Yukon River Quest deadline extended
The registration deadline for the 12th annual Yukon River Quest has been extended from April 15 to May 1.
The registration deadline for the 12th annual Yukon River Quest has been extended from April 15 to May 1.
The decision was made by the Yukon River Marathon Paddling Association board to give a little more time for teams to enter this year's race.
As of April 8, a total of 66 teams had fully registered and another six teams were in the process of registering, slightly less than a goal of at least 75 teams. Race directors ideally would like to see the field up around the 100-team limit.
There is still room for four teams in the solo classes (up to a 30-team solo limit), as well as all other classes. The complete breakdown of teams as of April 1 was as follows: five solo canoes (C1), 21 solo kayaks (K1), 18 tandem canoes (C2), 15 tandem kayaks (K2), and seven voyageur canoes (VC). So far, eight nationalities are represented in the 2010 field; Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Registration information and online entry forms are available via a link on the race website, www.yukonriverquest.com
The 12th annual "Race to the Midnight Sun” begins on June 30 in Whitehorse. Except for two mandatory rest stops totaling just 10 hours, teams will race round-the-clock 740-kilometres to the finish line in historic Dawson City, making it the longest and toughest paddling marathon of its kind in the world. The event concludes July 4.
In other YRQ news;
• The Yukon River Quest Fund-raiser will be held the evening of April 24 at the Gold Rush Inn. There will be live music, a race slide show, and a silent auction, along with nibbles and an open bar. The fun starts at 8 p.m. If you are interested in donating items for the silent auction, please call Joanie Pelletier at 668-4175.
• The YRQ has also embarked on its annual bib campaign. Businesses may have their names on a solo paddler ($250), a tandem team ($400), or an entire voyageur team ($700) in this year's race.
For more information, visit the race website and download a bib sponsorship form.
Comments (2)
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Arn Anderson on Apr 15, 2010 at 2:40 am
Sorry they should only give out a toonie and a free drink at the 98 for prizes because the real prize is that they have all the picturesque moments going down the river.
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bobby bitman on Apr 14, 2010 at 1:37 am
I see the awarding of prizes is still slanted big time toward the male participants. At least they now have a women's class, and say that their prize awards are 'fair', but take a closer look.
There are three or four prize awards for first, second and third in each category. These categories are 'overall fastest' 'men's', 'women's' and sometimes a 'mixed/open'.
All are for the same amount of money, ie, first would be $2100 for the fastest man, $2100 for the fastest woman, and a further $2100 for the overall fastest (ie the man or the woman, whoever was fastest.)
Considering the very big advantage that top athletic men have over top athletic women in upper body strength, it is EXTREMELY unlikely that any woman is going to have the fastest time to Dawson in any category.
In reality the top man is going to win twice as much prize money as the top woman, every time. This is better than years ago where there was no women's category at all, but still not right. I actually went to the website to check and see if they had dealt with this glaring problem. Well, 'sort of'. The entry fee is the same for both however.