Local mushers and skijorers were back on the trails this weekend for the fifth Twister race of the season.

The race, titled "Cool Dogs and Hot Springs,” featured a mushing, skijoring and recreational class and took place at the Takihni Hot Springs.

The fresh snow that fell over the past week caused a bit of a headache with the race organizers as they prepared the trail but overall things went very well, said

Fabian Schmitz, board member of the Dog Powered Sports Association of the Yukon (DPSAY).

Stefan Wackerhagen placed first in the skijor race despite suffering a five-minute penalty for racing back on the wrong portion of the trail.

Wackerhagen took the wrong turn-off around a figure eight-loop and completed the race in 59 minutes and 18 seconds with the addition of the penalty.

Without the penalty, Wackerhagen was one second faster than the top musher.

The trail Wackerhagen completed was just 200-metres short of the correct trail.

Claudia Wickert placed second, arriving two minutes later while Adam Robinson placed third.

Armin Johnson led all mushers, completing the 21-kilometre trail in 54:19.

Three minutes behind Johson was Gunter Glaeser.

Schmitz said there were no surprises at the top of the field.

"Armin has a good team,” he said. "He's out racing with us fairly often, it's not a surprise he won.”

It was the first DPSAY race of the season for Glaeser, who ran dogs from Dragonfly Kennel.

"Those dogs usually finish very high,” said Schmitz.

In the recreational and kids class, Seth Carey led the field with a time of 22:05 and Eugenie Champeval placed second.

The 7-km trail was the longest distance of the recreational class so far this season.

Schmitz said he received positive feedback following the race.

"We got a really good response from the mushers again,” he said. "Not only this race at the Hot Springs but the entire season so far.”

Schmitz was happy with the way the trail turned out, even with the additional snowfall.

"We started to pack the trail fairly late,” he said.

The team usually attempts to build a trail throughout the season but had only three weeks to have the Hot Springs trail prepared.

"There was already a lot of snow there so we drove over it with ski-doos and then it snowed again,” he said.

"It was nice to have more snow but it didn't really help for making the trail and we had to start all over again.”

Both Schmitz and Wackerhagen praised Hot Spring's location.

"It was a great location and a great place to host the race,” said Wackerhagen.

"Those guys were totally keen on having the race,” said Schmitz.

"They were super nice and we had a great room for the award ceremony.”

The competitors also took advantage of the location, getting together for a dip in the water following the race.

"That was great,” said Schmitz. "I keep hearing mushers are dirty people but we're all clean now.”

Hospitality continues to extend to the club as Wackerhagen said earlier this morning he was able to reach an agreement with the Whitehorse Cross Country Club to host a race on their trails.

The event will take place on March 29 and will be exclusively for skijorers, with a limit of two dogs.

Wackerhagen said it's the first time the ski club has worked alongside a dog sled organization.

"It's going to be the first race of that kind,” he said.

"I don't think anyone has ever tried, they always thought they (the ski club) wouldn't like it. They seemed to be as excited about it as we are.”

Wackerhagen said it's a natural fit.

"I'm always up there training and the trails are in great condition so I thought it would be perfect for a race.”

The last Twister race is set for April 8 and will take place in the Ibex Valley.

DPSAY will be holding a season finale raffle with three main prizes.

Air North ticket vouchers valued at $1,500, a Yukon Anorak by Skookum valued at $995 and a $100 gift certificate to the Kanoe People.

Schmitz is hoping for another strong turn-out next month and said he's happy with the way the season has progressed and the addition of the new recreational class.

"It was a little bit surprising in the beginning,” he said. "We wanted to get more people out and it started off really well but then it slowed down again.”

The new class is open for all breeds of dogs, whereas the previous class had restrictions.

"I'm not sure why it slowed down but we'll take to the people have come out and see,” said Schimtz.

The weekend's race also included a runaway team.

Tracy Keefer's dogs took off shortly after the start but her husband was able to catch up on a snowmobile and take control.

"That was very unfortunate because she was very excited to race,” said Schimtz.

"Her husband caught the team and he just finished the race with her team.

"She was a little sad but stuff like that happens.”

For Wackerhagen, the day was almost perfect.

He was racing with three dogs, one more than usual.

His main dogs, Edda and Maggie— three and two-and-a-half year old Alaskan

Huskies, were joined by a borrowed dog with impressive results.

"I was really fast,” said Wackerhagen. "I didn't expect to be that fast.”

The recent snowfall was evident on an otherwise beautiful trail, said Wackerhagen.

"It was a little soft and I think some teams had trouble with heavier dogs,” he said.

Wackerhagen said his dogs, who are bred from former Yukon Quest competitors

Hans Gatt and Gerry Willomitzer's kennels, are reliable and fast.

"They are great dogs,” he said.

Wackerhagen began skijoring four years ago and said he loves the accessibility and physicality of the sport.

"You work with the dogs just like on a sled and you can do it with less dogs,” he said. "I'm living downtown and I can still compete. It's also quite physical, you can help a lot and be really exhausted after the race.”

Wackerhagen has competed in every DPSAY race this season and said he's looking forward to the finale.

"It should be good and I hope we have some nice weather for it,” he said.

"It's been a great season.”