Jessie Holmes, the defending champion of Alaska's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, is competing in the 54th running of the world's most famous sled dog competition.

Holmes, a carpenter and former cast member of National Geographic's reality show "Life Below Zero," won the grueling 1,000-mile race last year. Despite his victory in the prestigious event, Holmes has continued living at his hand-built homestead in the Alaska wilderness near Denali, North America's tallest mountain.

The 2025 Iditarod winner told The Associated Press that fame and commercial opportunities have not significantly changed his lifestyle since his victory. "There's a lot of things that can happen in your life once you win the Iditarod," Holmes said in a pre-race interview.

Holmes has been training for this year's race in the harsh conditions of deep snow and bitter cold typical of the Alaska wilderness. The race, which traditionally runs from Anchorage to Nome, attracts mushers from around the world who compete across challenging terrain and extreme weather conditions.

The 54th Iditarod represents Holmes' attempt to join the ranks of repeat winners in the race's history. The event has been held annually since 1973, with only a small number of mushers achieving multiple victories in the demanding competition.