Yukon Quest Update #21

Red Lantern

Hank DeBruin takes the Red Lantern in 13 days, 10 hours and 54 minutes, ending the 2011 Yukon Quest.

Earlier in the day, Tamara Rose, Kyla Durham and Jerry Joinson arrived in Fairbanks.

At the Banquet, the awards were given. A new award was created this year to honor the dogs that exhibit strong character and perseverance out on the trail. The award is named after its first recipient. Silver, from Brent Sass’ team. In 2006, during a storm on Eagle Summit, Silver was instrumental in assisting a musher in trouble and another team to get over the summit. Again, this year, Silver was key for Brent in getting his team and Hans Gatt’s over American summit outside the city of Eagle. The Silver Legacy Award will be given to honor future canines for their incredible deeds and feats of bravery and honor.

The Golden Harness Award went to Dallas Seavey’s dogs Diesel and Chung.

The Dawson City Award went to Ken Anderson.

The Rookie of the Year went to the 2011 Yukon Quest Champion Dallas Seavey.

The Challenge of the North award is presented to the musher who most exemplified the Spirit of the Yukon Quest, went to Kelley Griffin.

The Veterinarian’s Choice Award for best dog care went to Mike Ellis.

The Sportsmanship Award is presented to the musher who demonstrates sportsmanship along the trail as selected by their fellow mushers. This year, there was a three-way tie in the musher voting which race officials chose not to break. Instead, they issued the Award to all three mushers: Mike Ellis, Allen Moore and Brent Sass. The three mushers each conveyed the same message – that this year, the award could have gone to each and every musher, because everyone was out there helping each other.

Final Standings

1. Dallas Seavey (3)
2. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
3. Ken Anderson (18)
4. Brent Sass (22)
5. Kelley Griffin (1)
6. Allen Moore (24)
7. Jodi Bailey (17)
8. Mike Ellis
9. David Dalton (23)
10. Tamara Rose (12)
11. Kyla Durham (14)
12. Jerry Joinson (21)
13. Hank DeBruin (19)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Allen Dennis (20)

Michelle Phillips (4)

Wade Marrs (15)

Clint Warnke (25)

Didier Moggia (7)

Joshua Cadzow (16)

Hans Gatt (13)

Dan Kaduce (10)

Withdrawn

Christine Roalofs (9)

Hugh Neff (8)

Johannes Rygh (6)

Yukon Quest Update #20

Almost Over

Jodi Bailey finished her rookie run at 11:03ET last night, after a fast run. She is halfway to her goal of being the first musher to complete both thousand-mile races in the same year as a rookie.

Mike Ellis and David Dalton both finished more than 3 hours later.

Tamara Rose and Kyla Durham are on their way to the finish, with Jerry Joinson and Hank DeBruin in Two Rivers.

Complete Standings

FINISH

1. Dallas Seavey (3)
2. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
3. Ken Anderson (18)
4. Brent Sass (22)
5. Kelley Griffin (1)
6. Allen Moore (24)
7. Jodi Bailey (17)
8. Mike Ellis
9. David Dalton (23)

On the trail

10. Tamara Rose (12)
11. Kyla Durham (14)

In Two Rivers

12. Jerry Joinson (21)
13. Hank DeBruin (19)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Allen Dennis (20)

Michelle Phillips (4)

Wade Marrs (15)

Clint Warnke (25)

Didier Moggia (7)

Joshua Cadzow (16)

Hans Gatt (13)

Dan Kaduce (10)

Withdrawn

Christine Roalofs (9)

Hugh Neff (8)

Johannes Rygh (6)

Yukon Quest Update #19

10:03 ET Yukon Quest - Official Site: Rookie Jodi Bailey rounds the corner to big applause. She and the team arrive with tails wagging.

Yukon Quest Update #18

Winding Down

With 6 across the finish line, there are 7 mushers still on the trail.

Rookie Jodi Bailey arrived in Two Rivers a few hours ago for her mandatory 8 hour stop.

Dave and Mike are still several miles out.

