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Yukon Arctic Ultra newsletter Oct. 18th, 2005 Hello everyone, I am writing to you from Santar?m, a city in the Brazilian jungle. If everything goes according to plan I will get married in 3 days! It is very hot here and it is difficult to imagine that in February 2006 once again temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius are waiting for me and all those of you who will be part of the YAU experience. News from UK sled producer Snowsled A new development on the sled front from Snowsled (www.snowsled.com) in the UK is their own design of plastic sleds ? the ?Ice Blue?, specifically for expeditions and racing. The shape is smoother and more efficient, with an ?egg-shaped? bow, and comfortable to use. It accepts the same accessories as the orange Paris sleds. Specifications are, - Internal length: 1.42 m (56 ins) Snowsled also supply other gear specifically aimed at wet or dry cold climate travel ? clothing, sleeping bags and mats, stoves, headtorches, navigation equipment and tents ? contract rates available to Yukon Ultra racers, i.e. a discount of 10% on sleds and accessories and 15% on all other gear Snowsled offers (clothing from Snowsled Clothing Ltd excepted). Athletes who will participate in the YAU training session will get a chance to test the new Snowsled pulk.
The YAU team in Whitehorse, especially Shelley, Gary and Mike, have looked into several options for the 460 mile race course over the last weeks. As promised, Stephen Reynolds from the Quest office has helped with his input, too. Unfortunatley, none of the options is really ideal for a great race. Therefore, I have decided to postpone the 460 mile race to the year 2007. The alternative race courses would have either caused immense expenses or it would have made us make compromises regarding our demands on an exciting race course. In addition to that leaving the Yukon Quest trail would have meant dealing with some people who may not be keen on having us on their trails. Rather than saying "yes" now and than having to cancel the 460 mile race a couple of weeks before because we could not convince someone, I have decided that postponing is the better way. Most athletes already had postponed their start for the 460 miles to 2007 anyway. They are keen on going to Dawson City. Only Tom Wolter-Roessler and Joachim Rintsch had remained on the 460 mile race roster. Tom will now go for the 320 miles. From Joachim I have not heard back, yet.
Jonathan Lucas from Whitehorse is the first skijorer to have signed up for the YAU. This means at the YAU 2006 also dogs will be at the start line. Up to 3 Huskies will pull their pilot on skies. And if the skijorer helps his team of dogs they can pick up quite the speed. A lot of training is necessary to master all that power on a trail as difficult as the Yukon Quest trail. To make sure the dogs are treated well a vet will check the animals before, during and after the race. We have already found a great veterinarian to help us. Check back to find out more.
The training course will take place as announced from Feb. 9th-10th, 2006. It is mandatory for all athletes (except marathon distance) without prior extreme cold weather experience. Since the YAU staff felt that some athletes this year were not 100% prepared to sleep outside we have decided to extend the duration of the outdoor part of the training course. The schedule for the training course is now as follows: 1st day 09:10 ? 12:00 12:00 ? 13:00 13:30 ? 15:30 17:00 17:15 ? 24:00 2nd day 9:00? 11:30 Reconvene at the High Country Inn to debrief, discuss gear improvements etc. |