Yukon Arctic Ultra shortened

The Yukon Arctic Ultra has been shortened due to “substantial overflows” between Mandanna Lake and Braeburn, according to a Facebook post by organizer Robert Pollhammer.

Frontrunner Jessie Gladish, riding a fat bike, was brought back to Kevin Leahy’s (second place) position and they both turned around and headed back to Braeburn.

At the time of this writing, Gladish and Leahy had left Braeburn and were tied at 148.4 miles on their way back to Whitehorse. Their nexr checkpoint is Dog Grave Lake.

There are only four other racers left out on the trail. They are Stephen Huss of Germany (140.7 miles), Daniel Benhammou of the U.S. (140.7 miles), Aodh O’ Currain of Ireland (123.2 miles) and Philip Cowell of England (121.1 miles). Huss, Benhammou and O’Currain are all on their way to Braeburn. Cowell is on his way to the new turnaround point.

Huss and Benhammou appear to be travelling close to each other.

All the racers except Gladish are on foot.

Beatty runs first race at Olympics

Whitehorse native Dahria Beatty has run her first race at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Beatty finished 28th in the 15 kilometre Skiathon Saturday at the Zhangjiakou National Cross-Country Skiing Centre in China. It was a personal best for her. Beatty finished ahead of a small group of racers at the finish line.

The race combined 7.5 kilometres of classic style, followed by 7.5 kilometres of skate style, with racers having to switch to shorter skis and longer poles halfway through the race.

Beatty’s next race is the Women’s Sprint Free qualifier tomorrow morning at 1 a.m. Yukon Time.

Yukon Quest Alaska Races
off and running

The Yukon Quest 350 in Alaska is off and running.

The race started Saturday from Fairbanks, and includes a 200-mile version as well.

Two-time defending Yukon Quest champion Brent Sass was leading at the 253.6 mile mark at the time of this writing, followed by Matt Hall at the 239.2 mile mark. Dale Naaktgeboren was in third at the 231 mile mark.

Other notables in the race include Connor McMahon of Carcross and Rob Cooke of Whitehorse.