The Yukon Quest sled dog race from is down to 32 mushers.

Alaskan musher Tony Blanford and Quebec musher Daniel Bourassa withdrew from the race earlier this month citing poor training.

Alaskans Abbie West and Dieter Dolif also dropped out of the race before the Jan. 25 withdrawal deadline due to training issues, injuries and complications with shipping food for the food drop.

In December, the federal government announced the border was closed to all American dog food after a cow from Washington state was found to be infected with mad cow disease, or BSE.

Earlier this month, the ban was amended so only pet food containing beef products was prohibited.

On Jan. 14, the Quest received word the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and U.S. Department of Agriculture would allow pet food from various meat, including beef, to be shipped across the boarder for the race.

Dolif noted his dogs are still dealing with injuries from the last race he competed in.

'There just isn't a way I can put together a healthy team in time for the vet check,' Dolif said.

The vet check is set for next weekend, with the Quest set to begin on Feb. 14 in Fairbanks. It will end in Whitehorse.