Lead story
Mackey rakes in awards at Yukon Quest banquet
Photo by Sam Harrel
February 24, 2008
WHITEHORSE, Yukon — Bill Pinkham proposed marriage, Hugh Neff offered to pay a Native musher’s entry fee and Lance Mackey nearly broke down after winning an award he’s long coveted — what a way to wrap up the 25th Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
Latest News
Musher overcomes demons of the trail to conquer Quest
Published February 23, 2008
WHITEHORSE, Yukon — Joy was the overriding emotion Friday for a Fairbanks “recreational musher who took a wrong turn” and wound up 12th in the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
Kaduce saves dogs from treacherous overflow
Published February 22, 2008
WHITEHORSE, Yukon — Dan Kaduce of Chatanika found himself soaking wet and missing a dog Wednesday night just 95 miles from the finish of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
Stepping Stone keeps its title as a favorite stopping point for mushers
Published February 21, 2008
STEPPING STONE, Yukon — Nothing makes Carole Kroening happier than what happened Monday night during Jean-denis Britten’s six-hour visit to this popular hospitality stop near the junction of the Yukon and Pelly rivers.
Dalton takes third place as mushers head to Whitehorse
Published February 21, 2008
WHITEHORSE, Yukon — Dave Dalton is a bit like his dogs — steady, tough and level-headed.
The combination on Wednesday night led him to third place in the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, his fourth top-five finish since 2004.
Mackey wins his fourth Yukon Quest by a nose
Published February 20, 2008
Not even a strong challenge from his next-door neighbor and a costly wrong turn could keep Lance Mackey out of the record books.
Dalton passes Sass, Phillips to lead third place
Published February 20, 2008
WHITEHORSE, Yukon — David Dalton surged into the lead in the race for third place Tuesday afternoon.
'Races within the race' put a lot at stake
Published February 19, 2008
Kelley Griffin can't figure out how she's in sixth place of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race with 250 miles to go.
Sass has stomach-turning 30 hours on trail
Published February 19, 2008
After Brent Sass blew through the Scroggie Creek dog drop at 4:30 a.m. Sunday to take a short-lived lead in the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, he fell off the race Web site for 30 hours, making no progress whatsoever.
Whitehorse looms near as Quest leaders battle
Published February 19, 2008
Ken Anderson had already been mushing for 10 1/2 hours as he approached the McCabe Creek dog drop with Lance Mackey out of sight but hot on his tail. He kept on going.
Mackey keeps Anderson in his sights on Quest
Published February 18, 2008
CARMACKS, Yukon — After an already long run, Ken Anderson surprised many by hardly stopping this morning at the McCabe Creek dog drop. Barely 200 miles from the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race finish line, Lance Mackey said he had little choice but to follow suit.
Yukon Quest front-runners sprint into Carmacks
Published February 18, 2008
The front-runners checked into Carmacks hours before they were expected on Monday morning. Ken Anderson and Lance Mackey are still running neck and neck, with Anderson pulling in at 10:40 a.m. Yukon time, a scant three minutes ahead of three-time champ Mackey. Carmacks is 177 miles from the finish line of the 1,000-mile sled dog race in Whitehorse.
Layover midway through Quest has led to better dog care
Published February 18, 2008
Head veterinarian Vern Starks says the 36-hour layover at the midway point of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race keeps many dogs in the race that otherwise couldn't continue toward Whitehorse.
Boivin determined to avoid red lantern
Published February 18, 2008
Kyla Boivin of Whitehorse didn't feel like waiting for snowmachiner Sebastian Jones to help find a vanished trail.
Leaders flip-flop in crazy two-day stretch
Published February 18, 2008
Countless questions were waiting to be answered when the huskies pulling Ken Anderson finally trotted into Pelly on a much-too-warm late Sunday evening.
New England musher makes himself at home in Yukon
Published February 17, 2008
DAWSON CITY — The seed was planted for Mike Ellis in 1993 when he worked for a New Hampshire musher who finished the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race with Siberian huskies the year before.
Last stretch of trail before Dawson City hampers some mushers
Published February 17, 2008
DAWSON CITY — Slowed by a snowstorm and sick dogs, Cor Guimond rolled into his hometown to a rousing welcome Saturday night after needing 28 hours to cover the last 50 miles of trail.
Quest rookie maintains outstanding run with young team
Published February 16, 2008
DAWSON CITY — Jean-denis Britten did not know his standing upon arriving at the midway point of the 25th Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
He even turned down an offer to find out Friday afternoon.
