Yukon Quest “Firsts”
First musher to Start the Yukon Quest: Pecos Humphries, 1984
First Yukon Quest Champion: Sonny Linder, 1984
First woman to cross the finish line: Lorrina Mitchell, 1984
First Canadian Yukon Quest Champion: Bruce Johnson, 1986
First woman Yukon Quest Champion: Aliy Zirkle, 2000
First European Yukon Quest Champion: Hans Gatt, 2002
First father-daughter team: Jeninne and Ned Cathers, 1989
Youngest musher to enter the race: Jeninne Cathers, 1989
First husband-wife team: Linda and Will Forsberg, 1990
First mother-daughter team: Connie and Terri Frerichs, 1990
First musher to win the Yukon Quest twice: Charlie Boulding in 1991 & 1993
First musher to win the Yukon Quest 3 times (and in a row): Hans Gatt in 2002, 2003 & 2004
First musher to win the Yukon Quest 4 times (and in a row): Lance Mackey in 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008
Fastest winning time: 10 days, 2 hours, 37 minutes, Lance Mackey, 2007
Slowest winning time: 14 days, 9 hours and 17 minutes, Bruce Johnson, 1986
Closest finish: the first 2 mushers completed the race within 5 minutes of each other in 1991
Top 10 Finishing Times Both Directions - All Years
Lance Mackey - 2007 - 10 days, 2 hours, 37 minutes
Lance Mackey - 2006 * - 10 days, 7 hours, 47 minutes
Hans Gatt - 2006 * - 10 days, 8 hours, 59 minutes
William Kleedehn 2006 * - 10 days, 9 hours, 5 minutes
Hans Gatt - 2007 - 10 days, 9 hours, 19 minutes
Gerry Willomitzer - 2007 10 days, 12 hours, 9 minutes
William Kleedehn - 2007 10 days, 12 hours, 12 minutes
Frank Turner - 1995 - 10 days, 16 hours, 20 minutes
Hans Gatt - 2003 - 10 days, 16 hours, 28 minutes
Jim Wilson - 1995 - 10 days, 17 hours, 9 minutes
* 2006 race route followed reduced distance due to snow conditions
Top 10 Finishing Times Fairbanks to Whitehorse
Lance Mackey - 2006 - 10 days, 7 hours, 47 minutes
Hans Gatt - 2006 - 10 days, 8 hours, 59 minutes
William Kleedehn - 2006 - 10 days, 9 hours, 5 minutes
David Dalton - 2006 - 10 days, 20 hours, 8 minutes
Gerry Willomitzer - 2006 - 10 days, 21 hours, 15 minutes
Lavon Barve - 1994 - 10 days, 22 hours, 44 minutes
Aliy Zirkle - 2000 - 10 days, 22 hours, 57 minutes
Thomas Tetz - 2000 - 10 days, 23 hours, 27 minutes
Jim Wilson - 1994 - 11 days, 1 hour, 27 minutes
Linda Forsberg - 1994 - 11 days, 1 hour, 33 minutes
Top 10 Finishing Times Whitehorse to Fairbanks
Lance Mackey - 2007 - 10 days, 2 hours, 37 minutes
Hans Gatt - 2007- 10 days, 9 hours, 19 minutes
Gerry Willomitzer - 2007 - 10 days, 12 hours, 9 minutes
William Kleedehn - 2007 - 10 days, 12 hours, 12 minutes
Frank Turner - 1995 - 10 days, 16 hours, 20 minutes
Hans Gatt - 2003 - 10 days, 16 hours, 28 minutes
Jim Wilson - 1995 - 10 days, 17 hours, 9 minutes
Jay Cadzow - 1995 - 10 days, 18 hours, 39 minutes
Charlie Boulding - 1993 - 10 days, 19 hours, 9 minutes
Yukon Quest Champions
1984 - Sonny Lindner - 12 days, 0 hours, 5 minutes
1985 - Joe Runyan - 11 days, 11 hours, 55 minutes
