麻豆社区

DAWSON CITY 鈥� For the majority of paddlers taking on the challenge of the Yukon River Quest each summer, winning isn't the only thing.

This year was no different, with a total of 48 of the registered 66 teams eventually making their way over the finish line in Dawson City.

On Sunday, the bleary-eyed paddlers met at Robert Service School for an awards banquet, where they received their finisher's pins and certificates.

Past-president and 2014 race finisher Carl Rumscheidt told the crowd that this year's race once again revealed the true spirit of the 715-km journey.

Stories such as kayaker Ken Gibbons spending three hours to build a fire for stranded paddlers Jessica Zimny and Julie Greening-Winkel only signify the bond between members of the paddling community, said Rumscheidt.

"There were many tales of kindness this year,鈥� he said.

The longtime voyageur team 鈥楶addlers Abreast' were forced to withdraw from the race in Carmacks after team member Cheryl Rivest was unable to continue, due to a bout with dehydration.

Rather than ending their race, the crew welcomed former team member Claire Desmarais aboard their boat, and the 64-year-old filled in admirably as a substitute the rest of the way.

"It was a unanimous decision and we had a fantastic time,鈥� said team captain Lynn Rice Rideout. "I think everyone would have felt terrible if we hadn't completed the race. I think it's a sense of accomplishment for all of us.

"We treated it as a race and came in at 2:15 a.m. Saturday morning. We worked hard.鈥�

At Five Finger Rapids, Saskatchewan canoeists Clay Sewap and Jason Charles were the third boat to enter the lone whitewater stretch this year, but a spill in the channel threw a wrench into their race plans.

The duo was unable to shake the chill of the water and ultimately finished 14th.

"We just hit a bad wave,鈥� said Sewap, 37. "That water is so cold. We couldn't get it out of us.鈥�

The two pulled off the river for two 45-minute breaks following their spill, building fires and eating chicken noodle soup in attempts to get warm.

They also spent extra time at the mandatory three-hour stop in Kirkman Creek, and nearly scratched there, before being convinced to finish the race by checkpoint volunteers.

Meanwhile, despite scratching early from the race, solo kayaker Darran Williams was still able to add some excitement to the journey.

The Brit paddler entered Carmacks on a safety boat, and upon reaching the dock, he proposed to partner Jo Aitken, who happily agreed.

By MARCEL VANDER WIER

Star Sports Editor