The Yukon Quest International Association (Canada) maintains a strong veteran board of directors following its annual general meeting in May, it announced last week.

Returning veteran board members include president Al Doherty, treasurer Mike Kenny, secretary Rolf Schmitt as well as directors Donna Clayson, Clark LaPrairie, Harry Kern and Laura Jane Lucas.

The board has welcomed some new skills and experience. Three new directors were elected including Ken Cohoe, Philip Fitzgerald, Joost van der Putten.

Cohoe has run a highway lodge, guided big game hunts and owned an expediting business during his 16 years in the Yukon. He has helped to establish the "The Babe Southwick Memorial Dog Sled Race” and has a keen interest in mushing.

Fitzgerald is a local chartered accountant who has worked in both the private and First Nations sector in the five years that he has lived in Whitehorse. Originally from New Zealand, Fitzgerald has enjoyed the spectacle and sheer scale of the Yukon Quest and is excited to assist in its continued development.

Van der Putten fell in love with nature and the Yukon wilderness 20 years ago. It took him another 17 years to move here, where he now owns and operates Nature Tours of Yukon. As a mechanical engineer, he loves to plan, organize and take things to a level above and beyond the ordinary.

The Yukon Quest board of directors with its experienced board veterans and the new talents of three rookie directors head into the 2011 season with excitement.

Opening day of sign-ups is Aug. 7. The 2011 Yukon Quest starts Feb. 5 from Whitehorse.

In other dog sledding news, Saturday was the official opening day of registration for the 2011 Iditarod. Whitehorse veteran mushers rushed to sign up to join a race pack that is shaping up to be a tough one already.

2010 Yukon Quest champion and 2010 Iditarod second place finisher Hans Gatt of Whitehorse, Gerry Willomitzer of Shallow Bay, Michelle Phillips of Tagish and Sebastian Schnuelle of Whitehorse all handed in their registration on the first day of sign-up for the famous Alaska race.

Other fan-favourites include five time winner Lance Mackay, and Jamaican Newton Marshall, who will be returning for his second Iditarod.

Submitted by the Yukon Quest International Association, with files from Annalee Grant.