“ANOTHER RACE IN THE BOOKS!” said Jeff Brady, of the Yukon River Quest 2014. “The 16th annual Yukon River Quest was memorable for its rocky start with all teams battling breakers that blew up from the south as they were getting on Lake Laberge. But after persevering through those very tough conditions (including some dramatic rescues), most teams carried on and had good weather all the way to Dawson City. The river was lower than usual, resulting in slower times overall.
First team in on Friday night was the British tandem kayak Two Numbnuts, paddled by Shaun Thrower and Steve King in 45 hours, 30 minutes, 32 seconds, followed by solo kayaker Dave Hutchinson of the United States in 46:25:52, the Yukon voyageur team Ts’alvit (Gwich’in for Arctic Loon) in 48:43:26, and the top tandem canoe Puha no Huanie (Esteva Phillippe from French Polynesia and Esteva Nicholas from France) in 49:54:10. They were the only teams to break the 50 hour barrier this year. Overall, 48 teams finished of the 66 that were registered; there were 18 scratches.
1. Team 38, Hurry Hard, Brandon Johnston/Shona Barbour [52:16:37]
2. Team 63, Northern Allies, Patrick Poulin/Natalie Vachon [54:03:50]
3. Team 51,Hippy Dippy, Jeremy Staveley/Gillian Stavely [54:44:37]
Tandem Kayak
Women K2
1. No cash awards (top team 42 The Girls from Oz finished 63:13:24)
Mixed K2
1. No cash awards (top team 24 The Barefoot Paddlers finished 59:19:04)
Men K2
1. Team 35, Two Numbnuts, Shaun Thrower/Steve King, [45:30:32]
2. Team 12, Blurred River Lines, Matt Kellow/Sharman Learie, [53:07:57]
3. No Award
Overall K2
1. Team 35, Two Numbnuts, Shaun Thrower/Steve King, [45:30:32]
2. Team 12, Blurred River Lines, Matt Kellow/Sharman Learie, [53:07:57]
3. No Award
Voyageur Canoes
Women’s VC
1. No cash awards (top team WHOA finished 57:37:39)
Mixed Voyageur
1. Team 39, Team Ts’alvit, Yukon, [48:43:26]
2. Team 55, The Skagnificent Six, Alaska, [51:17:26]
3. No Award
Men’s VC
1. No awards – no teams in this class this year
Overall VC
1. Team 39, Team Ts’alvit, Yukon, [48:43:26]
2. Team 55, The Skagnificent Six, Alaska, [51:17:26]
Special Awards [Cash]
Top All Yukon Canoe: Team 34 No Turning Back, Pat McKenna/Elizabeth Boseley [55:17:07]
Top All Yukon Kayak: Team 44 Veni Vidi Vici, Thomas de Jaeger [51:36:16]
Top First Nation Team: Team 53, Canoe Do It, Clay Sewap/Jason Charles [54:00:35]
Special Awards [Sponsors]
Top Yukoner: Team 39 Ts’alvit, Yukon, [48:43:26] (sponsored by Yukon Brewing)
Fastest Senior 55+: Team 64 4GeneS, Gary Seed [61:04:03] (sponsored by The Skagway News Co./Lynn Canal Publishing)
Most Improved: No award – no returning team beat their time from 2013 (sponsored by Klondike Visitors Association)
Spirit of the Yukon: [Art from Sign of the Raven]: Team 66 Kenny G, Kenny Gibbons. About 20 km before Big Salmon, Team 4 Yu•kon Du•et capasized. Team 66 was the first boat to pass by and took care of Team 4 for 3.5 hours, building a fire, feeding the two female canoe paddlers, and keeping them company. Kenny G did not leave Team 4 until they were safely taken care of at the Big Salmon monitor point
Red Stove: Team 37 Krave Kayak Sam Colley/Chris Jackson [Sponsored by Haywire Industries/Harry Kern Photography/Griffith’s/Mobile Maintenance]. Given to winner of the back of the pack, the next to last team to cross the Finish Line.
Top Overall Team: Team 35 Two Numbnuts [free entry for captain and team members in 2015 YRQ and name on permanent trophy] first to finish at Friday, June 27, 2014, at 19:30:32 hours.
