Former Iditarod champ Brent Sass hints at retirement from sled dog racing
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Few people would have guessed that Brent Sass’s 2022 crossing under the famed Burled Arch in Nome would be his last.
But with a 350-word message to fans posted on Wednesday morning to his popular “Wild and Free Mushing” Facebook page, the 2022 Iditarod champion hinted his days of leading dogs up the Iditarod Trail may be over.
“This season has been unimaginable for myself and the dogs in so many ways but so has every year of my career in one way or another,” Sass opened the Facebook post, in which he shared he would be “stepping away from racing dogs and social media and focusing forward to new adventures.”
“Where it will take me, I have no idea,” he continued, “but the opportunities are endless and like I have for the last 20 years, I will focus on new goals and dreams and work at them until they are achieved.”
Sass was already a three-time winner of the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest when he outraced Iditarod icon Dallas Seavey to win The Last Great Race in 2020. The Minnesota transplant arrived in Nome with one of the fastest race times in Iditarod history, and at just 42 years old, had seemingly positioned himself for many more successful races.
But Sass scratched due to personal health issues in 2023 and was disqualified from running in this year’s race after being accused of sexually assaulting multiple women.
Sass had previously refused the Iditarod’s recommendation to drop out of the race, calling the accusations “completely false” made by “people that are trying to ruin my reputation and end my career.”
The Eureka musher did not specifically mention the sexual assault allegations on Wednesday, only saying this season was “unimaginable for myself and the dogs in so many ways.”
“The last 20 years have been the most exciting adventure that I could have ever asked for,” Sass said. “The ultimate highs and the ultimate lows are what defined the Wild and Free team. Along the way I was very lucky to have had so many amazing handlers and a support crew of friends and family to help me and the dogs reach and exceed all of our goals.”
No sexual assault charges have been filed against Sass as of Thursday, according to online court records.
If Sass’s departure from mushing is permanent, the now 44-year-old leaves behind an impressive legacy. Sass accolades in the Yukon Quest include three titles in the 1,000-mile race (2015, 2019, 2020), the Vet’s Choice Award (2015, 2019) and winning the Quest’s more recent 300- and 550-mile iterations.
Sass’s first-place Iditarod finish is one of three top-five finishes.
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