Whitehorse skiers took home the top honours in nine of 10 races during the 26th Buckwheat Ski Classic this past weekend.

A record field of 381 skiers registered for the annual event, the first race organized by the Log Cabin Ski Society, who took the reigns from founder Carlin "Buckwheat” Donahue earlier this year.

Buckwheat was on hand to present awards at the Skagway Recreational Center on Saturday night.

"It was a beautiful day, it's always an epic event,” said Dave Brook of Whitehorse who placed first overall in the men's 50-kilometre event with a time of 3:09:15;2.

The Wattereus brothers, Stephen and Marcus, also of Whitehorse, were right behind Brook.

"I've often come second to those guys, so they must be getting older,” said Brook.

Whitehorse skiers rounded out the top three in each event with the lone exception coming in the women's 50-km race, won by Theresa White of Smithers, B.C.

Whitehorse's Sara Nielsen and Verena Koenig placed second and third.

The Schmidt family of Whitehorse had a strong showing at the event, with Chris Schmidt winning the men's 25-km race, while son Nichollis placed first in the boys 5-km race and daughter Sonjaa placed second on the girls side.

Seven-year-old Mettias also competed in the 5-km event, which is open for boys 10 years and under.

It was the fourth time Mettias has participated in the race.

"It's a great event,” said Chris. "I'm sure everybody had fun, the kid's always have a blast. They look forward to this race all year.”

It was the second time Chris has won the 25-km race in the last three years and placed second in 2011.

"The reason I like the 25-km distance is I make it around before the kids start so I can also go with them,” he said.

Chris said the trails were a bit soft but otherwise in perfect condition.

"You can't expect Mt. Mac conditions or anything,” he said. "They don't go out as often and it's softer because of it, but overall it's a very good trail.”

Because the race often happens in soft snow, Brook said it can turn into a competition of endurace.

"When it's a long race like that and you're pushing yourself it's pretty inevitable that you hit the wall in the last 15-km,” he said. "It's more of s survivalist race than what you're normally used to.”

The field was without the members of the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski team who were wrapping up competition at the Haywood Ski Nationals in Quebec.

"Those guys often go to Buckwheat and I think they like to be there,” said Brook.

"But it leaves the field open for more of us local guys who can't race like they do.”

The event had one of the more memorable aid station snow sculptures in recent years, a dragon which was done as part of the Chinese New Year theme.

Members of the Team Alaska sculpture team and several volunteers created the

piece.

In all, about 95 volunteers helped in various aspects of the event.

The race also marked the first time a visually impaired skier competed in the event.

Walter Raineri of Belmont, California, skied the 25-km distance behind guide Ken Leghorn of Juneau and finished a respectable 22nd place in 2:08:03. They were introduced to huge applause at the awards dinner.

The winner of the Des Duncan Award for outstanding volunteer service and sportsmanship was Mike Konsler of Skagway, and Miss Buckwheat 2012 was little Mina Yee of Skagway.

With notes from Jeff Brady.

2012 Buckwheat Ski Classic Final Results:

50-km men: 1. Dave Brock, Whitehorse, 3:09:15; 2. Stephen Wattereus,

Whitehorse, 3:17:44; 3. Marcus Wattereurs, Whitehorse, 3:18:12.

50-km women: 1. Theresa White, Smithers B.C., 3:39:41; 2. Sara Nielsen,

Whitehorse, 4:04:15; 3. Verena Koenig, Whitehorse, 4:20:03.

25-km men: 1. Chris Schmidt, Whitehorse, 1:29:15; 2. Caelan McLean, Whitehorse,

1:33:57; 3. Trevor Bray, Whitehorse, 1:36:46.

25-km women: 1. Pippa Lawson, Whitehorse, 1:49:34; 2. Leslie Doran, Whitehorse,

1:50:22; 3. Lois Johnston, Whitehorse, 1:51:24.

10-km men: 1. Ian Hogeboom-Burr, Whitehorse, 36:53; 2. Simon Cash, Whitehorse,

36:55; 3. Rob Rees, Whitehorse, 38:14.

10-km women: 1. Cambria Fuerstner, Whitehorse, 39:07; 2. Meagan Wilson, Whitehorse, 41:50; 3. Eliza Paul, 44:30.

5-km boys 11-12: 1. Liam Mather, Whitehorse, 24:25; 2. Sam Fleming, Whitehorse, 35:35; 3. Alex Roberts, Whitehorse, 35:39.

5-km girls 11-12: 1. Savannah Cash, Whitehorse, 27:43; 2. Dagmar Janzen, Whitehorse, 32:44; Pascale Halliday, Whitehorse, 48:22.

5-km boys 10 and under: 1. Nichollis Schmidt, Whitehorse, 26:02; 2. Ben Shier, Whitehorse, 30:29; 3. Micah Taggart-Cox, Marsh Lake, 30:29.

5-km girls 10 and under: 1. Sofia Bond, Whitehorse, 28:44; 2. Sonjaa Schmidt, 30:19; 3. Dahlia LaPointe, Whitehorse, 30:27.

Des Duncan Award for Volunteer Service and Sportsmanship: Mike Konsler, Skagway

Miss Buckwheat 2012: Mina Yee, Skagway.