Information for Rookies

Yukon Quest International would like to welcome all rookies taking up the challenge of running our 1,000 miles race!

Please find below all the necessary information, tips, and advice you will need to prepare and plan your adventure on the Yukon Quest trail.

Should there be any missing information, or should you have further questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices (see contact details below). 

 
“The toughest thing is to make a mistake and not loose hope, to keep moving forward. Aspiring dog mushers should always remember you’re dumber than you think. You should only be competing with yourself.”

Hugh Neff - Quote from an interview with Max Winkelman, Communications Assistant

Please go to Tips from Veterans for more advice!

General information:

• NEW !!! AUDIO FILES FROM THE 2012 ROOKIE WORKSHOP ARE NOW AVAILABLE!

The event took place Saturday, October 8th 2011 at the Carlson Center during the "Go Winter! Expo". Audio files from the workshop are now posted so everyone can benefit from the presentations.

      - Mike Ellis: Trail Discussion 
      - Lance Mackey: Dog Care and Attitude 
      - Brent Sass: Musher Physical and Mental Health on the Trail 
      - Ken Anderson: Uncommon Trail Situations 
      - Hugh Neff: Training for 1,000 miles 
      - Abbie West: Food Drop 
      - Jodi Bailey: Advice for Rookies 
      - Jodi Bailey: Handlers and More 

      - *NEW* Tamara Rose: Vet Care

• Audio Files from the 2011 Rookie Workshop (held in October 8th 2010)
  • Abbie West: Advice from a Yukon Quest rookie run
  • Brent Sass: A mushers physical health on the trail
  • Gerry Willomitzer: Drop bags and how to pack them
  • Josh Cadzow: Dog care on the Yukon Quest trail and during training
  • Ken Anderson: The Yukon Quest trail
  • Lance Mackey: The trail and mental stability
  • Mike Ellis: Training and conditioning a long distance sled dog team
  • Sonny Lindner: Handlers and their importance
  • Vet procedure along the trail: DVM Eastman

• Audio files from the 2010 Rookies Meeting
  • Gerry Willomitzer: Drop bags, provisions and handler issues
  • Mike Ellis: Yukon Quest Trail Description Fairbanks to Whitehorse
  • Becca Moore and Mike Elli: How to run the YQ as a rookie?
  • Sebastian Schnuelle:Training and conditioning for a 1000 mile race

*Please note: the information being presented above is “informational” and not the official interpretation of rules, trails, officials, personnel or anything else*

• Rookies Guide to the Yukon Quest
• 2012 Official Qualifying races
• Sign up Documents 
• 2012 Official Rules
• Documents for registered mushers
• Guide to the trail 
• Trail updates - Coming in 2012 once trail work has begun

• 2012 Race Marshal Hans Oettli's contact information
• 2012 Head Veterinarian Katlhleen McGill's contact information 

For questions, please contact either Yukon Quest offices at:

Fairbanks Office
Maria"Frog" Roberts                                                                                                                    Phone (907) 452-7954
Fax: (907) 452-7959
Email : questops@mosquitonet.com

Whitehorse Office
Marie-Sylvestre Belanger
Phone: (867) 6684711
Fax: (867) 668-6674
Email: questadmin@polarcom.com