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Media Release- 12th Feb

The cold takes its toll

It is amazing how after 4 years of Yukon Arctic Ultra there are still things happening that come as a surprise. Last night a very large number of athletes seem to have experienced problems with their sleds. At this point it is difficult to know if there is one single reason for it. I guess that it is a combination of heavy loads, the cold and gravel on roads that athletes may have used. It is probably the worst thing that can happen – to still be in good shape but to have to scratch anyway. One of the unlucky ones is Ian Archer. After leaving Takhini he went about 8 km and then had to stop because of a broken sled. I have not talked to him, yet. I am told that he did not want a replacement sled. Since he would have been such a long distance behind the other he preferred to stop.

Another athlete who scratched is Jim Groark. He had problems with one of his wrists. Then his sled broke and he decided "that’s it". Jim will join us later and help out with the race as a volunteer. Sam Taylor's sled broke before Dog Grave Lake, too. He decided to quit but as I write these lines he continues unranked from Braeburn to Ken Lake.

Gary our head snowmobile guides told me that Palle Andersen and Torben Birch had broken sleds, too. Palle made it to Dog Grave Lake. Torben is resting 5 miles before Dog Grave and Murray should have checked on him by now. Replacement sleds have been sent to both of them.
Many have left Dog Grave by now and the reports are that they are all doing fine so far.

Stefano and Enrico are trying hard to make us "run for our money". They left for Ken Lake and we expect them there tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM. Mike will head out on snowmobile later to catch up with them.

Andrew McLean slowed down his pace today. Unfortunately, it looks like he may have a stress fracture. At the moment he is in hospital in Whitehorse to get an x-ray. We will see if he can continue.

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