Musher wins fourth Yukon Quest

WHITEHORSE, Yukon Territory (AP) — Hans Gatt won the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race on Monday and broke the course record by nearly one day.

Gatt, now a four-time champion, reached Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, at 1:35 p.m. Yukon time with nine dogs.

He finished in 9 days, 26 minutes, about 23 hours faster than the previous record set in 2009 by Sebastian Schnuelle.

Gatt held off three-time Iditarod champion Lance Mackey, who arrived in Whitehorse a little more than an hour later at 2:38 p.m., followed by Hugh Neff at 4:18 p.m.

The trio played leapfrog with for the lead most of the race.

Mackey and Neff passed Gatt about 250 miles from the finish line and seemed to be making it a two-man contest. However Gatt caught up and passed the two after they left Pelly Crossing.

The 1,000-mile race began Feb. 6 in Fairbanks. Warm weather and a fast trail contributed to the speedy race.

Twenty-four mushers began race. Only one musher, Gerry Willomitzer, who had sled problems after leaving Dawson, has scratched.

Knik musher wins Klondike

KNIK — Ryan Redington won the Klondike 300 Sled Dog Race.

The Knik musher finished the race in 31 hours and 21 minutes, nearly two hours ahead of second-place Ray Redington Jr.

Jason Mackey, Brennan Norden and Peter Bartlett rounded out the top-five.

The 300-mile course leads teams from the Tug Bar, to Deshka Landing, up to the Yentna Station Roadhouse on to the Angel Haven Lodge and back.

Klondike 300

final standings

Into finish — 1. Ryan Redington, 31 hours, 21 minutes; 2. Ray Redington Jr, 33:03; 3. Jason Mackey, 35:17; 4. Brennan Norden, 39:28; 5. Peter Bartlett, 36:56; 6. Misha Pederson; 7. Bob Story; 8. Kathleen Frederick; 9. Jan Steaves, 10. Kelly Maxiner.

Scratched: DeeDee Jonrowe; David Tresino; Christine Roaloffs.