2009 Yukon 1000 #2

Well, SandyBottom and I are into the planning for next year's inaugural 2009 Yukon 1000 Canoe and Kayak Race. That means, I've started a spreadsheet to list expenses (ouch), looked up what charts we'll need, checked that flights do indeed go to Whitehorse, and are actively looking for a boat.

Initially we had high hopes to use a Kruger Cruiser, but it seems the race rules don't allow that boat in the canoe class, using single blades with a rudder. We can enter the Cruiser as a "kayak", but that means double blades and no rudder. This has started an interesting discussion on WaterTribe's discussion forum, and it's nice to see race organizer Peter Coates contributing, as well as Mr. Kruger himself, Mark Przedwojewski, aka ManitouCruiser.

So, if anyone has any good ideas on a suitable tandem for this great adventure (minimum beam of 26"), we'd be open to suggestions!

2009 Yukon 1000

Well, here’s a new race of interest, and now the longest of its kind. Not only has the inaugural 2009 Yukon 1000 Canoe and Kayak Race recently been advertised, but mandatory equipment includes carrying a SPOT. In fact, the race's organization is based around SPOT.

Because the 1600km race is unsupported, paddling down the Yukon River from Whitehorse, Yukon across the US/Canada border and on to the Dalton Highway Bridge North of Fairbanks, Alaska, officials are relying on competitors sending two SPOT OK messages a day to confirm their positions – before 2130 to confirm that you’re off the water and camped, and again at 0530 the next day from the same position to confirm you’ve rested at your campsite the entire night. And then another SPOT OK message every six hours while paddling. Otherwise you’re disqualified.

The official starting date of the 2009 Yukon 1000 Race will be Monday July 20, 2009 at 1100, at Rotary Park in Whitehorse, Yukon. Solo kayakers are allowed, but for safety reasons you have to travel with another solo kayaker to make up a team. And you have until August 3 to finish the race.

Unfortunately for me, but perhaps fortunately for FliesWithKiwiBird, at least one member from each team must have completed the Yukon River Quest to be eligible to enter the race. I e-mailed race organizer, Peter Coates, to see if he could open entries up to WaterTribe. And he responded quite smartly: “You know that is not a bad idea. On the other hand, we have had people completely loose it on the River Quest because of how Big and Empty the river is, and the Flats are much Bigger and Emptier. There are only about 1000 people living along the river from Dawson to the highway bridge, 600 miles. And we want to be confident people know how to pack for an expedition in the Arctic.”

But he did say that they’re relaxing the Yukon River Quest prerequisite for the first year. “Pretend the rules say ‘or equivalent racing and wilderness experience’.” And Peter’s happy to review your experience with you, as he did with me.

And another point quite interesting is that FliesWithKiwiBird says I can do the race, if SandyBottom makes up a team with me. I can see us in a Kruger...

Misery 340

The Missouri 340 kicked off at 0800 this morning, billed as the world's longest non-stop river race. In fact, Guinness World Records is out pacing the length of the race, just to make sure.

From Kansas City to St. Charles, racers have 100 hours to complete the 340 miles, meaning they have to be in St. Charles by noon on Saturday.

At least going with the current, around 3mph, the 70-team-strong competitors will have extreme temperatures, and possible thunderstorms and headwinds to compete against. Kinda glad I had a good excuse as not being able to compete this year ;)

But I'll be watching avidly as some good WaterTribe pals are out there, notably as Team Kruger:

• Dawn (aka SandyBottom), who was competing with Stan (aka Etchimen) as a Kruger tandem, but is now a Kruger solo, with Stan acting as river bank support
  
• Mark (aka ManitouCruiser and Mr. Kruger himself) and Brian (aka dabiscuit and Capt'n of the 'O' Dark 30) in a Kruger tandem
• Alan (aka SOS), Dawn's son, in another Kruger solo.

Another WaterTriber competing is Marek (aka Wayfarer), who also competed last year, as well as RiverJohn, in another solo Kruger.

Dawn's husband, Paul (aka DancesWithSandyBottom), will be updating Dawn's progress, as he always does so well, and you can also follow along here, at the M340's site.

Go WaterTribers! And Team Kruger!

UPDATE: The Kansas City Star posted this shot this morning, as the kayakers set off. That looks like a Kruger top left, and possibly Marek in the middle in his Thunderbolt-X.