. Perhaps you should even begin making your plans to be in Fairbanks for the finish in 2009, as Lance tries for his fifth consecutive win.

Here’s the latest from the trail to Nome. By the way, three of the top five mushers are from Alaska’s Interior!

Fairbanks musher Lance Mackey is making another attempt at winning the Yukon Quest and Iditarod back to back. After his fourth Quest victory in a row just a few days ago, Lance is setting a competitive pace on the Iditarod trail. Keep up with Lance, and several other Interior Alaska favorites as they journey over 1,000 miles to Nome.

Fairbanks is home to some of the best dog mushers (and dog mushing) in the world. If you are planning a visit, be sure to check out the many dog mushing attractions and activities we offer. Start planning your Alaska adventure today by leafing through our interactive Fairbanks Winter Guide (for mushing), or Fairbanks Visitors Guide for other activities, events and attractions year-round.

Read the official Quest site for more finish line details. You may also want to catch the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner story or the CBC piece on the Quest.

The 2008 Yukon Quest is underway now, and mushers are at this very moment traversing the 1,000 mile trail from Fairbanks to Whitehorse, Yukon. You can keep up with the action by checking the current standings at the official Yukon Quest site. News from the trail is also regularly appearing on both the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner and the Yukon News.

Some other great stories have been published on the race in the past few days including this update from APRN, and a story about photography on the trail by Patrick Endres.

The 1,000 mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race is being run for the 25th time this year. The race begins on February 9th, and will take 29 mushers from their Fairbanks starting point through 15 checkpoints on their way to the finish line in Whitehorse, Yukon. One of the major story lines for this year is the return of Fairbanks musher Lance Mackey. He is a three-time Quest winner, and the only musher ever to win both the Yukon Quest and Iditarod in the same year.

The 2008 Yukon Quest festivities begin with their Start & Draw Banquet on February 7th. The race begins on the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks, just two days later. Come early to find a good spot, and dress warm!