Tamara, Jerry, Kyla and Hank are leaving Central, to head over Eagle summit..

Johannes Rygh has been withdrawn.

Complete Standings

FINISH

1. Dallas Seavey (3)
2. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
3. Ken Anderson (18)
4. Brent Sass (22)
5. Kelley Griffin (1)
6. Allen Moore (24)

In Two Rivers

7. Jodi Bailey (17)

On the trail

8. David Dalton (23)
9. Mike Ellis

Out of Central

10. Tamara Rose (12)
11. Jerry Joinson (21)
12. Kyla Durham (14)
13. Hank DeBruin (19)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Allen Dennis (20)

Michelle Phillips (4)

Wade Marrs (15)

Clint Warnke (25)

Didier Moggia (7)

Joshua Cadzow (16)

Hans Gatt (13)

Dan Kaduce (10)

Withdrawn

Christine Roalofs (9)

Hugh Neff (8)

Johannes Rygh (6)

Yukon Quest Update #17

Dallas Seavey, 2011 Yukon Quest Champion!

Dallas, also taking Rookie-of-the-Year, crossed the finish line 33 minutes before Sebastian Schnuelle. Ken Anderson finished 3^rd. Brent is on his way in.

Kelley and Allen are taking the mandatory 8 hours in Two Rivers.

Jodi, Dave and Mike are in Central.

Tamara, Jerry, Johannes, Kyla and Hank are in Circle City.

Complete Standings

FINISH

1. Dallas Seavey (3)
2. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
3. Ken Anderson (18)

On the trail

4. Brent Sass (22)

In Two Rivers

5. Kelley Griffin (1)
6. Allen Moore (24)

In Central

7. Jodi Bailey (17)
8. David Dalton (23)
9. Mike Ellis

In Circle

10. Tamara Rose (12)
11. Jerry Joinson (21)
12. Johannes Rygh (6)
13. Kyla Durham (14)
14. Hank DeBruin (19)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Allen Dennis (20)

Michelle Phillips (4)

Wade Marrs (15)

Clint Warnke (25)

Didier Moggia (7)

Joshua Cadzow (16)

Hans Gatt (13)

Withdrawn

Christine Roalofs (9)

Hugh Neff (8)

Dan Kaduce (10)

Yukon Quest Update #16

Race On!
Dallas Seavey left the mandatory 8 hour stop at Two Rivers, with Ken Anderson leaving 13 minutes behind, for the 75 mile race to the finish. Sebastian will leave a half-hour later. Hard to predict, but it could take anywhere from 8 to 10 hours to get to Fairbanks.
Kelley is on the trail out of 101, with Allen still resting there.Jodi and Dave are out of Circle, heading towards the overflow on the way to Central. Mike is behind them.Tamara, Johannes, Jerry, Kyla and Hank have left Slavin’s.

Complete Standings

1. Dallas Seavey (3)
2. Ken Anderson (18)

In Two Rivers

3. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
4. Brent Sass (22)

Out of Mile 101

5. Kelley Griffin (1)

In Mile 101

6. Allen Moore (24)

Out of Circle

7. Jodi Bailey (17)
8. David Dalton (23)
9. Mike Ellis

Out of Slavin’s

10. Tamara Rose (12)
11. Johannes Rygh (6)
12. Jerry Joinson (21)
13. Kyla Durham (14)
14. Hank DeBruin (19)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Allen Dennis (20)

Michelle Phillips (4)

Wade Marrs (15)

Clint Warnke (25)

Didier Moggia (7)

Joshua Cadzow (16)

Hans Gatt (13)

Withdrawn

Christine Roalofs (9)

Hugh Neff (8)

Dan Kaduce (10)

Yukon Quest Update #15

Changes

5:30am CT (6:30ET) Everything has changed. It’s hard to write this. Hugh and Dan were both battered by winds on Eagle summit. They had both attempted to cross, but turned back. Hugh has had a dog die. They eventually accepted a ride in a truck to the next checkpoint. They will both have to scratch.

