11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Awards banquet at Robert Service School
(NEW LOCATION), 3rd & Queen. Banquet tickets added to
racer packets. Extras may be purchased from YRMPA at registration.
Catered by Percy De Wolfe Society and Northland Beverages.
On Arni's lap top in a dining room some where in Dawson.
Good nights sleep, blisters recovered, shoulders sort of recovered,
arms sort of recovered, bum sort of recovered, we will try to find
Diana's massage chair. There is a shop in Dawson that sells all sorts of stuff. The idea is the men sit in the massage chair while the women shop.
We knew the double canoes were faster through the water than us, so we
tried all sorts of short cuts to catch number 19 ahead and stay ahead of
the canoe behind us. Some short cuts payed off others did not. Off
course we can only see about 2 kilometres on the river and then they are
only dots. We often caught up to the dots only to find out they were
big logs. We did see the second canoe ahead but thought it might
have been the first. Once we were on the straight track to the finish
they just powered away out of sight. Great boat, great company, great land crew. We are stoked we won the double kayak division by some hours, we will give you the margin when we find out. Thanks for all the face book support, and others, it realy spured us on and made us forget the pain. Urs and Tom
I was feeling grumpy because Tom and Urs are letting another team catch them just before the finish. They will probably come in 3rd of 67 boats So I had a look at the team bios - apart from being much years younger than Urs and Tom they have a good pedigrees
are 4 hours from the finish in Dawson in 2nd place, 20 minutes behind the leaders - "Round Side Down". There is another double canoe - "Looking for Forty Creek" 7 minutes behind.
Over 700 kilometres of paddling for over 40 hours.
Tandem canoe team holds slim lead entering Carmacks
CARMACKS – Two tandem paddling teams continue to battle stroke-for-stroke in the early going of the Yukon River Quest.
The canoe duo holds a seven-minute advantage over the kayak at Carmacks, the first mandatory layover along the race route.
Menʼs tandem canoe Team 19 ʻRound Side Downʼ pulled into the Coal Mine Campground just before 8 a.m. this morning.
Paddler Tim Lynch of Faro and Dave Lewis of Nova Scotia held their
early lead over Australians Tom Simmat and Urs Mader of Team 20ʼs ʻOn
the Way to Maineʼ after passing them on the river after Lake Laberge.
Menʼs tandem canoe team No. 32 ʻMen of the Midnight Sunʼ was third, arriving at 8:20 a.m.
“Conditions were good,” Lynch told the Star. “It was a little hot
yesterday. It kind of made it a long night after Lake Laberge.”
The Yukoner admitted it will be touch to shake the Aussie duo that remained hot on their heels.
“Theyʼre really good,” he said. “But so far, so good. Weʼd like to make it to Dawson.”
Both he and Lewis also competed in the race last year. Things have
changed thus far, however, as last year they spent much of the race
following in the wake of the womenʼs voyageur team ʻSkirting Disaster.ʼ
“They knew the river and we followed them,” said Lynch. “Weʼre missing them.”
ʻOn the Way to Maineʼ lead paddler Tom Simmat said they werenʼt able
to keep pace with the leaders in the fast water past the lake.
The two had exchanged leads a few times before the canoe team took the lead for good about two hours before reaching Carmacks.
“We expected to be in the first two,” Simmat chuckled.
“We actually really expected the voyageurs to be ahead of us,”
admitted Mader. “Theyʼre normally in front of us, so thatʼs a surprise.”
A large contingent of volunteers and fans was on hand to welcome the
leaders in, after the campground was awakened at 5:15 a.m. by a group of
angry crows.
Whoops and cheers went up from the crowd lining the Yukon River each time a canoe or kayak was spotted on the horizon.
Checkpoint in sight, many paddlers appeared reenergized, paddling
strong to the small dock where they were greeted by race volunteers.
Many struggled with sea legs while climbing out of their boats,
having spent more than 20 straight hours paddling from Whitehorse.
Inuvik paddler Kendall McDonald, from the third-place team, said he was looking forward to a shower, for starters.
He and teammate Tim Gordon entered Carmacks about an hour faster than their time last year.
Paddlers experienced some good luck while crossing the long, and historically perilous, Lake Laberge.
Smooth waters and sunny skies had racers in good spirits early.
Shouts of “Living the dream!” came from a voyageur canoe paddling past the media boat.
“How far to Dawson?” queried another.