Quest lead is up for grabs
Published February 16, 2008
DAWSON CITY — A race for 3rd place — assuming Lance Mackey and Ken Anderson don’t falter — is shaping up between Brent Sass, Michelle Phillips and David Dalton.
Quest mushers strategize during Dawson City layover
Published February 16, 2008
DAWSON CITY — Frostbitten toe, sprained wrist, bruised body — there’s no place Michelle Phillips would rather be than the midway point of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
Quest is a family affair for Ledwidge
Published February 15, 2008
EAGLE — Peter Ledwidge has driven more than 30,000 miles on a dog sled, but after injuring his back in October, he and wife Ann considered getting out of dog mushing altogether.
Dawson City arrival puts Mackey in the gold
Published February 15, 2008
DAWSON CITY — Lance Mackey believes he has a dog team that is just a little faster than Ken Anderson’s. The reward Thursday was winning gold for the third time in four years.
Mackey, Anderson reach Quest halfway point
Published February 14, 2008
Reigning Yukon Quest champion Lance Mackey is maintaining a slim lead over Ken Anderson.
The two reached the halfway point at Dawson City at 1:01 p.m. and 1:34 p.m. respectively on Thursday.
Estey scratches due to injured knee
Published February 14, 2008
Julie Estey was instantly hooked on mushing after leaving a corporate job in Chicago to spend a winter as a dog sled guide in Jackson Hole, Wyo. About eight years later she fulfilled a dream by starting this year's race. That dream, though, was put on hold Wednesday at Slaven’s Roadhouse when Estey was forced to scratch because of a painful knee injury.
Cotter shows grit after disastrous day
Published February 14, 2008
Bill Cotter limped along, crouching over with an aching back to ladle food to each of his 11 remaining dogs.
That might sound bleak, but Cotter was in great spirits Wednesday after finally getting off the jumbled Yukon River whole in mind if not body, and with a seventh-place dog team that's improving as the miles pile up.
Anderson, Mackey jockey for lead
Published February 14, 2008
Ken Anderson of Fox said the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race's reputation as the toughest in the world is proving true.
"I think it lives up to that. At first I didn’t," Anderson said at 2 a.m. Wednesday after arriving in Eagle just minutes behind leader Lance Mackey.
Anderson hot on Mackey's heels in Quest
Published February 13, 2008
The front-runners in the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race are on their way to the halfway point in Dawson City, Yukon. Three-time defending champion Lance Mackey left Eagle at 7:10 a.m. Wednesday, with Ken Anderson hot on his heels one minute later.
Jumble ice a jarring experience for some mushers, dog teams
Published February 13, 2008
Depending on whom you asked, the jumble ice encountered by Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race mushers on Tuesday was either horrific or no big problem.
Historic Slaven’s Roadhouse proves popular with mushers, rangers
Published February 13, 2008
When Slaven’s Roadhouse became an official Yukon Quest dog drop in 1996, many of the mushers used to pass it by.
Not any more.
Cadzow rolls to easy victory in Quest 300 race
Published February 13, 2008
Josh Cadzow cruised to victory in the Yukon Quest 300 in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Cadzow wins Yukon Quest 300
Published February 12, 2008
Josh Cadzow won the Yukon Quest 300 in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Cadzow, 20, of Fort Yukon, finished the race in Central with 10 dogs, hours ahead of the next musher on the trail.
Lance Mackey takes the lead as Quest mushers hit Circle
Published February 12, 2008
CIRCLE CITY — An exhausted Dan Kaduce made the prediction Monday morning: “There will definitely be a new leader in Eagle.”
Crossing of Eagle Summit brings back memories for mushers
Published February 12, 2008
CENTRAL — For Phil Joy and Bill Pinkham, Sunday’s successful navigation of Eagle Summit was far from just another dog sled ride.
Anderson, Mackey take Quest lead
Published February 11, 2008
CIRCLE CITY -- Fairbanks musher Ken Anderson was the first to leave the Circle City checkpoint and head up the Yukon River on Monday in the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
Anderson left at 12:55 p.m., spending only half an hour in the former gold rush outpost. Three-time Yukon Quest champion Lance Mackey followed a minute later after resting for nearly five hours.
Three mushers scratch at base of Eagle Summit
Published February 11, 2008
Eagle Summit claimed three more victims on Monday as three Yukon Quest mushers scratched at the base of the notorious 3,685-foot summit.
Worsening weather delays Quest mushers in back of the pack
Published February 11, 2008
Conditions on Eagle Summit deteriorated late Sunday, forcing Yukon Quest mushers in the back of the pack to camp out at the remote dog drop at Mile 101 Steese Highway, according to a press release from race officials Monday.