Ken Anderson has taken the lead out of Mile 101. Dallas was out 2^nd. Sebstian was the first in, 3^rd out. Allen and Kelley are also on the trail out of 101.

Jodi was first into Central by an hour before Dave. Mike was 3 hours later.

Tamara, Jerry, Johannes and Kyla have arrived in Slavin’s, with Hank still coming.

Complete Standings

1. Ken Anderson (18)
2. Dallas Seavey (3)
3. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
4. Brent Sass (22)
5. Allen Moore (24)
6. Kelley Griffin (1)

In Central

7. Jodi Bailey (17)
8. David Dalton (23)

In Slavin’s

9. Tamara Rose (12)
10. Jerry Joinson (21)
11. Johannes Rygh (6)
12. Kyla Durham (14)

On the trail

13. Hank DeBruin (19)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Allen Dennis (20)

Michelle Phillips (4)

Wade Marrs (15)

Clint Warnke (25)

Didier Moggia (7)

Joshua Cadzow (16)

Hans Gatt (13)

Hugh Neff (8)

Dan Kaduce (10)

Withdrawn

Christine Roalofs (9)

Yukon Quest Update #14

What a Race!

What a day on the trail! First, the Yukon Quest - Official Site reported on an area of severe overflow about 20 miles from Central. Hans Gatt was struggling in waist-deep water, trying to get his dogs and sled out, when Sebastian came upon him. Seb helped Hans get his sled out of the water, then get to some shelter and dry off. Eventually, both mushers made it to Central, where Hans eventually scratched, due to severe frostbite. Dallas came in so covered in ice, he couldn’t get his boots off.

Hugh seems to have been struggling up Eagle summit – we won’t know for sure until his tracker updates or he makes it in to the Mile 101 checkpoint.

Dan Kaduce is the next musher out of Central, having great runs put him into this position. Sebastian will likely be close behind. If there’s trouble on the mountain, this thing is FAR from being decided!

Complete Standings

1. Hugh Neff (8)
2. Dan Kaduce (10)

In Central

3. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
4. Dallas Seavey (3)
5. Ken Anderson (18)
6. Brent Sass (22)

On the trail to Central

7. Allen Moore (24)
8. Kelley Griffin (1)

On the Way to Circle

9. Jodi Bailey (17)
10. David Dalton (23)
11. Mike Ellis (5)

Out of Eagle

12. Kyla Durham (14)
13. Tamara Rose (12)
14. Jerry Joinson (21)
15. Johannes Rygh (6)
16. Hank DeBruin (19)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Allen Dennis (20)

Michelle Phillips (4)

Wade Marrs (15)

Clint Warnke (25)

Didier Moggia (7)

Joshua Cadzow (16)

Hans Gatt (13)

Withdrawn

Christine Roalofs (9)

Yukon Quest Update #13

Monday Morning Cold

As of 6:30am ET, Hugh was in Central. He arrived last night, covered in ice from encountering severe overflow. Temps reported at minus 50!

Sebastian is about 15 miles behind, followed by Dan, Dallas, Hans and Ken.

Further back is Brent, followed by Allen.

Kelley has left Circle City and Josh is getting ready.

After a long rest at Trout Creek, Jodi, David and Mike will most likely pass through Slavin’s Roadhouse.

Kyla, Tamara and Jerry have left Eagle, where Johannes, Didier and Hank are resting.

Complete Standings

1. Hugh Neff (8)
2. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
3. Dan Kaduce (10)
4. Dallas Seavey (3)
5. Hans Gatt (13)
6. Ken Anderson (18)
7. Allen Moore (24)
8. Brent Sass (22)
9. Kelley Griffin (1)
10. Joshua Cadzow (16)

On the Way to Circle

11. Jodi Bailey (17)
12. David Dalton (23)
13. Mike Ellis (5)

Out of Eagle

14. Kyla Durham (14)
15. Tamara Rose (12)
16. Jerry Joinson (21)

In Eagle

17. Johannes Rygh (6)
18. Didier Moggia (7)
19. Hank DeBruin (19)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Allen Dennis (20)

Michelle Phillips (4)

Wade Marrs (15)

Clint Warnke (25)

Withdrawn

Christine Roalofs (9)

Yukon Quest Update #12

Sunday Morning Report

As of 8:30am ET, Hugh was in Circle City. He has maintained his lead.

