In March, Samantha Lalonde made waves by winning Rookie of the Year in the Iditarod while working out of Dallas Seavey’s kennel in Talkeetna. Now, she and her partner Tucker are starting an exciting new chapter—building their own kennel - Lost Sourdough Outfitters, just outside of Fairbanks, surrounded by their own pack of Alaskan Huskies.

While they’re gearing up to race in various events in the winters to come, they’re also looking forward to simply enjoying the trails at their own pace in Interior Alaska.

Sam was an absolute blast to chat with—fun, thoughtful, and full of great stories. It was also awesome seeing her out on the trail this year. You don’t want to miss this one!

Intro - 0:00

Sam - 27:24

#MushingAlaska #Iditarod #DogMushing #AlaskaLife #RookieOfTheYear #SledDogs #WomenWhoMush #Fairbanks #NewEpisode

Bailey Vitello has completed three Iditarods (2023–2025), tackling the southern, northern, and the "way northern" routes. By his own words, he still feels like a rookie — he hasn’t run the same trail twice yet. But after a 5th place finish in 2025, and strong performances in both the Kobuk 440 and Kuskokwim 300, he's quickly proving he's a serious contender.

Bailey grew up around sled dogs on the East Coast, and with the support of family and friends, made his way across the U.S. and Canada competing in races of all kinds — even taking a team to Europe. Now based in Nenana, Alaska, Bailey is focused on long-term racing in the Last Frontier and plans to run the Iditarod for years to come. Off the trail, he’s getting ready to marry his fiancée this summer.

0:00 - Intro

9:18 - Interview with Bailey

#Iditarod #BaileyVitello #DogMushing #MushingAlaskaPodcast #MostImproved #SledDogs #MushingAlaska #LivintheDream

Our guest - Libby Riddles made history as the first woman to win the 1,000-mile Iditarod in 1985, racing through brutal conditions and proving her grit on Alaska’s toughest trail. She ran the Iditarod throughout the '80s and returned for one more run in 1995.Before her historic win, she trained and lived in Teller, Alaska, north of Nome on the Seward Peninsula. These days, she spends winters with her small dog team in the hills of the Kenai Peninsula, and in the summer, she shares her stories with cruise ship guests in Alaska’s capital.We had an incredible conversation packed with stories, insight, and wisdom from a true trailblazer. Don't miss this one — tune in and enjoy!#Iditarod #LibbyRiddles #DogMushing #AlaskaPodcast #WomenInHistory #SledDogs #MushingAlaska