AOTW: Wasilla duo takes back top spot on Iron Dog podium

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - When Team 20 of Robby Schachle and Brad George took off from Big Lake on February 15 to start Iron Dog 2025, they knew they were in for a special run.

“The feeling is incredible,” Schachle said. ”It started from the start, and it finished right here down the [finish] line,”

The Wasilla pair completed the week-long, 2,500-mile race Saturday with their second victory in the event.

The veteran duo took command of the race early and never looked back, arriving at the first major checkpoint of McGrath on a mission:

“I was just ready for a sandwich,” Schachle joked at the time of their quick arrival to the checkpoint.

They carried that momentum to the Western Coast and were the first team to reach Nome, which serves as the halfway point.

“It always feels good,” George said in the Nome garage ahead of wrench day. “First team to Nome? Always feels good.”

In what is dubbed “The World’s Longest Toughest Snowmachine Race,” many things can go wrong, but Team 20 rode the magic carpet ride and completed a nearly flawless run to Big Lake to win their second Iron Dog title since 2021.

”The last day ... you have the worst butterflies and just can’t wait to see the finish line,” George said with Schachle nodding in agreement.

The next championship would put them an elite class of three-time Iron Dog champions.

“Our next one? Who said there’s going to be a next one?” George said with a laugh. “I’m just kidding.”

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