The “chase pack” has pushed through Slavin’s Roadhouse, with Brent and Dan stopped there. Dan has joined the battle!

Kelley and Josh are resting just behind.

Jodi was first into Eagle, with David and Mike right behind.

With Johannes Rygh his tracker appears to be not working, if he left when reported, he must be about at the summit.

The back of the pack is stopped on the trail before the summit.

Complete Standings

1. Hugh Neff (8)
2. Dallas Seavey (3)
3. Hans Gatt (13)
4. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
5. Allen Moore (24)
6. Ken Anderson (18)

At Slavin’s Roadhouse

7. Brent Sass (22)
8. Dan Kaduce (10)

On the trail

9. Kelley Griffin (1)
10. Joshua Cadzow (16)

In Eagle

11. Jodi Bailey (17)
12. David Dalton (23)
13. Mike Ellis (5)

Climbing American Summit

14. Johannes Rygh (6)

Approaching the summit

15. Jerry Joinson (21)
16. Tamara Rose (12)
17. Didier Moggia (7)
18. Kyla Durham (14)
19. Hank DeBruin (19)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Allen Dennis (20)

Michelle Phillips (4)

Wade Marrs (15)

Clint Warnke (25)

Withdrawn

Christine Roalofs (9)

Yukon Quest Update #11

Saturday morning

Hugh appears to still be parked 25 mile out of Slavin’s Roadhouse.

The next pack has stopped at Trout Creek – Hans, Brent, Ken, Sebastian, Allen and Dallas.

Dan is on his way towards that group. Kelley and Josh are resting in Eagle.

Mike and David are approaching the American Summit.

Jodi is starting to move out of 40 Mile checkpoint after a long rest, with Johannes Rygh parked there.

On the trail is Tamara Rose, Jerry Joinson, Didier Moggia, Kyla Durham and Hank DeBruin.

Clint Warnke scratched in Dawson.

Complete Standings

1. Hugh Neff (8)
2. Brent Sass (22)
3. Hans Gatt (13)
4. Ken Anderson (18)
5. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
6. Allen Moore (24)
7. Dallas Seavey (3)
8. Dan Kaduce (10)

In Eagle

9. Kelley Griffin (1)
10. Joshua Cadzow (16)

Climbing American Summit

11. Mike Ellis (5)
12. David Dalton (23)

40 Mile

13. Jodi Bailey (17)
14. Johannes Rygh (6)

Out of Dawson City

15. Jerry Joinson (21)
16. Tamara Rose (12)
17. Didier Moggia (7)
18. Kyla Durham (14)
19. Hank DeBruin (19)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Allen Dennis (20)

Michelle Phillips (4)

Wade Marrs (15)

Clint Warnke (25)

Withdrawn

Christine Roalofs (9)

Yukon Quest Update #10

Friday Night Highlights

Hugh is stopped partway to Slavin’s Roadhouse. In Eagle, the next 6 mushers rest, who will make a break first?
Dan is approaching the American Summit, followed by Kelley and Josh.
Jodi, Mike and Davie are camped outside the 40 Mile checkpoint, with Johannes Rygh on the way.
Clint Warnke left Dawson but returned, is waiting to decide whether or not to leave with the next group – Tamara Rose, Jerry Joinson, Didier Moggia, Kyla Durham and Hank DeBruin.
After Wade Marrs traveled up the Yukon to 40 Mile, he decided to not take the chance to get into trouble on the summit with the growing storm, turned his team around and drove them back to Dawson, where he scratched.
Christine Roalofs was driven to Dawson by her handler and was withdrawn.

