IditaProject Forum

Just saw a list of 2022 mushers. Seems 5 veterans have withdrawn. What happened to Jesse Royer?

Not sure about all of them, but race officials are requiring covid vaccination of all mushers, and some may feel not so inclined.

Travel to Alaska from out of Alaska with a dog team and border crossings and shipping supplies and handlers etc. is difficult and expensive in the easiest year. This year will not be an easy year for anyone. I doubt that vaccinations was a deciding factor for any of them.

I disagree tx, of the 5 whom have withdrawn only Jessie Royer is from out of Alaska and would encounter the travel issues you describe.
Not saying that vax is the issue either tho. There are also several Alaskan and Canadian teams making the travel and signed up for the Beargrease.
Regarding Jessie, she is signed up for the Idaho Sled Dog Challenge - https://idahosleddogchallenge.com.
That race, along with the Eagle Cap Extreme and Race to the Sky, is a part of the Rocky Mountain Triple Crown series. She doesn't show entered for the Eagle Cap and the Race to the Sky site, as usual, has very little info.

Now there are 7 withdrawn including Thomas Waerner and Jason Campeau

Jessie is so good and consistent, I might just put her in my Top Ten anyway!

I don't know about Jesse, but Wade Marrs has been very open about not competing due to the vaccine mandate.