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RUNNING UNDER THE SUN 鈥� Wade Marrs enjoys a run on the Takhini River during the 2011 Yukon Quest. The Quest held its annual meeting in May where several changes were made to the board of directors (top). RETURN TO FORM 鈥� Georgina Leslie, who served as a volunteer in last year's Quest and as the executive director, will return to the board for next year's Quest.
It may be mid-June but Yukon Quest officials are already busily preparing for next year's running of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
It may be mid-June but Yukon Quest officials are already busily preparing for next year's running of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race.
Both the Whitehorse and Fairbanks offices have added three newly elected board members to their organizations.
Mieke Evers, Georgina Leslie and Rolf Schmitt will join the Whitehorse board while Lisa Baraff, Kerynn Fisher and Susan McDonald are new additions to the Fairbanks office.
Leslie, born and raised in the Yukon, brings years of experience to the board, having served as a volunteer in last year's race and as an executive director in 2010-2011, when she took over for Wendy Morrison.
Leslie stepped down after her one-year stint as executive director for personal reasons.
"This is an event dear to my heart, I know the board and staff well and want to support them in putting on this great task,鈥� she wrote on the Quest website.
Evers refers to the Quest as the greatest and most exciting event in the Yukon. He will bring that enthusiasm to the board behind years of experience in management and dealing with volunteers.
Schmitt is hoping to strengthen the Quest's connection with the third largest fan community, German speaking Europe.
He has served on the Quest Board for six years, including a position as vice-president in 2011.
"The Yukon Quest is part of the Yukon and I'm a part of the Yukon,鈥� he wrote.
The upcoming 2013 race will be the 30th running of the Quest.
Joost Van Der Putten, president of the Yukon Board, said the changes were made at their annual meeting in May.
"We have a few directors stepping down, it's the end of their term and they didn't put up for re-election,鈥� he said.
Van Der Putten was also re-elected as president after serving in the position in last year's Quest.
"We're working hard on all fronts to get the foundations for the 30th run set up,鈥� he said.
"We have some very promising contacts in fund-raising and it's looking good.鈥�
The summer months remain busy for the Quest organizers. Aside from logistics and planning there are several fund-raising events on the horizon.
Later this month, the Dawg Gone Canoe Race will make its return to Fairbanks.
The race extends from Graehl Landing to the Boatel Bar, on the lower Chena River, with four checkpoints in between.
Each team consists of a driver, a handler and a dog.
Participants are encouraged to dress up and enjoy live music, food and an award ceremony afterwards.
Sign up information can be found at yukonquest.com.
Aug. 4 marks the first day to sign up for the 2013 race, which can be done at the Yukon Quest office at the White Pass Depot on First Avenue.
After last year's thrilling sprint finish between Hugh Neff and Allen Moore, Neff vowed to be back on the trail next year and defend his title.
Neff, from Tok, Alaska, crossed the finish line just 26 seconds ahead of Moore, a veteran musher from Two Rivers, Alaska.
It was the closest finish in the history of the Quest.
Four-time Quest winner Lance Mackey is also expected to return.
The Whitehorse Quest office will also hold a draw on sign-up day, selling $20 tickets for a chance to win $10,000 cash.
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