Complete Standings

1. Hugh Neff (8)
On the trail to Eagle
2. Brent Sass (22)
3. Hans Gatt (13)
4. Ken Anderson (18)
5. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
6. Allen Moore (24)
7. Dallas Seavey (3)
Climbing American Summit
8. Dan Kaduce (10)
9. Kelley Griffin (1)
10. Joshua Cadzow (16)
40 Mile
11. Jodi Bailey (17)
12. Mike Ellis (5)
13. David Dalton (23)
Out of Dawson City
14. Johannes Rygh (6)
In Dawson City
15. Clint Warnke (25)
16. Tamara Rose (12)
17. Jerry Joinson (21)
18. Didier Moggia (7)
19. Kyla Durham (14)
20. Hank DeBruin (19)

Scratched
Denis Tremblay (2)
Allen Dennis (20)
Michelle Phillips (4)
Wade Marrs (15)

Withdrawn
Christine Roalofs (9)

Yukon Quest Update #9

Huge Lead for Hugh!

Hugh Neff arrived at Eagle for his mandatory 4 hour stop. According to the Yukon Quest - Official Site , he said the wind coming over the American Summit was "wicked." Hans Gatt is stopped about 20 miles out, below the summit - he had been moving slowly through the storm. The group off the Yukon River and heading up towards the American Summit are all facing snow and wind, and traveling fairly slowly. It's possible that Hugh will really open up a lead, if the storm holds up the rest of the field.
The Rookie of the Year battle shows Dallas Seavey and Allen Moore nearly neck-and-neck. Reports are that Wade Marrs is heading back to Dawson. Jodi Bailey is on the Yukon, traveling with Mike Ellis and Dave Dalton. Jodi lost about 3 hours, when she got turned around on the trail and ended up back in Dawson. Her husband Dan Kaduce is off the river, with Kelly Griffin.
Rookie Christine Roalofs is still not into Dawson, she accepted food from the rangers and so will have to scratch.

Standings (as best I can figure)

1. Hugh Neff (8)

On the trail to Eagle

2. Hans Gatt (13)
3. Brent Sass (22)
4. Ken Anderson (18)
5. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
6. Allen Moore (24)
7. Dallas Seavey (3)
8. Dan Kaduce (10)
9. Kelley Griffin (1)
10. Joshua Cadzow (16)
11. David Dalton (23)
12. Jodi Bailey (17)
13. Mike Ellis (5)

Heading back to Dawson

14. Wade Marrs (15)

In Dawson City

15. Johannes Rygh (6)
16. Clint Warnke (25)
17. Tamara Rose (12)
18. Jerry Joinson (21)
19. Didier Moggia (7)
20. Kyla Durham (14)
21. Hank DeBruin (19)

Struggling to Dawson

22. Christine Roalofs (9)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Allen Dennis (20)

Michelle Phillips (4)

Yukon Quest Update #8

The Race Is On!

The front-runners are hitting the trail as their mandatory 36 hour rest in Dawson City ends. Hugh Neff left at 3:35am (local time), with Hans Gatt following nearly 3 hours later.
Five mushers in the back are all on their way to Dawson. Michelle Phillips scratched, she was down to 8 dogs and is planning to run the Iditarod, so she decided it was in the best interest of the dogs.

Official Standings as of 10:30amET

1. Hugh Neff (8)
2. Hans Gatt (13)

In Dawson City

3. Ken Anderson (18)
4. Brent Sass (22)
5. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
6. Allen Moore (24)
7. Wade Marrs (15)
8. Dallas Seavey (3)
9. Dan Kaduce (10)
10. Kelley Griffin (1)
11. Joshua Cadzow (16)
12. Jodi Bailey (17)
13. David Dalton (23)
14. Mike Ellis (5)
15. Johannes Rygh (6)
16. Clint Warnke (25)
17. Tamara Rose (12)

Out of Scroggie Creek

18. Jerry Joinson (21)
19. Hank DeBruin (19)
20. Didier Moggia (7)
21. Kyla Durham (14)
22. Christine Roalofs (9)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Allen Dennis (20)

Michelle Phillips (4)

Yukon Quest Update #7

Jodi Bailey Arrives in Dawson City

Rookie Jodi Bailey, who is attempting to become the first musher to complete BOTH the Yukon Quest and Iditarod as a rookie in the same year, has arrived in Dawson City for the mandatory 36-hour layover. I'm sure it was a nice reunion with her husband, Dan Kaduce, who arrived in 9th place.

