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Victory in the 715-km downriver race to Dawson City later this month is up for grabs, according to River Quest organizers.

A lack of returning champions to the 16th annual race could see any of the 66 teams enter the winner's circle, according to a press release issued by the race.

This year is another where any number of different craft could emerge as the overall winner.

Last year's race champions, tandem canoeists Tim Lynch and Dave Lewis, will not return to defend their title.

Still, the tandem canoe category will be the race's largest and most diverse. Three all-female teams will attempt to win this category, with a pair of Yukon teams – Noreen Schaefer and Shelley Gellatly, alongside Pat McKenna and Elizabeth Bosely – going up against a young team from Alberta.

Highlighting the 11 male duos are Ontario's Graham Roe and Christoph Kesting, who raced the tough Muskoka River 100 last year, and the father-son team of Phillipe and Nicholas Esteva from French Polynesia.

The tandem kayak group features a couple of strong British teams, including the duos of Shaun Thrower and Steve King, as well as Tom Hughes and Peter Liggins.

Former race president Carl Rumscheidt will pair up with his daughter Mary Obstfeld to form a mixed team, while Priscilla McKenney and Ali Morham will be tough to beat as a women's team.

The solo canoe category will feature five teams, with the favourites being two Ontario paddlers – Gaetan Plourde, the category's record holder, and Jeff Brainard, who won the class last year. However, Manitoba's Robert LaFontaine has raced a lot and could be a threat.

Fifteen solo kayakers will also attempt the race. Out of the 12 male paddlers, keep an eye on Brit Darran Williams, who improved his time by several hours last year, and American David Williams, who has plenty of race experience.

Austrian oldtimer Heinz Rodinger is a former Olympian, and could still be a threat at 73.

Eight teams will take to the river in the voyageur canoe class this year, including six mixed teams and two all-women's groups.

With no men's voyageur teams in the hunt this year, the women will lead the way, with Paddlers Abreast and Team Whoa continuing their friendly rivalry.

In mixed competition, Yukoners Jim and Pam Boyde will lead Team Ts'alvit, with fellow Yukon paddler Ingrid Wilcox joining the HA55 team.

The Skagnificent Six will be led by long-time race media man Jeff Brady. His team will include guest paddler Nadia White, the great-granddaughter of former Star owner and editor Stroller White, who will retrace the route of her great-grandmother Josie.

More information on the competing teams is now available on the race website: http://yukonriverquest.com.

The 2014 River Quest will begin at Rotary Peace Park in Whitehorse June 25 and will finish a few days later in Dawson City.