The show must go on. At least for another month. Maybe two.

Thanks to interim organizers Fabian Schmitz and his girlfriend Claudia Wickert, the Yukon Brewing Copper Haul Twister League will go ahead with this month's 16-kilometre (10.5-mile) dog sled and skijor races and five-kilometre (three mile) kids and pet dog races on Sunday, starting with a meeting at 10 a.m. at Icy Waters.

In December, race organizer Jon Lucas stepped down after four years of service to the league that he started, telling the Star that administrative duties were conflicting with his mushing schedule.

Both Lucas and Schmitz are committed to competing in the Yukon Quest 300 Sled Dog Race next month.

Schmitz said that's part of the reason he and Wickert have only committed to organizing this month's Twister League.

"It's a little tight next month; maybe in March again, but February I just won't be able to do it,” Schmitz said.

For this month, however, the races are a go.

"Jonathan was a great help, and he told us basically what he did so far, so we just do what he did,” Schmitz said.

"It's a great way of saying thanks to him as well; he did it for so long, he was a little tired of doing it, and this is a great chance to put in some effort ourselves.”

Schmitz noted that Lucas had a lot on his plate.

"So we took over for this month and it's probably another group of people going to do that for next month, but it's going to be the same format,” Schmitz added.

Mushers can meet at Icy Waters on Fish Lake Road Sunday at 10 a.m. for a meeting, followed by the race at roughly 11 a.m., Schmitz said.

Cash prizes, sponsored by Duffy's Pets and Tanzilla Harness Supply, start at $50 for first place, $40 for second place, $30 for third place and drop by $10 on down the line.

Merchandise prizes will be put up by First Mate Dog Food, Yukon Grain Farm, Yukon Honda, Yukon Brewing, Icy Waters, Muktuk Adventures and Aurora Booties.

Schmitz and Wickert moved to Canada from Germany, originally landing in Bridge Lake, B.C., near 100 Mile House, where they worked as dog sled guides before traveling north to the Yukon two years ago.

Since arriving, Schmitz stumbled upon the Copper Haul Twister League, and started for the same reason everyone else starts, "the dogs, of course,” he said.

"We came up to the Yukon and heard about this little race format … so we got involved and took over a few things as volunteers,” Schmitz explained.

"It's great for people that want to start with dog sledding, because it gives you a lot of experience, it gives you race experience, it gives you the opportunity to meet other people that are involved in dog sledding and it gets the dogs experienced as well.”

Anyone interested in volunteering for Sunday should call Schmitz and Wickert at 335-2920. For information on the league, visit www.copperhaultwister.blogspot.com.

Schmitz added that volunteers are mandatory for the league's survival.

"If nobody does it, then the whole thing will die, basically; if nobody steps up and keeps organizing those races, then they won't happen again,” Schmitz said.

"That would be a great loss, if we don't have the races, because it's a meeting point to socialize with other mushers. It gets your dogs on the trail. There's nothing comparable to (these races) … there's not a lot of opportunity for shorter races in the Yukon.”