Nearly 12 full hours after the first two mushers swept into the 2008 Yukon Quest’s halfway point at Dawson City, two more arrived coated in frost beneath a starry sky. Brent Sass and Michelle Phillips arrived at 11:55 p.m. and 12:07 a.m. respectively. “It’s good to be here,” Sass said as he stepped off his sled runners. “I could use a beer and some food.” Phillips had less to say. She went quickly to greet her seven-year-old son Keegan who was waiting on the sidelines. After the Checker took inventory of her mandatory gear, she offered Keegan a ride and he hopped on the sled. Her husband and dog handler, Yukon Quest veteran and 2005 Sportsmanship Award winner Ed Hopkins, hopped on a sled runner beside her. And the family glided away to the dog yard across the Yukon River. Sass came in with nine dogs; Phillips came in with 11. Dave Dalton is expected any time.For an excellent account of the race from the ground and air, check out Ken Anderson and Gwenn Holdmann’s website at: www.windycreekkennel.comMore news, photos and audio reports:http://www.kuac.org/08yukon.html
