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.
WHITEHORSE, YT – Returning Yukon Quest champion Michelle Phillips has successfully defended her title for another year. Phillips crossed the YQ-450 finish line in Pelly Crossing at 1:08pm on Monday, February 5th, earning her the top spot in Yukon Quest 2024.
YQ-450 second place finisher Mayla Hill crossed the Pelly Crossing finish line at 3:31pm, around 2 hours 12 minutes behind first place.
YQ450 Winner Michelle Phillips / Courtesy: Crystal Schick
Normand Casavant had scratched in Pelly Crossing mid-day on Monday, leaving just two mushers remaining on the trail as of 6pm. Mushers Kailyn Olnes and Misha Wiljes are locked into a battle for 3rd place. Both mushers have made it to the final checkpoint at Stepping Stone and are on the final leg of the race.
On Saturday, February 3rd, Sean de Wolski took first place in the YQ-100, crossing the finish line in Braeburn at 10:59pm, while 2nd place finisher Jon Lucas pulled in 43 minutes later.
YQ100 Winner Sean de Wolski / Courtesy: Crystal Schick
In the YQ 2-50 Chrystal To, took the first place finish at 7:31am Monday, February 5th, in Pelly Crossing, with Louve Twedell finishing shortly after.
YQ250 Winner Crystal To / Courtesy: Crystal Schick