1. Hugh Neff (8)
2. Hans Gatt (13)
3. Ken Anderson (18)
4. Brent Sass (22)
5. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
6. Allen Moore (24)
7. Wade Marrs (15)
8. Dallas Seavey (3)
9. Dan Kaduce (10)
10. Kelley Griffin (1)
11. Joshua Cadzow (16)
12. Michelle Phillips (4)
13. Jodi Bailey (17)

Out of Scroggie Creek

14. David Dalton (23)
15. Mike Ellis (5)
16. Johannes Rygh (6)
17. Clint Warnke (25)
18. Tamara Rose (12)

In Scroggie Creek

19. Didier Moggia (7)

Out of Stepping Stone

20. Jerry Joinson (21)
21. Hank DeBruin (19)
22. Christine Roalofs (9)
23. Kyla Durham (14)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Allen Dennis (20)

Yukon Quest Update #6

Leaders In Dawson City For 36 Hour Break

Hugh Neff first in, followed an hour later by Hans Gatt. In Dawson, handlers are allowed to take care of the dogs, and the mushers can eat and sleep in a bed.

Standings as of 6:30am ET

1. Hugh Neff (8)
2. Hans Gatt (13)
3. Ken Anderson (18)
4. Brent Sass (22)
5. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
6. Allen Moore (24)
7. Wade Marrs (15)
8. Dallas Seavey (3)
9. Dan Kaduce (10)
10. Kelley Griffin (1)

Out of Scroggie Creek

11. Joshua Cadzow (16)
12. Michelle Phillips (4)

In Scroggie Creek

13. Jodi Bailey (17)
14. David Dalton (23)
15. Mike Ellis (5)

Out of Stepping Stone

16. Johannes Rygh (6)
17. Clint Warnke (25)
18. Tamara Rose (12)
19. Jerry Joinson (21)
20. Didier Moggia (7)
21. Hank DeBruin (19)
22. Christine Roalofs (9)
23. Kyla Durham (14)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Allen Dennis (20)

Yukon Quest Update #5

Scroggie Creek

Deciphering the Quest website official standings and the trackers, both which have suspect readings, it appears Brent Sass is out of Scroggie Creek checkpoint.
Hugh and Hans are in Scroggie (radio report) and the trackers show Ken and Wade are in as well.

Possible standings and positions:

1. Brent Sass (22)
2. Hugh Neff (8)
3. Hans Gatt (13)
4. Ken Anderson (18)
5. Wade Marrs (15)

Approaching Scroggie Creek

6. Dallas Seavey (3)
7. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
8. Michelle Phillips (4)
9. Allen Moore (24)
10. Dan Kaduce (10)
11. Kelley Griffin (1)
12. Joshua Cadzow (16)
13. Jodi Bailey (17)
14. Johannes Rygh (6)

Stepping Stone Checkpoint

15. Mike Ellis (5)
16. David Dalton (23)
17. Clint Warnke (25)
18. Tamara Rose (12)
19. Jerry Joinson (21)
20. Didier Moggia (7)
21. Hank DeBruin (19)
22. Christine Roalofs (9)
23. Kyla Durham (14)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Allen Dennis (20)

Yukon Quest Update #4

Hugh and Brent Leapfrogging Each Other

Official standings have Brent ahead of Hugh at the Stepping Stone stop, but it appears that Hugh has passed him.

