FAIRBANKS — If there was one theme for the 2011 Yukon Quest, it would be camaraderie. For the 12 finishing mushers (Hank DeBruin was still on the trail during the banquet) and other starting mushers on hand at the Finishers Banquet there was plenty of talk about the obstacles but it was more about the brotherhood of working together to finish one of the most difficult races in recent history. Only 13 of the 25 mushers who started the race finished.

Rookie Dallas Seavey won the the difficult storm- and cold-plagued race on Feb. 15, capturing both the win and the Rookie of the Year award.

Sportsmanship Award

No other award exemplified that camaraderie more than when Allen Moore, Brent Sass and Mike Ellis shared the sportsmanship award.

Never in the 28 year history of the Quest has the award honored more than one musher. Each musher was awarded a handmade beaver hat.

All three spoke about how every musher deserved the award this year.

“Ever single one of us has a story,” Sass said. “We should all be standing in a line, being awarded beaver hats.”

The Silver Legacy Award

A surprise to mushers and fans alike, this year the Silver Legacy Award was introduced. Named after Brent Sass’s lead dog Silver, the non-annual award will be given to acknowledge an outstanding dog.

Silver was the key in Sass leading himself and Hans Gatt’s dog team over American Summit, despite high winds and whiteout conditions. However, this wasn’t the first time Silver had led someone to safety. In Sass’s first race in 2006, Silver helped lead Randy Chappels’ team over Eagle Summit.

“Man’s best friend doesn’t begin to explain what he’s done for my team,” Sass said.

Sass was given wood-burned birch panel of Silver’s likeness to commemorate the honor.

Dawson Award

Each year, the Dawson Award is given to the musher who makes it to Dawson first and goes on to finish the Quest. Ken Anderson may have been the third one in, but with Hugh Neff and Hans Gatt unable to finish the race, Anderson collected four ounces of placer gold, or approximately $5,000.

Anderson lost his wedding ring on a fishing trip last summer and said he would use the gold to get the ring replaced “real quick.”

Golden Harness

This year, Chung and Diesel, lead dogs for champion Dallas Seavey, were given golden harnesses and a steak dinner.

Seavey said that his leader Guinness should have joined them, but that she’s not a social dog and wouldn’t handle the crowd well.

Challenge of the North

“Holy smokes!” was all Wasilla musher Kelley Griffin could say after she won the Challenge of the North award, awarded by the race marshal and judges. It is presented to the musher who best exemplifies the “Spirt of the Yukon Quest” a spirit that compels one to challenge the country and win.

Veterinarian’s Choice

Head veterinarian Alan Hallman didn’t think this year’s award should belong to just one musher, so he presented the Veterinarian’s Choice award to Mike and Sue Ellis. Sue didn’t run the Quest, but as Mike’s handler was instrumental in making sure all their Siberian Huskies were well cared for.

“This is the highest award I can look for in racing,” said Ellis, whose Siberian huskies are not built to be as fast as other competitors dogs. “We are very much a team.”

Contact features writer Suzanna Caldwell at 459-7504.