Musher Hall of Fame

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: 9 days, 0 hours, 26 minutes, Hans Gatt, 2010

Slowest winning time: 14 days, 9 hours and 17 minutes, Bruce Johnson, 1986

Closest finish: the first 2 mushers completed the race within 4 minutes of each other in 2009

Top 10 Finishing Times Both Directions - All Years

2010- Hans Gatt - 9 days, 0 hours, 26 minutes

2010 - Lance Mackey - 9 days, 1 hour, 29 minutes

2010 - Hug Neff - 9 hours, 3 hours, 9 minutes

2010 - Zack Steer - 9 days, 14 hours, 49 minutes

2010 - Ken Anderson - 9 days, 14 hours, 52 minutes

2010 - Sonny Lindner - 9 days, 21 hours, 5 minutes

2009 - Sebastian Schnuelle - 9 days, 23 hours, 20 minutes

2009 - Hugh Neff - 9 days, 23 hours, 24 minutes

2010 - Joshua Cadzow - 10 days, 0 hours, 9 minutes

2009 - Jon Little - 10 days, 0 hours, 28 minutes

Top 10 Finishing Times Fairbanks to Whitehorse

2010 - Hans Gatt - 9 days, 0 hours, 26 minutes

2010 - Lance Mackey - 9 days, 1 hour, 29 minutes

2010 - Hug Neff - 9 hours, 3 hours, 9 minutes

2010 - Zack Steer - 9 days, 14 hours, 49 minutes

2010 - Ken Anderson - 9 days, 14 hours, 52 minutes

2010 - Sonny Lindner - 9 days, 21 hours, 5 minutes

2010 - Joshua Cadzow - 10 days, 0 hours, 9 minutes

2010 - Abbie West - 10 days, 8 hours, 36 minutes

2006 - Lance Mackey - 10 days, 7 hours, 47 minutes

2006 - Hans Gatt - 10 days, 8 hours, 59 minutes

Top 10 Finishing Times Whitehorse to Fairbanks

2009 - Sebastian Schnuelle - 9 days, 23 hours, 20 minutes

2009 - Hugh Neff - 9 days, 23 hours, 24 minutes

2009 - Jon Little - 10 days, 0 hours, 28 minutes

2007 - Lance Mackey - 10 days, 2 hours, 37 minutes

2007 - Hans Gatt - 10 days, 9 hours, 19 minutes

2009 - Martin Buser - 10 days, 9 hours, 40 minutes

2009 - Michelle Phillips - 10 days, 9 hours, 41 minutes

2009 - William Kleedehn - 10 days, 11 hours, 16 minutes

2011 - Dallas Seavey - 10 days, 11 hours, 53 minutes

2009 - Brent Sass - 10 days 11 hours, 54 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

2009 - Sebastian Schnuelle - 9 days, 23 hours, 20 minutes

2010 - Hans Gatt - 9 days, 0 hours, 26 minutes

2011 -  Dallas Seavey - 10 days, 11 hours, 53 minutes

Yukon Quest Award Winners

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

2009 - Brent Sass

2010 - Sonny Lindner

2011 - Brent Sass, Mike Ellis and Allen Moore

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

2009 - Newton Marshall

2010 - Jocelyne LeBlanc

2011 - Kelley Griffin


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

2009 - William Kleedehn

2010 - Hans Gatt

2011 - Ken Anderson


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

2009 - Martin Buser

2010 - Joshua Cadzow

2011 - Dallas Seavey


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

2009 - Michelle Phillips

2010 - Joshua Cadzow

2011 - Mike Ellis


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)

2009 - Inuk & Nemo (Sebastian Schuelle)

2010 - Stitch & Kinvig (Hans Gatt)

2011 - Guiness & Diesel (Dallas Seavey)


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

2009 - Iris Wood Sutton

2010 - Jocelyne Leblanc

2011 - Hank DeBruin

 

Not a yearly award, the Silver Award is to be presented to a dog that has performed astoundingly or done a heroic act during a specific race.

2011 - Silver (Brent Sass) for guiding two teams out of a blizard on top of American Summit

 

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

 

*NEW* Silver Award