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Yukon Quest lineup filled with champs

Twenty-nine teams will set out February 9 from Fairbanks on the frozen Chena River for the 2008 Yukon Quest.The entry deadline was December 14.

Twenty-nine teams will set out February 9 from Fairbanks on the frozen Chena River for the 2008 Yukon Quest.

The entry deadline was December 14.

Last year’s champion Lance Mackey is back to defend his title and attempt to win his fourth consecutive Yukon Quest.

Sonny Lindner, who won the inaugural Yukon Quest in 1984, is back for the race’s 25th running. Past champions Frank Turner (1995) and Bill Cotter (1989) are also in contention.

Veteran mushers Michelle Phillips, Dave Dalton, Peter Ledwidge, Kelley Griffin and Bill Pinkham are signed up, along with a diverse group of rookies from around the world.

“This year’s starting lineup has some very interesting middle-of-the-pack and rookie mushers,” said Yukon Quest (Canada) executive director Stephen Reynolds.

“We’re seeing several new mushers sign up and although we all know that the dogs are the true heroes of the sport, this year’s roster ensures a very compelling race from start to finish.”

Teams of one musher and 14 sled dogs test themselves against extreme weather and the challenges of running an historic arctic trail that traverses 1,600 kilometres of wilderness between Fairbanks, Alaska, and Whitehorse, Yukon.

Whitehorse

Oldtimers Hockey

Wednesday results:

Klondyke Dental Molars 7

AON Flames 4

The Molars’ Ross Phillips scored two goals and four assists in this drubbing of the Flames, and Adam Green added a pair of goals and three assists as well. Derrick Torgerson, Lorne Burnett and Martin O’Hagan added to the damage with a goal each.

Pat Campbell netted a hat trick for the Flames, and Aubyn Coad added one. Stu Mackay and Bill Bohmer recorded two assists each.

Firth Rangers 4

Performance Centre Turbos 3

Ron Sumanik (two goals) Gerry Rivest (one goal, three assists)

Led the scoring for the Rangers in this close match. Joel Witten added a goal as well, assisted by Carl Burgess and Derrick Hynes.

Scoring for the Turbos were Glen Heinbigner, Gord Campbell and Paul Sahagian. Don Morrison and Bryan Alp recorded two assists each.