If you didn’t already know the Yukon Quest which originally ran from Whitehorse in the Yukon, Canada to Fairbanks in Alaska, is no more.
The two sides of the Yukon Quest, Alaska and Canada have agreed to split the race into two.
The Canadian side kept the Yukon Quest name and having three races – The YQ100, the YQ250 and the YQ450.
The Alaskan side is now called Yukon Quest Alaska and has three races – the YQA80, the YQA200 and the YQA300.
All six of the Yukon Quest races will take place on Saturday 3rd February 2024. The Canadian races start in Whitehorse and the Alaskan races start in Fairbanks.
The mushers signed up so far include :
YQ100 – Debbie Knight, Rhonda Kotelko, Jonathan Lucas, Michael Capelli, Jimmy Lebling, Nathaniel Hamlyn, Jonathan Alsberghe.
YQ250 – Louve Tweddell.
YQ450 – Jjay Levy, Kailyn Olnes, Misha Wiljes.
YQA80 – Blake Matray, Jenny Roddewig, Michael Roddewig, Lane Keek, Emily Robinson (Jr Iditarod winner), Carolyn Miller.
YQA200 – Tabitha Hughes, Jody Potts-Joseph (Life Below Zero First Alaskans), Ashley Franklin.
YQA300 – Sydnie Bahl, Keaton Loebrich, Steve Humes, Lauro Eklund (Iditarod 2024 Rookie), Josi Thyr (Iditarod 2024 Rookie), Kelly Ridley, Rohn Buser (Iditarod Veteran), Brent Sass (Iditarod Champion), Anna Hennessy (Iditarod 2024 Rookie)
Hopefully there will be more mushers signing up for these exciting races before February. Especially the YQ250, otherwise Louve Tweddell will not only win but also receive the Red Lantern award !
You can find out more about these races on their respective websites.
