Dog Powered Sports Association of the Yukon

Hello Junior Musher,

The upcoming Arctic Winter Games in Fairbanks in March 2014 will offer a great opportunity for junior mushers to represent the sport of dog mushing and the Yukon Territory. The Dog Powered Sports Association of the Yukon (DPSAY) will hold the qualification race/trials for the teams keen to represent our territory. This race will be held on Jan 18, 2014 at the Takhini Hot Springs as part of our monthly Yukon Brewing Twister Race Series.

To be able to participate in the try-outs and the Arctic Winter Games you need to …

… be born between April 1, 1999 and March 31, 2003 to participate in the Coed Juvenile category.

… be born between April 1, 1994 and March 31, 1999 to participate in the Coed Junior category.

… have a valid passport to be able to travel to the USA in March 2014 if selected for the Yukon team (Passport needs to be presented by Jan 31, 2014).

… be able to handle your dog team of 5 dogs for the Coed Juvenile class or 7 dogs for the Coed Junior class.

… have the permission and the support of your parents (and/or your coach), to be able to travel to Fairbanks for the Arctic Winter Games in March 2014.

The two fastest teams per age group who successfully complete the 7 km qualification race will be selected to compete in Fairbanks.

For more information please refer to the technical package you can find here: http://www.arcticwintergames.org/2014%20Technical%20Packages/Dog%20Mushing.pdf.

You can also contact Claudia at DPSAY, who acts as liaison between the Arctic Winter Games and the junior mushers at this point. Please note also that Sports Yukon is committed to support each teams travel costs to Fairbanks with up to $2000. Accommodation in the Fairbanks Athlete village setting (a high school) will be provided for all teams.

It would be great if all junior mushers interested in competing in the trials and the Arctic Winter Games could indicate their intention before the race on Jan 18, 2014 by email, so we can keep you updated if need be.

Happy trails!

Claudia