Tuesday was a "cultural immersion" day for us in the city of Fairbanks. After reviewing some of the initial items on the agenda, we all headed down to the Chena River to catch the finish of the Yukon Quest Dog Sled race, the only international dog mushing competition which winds its way from the Canadian town of Whitehorse in the Yukon Territories over one thousand miles to Fairbanks. Following frozen river courses and running through sub-zero temperatures, fourteen dogs tow a sled and musher through the wilderness toward the finish line and thousands of dollars in prize money.
This is the finish line of the 2009 Yukon Quest Dog Sled Race in Fairbanks, Alaska
Many Fairbanks residents turn out for this event, braving the chilly weather as they wait on the frozen river to cheer on the finishers of the Yukon Quest. This race is a big part of the local culture and reflects the history of this rugged land. Did you know that sled dogs were at one time an important form of travel for fur trappers and gold miners that made their living in this part of the world?
The eventual winner was Sebastian Schnuelle from Whitehorse, finishing a mere four minutes ahead of the second place team. In a race of a thousand miles, this counts as a photo-finish!