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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
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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)

Paddlers in the 22nd Yukon River Quest, or “The Race to the Midnight Sun” are inching closer to launch date.

The race will begin June 23 in Whitehorse and travel 715 kilometres (444 miles) to Dawson City. Or, new this year, paddlers could opt for the Half Quest – which will see their river journey end in Carmacks.

The race roster is set and features 48 teams with 136 paddlers from the Yukon and three Canadian provinces.

Before 2021, the River Quest had several record-setting years but will look different this year. After the 2020 race was docked because of COVID-19, organizers adjusted this year’s format and scale to adhere to the pandemic guidelines.

Only Yukoners and Canadians who could meet the territory’s current visitor requirements were eligible to register.

“It was really important that the race was held this year,” said River Quest president Peter Coates.

It will be the smallest race since 2002.

“In some ways, the race has reverted to where it was two decades ago,” Coates said.

“But it’s not going to stay there. Next year is going to be in enormous demand.”

The 48 teams will be hoping for a high, fast-flowing river to give them the quick times.

The solo canoe class has two teams, one man and one woman. Boat “Gulo Gulo”, oared by Alison Eremenko is the defending women’s champion. “That’s a Paddlin’,” will be steered by Duncan Hillhouse who’s paddling for the Yukon Humane Society.

The solo kayak class has three women, and five men teams and is chalked full of strong paddlers.

“Golden Retriever”, Wayne Anderson of Alberta was the 2016 and 2018 K1 champion. Mirjam Fleming of the “Victorious Secret” boat came third in the 2019 race.

Stand Up Paddleboard has three men’s teams and will have a new champion. Since the class was added, Bart de Zwart of Hawaii has ruled the class, but isn’t in the field this year.

Tandem canoe remains the most popular class. It features 15 teams, one women’s, seven mixed, and seven men’s. There are plenty of strong boats in the C2 field.

The four-person canoe class has five teams, one each women’s and mixed and three men’s teams. The C4 class has plenty of past champions in the field and could be the betting favourite for producing this year’s overall winner.

Paddlers Abreast will have the eyes of the fans in the voyageur canoe category as they celebrate their 20th anniversary. The category has eight teams including Paddlers Abreast.

The Half Quest has seven teams — five C2, one K2, and one K1.

Once the paddlers leave Whitehorse they will have a long paddle across Lake Laberge before reaching the first possible rest stop in Carmacks.

Contact John Tonin at john.tonin@yukon-news.com