One of the toughest endurance races for man and beast has come to an end in Canada’s north.
The 1,600 km (give or take) Yukon Quest International dog sled race has wound up with winner Hugh Neff, of Alaska, crossing the finish line first, his second win in four years.
He takes home a prize of about $23,000
Last year’s winner, Brent Sass, also from Alaska,, dominated the first half of the race, but came in second overall. However as the first musher into Dawson City, and for finishing he gets four ounces of gold. This is an old connection with the Yukon’s well-established gold-rush mining history.
Top Canadian in the international field was Ed Hopkins who came in fifth.
Climate change again?
In the final day of the race the route had to be adjusted several times due to warm weather as several areas of open water sprang up along the river course. The finish line was also moved up from Whitehorse to kilometer 10 on the Takhini Hot Springs Road.
In the past few years the race has had to have the course altered a number of times due to unexpectedly warm weather causing a lack of snow in some areas, or open water in others.
In an odd twist, an unofficial competitor finished the 33rd annual race. Alaskan Jeff Oatley started the course a week before the mushers aboard what is called a “fat bike”, a bicycle with especially wide tires to track over snow. He finished just after the second musher crossed the line.
He said the isolation of the race took it’s toll and this will be his last race.
Additional information- sources
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