Some might suggest the excitement of racing the Yukon River Quest begins the day after the last Quest, when paddlers are full of exhilaration.

They’re tired, they’re sore, but they’ve just completed an accomplishment few have the opportunity or tenacity to achieve.

‘Wait til next year!’ their minds tell them, pumping with satisfaction.

Thirty per cent of the paddlers who’ve dared the 715-kilometre quest from Whitehorse to Dawson City have done so at least twice, so say the statistics.

At noon today, 103 boats with crews of one paddler or more shoved off from the shore at Rotary Peace Park.

Over the many sleepless hours, they could encounter a turbulent Lake Laberge whipped up by relentless winds. It’s happened, many times.

On the other hand, they may encounter a lake made of glass, though Environment Canada is forecasting light to moderate winds.

Even in the shelter of the Yukon River valley can head winds be discouraging. Just ask paddlers whose hopes of bettering their times have suddenly blown away.

Excitement around this year’s 20th anniversary of the Yukon River Quest grew more and more evident in recent days when paddlers from around the Yukon, around Canada, around the world, began showing up in town.

Monday evening, hundreds – race officials, paddlers, and the army of volunteers it takes to pull off the River Quest – gathered at the S.S. Klondike for a pig and chicken roast.

Yesterday, a good representation of the 263 paddlers from 15 different countries were buzzing around the Visitor Reception Centre for the official registration.

Among them was 70-year-old Whitehorse paddler Ingrid Wilcox who is paddling her 17th Quest, and who is expected to become the paddler with the most kilometres ever paddled when she reaches Dawson this weekend.

Wilcox is something of a celebrity to others, other paddlers and fans of the race.

During a brief interview outside the reception centre, an elderly woman from Toronto pops by to introduce herself.

Anne Clune tells Wilcox how she first saw her at the Carmacks checkpoint 10 years ago when she was being helped out of her solo kayak by a group of men.

“Maybe this is why I do these things, so that I can get hauled out by men,” the paddler quipped.

Clune has come back to see the race every year since, and two of her daughters from Toronto are paddling in different boats for the 20th anniversary.

Another paddler from South Africa asks Wilcox if he can have his photo taken with her.

Of her 17 races, 10 will have been as a solo kayaker, including this year. She was the fastest one year in the woman’s solo kayak class, in a time of over 56 hours, but that was back then.

“I’d like to make it under 60 hours, as close to my best time as possible,” she said. “Depending on the wind, I am hoping 56, 57, something like that.”

Wilcox said it’s likely her last year as a solo paddler, but plans on being back in some type of boat next year.

“Solo is difficult, and I don’t know how long I can keep it up but, so we will see.”

This morning, paddlers began moving their boats to Rotary Peace Park, and loading them with the required safety gear.

They strategically stored their pantries of high energy grub, so that everything is in reach, so that nothing disturbs the cadence as they race to the half-way point at Carmacks, and the mandatory eight-hour rest stop.

Paddlers listened to departing words this morning by race marshal Roger Hanberg, race co-founder Jeff Brady and Mayor Dan Curtis.

“As you make your way to Dawson, take a few moments to appreciate the river you’re racing on,” Curtis told the paddlers minutes before they ran from the park to the shore where their vessels awaited, stocked and ready to go.

“The Yukon River represents an important piece of history for First Nations and for our community.”

The race record of 39 hours, 32 minutes and 43 seconds was set in 2008 by the Kisseynew voyageur team of six paddlers.

Of the 103 boats taking to the water today, there were:

• 13 voyageur canoes;

• 34 canoes with two paddlers;

• 28 solo kayakers and canoeists;

• three canoes with four paddlers;

• five standup paddle boards.

The fastest boat is expected into Carmacks around 7 a.m. Thursday, and the winners are likely to hit Dawson sometime Friday afternoon or early evening, depending partly on the wind.