Sports

Two participants cross the finish line at the City of Whitehorse Kids Triathlon on June 12 with Mayor Dan Curtis on hand to present medals. (Stephanie Waddell/Yukon News)

2021 Kids’ Triathlon draws 76 young athletes

Youth ages five to 14 swim, run and bike their way to finish line

Two participants cross the finish line at the City of Whitehorse Kids Triathlon on June 12 with Mayor Dan Curtis on hand to present medals. (Stephanie Waddell/Yukon News)
For the second year running, the Yukon Quest will not have 1,000 mile race. Crystal Schick/Yukon News

The Yukon Quest will be two shorter distance events instead of a 1,000 mile race

After receiving musher feeback, the Yukon Quest Joint Board of Directors to hold two shorter distances races instead of going forward with the 1,000 mile distance

For the second year running, the Yukon Quest will not have 1,000 mile race. Crystal Schick/Yukon News
Lily Witten performs her Canadian Nationals beam routine on June 14. John Tonin/Yukon News

Three Yukon gymnasts break 20-year Nationals absence

Bianca Berko-Malvasio, Maude Molgat and Lily Witten competed at the Canadian Nationals – the first time in 20 years the Yukon’s been represented at the meet

Lily Witten performs her Canadian Nationals beam routine on June 14. John Tonin/Yukon News
Sarah Walz leads a softball training session in Dawson City. Photo submitted by Sport Yukon.

Girls and women are underserved in sport: Sport Yukon

Sport Yukon held a virtual event to celebrate and discuss girls and women in sport

Sarah Walz leads a softball training session in Dawson City. Photo submitted by Sport Yukon.
Paddlers start their 715 kilometre paddling journey from Rotary Park in Whitehorse on June 26, 2019. The 2021 Yukon River Quest will have a different look. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)

The 22nd annual Yukon River Quest moves closer to start date

Although the race will be modified in 2021, a field of 48 teams are prepared to take the 715 kilometre journey from Whitehorse to Dawson City on the Yukon River

Paddlers start their 715 kilometre paddling journey from Rotary Park in Whitehorse on June 26, 2019. The 2021 Yukon River Quest will have a different look. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News file)
John Tonin/Yukon News Squash players duke it out during Yukon Open tournament action at Better Bodies on June 5.

Four division titles earned at squash Yukon Open

The territory’s squash talent was on full display at the 2021 Yukon Open

John Tonin/Yukon News Squash players duke it out during Yukon Open tournament action at Better Bodies on June 5.
Runners leave the start line of the 2014 Klondike Trail of ‘98 International Road Relay Skagway. The 2021 race will start at checkpoint six and remain in the Yukon only. (Tom Patrick/Yukon News)

Klondike Road Relay returns to in-person after a virtual year

A modified, in-person Klondike Road Relay will be open to Yukoners

Runners leave the start line of the 2014 Klondike Trail of ‘98 International Road Relay Skagway. The 2021 race will start at checkpoint six and remain in the Yukon only. (Tom Patrick/Yukon News)
Joël Girouard paddles into second place during the Icebreaker Race on May 29. John Tonin/Yukon News

Icebreaker Race launches the paddling competition season

Paddlers raced 28 kilometres from the Marsh Lake Dam to Schwatka Lake

Joël Girouard paddles into second place during the Icebreaker Race on May 29. John Tonin/Yukon News
Jacqueline Mills takes the lead at the start of the annual Yukon Energy Haeckel Hill Run on May 29. The 4.7 kilometre uphill run was slightly shorter this year due to snow still present at the top of the route. Haley Ritchie/Yukon News

Eighteen runners, walkers climb Haeckel Hill

The Yukon Energy Haeckel Hill Run had 18 runners make the climb

Jacqueline Mills takes the lead at the start of the annual Yukon Energy Haeckel Hill Run on May 29. The 4.7 kilometre uphill run was slightly shorter this year due to snow still present at the top of the route. Haley Ritchie/Yukon News
A dense fog did not slow down these U Kon Echelon cyclists during the Tour de Skagway, a set of races over the May long weekend. (Courtesy/William LeBarge)

U Kon Echelon cyclists race over two days in Tour de Skagway

U Kon Echelon had another busy weekend of competition during its annual Tour de Skagway

A dense fog did not slow down these U Kon Echelon cyclists during the Tour de Skagway, a set of races over the May long weekend. (Courtesy/William LeBarge)
Ian Spencer/Yukon News file
Athletics Yukon will be holding a new half marathon race near the Solstice. The Mayo Midnight Marathon, seen here in 2012 used to have the Solstice date.

