Hans Gatt:

Hans Gatt, 50, grew up on a farm in Austria. He ran the farm from age 26 and bred award winning dairy cows. He raced motocross in Europe until he attended a dog sled race that ignited his passion for racing sled dogs. Hans immediately started a breeding program using Edinger, Dunlap and Lester Erhart dogs. He also built his first dog sleds in Austria, under the name ‘Gatt Sleds.' His partner in sled building in Austria was his good friend Ernst Danler. After winning all eight races entered in his first year of racing, including European Championship, Hans turned his attention to the world of dog sled racing in North America. He moved to Atlin, B.C. in 1990. Hans has won the Yukon Quest three times, the Wyoming Stage Stop four times, the Copper Basin, the European Championship four times and the IFSS World Championship Open Class, among many other races. He would like to improve upon his 2008, 6th place finish in the Iditarod. Hans builds dog sleds, travels a bit, and is training a Jamaican musher and a Scottish musher to run the Yukon Quest. He lives near Whitehorse, Yukon, with his partner Susie Rogan and 72 dogs.

Ryan Redington:

Ryan Redington, 26, was born and raised in the Wasilla area. He's been mushing since "I could hang onto the sled," says Ryan. He ran two Jr. Iditarod's and many local mid distance races as well as the Iditarod. Ryan and his wife, Erin, own and operate an Iditarod racing kennel in Knik, Alaska. Ryan has a long family history in the Iditarod. His grandfather was the "Father of the Iditarod," Joe Redington, Sr. Ryan grew up watching his father and grandfather race in 33 combined Iditarods and knew it was something he wanted to do. He has now completed three Iditarods with his top finish being 18th. Ryan has a daughter, Raynee, age six, who is just starting to follow in the family footsteps. He enjoys trapping, hunting and fishing.

Lance Mackey:

Lance Mackey, 38, was born and raised in Alaska. The three time Iditarod champion and four time Yukon Quest champion (and current record holder) says he began mushing "at birth." "I grew up around racing and the Iditarod. I was at the finish line in 1978 to see my father, Dick Mackey, win by one second. In 1983, my older brother, Rick, won. Both my father and brother won wearing bib #13 in their sixth Iditarod." 2007 was Lance's sixth Iditarod and he won wearing bib #13, just as he had planned. Lance is a member of the Board of Directors of the Yukon Quest and a member of P.R.I.D.E. His interests include "Dogs/Family/Dogs!" Lance and Tonya are the parents of Amanda, 20, Brittney, 18, Alanah, 17 and Cain, 16.

Jeff King:

Jeff King, 53, was born in California. He came to Alaska in 1975 to "seek adventure." He began mushing in 1976 after he heard Jerry Riley's race finish while listening to the radio. Jeff has an outstanding race record including a Yukon Quest victory in 1981 and four Iditarod victories. He lives with his family on Goose Lake in Denali Park surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Alaska Range. The King's two-story log home is also an art studio for Jeff's wife, Donna, an accomplished medical illustrator and wildlife painter. The owner and operator of Goose Lake Kennels, King breeds, raises and trains 60 to 70 huskies a year. The Kings have three daughters, Cali, 24, Tessa, 22, and Ellen, 17. All the girls have run the Jr. Iditarod and Cali finished the Iditarod.