Kamper has hot spot in Quest management
Published February 11, 2008
Peter Kamper secured one of the choicest jobs in the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race for possessing one simple skill — he's good at maintaining a fire.
Eagle Summit is more merciful this time around
Published February 11, 2008
Brent Sass gleefully hollered his way up and over Eagle Summit on Sunday, while Dave Dalton could later laugh about a harmless tumble down a section of the notorious mountain.
High winds, road closure delay Yukon Quest on second day
Published February 10, 2008
Yukon Quest mushers were given an extra five hours to truck their dogs from Chena Hot Springs Resort to Mile 101 Steese Highway because the Steese was closed by high winds and drifting snow at about Mile 81, according to a press release from race officials.
Kaduce sprints into lead at Chena Hot Springs checkpoint
Published February 10, 2008
CHENA HOT SPRINGS — Dan Kaduce of Chatanika made the first bold move of the 25th Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, and it got him to Chena Hot Springs before any other musher.
Fans cope with frigid temperatures for start of 2008 Yukon Quest
Published February 10, 2008
There may be a different start line and new sleds, but a few essential things haven’t changed with the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race: it’s still freezing cold, yet the crowd’s enthusiasm does not waver.
Leaving a stamp on the Quest
After 25 years, Carufel’s cachets are a race tradition
Published February 10, 2008
Caye Carufel has never run a Yukon Quest. But a little piece of her travels with every musher who’s ever entered the race.
Carufel is responsible for putting together the Yukon Quest International Dog Sled Race cachets, sets of commemorative envelopes carried by every musher in the contest. What started out as a lark for the Fairbanks resident has turned into an annual enterprise, one she’s undertaken through thick and thin every year since the Quest began in 1984.
Yukon Quest mushers get under way on a frigid morning
Published February 9, 2008
And they're off. Hundreds of spectators lined the bridges and banks of the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks on Saturday morning as 24 mushers and dog teams took their first steps down the trail of the 25th Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race. The temperatures hovered around 40 below zero as the mushers and teams got set up in a parking lot near the river.
Mackey prepares to defend title as Quest begins
Published February 9, 2008
With reliable Hobo and Larry still trotting along and stud Zorro back for one last hurrah, Lance Mackey remains the top dog — but he’s not looking past the competition for the 25th Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
Quest mushers to bypass snow-sparse Rosebud Summit
Published February 8, 2008
The 25th Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race had not even begun before the first major story broke on Friday — teams will be trucked from the Chena Hot Springs checkpoint to the Mile 101 dog drop to avoid a 42-mile stretch that includes a rocky and snow-sparse Rosebud Summit
With Quest positions set, mushers relive memories of past 24 races
Published February 8, 2008
A Frenchman and a German will bookend the start of the 25th Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, and neither is happy about their position.
Quest trail fraught with difficulties
Published February 8, 2008
Eagle Summit isn’t the main trail concern — not with horrendous jumble ice on the Yukon River and marker-munching caribou on a rough Rosebud Summit. Throw in a frigid forecast, and the 25th Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race is sure to challenge all 24 mushers beginning Saturday.
Cold grips the Interior
Published February 7, 2008
You were hoping it wouldn’t get any colder.
But it did. The National Weather Service sent out a notice Wednesday reporting some stunningly low temperatures, including an unofficial mark of 70 degrees below zero at Tok at 8 a.m.
Yukon Quest’s early participants share memories at social
Published February 6, 2008
Kevin Turnbough was just a 29-year-old Midwesterner in search of adventure when he heard through the mushing grapevine about the inaugural Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
Forecasters predict cold start for Yukon Quest
Published February 5, 2008
The good news is that the coldest temperatures should be behind us.
Interactive: Yukon Quest Map
Track the mushers as they travel from Fairbanks to Whitehorse. This interactive map includes regular updates of musher positions as well as photos and information about the mushers and the trail.
25 years of Yukon Quest history
Explore the 25 years of the Yukon Quest from the first race in 1984, which featured a motley crew of characters venturing to the relative unknown, to Lance Mackey's thrilling finish in 2007.
Current Standings
| Rank | Name |
| 1 | Lance Mackey, Whitehorse, 1:23 a.m. Wed. |
| 2 | Ken Anderson, Whitehorse, 1:38 a.m. Wed. |
| 3 | David Dalton, Whitehorse, 10:44 p.m. Wed |
| 4 | Michelle Phillips, Whitehorse, 11:30 p.m. Wed. |
| 5 | Brent Sass, Whitehorse, 1:27 a.m. Thurs. |
