Sebastian Schnuelle's Yukon Quest debut got off to a rocky start when he scratched in 1999, but 10 years later he trumped that result by becoming the 2009 Yukon Quest champion.

"When I started running dogs I didn't even know about the Quest,” said Schnuelle.

He began breeding dogs in 1997, and racing in 1999. His first Quest that year ended without him but after taking a few years off, he returned in 2004 and climbed up the ladder to 10th place. From 2005 to 2007 he took part in every Quest, without a win.

He took 2008 off, and whatever it was he did in that single year off, it worked. He came back with a bang in 2009 to win the Yukon Quest.

Also a competitor in the Iditarod from 2005 to 2009, he has run the two races back to back four times.

Schnuelle has been training year-round in surrounding glaciers.

"I'm kind of the slow but steady trainer,” said Schnuelle.

He says training ends by Christmas every year so the race season can begin.

Schnuelle has a bit of a problem with the race's start in Fairbanks this year – the race passes his property and getting the dogs to carry on past their home can be a problem.

"The dogs don't really like that,” he said.

At this point, Gerry Willomitzer piped up to poke a bit of fun at Schnuelle.

"You have to train them better, that's all,” he said.

Schnuelle is training 22 dogs. Many of his dogs from previous years have become too old to run the 1,000 miles of the Yukon Quest.

When asked what brings him back every year, Schnuelle gave the most obvious answer non-Quest competitors would come up with to explain the brutal conditions the mushers face every year – "Mental insanity.”

All jokes aside, Schnuelle says the beautiful scenery the mushers witness along the trail is something many people don't get to experience.

"We're pretty privileged to see the things we do,” he said.

The mushers never have the same experience twice along the Quest.

"Every year you learn something new,” said Schnuelle.

When he's not racing, Schnuelle runs a tour business.

"I know for me this is going to be my last year for racing,” said Schnuelle.

His fellow mushers chuckled at the suggestion.

"You guys are laughing,” Schnuelle exclaimed.

He can swear all he wants that he's not coming back, but his peers will never believe him.

"I've been retiring for the last two years,” said musher Hans Gatt.

Schnuelle has not officially signed up for the Quest yet this year, and he is under pressure to get on it.

"I expect still Sebastian to sign up because he is the champion and he is supposed to show up,” said Gatt.