HUMAN

Name: Hanna Konecna

Age: 24

Residence: Canada & Czech Republic

Occupation: Sales manager for Manmat SRO, which is a dog sledding, a company who makes like dog supplies, harnesses, and stuff.

Years involved with the Iditarod: This is my first year at the Iditarod.

Iditarod Role: Dog Handler for Brent Sass

Current Location: Nome, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 15, 2022

Temperature: 30F Outdoors & 68F Indoors at Iditarod Headquarters

What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?

I first became involved with Iditarod this year, 2022, handling for Brent Sass.

What is your Why? Why are you here TODAY and involved with the Iditarod?

I’m here today and involved with Iditarod because of my dreams, childhood dreams, who are finally coming true. Handling for Brent Sass is something that I always dreamed of based on my mushing background. And I’m enjoying it as much as I can.

Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences.

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was after the ceremonial start in Anchorage. We went to our cabins where we were staying overnight for the restart in Willow. And we were taking care of the dogs. We dropped them out of the truck and me and Mike Ellis, who was also there, we were playing around with snowball fight and around the dog truck, of course, like little kids while Brent was feeding his dogs. And of course I missed my throw and I threw a snowball into Brent Sass face, instead of Mike Ellis.

What in life do you know for sure?

What I know for sure in life is that every dream can always come true. We just have to do the first step.