One of the paddlers near the back of the pack even offered $15 for a
cold Yukon Gold lager – a request the media boat could not fulfill.
“It was a breeze,” said Mader, who last endured stormy waters on the
lake during the 2007 race. “It wasnʼt cold at all. It was calm. Flat as
anything.”
Two tourists paddling the lake in a canoe with gear including a
guitar and a fishing rod ended up getting some unwanted attention when
they ventured across the lake in the midst
Conversations around the checkpoint dealt with the quick tandem canoe and kayak times during the first half of the race.
Typically, the race is led by the eight- or 10-manpower voyageur
canoes, but not so this year. The first four teams into Carmacks were
tandem teams.
“The whole scope has changed this year,” said longtime race media coordinator Jeff Brady.
“It used to be voyageurs, voyageurs, voyageurs.
First two teams into Carmacks. Round Side Down in at 07:59 followed by On the Way to Maine at 08:06. Paddlers look great.
20 hours of continuous paddling to get to Carmacks, 7 hour stop then off to Kirkman's Creek for a 3 hour stop and then on to the finish in Dawson - 750 kilometres
Five Finger Rapids next
Arriving at Carmacks after 20 hours of continuous paddling
Add caption
Very difficult getting out of the boat, very strong current. Tom ended up in the water in 2007
Tom with Sheila Dodd. She runs the checkpoint at Carmacks. We met her the first time we went to the Yukon
IT'S
RACE DAY!!! - We will start with 62 teams today. Unfortunately, lost a
couple teams to some accidents in route and 3 others did not show.
Teams are getting their boats to the launch area this morning. Photos
coming shortly. Let's all gather down by the river for the noon start!!!
Very
pressed for time this year. Too short to prepare but c'est la vie. Will
update FB later tonight. All good, scrutineering done, now at race
briefing then packing , sleeping and have to be at checkin at 8.30.
Scrutineering
went smoothly. Just had dinner at Georgio's and now final packing and
sorting for the big day tomorrow. The river is very high so only one
person per boat allowed to hold it as there is hardly any beach. We have
to line up at 8am! Start at 12noon. Weather forecast very hot but
probably thunderstorms. The ferry trip up was breathtaking. Tom picked
us up at Skagway. Such a gorgeous place. Had dinner there then drive to
Whitehorse and saw our first bear hooray. Saw lots of whales, dolphins,
seals, sea otters etc on the ferry trip. Just couldn't have been better.
Walked the 7 1/2 m kayak on and off - big help that Penny and Evelin
were there.
Icebreaker Race: Marsh Lake dam toSchwatka Lake (28 km)
The annual Icebreaker Race will be held on Saturday, June 1. The
Icebreaker is a 28 kilometre race from Marsh Lake dam to Schwatka Lake.
Register at the Schwatka Lake parking lot beginning at 9 a.m. sharp
to allow ample time to have your boat measured by the YRQ practice squad
and loaded up for the shuttle. The shuttle leaves the parking lot
promptly at 10 a.m. This is a good opportunity for local paddlers and
new racers to meet YRQ veterans and get some tips. Hosted by Yukon Canoe & Kayak Club and Sponsored by Up North
Adventures. (SO SORRY, THIS EVENT WAS CANCELLED THIS YEAR, HOPEFULLY
WILL HAPPEN NEXT YEAR)
There also are WEEKLY RACES every Thursday leading up to the race at 7 p.m. on Schwatka Lake (May) or Chadburn Lake (June). YRQ veterans will be available to offer tips before each race.
Saturday, June 22
Afternoon – Yukon River training run : Whitehorse-Burma (30 kms.)
Put-in next to Kanoe People at 1st and Strickland. Free shuttle
available for registered racers at Burma Road pullout at 1, 3 and 5 p.m.
to bring teams and boats back to Whitehorse. Sponsored by Kanoe People.
Monday, June 24
Afternoon – Yukon River training run : Whitehorse-Takhini (20 kms.)
Put-in next to Kanoe People at 1st and Strickland. Free shuttle
available for registered racers at Takhini River pullout at 1 and 4 p.m.
to bring teams and boats back to Whitehorse. Sponsored by Kanoe People.
6-9 p.m. – YRQ Meet & Greet welcoming reception at the MacBride
Museum , 1st and Wood. Appetizers available. Free museum access, race
DVD presentations.
