They’re well past the half-way point now. The 1600 kilometre trek from Fairbanks, Alaska to Whitehorse Yukon is the annual race between the United States and Canada northwest border, by sled and dog-team. It’s officially known as ‘the Yukon Quest 1,000 Mile International Sled Dog Race.
This 30th anniversary year 18 teams of mushers and their dogs began the quest on February 1st. 15 teams are still in the race as they set out from the half-way point in Dawson City on Thursday. A mandatory 36-hour rest period was required at this stop.
Several racers have commented on the rough conditions this year, with a lot of ice and rock on the Yukon River coming into Dawson City.
The race website describes how the quest originated. ‘In 1983, four mushers sat at a table in the Bull’s Eye Saloon in Fairbanks, Alaska. The conversation turned to a discussion about a new sled dog race and “what-ifs”? In 1984 the first quest took place, in hommage to the Yukon River, known as the highway of the north.
The winner could cross the finish line, just north of Whitehorse, late Sunday night or early Monday morning.
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