With a few clouds stretched across the horizon and plenty of sun, it was a picturesque day to kick off the third season of the Yukon Brewing Copper Haul Twister League.

The H. Coyne and Sons race, held Sunday near Icy Waters Ltd., attracted 20 mushing teams, which enjoyed a fast trail for each of the races in the kids, pet dog and adult categories.

Participants in the Copper Haul Twister League also have the option of using a sled or skijoring.

This year's Copper Haul Twister League will have six races with one every month.

To be eligible for league competition, participants must compete in at least three races and volunteer for one. Points are awarded for top finishes, including 10 points for first place.

The winner of the league in the adult category will be given $250 from Yukon Brewing as well as the honour of having his or her name engraved on the Copper Haul Twister League trophy.

Mushers went out Sunday in two minute intervals.

Among the 20 teams, 15 were in the adult category, four were in the kids division and there was one pet dog entry.

The first dog team back was Darryl Sheepway, who started in the first position and was able to hold off all of the other mushers in the adult category.

Sheepway, who skijored with three dogs, said it was a great race for his team.

"I like coming out, running my dog team, competing with everybody," he said.

"It's great for them to come out and get the experience of running with all these other dog teams. When they are training they don't put near as much effort into it and when they come out to an event like this it just clicks for them. I think they know they're fast and they like to show off themselves."

He credited the good run to his lead dog Polar, who was not only quick, but made all of the passes really well.

"He makes or breaks that team," Sheepway said.

"Every race I have entered now for the last four or five years he's been in lead and he hasn't been a problem, not once."

Sheepway said he plans on joining the league this season and was pleased with how the season started.

"It's an excellent start to the season for us," he said. "I am proud of the way my dogs performed today."

Drew Spicer, 14, competed in the Copper Haul Twister League for the first time on Sunday.

Spicer, who went out in the fourth position was able to catch the two and third teams within the first five minutes and was the first sled to come in.

Spicer said he was pleased with the way the race went, crediting his success to the way the dogs ran.

Spicer said he hopes to participate in the next Copper Haul Twister race, which is scheduled for December.

Michelle Phillips was another competitor that took part in Sunday's race.

Phillips, who will compete in her fifth Yukon Quest in February, said she uses the Copper Haul Twister as a training run for some of her younger dogs.

"I was running all yearlings, so it was really good experience for them," she said.

"They have never been in a race and some of them have never been in lead, so they learned a lot, head on passes and all kinds of excitement, it's fun."

More information about the Yukon Brewing Copper Haul Twister League or about upcoming races for the 2008-09 season is available on www.copperhaultwister.blogspot.com.