Tuesday, June 25
11 am -2:30 p.m. – Registration, Boat Measuring and Gear Inspection
on lawn behind Yukon Visitor Information Centre, 1st & Hanson.
Hosted by Yukon Tourism & Culture with beverages Sponsored by
Northland Beverages/Aquafina
3:00-3:45 p.m. – Mandatory pre-race briefing for All Support Crews in Yukon Visitor Information Centre theatre.
4:00-4:45 p.m. – Mandatory pre-race briefing for All Voyageur Teams in Yukon Visitor Information Centre theatre.
5:00-5:45 p.m. – Mandatory pre-race briefing for All Solo and Tandem Teams in Yukon Visitor Information Centre theatre.
Wednesday, June 26
7:30-10:30 a.m. – Positioning of boats & final inspections at Rotary Park.
IMPORTANT –Volunteers will be coordinating vehicle access to avoid congestion.
Voyageurs will be launched and moved to their starting locations on the river beginning
at 7:30 a.m. Then solo and tandem boats will be lined up by groups of numbers every
half hour in their shore launch positions per the schedule below. After boat/gear are in
place and vehicle is moved, then there will be a final inspection.
Voyageurs (by number) 7:30-8:30 am - launch in river, move to starting spot downriver.
Solo and Tandem canoes and kayaks – lined up by number on shore as directed by volunteers:
#1-25 8:30-9 am
#26-50 9-9:30 am
#51-71 9:30-10 am
11:30 a.m. – Welcome and Introduction of Teams – All teams need to be
at starting line under YRQ banner in middle of Rotary Park at 11:30
a.m. Pre-start includes brief speeches by Yukon dignitaries and all
teams are introduced along with their bib sponsors at the starting line.
Hosted by City of Whitehorse Parks Dept.
12 Noon – Start of 2013 Yukon River Quest – Listen for the SS Klondike whistle or race horn.
Teams run from the banner to the Canada Trail and down to the launch area. Each
team may have 1 support person assisting them for the launch. Great views of teams
on river downtown, and at Takhini River, Burma Rd., and Policeman’s Pt. checkpoint.
Thursday, June 27
2:00 a.m. – Teams must be by CP3 Lower Lake Laberge to remain in the race.
6:00 a.m. – Carmacks checkpoint opens at Coal Mine Campground, about
2K past the bridge (for drivers), on the right just before the Campbell
Hwy. intersection.
Friday, June 28
6:00 a.m. – Carmacks checkpoint closes. All teams in race must depart by this
time.
12 noon – Dawson City Finish Line checkpoint opens on Yukon River
dike between gazebo and historic CIBC bank building. After teams finish,
they will be directed to docking area downstream on the right.
Saturday, June 29
Evening – Diamond Tooth Gerties (1 drink ticket for each racer), sponsored by Klondike
Visitors Association, 4th and Queen.
11:59 p.m. (or sooner) – Dawson Checkpoint Closes. Cut-off time for
official finish is 11:59 p.m. Checkpoint will shut down at midnight or
earlier.
Sunday, June 30
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Awards banquet at Robert Service School
(NEW LOCATION), 3rd & Queen. Banquet tickets added to
racer packets. Extras may be purchased from YRMPA at registration.
Catered by Percy De Wolfe Society and Northland Beverages.
DOWN MEMORY LANE
Yukon River Quest 2007
Lynton, Pete, Steve, Urs, Mark
Liz, Tom, Katrina, Christine, Arni
2 single kayaks Urs and Tom - 1 double kayak Pete and Steve
We
all stayed in the B and B in the background in Whitehorse and the
landcrew travelled in convoy in 3 cars. Great fun was had by all.
"Yesterday, Sunday here, nothing open in town, spent the day
sorting out the gear and food for the race. Put target times on the maps. The
higher river means a fast race so I shortened the target times a little.
Frank had a full house yesterday with lots of tour groups
and a chinese film crew last night.
Very hot now, must be over degrees.
They had a late melt and now this hot weather has
accelerated the melt hence the high river levels.
Going to scagway today to pick up the boat and Urs and Arni.
I will try and open internet in town."
Love Tom
Tom is referring to Mike
Rourke's river maps and Topographical maps which he bought online from Mac's
Fireweed Books in Whitehorse
From 2010 BLOG for the YUKON1000.....
