Challenging Yukon Quest sled dog race prepares for 35th annual event

WHITEHORSE — Twenty-six mushers and their dogs have one more day of rest before the teams hit the trail for the 35th annual Yukon Quest sled dog race, renowned as one of the toughest such events on the planet.

The international event, covering 1,609 kilometres, begins Saturday in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the winner due to cross the finish line in Whitehorse nine or 10 days later.

Despite unseasonably warm weather in some parts of Yukon, race official Natalie Haltrich says conditions in Alaska are excellent.

The mushers, including last year’s winner, 26-year-old Alaska resident Matt Hall, must scale three mountain peaks, pass through five check points and cover 241 kilometres before crossing the border into Yukon just west of Dawson City.

In Canada, the racers and their teams of 14 dogs, must go through another four checkpoints and get past the 1,234-metre high King Solomon’s Dome peak before reaching the Whitehorse finish line.

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Along with defending champ Hall, mushers including former winners Hugh Neff and Allen Moore, along with 12 other race veterans and 11 rookies.

Haltrich says some people oppose the event, but she says everyone is invited to view it and meet the veterinarians who ensure the health of the dogs.

“I believe in this race, the people who put it on believe in this race,” Haltrich says.

“We know what we do well, we are proud of what we do well and we are not afraid to meet folks and invite them to learn as well.”

Anyone interested in following the race can keep track of the mushers and their dogs at www.yukonquest.com. (CKRW)

The Canadian Press