Sharing Lessons Learned
Contributed by Debra McGhan
Ashley Wood, who grew up in Soldotna and now lives in the Mat-Su, was first introduced to competitive snowmobile racing as a young child by seven-time Iron Dog champion Scott Davis.
“Our families both owned cabins in the Caribou Hills area and Scott introduced me to racing and loaned me a sled.”
She said she also had other family members involved in the sport so was naturally drawn to racing. “My Dad used to race and I had a great uncle involved in the sport. Plus I’ve always had trouble sitting still so racing was just a good fit for me.”
Wood said she wasn’t naturally good at racing but loved the competitive thrill of it. “I actually had to work really hard at it. I started out doing snowcross but I wasn’t good at that. But it gave me a good foundation and then I tried cross-country and started winning races. In 2011, the first year I won the Mayor’s Cup in Valdez, I was hooked.”
After being part of only the second all-women’s team to complete the pro-class Iron Dog race, and first with partner Hillarie Gossett to complete the pro-class race including the Red Dog loop in 2023, Wood decided she really wanted to do more to help inspire, train and motivate youth in the sport of snowmobile riding, racing and safe backcountry travel.
“I see a lot of kids riding ATVs and snowmachines without a helmet and I just shudder,” said Wood. “I remember a story about a young boy that didn’t secure his helmet strap. He got in a crash and his helmet flew off and the foot peg on his machine went through his skull. It was horrible and the kid was never the same after that.
“Sometimes it can be the simplest thing that changes your life forever.”
Wood said she feels fortunate that she has had, and still has, some really good role models and mentors. She said five-time Iron Dog and Arctic Man champion Chris Olds has been one of her best mentors and is like a big brother.
“I’ve learned so much from Chris over the years that I know I would not have made it this far without his help. And yet even with all that, things still happen so you just have to be prepared,” she said.
“I see a lot of kids that either their parent’s don’t have the time to teach them, or maybe they just don’t know themselves, but they are doing things that are really dangerous and high-risk. I want to see kids get educated so they can participate in and enjoy cold weather, high-risk sports without getting seriously hurt.”
She believes it’s important for all kids, but especially those who have hyperactive or attention deficit issues, to get outdoors.
“There is nothing more beneficial to a kid that has trouble sitting still or paying attention in school, than to get outside and do something physical. I don’t want kids to get hurt so it’s important that they learn early about how to stay safe and the consequences of not knowing what to do in a crisis.”
In early January 2024, Wood was invited to join an elite Iron Dog Ambassador team along with Scott Davis; his son Cory Davis, 2017 Iron Dog champion and six-time X-Games Medalist; Dee Dee Jonrowe, Iditarod Sled Dog legend; Mike Jonrowe her husband and certified drone pilot; Robby Schachle, local snowmobile legend and 2021 Iron Dog champion; Pat Reilly, long-time Iron Dog supporter and two-time runner up; and Kristina Woolston, Donlin Gold top donor representative and Native Alaskan, to ride the Iron Dog route ahead of the race and meet with community leaders.
“I’m beyond honored to be a part of this incredible team of people to spread the message for motorized racing and safe backcountry travel along the Iron Dog race route.”
Thanks to a grant from the Matanuska Electric Association’s - Round-up program, Wood will also be out visiting local Mat-Su schools with Alaska Safe Riders sharing her experiences, stories and safety lessons.
To have your school included in this upcoming educational training tour, submit your request through AlaskaSafeRiders.org/request-training.
“You have to try lots of different things before you’ll know what you like and what you’re good at,” said Wood. “And learning to do things the right way by listening to others willing to share who have gone before can make all the difference in being safe and finding your place in the world.”