It was not immediately clear what caused Nelson’s death, but early indications were that he had suffered a sudden health event.

The Iditarod had banned its 2022 champion from this year's race following accusations that he sexually assaulted multiple women.

Mackey won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 1983 and his late brother, Lance, won an unprecedented four straight championships.

The veteran musher is also the owner of Willow-based Smyth Logwork and Construction, with a family history of building log homes.

The arch, which marks the end of the Iditarod Trail, collapsed Saturday. It was last renovated in 2013.

The message comes at a time when major Iditarod sponsors have dropped out, and inflation has increased the cost of participation.

Paige Drobny’s team arrived here in 5th place early Wednesday morning, followed by Mille Porsild in 7th, Amanda Otto in 8th and Jessie Royer in 10th.

"He always wants to be near me," said Benjamin Good. "When he gets excited, he'll jump up and grab my beard with his front teeth."

Delmer is six years old and racing in his fourth Iditarod, Pete Kaiser said.

One dog on musher Bailey Vitello's team was struck but not injured, according to Iditarod officials.

Musher Dallas Seavey dashed across the finish line in Nome on Tuesday, breaking a tie with five-time champ Rick Swenson.

Henry, a 3-year-old on rookie Calvin Daugherty’s team, collapsed outside of Shaktoolik.