Cancer survivor Lance Mackey won his 2nd straight Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Wednesday.
The Fairbanks, Alaska, throat cancer survivor yelled “Yeah, baby” as he and his 11-dog team traveled down Nome’s Front Street toward the finish line.
Fans swarmed Mackey along the final 10 blocks of the 1,100-mile race, which Mackey completed in 9½ days.
“I’m not much to brag very often, but damn, I’m going to this time,” he told the Associated Press of his back-to-back wins. “I don’t know exactly how to explain it. I’m just blessed with an incredible dog team.”
Mushers compete for a piece of an $875,000 purse, which is paid out to the top 30 finishers. Mackey gets $69,000 and a new truck worth $45,000 for winning.
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin called Mackey to offer her congratulations, saying, “You’re a hero, and truly an inspiration to all of us.”