Lance Mackey

Career

In 2007, Lance became the first person to win both the Yukon Quest and Iditarod in the same year. This feat was considered almost impossible by many and is considered one of the most impressive feats ever by a musher and he was nominated for a 2007 ESPY Award based on his performance. He also won the Veterinarians' Choice award after winning the 2007 Yukon Quest and said, "This means more to me than winning this damn race". 2008 was an even better year: Lance won the Tustumena 200, followed by his fourth consecutive Yukon Quest and his second Iditarod. In 2009 he chose not to run the 2009 Yukon Quest but captured his third consecutive Iditarod. In 2010 finished second in the Yukon Quest and won his 4th consecutive Iditarod, before sliding out of the top ten in the 2011 race.

Personal life

Father Dick Mackey was one of the founders of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, and won the event by one second over Rick Swenson in 1978. Lance's half-brother Rick Mackey also won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 1983. All three of them won the race on their sixth attempt wearing bib number 13. His brother, Jason Mackey also competes in the Iditarod.

Mackey was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2001 but continued sled dog racing entering the 2002 Iditarod race. After scratching from that race, he took a full year off from racing to recover from the disease. He is now considered cancer-free; however, Mackey suffered nerve damage in his left index finger as a result of the operation to remove the cancerous tumor. The nerve damage caused such unbearable pain in the finger that Mackey chose to have the finger surgically removed. The radiation from the treatments also destroyed his saliva glands, causing his teeth to disintegrate. He has had the infected teeth pulled, and is currently having his teeth rebuilt by dentists.