The Yukon Brewing Copper Haul Twister league is holding their first race of the season on Sunday, and 2009 league champion Jonathon Lucas is ready to defend his title.

"I'm going to try and keep it this year,” said Lucas.

Lucas and his pet dog skijored to the top of the league last year, and Lucas said he hopes this year he will get off to a big start to keep his title.

"I need to win the first race,” he said.

A first place gives the winner 10 points, which would give Lucas a huge advantage heading into the season.

Lucas said he hopes to spend the season looking ahead to the races towards the end.

"I'll be training for those longer races,” he said.

Lucas finds his pet dog has a hard time keeping up with faster dogs outside of the fun league.

"I've raced her against huskies but there's just no chance,” he said.

Lucas said that many sled racers add more dogs as the season progresses, but the same does not work for ski-jouring.

"Adding more dogs doesn't help with a skijorer,” he said.

This weekend's race, the Alpine Vet Race will be an eight-kilometre run for both sled and skijor teams.

Lucas said there have been some changes to race.

"We've changed the course this year,” he said.

Participants will meet at 10 a.m. at Icy Waters Ltd., kilometre 4.2 on Fish Lake Rd.

There is a $10 entrance fee for each race.

Carolynne Campbell will act as race marshal.

Two to three dogs per team are allowed for skijoring and two to four dogs for sled teams. There will be a kids' five-kilometre race with the same amount of dogs and a five kilometre pet dog race.

One pet is allowed for the pet dog race, but the rules basically end there.

"As long as the dog is attached to you, you can use anything,” said Lucas.

As long as the dog is attached, it doesn't even have to do any pulling, Lucas said.

"It's okay if the dog just trots along beside,” he said.

After the Alpine Vet race the season continues Dec. 6 with the Chocolate Claim race day.

On Dec. 13 the Reach for the Sky and Take the Beer race will be held along with the Hot Hounds Hill Climbin' Poker Run. The purse for the event is $1,200.

Feb. 27 and 28 will be the Road Runner race, and the season will continue with several more races to decide the 2010 league winner.

"We encourage people to come out repeatedly,” said Lucas.

The Copper Haul Twister League is sponsored by Yukon Brewing throughout the season, and individual businesses sponsor each race.

Volunteers have been packing the course all week.

"We're really grateful for the volunteers,” said Lucas.