The winner of the first Yukon Quest in 1984 is set to be on the trail for the 25th anniversary of the sled dog race running from Fairbanks to Whitehorse.

Sonny Lindner, who became the inaugural champion of the 1,600-kilometre event, was among the first 14 mushers to sign up for the 2008 race on Saturday.

'We are very pleased with the first day sign-ups. And we are planning for many more mushers to enter the race as the summer and fall continue. Our goal is to have a slate of 40 on race-start day,' Tania Simpson, the Quest's managing director, said from Fairbanks.

Lindner wasn't the only former champion to sign up for the race. Defending champion Lance Mackey, who became the only musher to win both the Quest and Iditarod race in the same year in the 2007 races, also signed up along with 1987 Quest winner Bill Cotter.

Yukoners Michelle Phillips, who placed sixth in the 2007 race, along with rookies Diedier Moggia and Jeremy Matrishon, are signed up to hit the start line when the race takes off from Fairbanks on Feb. 9.

Other Alaskan rookies signed up include former Iditarod musher Ken Anderson, former Quest executive director Julie Estey, Mike Mayer and Becca Moore. Michael Ellis of New Hampshire and Swiss musher Andreas Moser are also among the rookies signed up for the race.

Rounding out the list of mushers registered for the race are Quest veterans Dave Dalton, Kelly Griffin and Brent Sass.

Mushers who entered, or post-marked their entry prior to Saturday, will have their name entered in a draw to get back their $1,000 entry fee. Mushers who enter in August and September will also be eligible for two more prize draws.

The first day entry winner will be drawn on Aug. 10.

Mushers have until Dec. 14 to register for the 2008 edition of the race.