1. Hugh Neff (8)
2. Brent Sass (22)
3. Hans Gatt (13)
4. Ken Anderson (18)
5. Allen Moore (24)
6. Michelle Phillips (4)
7. Wade Marrs (15)
8. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
9. Dan Kaduce (10)
10. Kelley Griffin (1)
11. Joshua Cadzow (16)
12. Dallas Seavey (3)
13. Mike Ellis (5)
14. Johannes Rygh (6)
15. Tamara Rose (12)
16. Jodi Bailey (17)
17. David Dalton (23)
18. Clint Warnke (25)
19. Jerry Joinson (21)
20. Christine Roalofs (9)
21. Didier Moggia (7)
22. Hank DeBruin (19)
23. Kyla Durham (14)
24. Allen Dennis (20)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Yukon Quest Update #3

Leaders Into Pelly Crossing

Hugh Neff arrives about an hour before Hans Gatt. They were followed by Ken Anderson and Wade Marrs (R).

1. Hugh Neff (8)
2. Hans Gatt (13)
3. Ken Anderson (18)
4. Wade Marrs (15)
5. Sebastian Schnuelle (11)
6. Brent Sass (22)
7. Allen Moore (24)
8. Dan Kaduce (10)
9. Joshua Cadzow (16)
10. Dallas Seavey (3)
11. Kelley Griffin (1)
12. Johannes Rygh (6)
13. Tamara Rose (12)
14. Jodi Bailey (17)
15. Clint Warnke (25)
16. Mike Ellis (5)
17. David Dalton (23)
18. Christine Roalofs (9)
19. Jerry Joinson (21)
20. Didier Moggia (7)
21. Hank DeBruin (19)
22. Kyla Durham (14)
23. Allen Dennis (20)

Scratched

Denis Tremblay (2)

Yukon Quest Update #2

Top Five Into Carmacks

Hugh Neff
Wade Marrs (R)
Hans Gatt
Ken Anderson
Kelley Griffin

Yukon Quest Update #1

Hugh Neff Leads Early

Hugh Neff is out in front of the rest of the field, after resting for less than 5 hours at the Braeburn Checkpoint.

Rookie Wade Marrs is next, followed by Sebastian Schnuelle, Brent Sass and Ken Anderson.

Mushing History In The Making

Jodi Bailey Is First Rookie To Attempt Both Thousand-Mile Sled Dog Races In Same Year

ALASKA (January 31, 2011) - Running a thousand-mile sled dog race is hard work. Running two of them in the same year is extremely wearing. Attempting them both as a rookie? You better be prepared to be cold, hungry and tired. Jodi Bailey knows all about that. “Two days of being blown off the highway… and it was -41 in Maclaren. Really, really long, freezing cold run!” That was in 2008, after she won the Gin Gin 200 Sled Dog Race for the second year in a row, ahead of the likes of Lance Mackey and Jeff King, during what has been described as one of the coldest and windiest races ever.

This year, the Chatanika musher is attempting something never tried before - running both the thousand-mile Yukon Quest and the iconic 1,049 mile Iditarod in the same year – as a rookie. “I have a sense that there are some things in life that no matter how much you prepare, study or dream about them, the only way to really know what they are like is to do them for yourself. And these 1000 mile dog sled races fall into that category.”

In 2007, Lance Mackey proved that not only can a musher run both races in the same year, but can also win both, which he did in consecutive years. Recently, many more mushers are seeing an advantage to running both. The double, however, has not yet been attempted by a rookie. “Considering the length, terrain, weather, and arctic conditions, they are arguably some of the toughest distance events in the world,” said Bailey.

The 42-year old musher is no stranger to the long-distance race scene. Along with her husband Dan Kaduce, a champion of many mid-distance races and last year’s Iditarod top-finishing rookie, she has trained and raced in the harsh environments of Alaska’s interior. “We have worked hard to condition the dogs to be able to handle the length of runs we will need to be doing.”

Raised in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, Bailey was always involved with animals. Her love of adventure led to Alaska in 1991, where she met Kaduce. They eventually combined not only their households, but also their hobby. “Mushing is an addiction, and an expensive one. But it is also an addiction that drives you to work harder, and dig deep inside yourself to see what you are capable of, and because of that, it makes me a better person.”