Race Officials
2012 Official Team
Race Marshal - Hans Oettli
The Yukon Quest Race Marshal is in charge of all aspects of the race. Along with a team of race judges, who will act as deputies, the Race Marshal ensures a fair and competitive race.
Oettli brings a strong background in both sled dog racing and judging to the position. He served as Race Marshal of Yukon Quest in 2010 and 2011, the Silver Sled Dog Sled Race and the Carbon Hill Dog Sled Race for many years. Oettli also brings a long-term, behind-the-scenes perspective having been a Yukon Board of Directors, Yukon Quest Race Judge, musher and volunteer.
Originally from Basel, Switzerland, Hans and his wife settled in the Yukon nearly 30 years ago and have raised a family and a kennel of malamutes. He has been active in the sled dog and racing community since arriving in the Yukon.
“Every year I enjoy being part of this great event, and I am looking forward to returning as Race Marshal next February,” said Oettli. “This race means so much to me and I look forward to working with a great field of mushers, judges and the volunteers who make this race the huge success it is every year.”
Officials
Terry Hinesly
Current Residence: Prospect, Oregon
Place of Birth: Satia Ana, California
Nationality: American
Family members: Wife Carolyn
What are your hobbies? Sports, car racing, mushing
Have you ever driven a dog team? Yes, 30 years of mid and long distance racing, Iditarod finisher.
Do you have sled dogs at home? No.
Do you have any other pets? 2 Border Collies.
What motivated you to become part of the Yukon Quest Official Team? I want to experience the world's toughest race.
What do you believe is the musher's most important sled dog racing aspect on the trail? Patience.
Please outline your previous experience with the Yukon Quest and / or other sled dog races you have volunteered with as an official? First YQ in 1984, Iditarod, Beargrease, Seney 300, Knik 200, Eagle Cap, Canadian Challenge, North Hope and Satka (both Russian), many in Australia.
What are you most looking forward to at the 2012 Yukon Quest? Dogs, People and Places.
What is the most important item you will bring with you along the trail? Experience and a sense of humor.
Rienhard Semmel
Current Residence: Haines Junction, Yukon
Place of Birth: Germany
Nationality: Canadian
Have you ever driven a dog team? Yes.
What do you believe is the musher's most important sled dog racing aspect on the trail? Help to finish the race, Fairness.
What are you most looking forward to at the 2012 Yukon Quest? Too many memories after 15 years of involvement.
Shelley Brown
Current Residence: Dawson City, YT
Place of Birth: Saint John, New Brunswick
Nationality: Canadian
Family Members: My partner, Sebastian Jones
What are your hobbies? Skijoring, Mushing, Running, Hiking, Personal Fitness, Gardening, Landscaping, Birds and Plants.... Anything involving getting out on the land and experiencing nature, along with a serious berry picking addiction!
Have you ever driven a dog team? I’ve been banging and crashing up and down the Yukon River around Dawson City for 20 years.
Do you have sled dogs at home? 16 dogs - The young, the old, the fat, and senile including two 18-year-old brothers who are my grumpy old men.
What motivated you to become part of the Yukon Quest Official team?
The dogs, the mushers, the challenge of the race and a love of the sport inspire me and I’m honoured to have the opportunity to learn.
What do you believe is a musher’s most important sled dog racing aspect on the trail? Good dog care and personal care equals a happy healthy team and the attitude that “and this too shall pass” will get you to the finish line.
Please outline your previous experience with the Yukon Quest and/or other sled dog races you have volunteered with as an Official? This will be my fifth consecutive year as a judge with the Yukon Quest, along with years of judging the Percy DeWolfe race, the past two years as Race Marshal.
What is your favorite memory from a previous Yukon Quest or other sled dog race? There are too many special moments to have one stand out in particular… It’s the beauty of the trail, the connection between dog and man, the challenges, the small town community spirit, tall tales in the checkpoints, those late night conversations, and the bonds and relationships made along the way.
What are you most looking forward to at the 2012 Yukon Quest? Learning from the professionals: the mushers and the dogs, being a part of the race team, meeting new and old friends, and the ride in John Borg’s “taxi” from the Eagle Airport.
