Jessie Holmes cruised to a repeat victory in the grueling 1,000-mile Iditarod sled dog race, becoming only the third musher in the race's 54-year history to win back-to-back titles after his first win in 2018.

Holmes guided his team of 12 dogs across the finish line in Nome, Alaska, on Tuesday night, celebrating with a fist pump as the crowd cheered. His lead dogs, Polar and Zeus, received steaks after the race. Holmes acknowledged Zeus's leadership, stating, 'He leads by example.' The win earns him $80,000, significantly more than the $57,000-plus he won last year.

A former cast member on the National Geographic reality show 'Life Below Zero,' Holmes used earnings from the program to buy better dogs and equipment, and to purchase raw land near Denali National Park. His seventh-place finish in 2018 earned him rookie of the year honors; he has now raced nine times, achieving seven top-10 finishes, including five consecutive top-five results.

Holmes faced immense pressure, telling the AP this was 'the most important race of my career.' The Iditarod, which started March 8 in Willow and traversed two mountain ranges and the frozen Yukon River, saw 34 competitive mushers start, the second-smallest field in history due to high costs and retirements. The race also claimed one dog's life, a 4-year-old female named Charly.