Ryan Sottosanti

Growing up in the late 1980s and 1990s, Ryan's father raced dirt bikes across the West Coast. Every weekend, his mother, sister, and he would pack up and travel to watch the races, and it was during those formative years that his passion for racing was born. In 1999, he began racing Snocross, eventually transitioning into cross-country racing.

 

His first major race came in 2002 when he competed in the Iron Dog alongside his father. That experience became a turning point, inspiring him to continually set ambitious goals and push himself to new heights in the sport. Over the years, he has competed in a wide variety of racing disciplines—from grass drags to pulling a skier at over 80 mph at Arctic Man.

More recently, his passion has expanded to include the SOO I500. 2025 marked his rookie year at the SOO, where he gained invaluable experience. With lessons learned, he and his team are preparing to return for the 2026 race with one clear goal: to win.

 

Racing both the SOO I500 and the Iron Dog in the same year presents a unique challenge. The events are just one week apart and require over 5,000 miles of travel round-trip. Achieving victories in both races in the same year would be a dream come true—a feat no racer has ever accomplished.

 

Another goal Ryan's set his sights on is winning the AFGW race in Kotzebue, Alaska, one of the fastest cross-country races in the world, covering 230 miles in under three hours. Over the past two decades, he has dedicated himself to refining his skills across all aspects of cross-country and ice racing. Despite the demands of the sport, his drive and commitment remain strong, and he continues to improve with each passing year.