What is the most important item you will bring with you along the trail?
A sense of humour a positive attitude, compassion and humility
Patty Imus
Current Residence: Fairbanks, Alaska
Place of Birth: Sacramento, California
Nationality: American
Family Members: Glenn 62, Bryan 40, Josie 25
What are your hobbies? Biking , Hiking, Golf
Have you ever driven a dog team? 20 years traveling, camping, racing. Mid Distance races and the 1985 Quest.
Do you have sled dogs at home? No, the last one died this year.
Do you have any other pets? Nova, a 13 year old Heeler/ Husky.
What motivated you to become part of the Yukon Quest Official team? I’m addicted.
What do you believe is a musher’s most important sled dog racing aspect on the trail?
Good dog maintenance and care for himself.
Please outline your previous experience with the Yukon Quest and/or other sled dog races you have volunteered with as an Official? Five years as a race judge on the Quest, two years as a vet assistant on the Quest.
What is your favorite memory from a previous Yukon Quest or other sled dog race?
Time at the remote dog drops.
What are you most looking forward to at the 2012 Yukon Quest? Meeting up with good friends I’ve worked with in prior years.
What is the most important item you will bring with you along the trail? Good attitude and my brain book.
Kiara Adams
Current Residence: Whitehorse Yukon
Place of Birth: Whitehorse
Nationality: Canadian
What are your hobbies? Hiking, cross country skiing, fitness training
Have you ever driven a dog team? I started racing sled dogs when I was 11 competing in sprint races including the Arctic Winter Games. I grew my team up and started training for longer distance events. Eventually running in the Yukon Quest in 2006 and 2007
Do you have sled dogs at home? No
Do you have any other pets? I have two dogs one is Gerome he was born at my kennel in 2003 and was my main lead dog. He is the best natured dog I have ever had the pleasure of being around. My other dog is Stella she is a three year old Afghan Hound she is very beautiful and full of attitude. Both dogs are very athletic and enjoy hiking and skiing as much as I do.
What motivated you to become part of the Yukon Quest Official team? I was asked by the race marshal and I thought it would be a nice way to get involved with the race again.
What do you believe is a musher’s most important sled dog racing aspect on the trail? Not to forget that it is about the dogs and to have fun!
Please outline your previous experience with the Yukon Quest and/or other sled dog races you have volunteered with as an Official? This will be the first time I have been a race official.
What is your favorite memory from a previous Yukon Quest or other sled dog race?
In 2006 I was one of the teams that got stuck on Eagle Summit in the storm. It was a very amazing experience to be in a storm like that. Not being able to finish the race was heart breaking but the experience of being in the storm is something I have learned from and will remember forever.
What are you most looking forward to at the 2012 Yukon Quest? Being around sled dogs again.
What is the most important item you will bring with you along the trail? Food
Donna Miller
Current Residence: Seeley Lake, Montana
Place of Birth: Lynnwood, CA
Nationality: American
Family members: Husband Gary Kyrouac
What are your hobbies: Dogs and metal smithing
Have you ever Driven a dog team? I started running dogs in 1990 skijoring, and then went on to raced in sprint, mid-distance and distance races.
Do you have sled dogs at home? We still have 12 Siberians.
Do you have any other pets? A Heeler mix and a Pomeranian.
What motivated you to become part of the Yukon Quest Official Team? I have always been interested in the Yukon Quest, and now that I am retired from running dogs this is the great way to be a part of it.
What do you believe is the musher's most important sled dog racing aspect on
the trail? Staying calm and level headed.
Please outline your previous experience with the Yukon Quest and / or other
sled dog races you have volunteered with as an official. I have been the race judge for the Eagle Cap Extreme for the last four years and a race marshal for the Chester Winterfest sprint and mid-distance races.
What are you most looking forward to at the 2010 Yukon Quest? Mainly the dogs, I especially enjoy watching how the different personalities of the mushers influence their teams.
What is the most important item you will bring with you along the trail? A sense of humor and warm clothes.