1986 - Bruce Johnson - 14 days, 9 hours, 17 minutes
1987 - Bill Cotter - 12 days, 4 hours, 34 minutes
1988 - David Monson - 12 days, 5 hours, 6 minutes
1989 - Jeff King - 11 days, 20 hours, 51 minutes
1990 - Vern Halter - 11 days, 17 hours, 9 minutes
1991 - Charlie Boulding - 10 days, 21 hours, 12 minutes
1992 - John Schandelmeier - 11 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes
1993 - Charlie Boulding - 10 days, 19 hours, 9 minutes
1994 - Lavon Barve - 10 days, 22 hours, 44 minutes
1995 - Frank Turner - 10 days, 16 hours, 20 minutes
1996 - John Schandelmeier - 12 days, 16 hours, 6 minutes
1997 - Rick Mackey - 12 days, 5 hours, 55 minutes
1998 - Bruce Lee - 11 days, 11 hours, 27 minutes
1999 - Ramy Brooks - 11 days, 8 hours, 27 minutes
2000 - Aliy Zirkle - 10 days, 22 hours, 57 minutes
2001 - Tim Osmar - 11 days, 13 hours, 38 minutes
2002 - Hans Gatt - 11 days 4 hours, 22 minutes
2003 - Hans Gatt - 10 days 16 hours, 28 minutes
2004 - Hans Gatt - 10 days 17 hours, 54 minutes
2005 - Lance Mackey - 11 days 32 minutes
2006 - Lance Mackey - 10 days, 7 hours, 47 minutes
2007 - Lance Mackey - 10 days, 2 hours, 37 minutes
2008 - Lance Mackey - 10 days, 12 hours, 14 minutes
Sportsmanship Award:
Presented to the musher exhibiting the best sportsmanship along the trail. The selection is made by fellow mushers.
1985 - Joe May
1986 - Don Glassburn
1992 - Tim Mowry
1993 - John Gourley
1994 - John Barron
1995 - Jay Cadzow
1996 - Mark May
1997 - John Schandelmeier
1998 - Rusty Hagen
1999 - Jack Berry
2000 - Rusty Hagan
2001 - Cor Guimond
2002 - Jim Hendrick
2003 - John Schandelmeier
2004 - Thomas Tetz
2005 - Ed Hopkins
2006 - Wayne Hall
2007 - Sebastian Schnuelle
2008 - Kelley Griffin
Challenge of the North Award:
Presented to the musher who most exemplifies the "Spirit of the Yukon Quest", a spirit that compels one to challenge themselves and persevere. Voted on by race officials.
1992 - Dave Sawatzky
1993 - Jeff Mann
1994 - Cor Guimond
1995 - Larry Smith
1996 - Doug Harris
1997 - David O'Farrell
1998 - Thomas Tetz
1999 - Aliy Zirkle
2000 - Hugh Neff
2001 - Joran Freeman
2002 - Wayne Hall
2003 - Frank Turner
2004 - Marcel Marin
2005 - William Kleedehn
2006 - Regina Wycoff
2007 - Mike Jayne
2008 - Brent Sass
Dawson Award:
Presented to the first musher to reach Dawson City (home of the "greatest gold rush the world has ever known") who completes the race, they receive 4 ounces of Yukon placer gold!
1987 - Jeff King
1992 - John Schandelmeier
1993 - Charlie Boulding
1994 - Kathy Swenson
1995 - Larry Smith
1996 - John Schandelmeier
1997 - John Schandelmeier
1998 - Andre Nadeau
1999 - Ramy Brooks
2000 - Jack Berry
2001 - Tim Osmar
2002 - Peter Butteri
2003 - Hans Gatt
2004 - Hans Gatt
2005 - Hugh Neff
2006 - Lance Mackey
2007 - Lance Mackey
2008 - Lance Mackey
Rookie of the Year Award:
Presented to the highest placing official finisher who has never before reached the halfway point of Dawson City.
