Jaye Foucher began mushing in 2000 after adopting a Siberian Husky puppy as a pet, a decision that soon transformed into a lifelong passion for sled dog sports.
Not long after, she relocated to New Hampshire and established Sibersong Sleddogs, a kennel that has since grown to around 35 dogs — primarily Siberian Huskies from her own lines, along with a mix of Alaskans and Alaskan-Siberian crosses.
With a background as a rock musician, Jaye brought the same drive and determination to the racing trail, steadily earning respect for her performances across North America’s mid-distance circuit. In 2025, she placed 3rd in the Can-Am Crown 250 and 6th in the UP200.
Her journey hasn’t been without challenges. A training accident in 2022 forced her out of the Iditarod and led to years of recovery, both for her team and from her own struggle with PTSD.
Now, after one of her strongest seasons yet, Jaye is preparing to return to Alaska with her sights firmly set on the 2026 Iditarod.
What is your full name?
Jaye Anne Foucher
Do you have a nickname?
No
Do you have a kennel name?
Sibersong Sleddogs
How old are you?
Older than I’d like to be, lol! 58
Where were you brought up?
About 20 minutes outside of Boston, in Waltham Massachusetts
Where do you live now?
For the moment I’m renting a place in Ester Alaska. I’ve been living in Wentworth NH for the past 11 years but I just sold my house there before heading to Alaska.
How many sled dogs do you own?
Somewhere around 35. The exact number changes so frequently I can never quite keep track.
How long have you owned sled dogs?
I got my first siberian husky in 2000, my first siberian from actual sled dog/working lines in 2001.
What races have you competed in?
Many many! The major ones I’ve competed in are the Can-Am Crown, Beargrease Marathon and UP200. I did the ACE Race in Alaska in 2021, and have done various 100-150 mile races in Quebec, Ontario Canada, New Hampshire and Maine over the past 18 years. Plus tons of shorter races.
What’s your greatest achievement so far?
Finishing 3rd place in this past winter’s Can-Am Crown 250. That’s a super competitive race and I never expected to place that high.
Has it always been a dream to run the Iditarod?
Pretty much! I was talking about running it when I still only had 3 dogs and had ZERO idea what was involved.
What made you decide that this year would be the year to sign up for the race?
This is actually the 3rd time I’ve signed up. I was signed up for the 2022 race but my team was hit by a truck 6 weeks before the start. I withdrew my entry after that; the accident knocked most of my leaders off the team. I then signed up for the 2023 race but 5 weeks into fall training that season my PTSD from the accident had become totally overwhelming, to the point that I couldn’t even enjoy training my dogs. I decided I wasn’t in the right headspace to do Iditarod and returned to the east coast to recover. Took me 4 years to get the PTSD fully under control, and also to get the necessary experience on some of the younger dogs. Only a few of the dogs in the race pool for this coming season were part of my race pool back in 2021-22.
What can you tell me about your team?
I run primarily siberian huskies, but have a few alaskans mixed in. Most of my alaskans have at least 1/4 siberian in them, except for maybe 2. A few are a siberian/alaskan cross. Almost all are ones I raised from birth.
Do you have a website?
www.sibersong.com and
www.sibersongiditarod.com
Do you have sponsors?
I’ve got some dog and team sponsors. There will very likely be more as the season progresses. At this moment my team sponsors are
Dana Kevelder
Barbara Heap
Toddy & Doug Munson
Do you look up to a specific musher?
I guess I’d have to say my ‘hero’ musher is Lance Mackey.
He had to deal with so many physical and health issues over the years and he just never let that stop him from running the Iditarod or other races. He just kept going no matter what. I wish I had had the chance to get to know him in person. I did get a few dogs from him about 10 years ago, and most of my alaskans now go back to his lines.
I’ve also got immense respect for Mike Ellis, what he accomplished with his Siberians over the years. As well as Rob Cooke and Blake & Jen Freking. Those guys have been out there for many years proving that siberians can still be competitive in the racing arena.
Have you handled for an Iditarod Veteran musher in the past?
No, I have not.
Have you won any awards during a race?
I’ve gotten Top Purebred team in the past (on occasions where I ran a full purebred team), also was awarded the Sportsmanship Award at the 2008 Beargrease Marathon.
What’s your favourite sled dog race?
Can-Am Crown for sure. I’ve been running that race for years and some of the same volunteers have also been working that race the whole time, so whenever I go to that it’s like being with family and that’s exactly how you’re treated. It’s also an incredibly challenging and competitive race – I’ve probably scratched as many times as I’ve finished.
How are you preparing for your first Iditarod?
Right now I’m in the process of moving my kennel to Ester Alaska. Hoping to start training the dogs in a few weeks, weather dependent of course.
What do you think you can expect from Iditarod?
I expect there are going to be some amazing, indescribable moments where I am having the time of my life – and I also expect there are going to be plenty of times I’m going to question my sanity and ask myself “Why the HELL did I think this was a good idea?” I’ll probably contemplate scratching at least once, I’ll probably cry at least once, I’ll definitely be sleep deprived and feel like shit at times but I also expect that if I make it to the finish line it’s going to be the greatest feeling in the world.
What’s the best advice you have received regarding mushing?
Never scratch when you first come into a checkpoint. Always get some rest and food first, THEN make a decision. Most times I follow that advice, but a few times I didn’t and regretted it later.
Are you from a mushing background?
No. My family thought I went insane when I announced my decision to be a dog musher. Particularly since I hated the cold weather prior to that!
Do you have any friends who are also dog mushers?
That pretty much describes the majority of my friends these days. 🙂 Most of my closer friends are either recreational, sprint or mid distance mushers, or retired mushers.
Is there a certain part of the Iditarod trail you are looking forward to? Like maybe the beautiful scenery from the Yukon River or the food from Takotna checkpoint?
I’d say rather than a particular spot, what I’m really looking forward to is visiting some of the bush villages and remote areas of Alaska.
Is there any part of the Iditarod trail you are nervous about like the Bering sea coast or the Steps?
Definitely my two biggest concerns are the Burn and running into a ground blizzard or being trapped in a blowhole on the coast. I feel like the steps and the gorge are certainly going to be challenging and a white-knuckle ride but something tells me that those won’t be the worst challenges I will face out there.
If for some reason you don’t make it to the finish line in Nome, will you try again?
I’m sure I will.
What kind of things do you like to do when not mushing?
I do a lot of sewing/craft stuff. I love reading and going to concerts. Karaoke, when I can convince people to go with me. 🙂
What is your favorite food / drink?
Pasta and French Vanilla Coffee! They discontinued my favorite brand of coffee though so I’m going to have to find a new favorite I guess.
What’s your favorite music?
Nu Metal & Hard Rock.
What’s your favorite film?
At the moment, How To Train Your Dragon (live action). But this changes frequently.
What’s your favorite book?
It’s a toss up between Running With Champions by Lisa Frederic and Running North by Ann Cook
What’s your favorite city?
I honestly don’t have one.
What’s your favorite item of clothing?
Slightly oversized hoodies
Do you have a lucky charm?
Yeah – it seems to be (right now at least) a necklace that contains the ashes of Noddy, the dog that died in the 2022 accident.
Photos courtesy of Iditarod, Peter Freeman, Paul Cyr and Andy Gregg.