"What is critical racing on a river as fast as this is knowing where you
are. Finding the fast water and the shortcuts. Paddle smart and you
don't have to paddle hard. There are 110 maps, each map covers 15 to 20
kilometers. About an hours paddling. I am reducing them to A5 size, to
make them manageable on my lap, putting them into sets and getting them
laminated and bound, At some points in the river the river basin is 10
kilometers across, with 6 or 7 different channels and the best channel
up to a kilometer wide.
Taking the wrong channel will find us in very slow water. So I am
clearly marking the way through with the fastest channel. Which is not
necessarily the widest.
I was able to use my times on the river in the three times I did the
Yukon River Quest, at 760 kilometers that is less than half this race,
but I have also used as a comparison the times of last years
competitors, and in particular for the second half. So to navigate we
will use both time distance down the river from known points, as well as
way-points, Latitude and longitude. So I know where we should be time
wise the whole race. Provided we can maintain those speeds.
One critical time on the river is Lake Laberge. Lake Laberge is only
about 2 hrs after the start, it is about 4 kilometers wide and 50
kilometers long. The other end of the lake is well and truly over the
horizon and it can get very rough. As an idea this part of the race is
equal to about two Twenty Beaches races or about the same length as the
Molokai . If the wind is against you as it was for me in 2005 it can
take 7 hours. In 2006 it was behind me and I surfed the lake for 4 hours
with the GPS often clicking at 18 k/h. So that 3 hours difference may
put my ETAs way out."
Tom leaves Muktuk today to stay in town with Arnie and Urs. When he returns from Dawson after the race he will stay at Muktuk again for 2 days.
Christine
This German backpacker took a shine to Tom in 2010.
The main house at Muktuk.
Tom would be sleeping in the upstairs room at the back left, with a view of the river.
Sled dog training wheel for winter.
You can see why Tom and Frank are mates. Frank was until recently a competitor in the 1000 mile Yukon Quest dog race.
Still
having problems getting teams Spots up to speed. Besides the list of
people from whom I have yet to receive any messages, there are all those
teams from whom I have not received any messages in Whitehorse. If
you move any GPS a long way, it takes it a while to figure out where it
is, and the Spots are low power devices and it takes them longer than
most. I have seen them take 6 hours to work it out. Teams MUST set their devices to track and leave them on today and tomorrow. Then put in new batteries for the race. I want to see those tracks. You will not pass Tuesday's inspection without them.
Yukon River QuestTeams with no Spots registered with the race: 4, 23,25,26,27,49,64 Teams with Spots registered but no data ever received: 35,67 Teams from whom I have not received a track near Whitehorse:...See More
Yukon River QuestIf
a your boat shows up on the race tracker page in or near Whitehorse,
you are good. I will be "talking to" all the non-compliant teams Monday
Evening. Oh, and 61 is one of the good guys. The good guys outnumber
the not so good guys, but only just.
Leigh Merrittdone and done, sorry didn't realize we weren't tracking. Thanks Ryerson Clark for the text!
Ali MorhamPeter is there a way to find out if a team has passed for sure? Ie has team 61?
Had a
paddle yesterday down to Raymond's Landing. All the rivers are very very high.
The Tekhini where we put in at Franks last time is about 2 meters higher
so you can even get down that track that led to the water.
This means
we will have a very fast race.
Did food
shopping and I am getting the gear organized.
Things seem
expensive in Canadian Tyre. Cheapest tent over $200. 10 times what I paid in
Australia.
Mosquitoes
are unbelievable, so walks are difficult.
Had Franks pancakes this morning.
I will try
and log on to emails in town this afternoon.
Go to
Skagway tomorrow to pick up Urs. About a 3 hour drive. I will take my time and
take lots of Photos.
Love Tom"
As well as caring for sled dogs. Muktuk has cabins and bed and breakfast accommodation with 3 meals a day included. Ideal place to prepare for the race. Plenty of space and interested helpers with tools.
Arnie had booked accommodation in a hotel in town from 24th June when Urs and Arnie arrive, but Tom is taking the opportunity to stay with Frank at Muktuk until he collects them from Skagway.
There is kayak access to the Tekhini River from Muktuk which flows into the Yukon.
Christine
Working on the Horizon Flyer in 2010at Muktuk
Steve and Tom entering the Tekhini in 2010 from Muktuk, the river is now 2 metres higher
The cabin Pip and Steve stayed in. Tom and I had a room in the main house