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Mushers begin Yukon Quest sled dog race
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
FAIRBANKS - The 27th Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race is under way.
Sam Harrel / Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Twenty-four mushers, including a dozen veterans, took off up the frozen Chena River on Saturday, heading for Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, as thousands of fans cheered.
Two Rivers musher Abbie West, a rookie, was the first out of the chute.
Most mushers are carrying global positioning system tracking devices for the first time.
All but one of the mushers can be followed live online by GPS.
Veteran Hans Gatt tells the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner that spectators are interested in mushers' positions and the devices will enhance the race. He says he doesn't expect the devices to give anyone an advantage.