Just over twenty mushers have signed up to race for a purse worth more than $115,000 in the 2016 Yukon Quest.
The Yukon Quest Board of Directors said in a release that’s the minimum the race is committed to paying out, falling short of the last race’s total of more than $127,000.
Over the weekend, in-person sign-ups were held at the race’s office in Fairbanks, as well as on the other side of the border in the Whitehorse office.
The 21 mushers that have so far signed up for the race include veterans and rookies alike. Familiar faces on the international, 1,000 mile sled dog race include 2015 champion Brent Sass of Eureka, that race’s second-place finisher—and multiple Quest champion—Allen Moore from Two Rivers, and this past race’s third-place finisher, Canadian Ed Hopkins of 10 Mile, Yukon.
In all, nine rookies have signed up so far, nearly half the field for the 2016 race that, in 2016, will see mushers race from Fairbanks to Whitehorse. Of the entrants, ten are Alaskans.
Mushers will also be supported by a veteran race team, including Doug Grilliot returning as Race Marshal for the fourth straight year.
Changes to the race the forthcoming race include a return to form for most veterans. A 36-hour layover in Dawson City, the race’s midpoint, was shortened to just 24 hours in the 2015 race; next year, the Dawson layover will again be 36 hours.
Officials say “feedback from mushers, veterinarians and officials” prompted the restoration of the 36-hour rest.
The 2016 Yukon Quest will start Saturday, Feb. 6 in Fairbanks.
