Photo courtesy of Jessi Downey

Jessi Downey is originally from the village of Noatak, which is upriver from the Kobuk 440 starting line (and the turnaround point for our local Taaqpak 120 race). She started dog mushing as a teenager by helping Jen Evans and other local mushers run dogs around Willow—a small town in Southcentral Alaska known as the official start of the Iditarod and homebase to many mushers. She has run the the Willow 300, the Goose Bay (Tug) 150, and the Ididn'trod Invitational, and has had her sights set on the Kobuk 440 for several years. She is looking forward to seeing friends and family as she stops through the checkpoints with her team. She would like to thank her mom Marianne, Jessica Klejka, Eric Svensson, and all the friends and family that have helped out in her mushing adventures.

Kennel: Aimaagvik Kennel Handler: Patti Glotfelty Age: 23 Started Mushing: 2015 Location: Willow, AK Number of Dogs: 12 Key Dogs: Winnie, Bryne, Rowan, Cezanne, Trapper, Espresso Sponsors: Marianne (mom), Jessica Klejka,
Eric Svensson, friends and family Other Races: Willow 300, Goose Bay 150, Ididn'trod 2020