The Yukon Quest 1,000 Mile International Sled Dog Race has welcomed Josi Leideritz as the new executive director on the Canadian side.

She has been in the role since Sept. 16, it was announced to the public on Tuesday.

After organizing the 2020 race, Shayna Hammer stepped down as executive director at the end of August to pursue a new challenge and opportunity.

Leideritz comes into her new position having worked in the Yukon tourism industry for several years.

She has experience in planning, organizing and marketing events, working with stakeholders across the North, managing budgets, and being responsible for general operational planning.

On Sept. 3, the race on the Canadian side was iced, with officials citing COVID-19 concerns and challenges due to border restrictions.

Still, Leideritz said she is looking forward to her new role.

“It is very exciting despite the race being cancelled,” said Leideritz. “I’ m looking forward to building on existing events and growing the community until I can look forward to organizing a race in 2022.”

Coming into the job without a race to organize is a unique position for her, Leideritz said.

“Usually by this time, race organization is beginning,” she said. “I’ll have more time to organize things that past executive directors didn’t have time to do.

“I’ll evaluate areas we can improve, build community, and engage with the mushers.”

Leideritz has experience volunteering with sled dog races across the Yukon, and said the Quest has been a part of her journey ever since she arrived in the territory.

Bev Regier, the president of the Canadian board of directors, said the Quest is lucky to have Leideritz.

“We’ re happy to have Josi Leideritz on board,” said Regier. “Her experience in both tourism and marketing is a great resource to the Yukon Quest, especially this year.”

Leideritz said she is looking forward to coming up with new, creative ideas for community engagement, although at this time she couldn’ t go into further detail.

As she adapts to her new position, Leideritz said she has had the support of the board, and Hammer is showing her the ropes.

The Quest may be cancelled on the Canadian side, but Alaska is still going forward with a 300-mile race called The Summit Quest for 2021 and beyond.

It includes two of the highest mountain climbs in the 1,000-mile race: Rosebud and Eagle Summit.