Misha Wiljes starts the YQ-450 and is the first musher through the starting chute for Yukon Quest 2024. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – The first musher was led by her team of canine athletes across the start line earlier this afternoon, officially kicking off this year’s Yukon Quest.
YQ-450 musher Misha Wiljes was the first of 16 mushers out of the chute as determined by a bib draw that happened on February 1st. The first crossing of the start line brought cheers and claps from fans lined along the fence sitting just off of the Takhini River Road.
The new location was decided by race officials last week after determining that the icy conditions at Shipyards Park would make it too dangerous for a large public event.
The start line was relocated to an area close to the Suncatcher’s Inn Cattery near the Overland Trail.
Jason Severs is the Race Marshall for this year’s Quest and says that the new start location doesn’t change much but dog sled teams are limited to using only eight dogs at the start, due to the layout of the chute, and can add more dogs at Braeburn or Carmacks.
“We decided that for the best interest of the teams and of the dogs and the mushers that we would de-power the teams to keep everybody safe,” said Severs.
The start time was pushed to 2 p.m. as opposed to the original 11 a.m. to make up for the loss of distance.
While the mushers and their teams were prepping to take off race officials made sure that the race teams understood the rules and ensured that they had the proper equipment. The Yukon Quest vet team also checked the dogs to make sure they were healthy and ready for the start.
A crowd gathered near the starting line waiting for the first musher to start this year’s Yukon Quest. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
The vet team will be following the teams as they stop at various check points where a mandatory checkup is required for the dogs to ensure that they are still fit for the race.
Dr. Jill Grogan, a trail veterinarian for Yukon Quest, said that pre-race exam includes, “looking in their mouths, checking hydration, checking teeth… listening to heart and lungs, taking temperatures… manipulating all their joints, checking range of motion, checking for any pain.”
While the vets are checking the dogs and the race officials check in with the mushers on their gear, the mushers have time to make sure everything is ready for them to get going.
Michelle Phillips is competing in the YQ-450 this year and was the previous winner in the YQ-450 in 2023. With 15 minutes until the 2 p.m. start Phillips was checking her teams harnesses, packing her sled bag and getting the dogs equipped with booties.
Phillips says that she’s thankful for the support and sponsorship she’s seen and that she’s ready to be a part of yet another Yukon Quest.
“Getting nervous but ready to go!”
