Photo by Whitehorse Star
SERENITY 鈥� A solo kayaker rides the wake of a voyageur team across a calm Lake Laberge during last year's River Quest. This year, 66 teams will attempt the trip to Dawson.
Sixty-six teams aiming to conquer Yukon River
The race roster is set for the 16th annual Yukon River Quest, which will begin June 25 in Whitehorse.
The race roster is set for the 16th annual Yukon River Quest, which will begin June 25 in Whitehorse.
This year's field will feature 66 teams made up of 153 paddlers from all over the world.
It is the largest international field in the race's history.
Thirteen countries are represented 鈥� Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and the United States.
The number of teams is one shy of last year's count at this time, though 62 actually started the race and just 49 finished in 2013.
Except for two mandatory rest stops totalling 10 hours, paddlers race non-stop over approximately 715 kilometres (444 miles) to Dawson City.
Held annually in the North during the last week of June around the summer solstice, it is a true "Race to the Midnight Sun鈥� where many of the world's best paddlers gather.
However, there are very few returning champions for the 2014 race, which means most classes are up for grabs.
Boats on the river this year will include five solo canoeists, 15 solo kayakers, 24 tandem canoe teams, 14 tandem kayak teams, and eight voyageur canoe teams.
All teams are required to have activated SPOT devices, which will greatly aid those following the race on their computers or mobile devices.
Fans of the race can follow paddlers via the results link on the race website yukonriverquest.com or watch for updates and photos on the race's Facebook page.
Fans can even replay the race when it's all over.
The total possible 2014 race purse will be approximately $22,500 (CAD) based on a final registration of 66 teams as of May 15.
There are overall cash prizes for each class 鈥� tandem canoe, tandem kayak, solos, and voyageur canoes 鈥� as well as prizes for the top three in each division.
There also are cash prizes for the top all-Yukon canoe and kayak teams, and the top First Nations team. Several special awards are also donated by Yukon and Alaskan sponsors.
Despite the monetary prizes, most of the paddlers are just aiming to get to Dawson and be awarded a coveted YRQ Finisher Pin.
Spectators are invited to gather at Rotary Peace Park and along the waterfront the morning of June 25. The race will begin at noon.
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Comments (1)
Up 6 Down 0
Klondiker on Jun 3, 2014 at 10:21 am
No one conquers the Yukon river, you just hope you make it to the end without getting worked too bad.
Gotta respect the big water.