October 20, 2009 (Whitehorse, Yukon) – The Yukon Quest is pleased to announce that Hans Oettli has been hired as the 2010 Race Marshal. Oettli served as a Race Judge in the 2009 race and recently accepted the Race Marshal position for the 2010 race.Oettli brings a strong background in both sled dog racing and judging to the position. He has served as Race Marshal of the Silver Sled Dog Sled Race and the Carbon Hill Dog Sled Race for many years. Oettli also brings a long-term, behind-the-scenes perspective of the Yukon Quest having been a Yukon Board of Directors, Yukon Quest Race Judge, musher and volunteer.Originally from Basel, Switzerland, Hans and his wife settled in the Yukon nearly 30 years ago and have raised a family and a kennel of malamutes. He has been active in the sled dog and racing community since arriving in the Yukon.“Every year I enjoy being part of this great event,” said Oettli. “It was great to be a Race Judge last year and I’m even more exited and feel honored to be chosen as the Race Marshal for 2010. I look forward to working with a great field of mushers, some of them returning as veterans while for others, this will be their first try. I also look forward to working with all the people that volunteer a great deal of their time to this race.”“We are thrilled that Hans will be part of the Yukon Quest Team again in 2010, this time as Race Marshal,” said Wendy Morrison, Executive Director of the Yukon Quest International Association in Canada. “He has been an active part of the Yukon Quest since its inception and we appreciate his strong, calm presence on the trail.”The Yukon Quest Race Marshal is in charge of all aspects of the race.. Along with a team of race judges on the trail, who will act as deputies, the Race Marshal will ensure a fair and competitive race.The 2010 Yukon Quest starts February 6th in Fairbanks, Alaska.Please visit www.yukonquest.com for up-to-date information and news on the Yukon Quest. Media interested in covering the 2010 Yukon Quest are invited to register for accreditation by visiting http://www.yukonquest.com/site/media-accreditation/For more information, contact:Dee Enrightp) 867-456-7483c) 867-334-5203dee@outsidethecube.ca Marti SteuryExecutive DirectorYukon Quest International Limited (Alaska) T – 907-452-7954 Wendy MorrisonExecutive DirectorYukon Quest International Association (Canada)T – 867-668-4711