1992 - John Peep
1993 - Jay Cadzow
1994 - Lavon Barve
1995 - Bill Stewart
1996 - Rick Mackey
1997 - Keizo Funatsu
1998 - Andre Nadeau
1999 - Carrie Farr
2000 - Cim Smith
2001 - Joran Freeman
2002 - Shannon Brockman
2003 - Martin Masicotte
2004 - Zach Steer
2005 - Lance Mackey
2006 - Richie Beattie
2007 - Aaron Burmeister
2008 - Ken Anderson
Veterinarian’s Choice Award:
Presented to the musher who demonstrates outstanding canine care for their dogs throughout the race, in the best spirit of the Yukon Quest. This award is a legacy for aspiring mushers to emulate in the humane treatment and care of their team. Nominees voted on by the race veterinarians.
1992 - Linda Forsberg
1993 - Jay Cadzow
1994 - John Schandelmeier
1995 - Don Hibbs
1996 - John Schandelmeier
1997 - Ned Cathers
1998 - Dave Olesen
1999 - Sepp Herman
2000 - Dave Olesen
2001 - Frank Turner
2002 - Bill Steyer
2003 - Dan Kaduce
2004 - Dave Dalton
2005 - Gerry Willomitzer
2006 - William Kleedehn
2007 - Sebastian Schnuelle
2008 - Lance Mackey
Golden Harness Award:
Presented to the Champion lead dog(s).
1992 - Tess & Arrow - (John Schandelmeier)
1993 - (Charlie Boulding)
1994 - (Lavon Barve)
1995 - Buck & Grizzly - (Frank Turner)
1996 - Gin Gin - (John Schandelmeier)
1997 - (Rick Mackey)
1998 - Clovis - (Bruce Lee)
1999 - Pretty Boy - (Ramy Brooks)
2000 - Pedro - (Aliy Zirkle)
2001 - (Tim Osmar)
2002 - Havana & Bonzo - (Hans Gatt)
2003 - Havana & Milos - (Hans Gatt)
2004 - Havana & Felix - (Hans Gatt)
2005 - Hobo Jim & Larry - (Lance Mackey)
2006 - Hobo Jim & Larry - (Lance Mackey)
2007 - Hobo Jim & Lippy - (Lance Mackey)
2008 - Handsome & Rev - (Lance Mackey)
Red Lantern Award:
Presented to the last official finisher.
1984 - Shirley Liss
1985 - Jim Bridges
1986 - Michael Schwandt
1987 - Allen Dennis
1988 - Ty Halvorson
1989 - Peter Butteri
1990 - Esa Ekdahl
1991 - Beat Korner
1992 - George Cook III
1993 - Jeff Currey
1994 - Barry Emmett
1995 - Dieter Zimgibl
1996 - Stan Njootli
1997 - Ralf Zielinski
1998 - Brian O'Donoghue
1999 - Peter Ledwidge
2000 - Deborah Bicknell
2001 - Bruce Milne
2002 - Wayne Hall
2003 - Paul Geoffrion
2004 - Tom Benson
2005 - Blake Freking
2006 - Regina Wycoff
2007 - Bob McAlpin
2008 - Kyla Boivin
Awards no longer presented
Kiwanis Award:
Presented to the first official finisher to cross the international border between Canada and the United States. Presented from 1992 to 2004; no longer awarded.
1992 - Sonny Lindner
1993 - Charlie Boulding
1994 - name not available
1995 - Jim Wilson
1996 - John Schandelmeier
1997 - John Schandelmeier
1998 - Andre Nadeau
1999 - Ramy Brooks
2000 - Thomas Tetz
2001 - William Kleedehn
2002 - Peter Butteri
2003 - Hans Gatt
2004 - Zach Steer
Mayor's Award:
Presented to the Yukon Quest Champion between 1992 and 1999; no longer awarded.
1992 - John Schandelmeier
1993 - Charlie Boulding
1994 - Lavon Barve
1995 - Frank Turner
1996 - John Schandelmeier
1997 - Rick Mackey
1998 - Bruce Lee
1999 - Ramy Brooks
