There's less than three weeks left to register for the 17th running of the Kluane to Chilkat International Bike Relay.

The final day for registration is June 15 at midnight and the race is set for June 20.

There are nearly 200 teams with a total of 900 riders now registered. More than 40 solo riders have registered, well ahead of the previous high of 30.

On-line registration continues until the final deadline on June 16 at midnight. Go to the Kluane Chilkat website at www.kcibr.org to register.

Some news for bike relay participants who plan to take the Alaska State ferry system to Haines. There's at least 30 teams affected by the ferry schedule and the announcement that was just made last week.

KCIBR President, Rob Welton made a last ditch request to the Marine Highway officials and he is pleased to say that they have scheduled an earlier sailing on the TAKU for June 19. Anybody who booked the ferry for Friday should call 1-800-642-0066 to change their reservations to the TAKU.

Another piece of late breaking news is that the Sunday morning ferry, the Malaspina, will have a delayed departure at 11am rather than 9 a.m. so many teams will be able to make the awards ceremony as well. Organizers are planning to schedule the awards ceremony at 8a.m. Alaska time.

Race officials had been worried that with the cancellation of the high speed ferry, M.V. Fairweather, that many teams would not make it to the Team Captain's meeting in Haines Junction.

With the additional sailing, all team captains will be expected at the mandatory meeting at 9 p.m. on June 19.

There is a change this year that will affect all participants who will be crossing the border. Passports will be mandatory. Leg Seven riders will have to dismount at the U.S. Customs station and will have to show their passports. Support vehicles and Leg Eight riders should allow themselves extra time to clear customs.

There is often a backup of traffic waiting to get through.

One change that will make life easier for race organizers and finish line volunteers is the SportIdent (SI) timing system, which was introduced last year, will be used for finish times as well as leg times.

The SI system uses chip technology and a series of control stations to record a time on the chip.

The system eliminates the need for stopwatches and bib recorders at the checkpoints and makes it easier to post results at the finish.

This year, all riders, including solos, will have to carry an SI stick. The SI stick is like a relay baton, which will be passed from each rider to their team mate at the exchange area after dipping it quickly into the control unit.

It takes less than a second to record the time. There will be several control units at each checkpoint so there will not be a backlog of riders waiting to check in. The SI sticks will be clipped onto a lanyard which riders will wear around their neck. The lanyards can be slipped on or off over the bike helmet and then tucked inside the shirt.

Solo riders will dip the SI stick only at the Finish Line. They are not required to stop at any checkpoints. Two person teams will make the exchange at Checkpoint Four.

Four person teams will exchange at Checkpoints Two, Four, and Six. Eight person teams will exchange the SI stick at every checkpoint. If a rider is doing more than the required number of legs, they will be required to stop, dismount and dip the SI stick for a time before proceeding.

Checkpoint officials will be busy ensuring that riders slow down and dismount as they enter the checkpoint.

They will also ensure that the SI stick is inserted into the control unit and then transferred to the outgoing rider or safely stored if the biker is riding through.

Riders will have to dismount and walk 10 meters to the SI control station before making the exchange. Time penalties will be given for riders who ignore directions from officials or who do not stop and dismount when required.

The blue sheets that have been used in the last several years will still be mandatory.

Teams will record their leg times on the sheets and hand them in at the finish line.

The blue sheet times are a backup that can be used to sort out missing or incorrect times. The blue sheet also provides emergency information. Teams that want a certificate must check the box on the blue sheet.

Volunteer training for all checkpoint officials will be taking place on June 11 at Mt McIntyre Rec Centre. Volunteers will learn about the rules of the event, how to set up the checkpoint, how the SI system works, and how to prepare for a long day in the weather.

They will get tips on how to make the event safe, fair and enjoyable for the participants and volunteers. Anybody who is interested in volunteering should contact the race coordinators at kcibr.info@gmail.com.

Many sponsors are helping with the volunteer training and support. Lotteries Yukon, Icycle Sports, Coast Mountain Sports, Sportees, The Ski Base, Kanoe People, Alpine Bakery, Sportslodge, Sportslife, Chocolate Claim, Thunderbird Motel, Eaglenest Motel, Halsingland Hotel, and Captain's Choice Motel are among the growing list of community businesses contributing draw prizes, refreshments and accommodation.

Major sponsors and supporters for the relay are Lotteries Yukon, Northwestel, Norcan, Yukon Electrical Company, Village of Haines Junction, Department of Highways, RCMP, Alaska State Troopers, and Emergency Medical Services.

Article provided by Mike Gladish.