NOME, Alaska (AP) – Dallas Seavey has won his third Iditarod in the last four years, beating his father to the finish line in Nome early Wednesday after racing 1,000 miles across Alaska.
Seavey came in under the city’s famous burled arch finish line to wild applause from fans lining the street, some who poured out of the bars that stayed open into the wee hours.
An exhausted Seavey, who also won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 2012 and 2014, petted and hugged his dogs after their victory.
“It takes a whole team to get any of us here,” he told reporters at a finish line ceremony, which was broadcast and live-streamed. Later, he hoisted two of his dogs onto his lap and officials draped the animals with garlands of yellow flowers.
“As long as you take care of the dog team (and) make good decisions, good things will happen. Wins are a result of doing what we love,” Seavey said, adding that he tried to keep the race fun.