Press release from Yukon Quest
For the second year in a row, the Yukon Quest title belongs to veteran Eureka, AK musher Brent Sass. Crossing the finish line in Whitehorse with 11 dogs at 2:51pm PST, the win marks Sass’ third overall Quest championship in his 11 races.
Sass had nothing but praise for his Wild and Free team. “I’m extremely proud of that dog team down there, they did an amazing job.”
Second place honours went to Tagish, Yukon veteran Michelle Phillips, who reached the line at 6:51pm PST with 11 dogs. This was Phillips seventh Yukon Quest, and highest placing.
“It was an adventure from start to finish,” Phillips said of her race. “A lot of wind, a lot of snow, crazy downhills.”
Asked about the close race between he and Phillips, Sass said “I think that both of us really didn’t know what the outcome would be ’til now. It was a hell of a battle. She has a really good team.”
Third place looks to be Cody Strathe’s to lose, leaving Braeburn a full three hours before his closest competitor, Allen Moore. Strathe has nine on the line for his run to Whitehorse, Moore has 12. Day’s end has Strathe 50 miles from the finish, Moore at 65.
Next out from Braeburn will be current fifth place musher, Torsten Kohnert, due to depart at 1:41am PST, followed by Ryne Olson shortly after 8am PST.
Further back, it’s steady-on for Nora Själin, now approximately 65 miles from Braeburn. Richie Beattie and Rob Cooke are resting in Carmacks, with Pat Noddin on the way to join them, still 35 miles out.
Current red lantern Olivia Webster is resting at Stepping Stone.
Join us for tomorrow’s arrivals at the Whitehorse finish line located at Shipyards Park.
Standings as of 12:00am PST:
- Brent Sass – FINAL
- Michelle Phillips – FINAL
- Cody Strathe
- Allen Moore
- Torsten Kohnert
- Ryne Olson
- Nora Själin
- Richie Beattie
- Rob Cooke
- Pat Noddin
- Olivia Webster
This race day update is brought to you by Yukon Quest Major Sponsor Northern Vision Development.
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Pixie Ingram
(867) 335-1927
communications@pixieingram.ca
Cameron Webber
(778) 584-5330
communications@pixieingram.ca
