Veteran musher Jessie Holmes moved one step closer to the finish line of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race after reaching the crucial White Mountain checkpoint first, strengthening his chances of claiming back-to-back titles in the legendary thousand-mile competition.

Holmes, bib #7 from Brushkana, arrived at White Mountain at 3:10 a.m. with 13 dogs in harness, becoming the first musher to reach the checkpoint and earning the Northrim Bank Achieve More Award. The honor includes a $2,500 check and a special trophy that remains on display at Iditarod headquarters throughout the year.

The award, presented by Northrim Bank since 2018, recognizes the teamwork and perseverance required to reach one of the race’s final and most important checkpoints. Bank president Mike Huston congratulated Holmes on the milestone, saying the award celebrates the determination it takes for mushers and their dog teams to “achieve more” on the demanding Iditarod trail. Holmes will be formally honored again at the finishers banquet in Nome on March 22, 2026.

Holmes’ arrival at White Mountain also signals that the race is entering its final phase. Mushers must complete a mandatory eight-hour rest at the checkpoint before beginning the last run to Nome, the finish line of the nearly thousand-mile race.

The defending champion has been leading most of this year’s competition and has maintained a steady strategy throughout the trail. Even when he briefly sacrificed some of his lead to give his dogs extra rest earlier in the race, the decision paid off with a strong run that helped him maintain his advantage over rival Paige Drobny, who has been chasing him closely during the final stretch.

If Holmes maintains his current pace after leaving White Mountain, race watchers estimate he could arrive in Nome as early as around 5 p.m. Tuesday, putting him on track to secure a second consecutive victory.

Such a finish would place Holmes among a small group of mushers who have successfully defended their Iditarod title — an achievement that highlights both careful race strategy and the strength of his dog team after nearly a thousand miles on the trail.