Lance Mackey - The Ultimate Musher

Lance Mackey is one of the best Mushers out there.  He won 4 back to back Iditarods from 2007 to 2010,  and 4 back to back Yukon Quests from 2005 - 2008....2 of which overlaped with the Iditarod Championships, dubbed the 2007 and 2008 "Idita-Quests".  He is the ONLY person to EVER do

 this...its a record that will quite likely last forever.  Plainly put, Lance Mackey is a Mushing Icon.

This 2015 Iditarod is a rude awakening for Lance and for all of us fans.  After battling back throat cancer with radiation treatments that weakend his body and wrecked havoc with his jaw and teeth, the bitter cold temperatures has flared up a severe attack of Raynauds Disease which affects the blood vessels in the hands and feet.  The Iditarod.com interview was heartwrenching to watch....his hands were swollen and he could barely move his fingers....they were black with cold in the minus 40 degree temperatures.  Lance knows this is quite likly the end of his competitive mushing career...and the end of an era for all of us fans.  He is now traveling with his brother Jason with the sole intention just to finish the race.  Regardless if he gets to Nome or not, Lance will always be a Mushing Legend.  Im glad I had the chance to meet him at the Banquet and snap a few pictures of him leaving the chute in Fairbanks.  You done good Lance!!