Southern Lakes Half Marathon will run near Solstice

Athletics Yukon is holding a new half marathon on June 19

Ian Spencer/Yukon News file
Athletics Yukon will be holding a new half marathon race near the Solstice. The Mayo Midnight Marathon, seen here in 2012 used to have the Solstice date.
Team Hatchet Lake races against Yukon Wide Adventures at the front of the pack through Lake Laberge on Jun. 26, 2019. The 2021 race will begin on June 23. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News)

River Quest introduces new race, adjusts to COVID guidelines in 2021

The Race to the Midnight Sun will begin June 23 with about 50 teams racing from Whitehorse to Dawson.

Team Hatchet Lake races against Yukon Wide Adventures at the front of the pack through Lake Laberge on Jun. 26, 2019. The 2021 race will begin on June 23. (Crystal Schick/Yukon News)
Nicole Farkas signs on to join the Olds College basketball team. (Photo submitted)

Five Yukon athletes, so far, have committed to play varsity

As senior students high school careers near the end, six athletes, so far, have committed to play varsity sports

Nicole Farkas signs on to join the Olds College basketball team. (Photo submitted)
Ryan Norquay tees off at hole one during the Whitehorse Disc Golf Association’s season opening Tag Tourney at Solstice DiscGolfPark on May 15. (John Tonin/Yukon News)

The discs fly in WDGA season opening Tag Tourney

The Whitehorse Disc Golf Association determined its early season rankings with a Tag Tourney.

Ryan Norquay tees off at hole one during the Whitehorse Disc Golf Association’s season opening Tag Tourney at Solstice DiscGolfPark on May 15. (John Tonin/Yukon News)
A group of U Kon Echelon cyclists ride in the Tour de Haines. Photo by Michael Buurman.

Tour de Haines threw many challenges at U Kon Echelon cyclists

U Kon Echelon cyclists dealt, with rain, snow, and strong winds during the Tour de Haines.

A group of U Kon Echelon cyclists ride in the Tour de Haines. Photo by Michael Buurman.
April Mikkelsen tosses a disc during a ladies only disc golf tournament at Solstice DiscGolfPark on May 8. John Tonin/Yukon News

Yukon sees its first-ever women’s disc golf tournament

The Professional Disc Golf Assocation had a global women’s event last weekend. In the Yukon, a women’s only tournament was held for the first time ever.

April Mikkelsen tosses a disc during a ladies only disc golf tournament at Solstice DiscGolfPark on May 8. John Tonin/Yukon News
Tuja Dreyer, of the Ross River Dena Council, won the 2020 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sports. (Photo by Doris Dreyer)

Tuja Dreyer wins 2020 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sports

Tuja Dreyer, of the Ross River Dena Council, is one of six athletes to win the award

Tuja Dreyer, of the Ross River Dena Council, won the 2020 Premier’s Awards for Indigenous Youth Excellence in Sports. (Photo by Doris Dreyer)
Chloe Tatsumi dismounts the balance beam to cap her routine during the Yukon Championships at the Polarettes Gymnastics Club on May 1. (John Tonin/Yukon News)

Gymnasts vie in 2021 Yukon Championships

In a year without competition because of COVID-19, the Polarettes Gymnastics Club hosted its Yukon Championships.

Chloe Tatsumi dismounts the balance beam to cap her routine during the Yukon Championships at the Polarettes Gymnastics Club on May 1. (John Tonin/Yukon News)
Two young orienteers reach their first checkpoint near Shipyards Park during a Yukon Orienteering Association sprint race May 5. (John Tonin/Yukon News)

Orienteers were back in action for the season’s first race

The Yukon Orienteering Association began its 2021 season with a sprint race beginning at Shipyards.

Two young orienteers reach their first checkpoint near Shipyards Park during a Yukon Orienteering Association sprint race May 5. (John Tonin/Yukon News)
From left to right, Pascale Marceau and Eva Capozzola departed for Kluane National Park on April 12. The duo is the first all-woman expedition to summit Mt. Lucania. (Michael Schmidt/Icefield Discovery)

First all-woman team summits Mt. Lucania

“You have gifted us with a magical journey that we will forever treasure.”

From left to right, Pascale Marceau and Eva Capozzola departed for Kluane National Park on April 12. The duo is the first all-woman expedition to summit Mt. Lucania. (Michael Schmidt/Icefield Discovery)