THE 1,000 MILE INTERNATIONAL SLED DOG RACE FAIRBANKS AK TO WHITEHORSE YT - Fairbanks, Alaska
Yukon Quest International, Ltd. Alaska is proud to announce that Doug Grilliot as Race Marshal and Dr. Cristina (“Nina”) Hansen as Head Veterinarian have both agreed to officiate the 2021 Summit Quest 300. Both were highly recommended by the Yukon Quest Rules Committee. The Alaskan Board of Directors confirmed these choices unanimously.

Doug Grilliot finished the Yukon Quest twice and the Iditarod once before becoming a Yukon Quest Race Judge for the first time in 2006, where he oversaw the rescue operation of mushers from Eagle Summit at former dog drop Mile 101. He served again as a Race Judge in 2007 before later on taking the position of Race Marshal for the YQ1000 race 6 times. Grilliot has also been a Race Marshal for the YQ 300 in 2012 and is currently the official Musher Representative on the Alaskan Board of Directors. He has graciously agreed to take on the Race Marshal position for the 2021 Summit Race without compensation. The Alaskan Board of Directors is certain that his long experience as a musher and Race Judge will serve as a cornerstone of the Race from start to finish.

Dr. Cristina Hansen DVM/PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Dr. Hansen has worked for the YQ 1000 as a Trail Veterinarian for 5 years before taking on the position of Head Veterinarian of the race. She has served in this role now for 7 consecutive years. She has also worked as Head Veterinarian for the Copper Basin 300 sled dog race for 12 years and will join us with an abundance of expertise in the field of sled dog veterinary medicine.

Race Marshal Doug Grilliot and Head Veterinarian Dr. Nina Hansen will now both begin to assemble their respective crews of Judges and Trail Veterinarians to assure a fair and safe race for dogs and mushers alike.

We would also like to announce that on Saturday, October 3rd, Yukon Quest Alaska will have their yearly volunteer appreciation party and first day of 'Sign up' for the 2021 Summit Quest 300 at the Fox Community Center near Fairbanks, Alaska. Sign up will begin at 3 pm.

Mushers signing up in person at the event will be included in a drawing for the following prizes:

• A full refund of entry fee, $500, for the Summit Quest 300, sponsored by 'Coldspot Feed for Healthy Pets’.
• A pair of musher mittens from Apocalypse Design. ($160)
• An Ivory Jack’s Restaurant and Bar gift certificate for dinner for two.
• 2 gift certificates from the Pleasant Valley Store in the mushing community of Two Rivers ($50 each/ drawn separately).
• I-CHARR is also donating two gift cards and a battery operated chain saw from Wood-Way (also drawn separately).

The drawing will be held at the volunteer party between 5 and 6 pm. Mushers will have to be present to win. As for the weather: Chinook winds from south of the Alaska Range will keep weather rain free and in the 50- 60 F range until well after sign up day, so please join us for a great evening around a camp fire.

All events Yukon Quest Alaska has will be in compliance with Alaska's Covid-19 mandates. Only mushers and staff will be allowed in the sign up building.

The Race Marshal and members of the Board of Directors will be present at the event. Please wear a mask for everyone’s safety.

Thank you
Yukon Quest, Alaska Board of Directors and staff