The sun was shining and the temperatures were comfortable below zero on Sunday for all the participants and fans who came out for the Dog Powered Sports Association of Yukon (DPSAY) Yukon Brewing Twister Race at the Takhini Hot Pools.

Along with the weather, DPSAY president Simi Morrison said in an email the trails were perfect and that she was pleased with the number of people who registered.

“We had a fantastic turn-out, especially in the recreational class,” said Morrison. “It is great to see how more and more people ski and kicksled with their dogs.”

The recreational class was a four-mile race. Nadele Flynn, who skijored the four-miles had the quickest time on the trail completing it in 28:02. Stephan Blust, using a sled, had the second fastest time reaching the finish line in 34:28.

Martin Haefele was the third musher in with a time of 36:00.

Since winter did not cooperate in bringing snow early in the season the members of DPSAY have not been able to race as much as they would prefer. On Sunday a 25-mile race was added to the Twister but it did not go according to plan.

“Because we had such a sad start of the season and because one of our members offered to put in an additional, longer course for this race, we also had a 25-mile race course,” said Morrison.

The 25-mile race had five people register.

“Somehow all five participants ended up running this course in ‘different’ ways, so in order to make it fair, we ended up waiving the competition side of it, reimbursed the entry fees and called it a fun run,” she said.

The mushers were allowed to use six to eight dogs for the race. Alex Rochat completed the 25-mile fun run in 1:30:58. Claudia Beer completed the course in 1:54:38 and Jonathan Lucas had a time of 2:06:15 for the fun run.

The other two races held on Sunday were the 10-mile sled and the 10-mile ski.

Virginia Sarrazin won the ski in a time of 51:37. Claudia Wickert grabbed the second spot as she and her dogs crossed the end line in 64:56. Lindsay Caskanette grabbed third in a time of 68:10.

Alena Tryznova had the fastest time in the 10-mile sled race completing it in less than an hour. Christiane Champeval edged out Cindy Baker-Hawkins for second with a time of 67:10, while Baker-Hawkins finished the race in 68:35.

Once the races were complete Morrison said everyone enjoyed a soak in the hot pools.