Repesenting the next generation of a legendary mushing family, Patrick will take to the trailer in the 2026 Yukon Quest Alaska. He has spent the last eight years cultivating a high-performance team built on the Mackey’s proven championship genetics. Located at Topnotch Comeback Kennel, Patrick and his father, Jason, have raised and trained over 50 exceptional dogs to meet the evolving demands of the sport. 

Jonah Bacon steps up to the YQA 750 this year, representing Nautique Sky Kennel. A Fairbanks local, Jonah’s journey began as an Iditarod volunteer beforeu he started training under mentor Deke Naaktgeboren. Now in his fourth year, Jonah is driven by a respect thatfor mushing history and the solitude of the Yukon River.

Based in Two Rivers, Alaska, Josi Shelley runs There and Back Again Sleddogs alongside her husband. Her path to the Yukon Quest Alaska began in Ohio, where she first discovered dog power by skijoring on rollerblades with her pet Husky. Today, that childhood hobby has transformed into a full-fledged passion for professional competitive mushing.