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Gov. Sarah Palin closed down a lengthy gas pipeline press conference Wednesday as Iditarod champ Lance Mackey neared the finish line ahead of the crowd in Nome.

By tradition, Anchorage TV Channel 2 links the winner of Alaska's most popular sporting contest with the governor for finish-line congratulations.

Palin waited in her office, phone in one hand, Black Berry in the other, eyes on a TV screen showing a weary but thrilled Mackey speaking with steamed breath.

She grinned at the image.

"This is extraordinary," she said.

Mackey nabbed the top prize for the third consecutive year in a row.

Moreover, Palin noted, the musher "is so real."

She called Mackey, a cancer survivor with an "amazing family," an excellent spokesperson for Alaska and an inspiration for many.

Linked by cell with Mackey and live on the TV, Palin applauded the musher, offering her best and husband Todd Palin's congratulations as well.

"We are so proud of you, Lance, and we're considering this the greatest team in Iditarod history," Palin said, speaking off the cuff. "Lance, you continue to give all of us hope ... The adversity that you have overcome, the challenges you have met, believe me. It resonates across our nation, and across our world, and we're very proud of ya."

Two years ago, shortly after Palin was elected to the governor's office, Mackey crossed the finish line in the middle of the night, and the TV crew put the call through.

Likely exhausted from days on the grueling trail, Mackey bid hello to "Governor Murkowski," whom Palin defeated.

She laughed it off the next day, noting the champion musher was clearly not political and something of a breath of fresh air.