Lance Mackey is the fourth champion in Quest history to win the race twice. His team crossed the finish line Tuesday night at 8:29 Yukon Time, breaking Quest speed records on a trail 50 miles shorter than usual, but judged to be tougher with more hill terrain.
Lance Mackey answers questions for the crowd at the Quest finish line. His father, Iditarod champion Dick Mackey, proudly looks on. Dick won the 1978 Iditarod by a dog’s nose, in one of the most memorable finishes in long distance mushing history.
Lance Mackey’s team arrived in Dawson barking with tails wagging, and rolled in the snow as Mackey congratulated and thanked each of them.
William Kleedehn took third place in the 2006 Yukon Quest. He packed his loyal leader Dogmatic in the sled basket for the last section of trail. Kleedehn says Dogmatic had a temporarily sore shoulder, but minutes after getting out of the sled was running around in fine shape.
Kleedehn’s team snacked at the finish line, and tended to their paws, finally free from booties.
Mackey Wins 2006 Quest
Libby Casey reports from Dawson City as Lance Mackey wins this year's Yukon Quest. Mackey finished hours after he was expected - looking both tired and pleased at winning his second quest in a row. Click here to Listen to the report.
More mushers trickle in, as Lance Mackey reflects on the win that almost wasn’t. Mackey has silenced doubters, whom he says questioned his first victory in the Quest last year. The now 2-time winner of the race says besting 3-time past champion Hans Gatt this year confirms his own stature as a champion. Click here to Listen to the report.
After hours of anticipation, the siren finally sounded in Dawson City last night to alert the town that a musher was coming. 20 minutes later, Lance Mackey and his 11 dog team crossed the finish line. His time of 10 days and about 8 hours is a new Quest record, but one reached on a highly unusual trail. Soon after Mackey claimed his victory, Hans Gatt crossed the finish line in second place, and William Kleedehn claimed third.
Click here to Listen to the report.
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© 2006 KUAC FM/TV. All rights reserved. 
Hans Gatt took second place, arriving 1 hour and 12 minutes after Mackey.
Gatt snacks his dogs after they cross the finish line.
Race watchers waited in the Dawson City checkpoint and on the Yukon River for hours Tuesday.
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