YQ: Prizegiving and Banquet

Saturday evening in Whitehorse the finishers banquet and prizegiving was held at the convention centre. Hundreds of people turned up to hear the mushers tell some trail stories and to have an opportunity to thank and applaud the vets, Rangers, officials, photographers and volunteers. It was a fun night!

For winning, Allen received a special handcrafted Yukon Quest knife from Alaska Rod's, with a 2014 Champion engraved on it. Also received a hand-made beaver fur hat from the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation in Dawson and a $1,000 cheque from NorthwesTel to donate to the charity of his choice. He chose the Yukon Special Olympics.


The banquet room


L-R: Matt Hall (who won not only 3rd place but Rookie of the Year, Veterinarians’ Choice and “Challenge of the North”) and Allen with two of the Canadian Rangers; the Rangers receive thanks.


L-R: John Schandlemeier (5th); Ken Anderson (4th); the Dawson Gold


L-R: Aliy with Brian Wilmshurst (10th and Sportsmanship Award); Allen with his winner's trophy, a beautiful handcrafted and engraved knife from Alaska Rod's.

I have some video to go through so will post that later today (all going according to plan).