PaddlingSports

Yukon River Quest rookies look to make their mark in 2024 race

Three Yukon River Quest (YRQ) rookies will be attempting to make memories in the 2024 race. 

Colin Lathe, who lives in Cornwall, Ont., will be racing in the Solo Canoe category. 

He was involved in the race last year. The Yukon Star spoke to him at the YRQ Meet and Greet held Monday evening at Mount McIntyre in Whitehorse. 

“I got chosen to be medic because of a first aid background and ski patrol – first responder stuff.” 

Lathe was on vacation, which turned into a volunteer vacation. 

“Just had a blast. Met a lot of great people. Stayed in touch and eyeballed it for my 60th birthday. So here I am.”

Lathe said he decided to participate in the race this time around because he was looking for a challenge. 

Of his preparation, Lathe said, “This has been over the top. It’s been a marathon getting to the marathon.”

Lathe said he was feeling pretty good about his chances of completing the race. 

“I think I will survive the race. I’m not gonna win any first place awards, I don’t think, unless something goes wrong with somebody else. But I think I’m going to be OK to finish. I’ve spent enough hours in a boat. 

“I know myself, as far as endurance goes. I have a bit of drive.” 

Lathe added, “You can’t really beat being out there in the midnight sun when, at three in the morning, you can still see your fingers clearly, provided you’re not hallucinating, ’cause apparently that happens. I’m gonna try and avoid that.” 

The Star also sat down with the U.K.’s Richard Holland and Slovenia’s Milos Banic, a paddle boarder. 

Holland, 28, is racing in the Tandem Kayak category with Owen Bennett, also 28 and from the U.K. They both live in Vancouver now. 

Holland said, “We’ve been doing a couple of adventures together for the last four or five years, so we thought this was be a good one to take on now that we’ve moved to Canada.” 

Of the race, Holland said, “It’s a bit of an unknown, to be honest. When you speak to different people, they pull out different bits of the race. And I think because the weather is so temperamental, can change so quickly – you hear all of these horror stories. 

“The lady who was running the hostel was telling us all these horror stories about best friends who had done the race, fallen apart, had an argument, and just left and never spoke to each other again. So Owen and I were just like, ‘Okaaaay …’. It’s a bit of the fear of the unknown.” 

Banic joked, “I’m lucky ’cause I not hear that story. I hear only positive story.

“This year, we’re lucky with the good weather,” he remarked. ‘I’m really optimistic for this race.” 

MEDIC! – Colin Lathe volunteered as a medic in last year's Yukon River Quest. This year, he'll be attempting to paddle a canoe to Dawson City. (Morris Prokop / The Yukon Star)
MEDIC! – Colin Lathe volunteered as a medic in last year’s Yukon River Quest. This year, he’ll be attempting to paddle a canoe to Dawson City. (Morris Prokop / The Yukon Star)

Banic, 37, said he was excited and looking forward to starting the race. He has experience paddling to the Croatian coast, about 640 kilometres, but not in a race. 

Of his journey to the Croatian coast, Banic said, “I can take time and rest when I want.” 

Banic said wind causing big waves on Lake Laberge is a concern. 

“I hope this year we will have flat water.” 

Holland has heard conflicting reports about the water level. This year, levels are low, and are not expected to result in any records being broken. 

“I think it’s that unknown, that gives you that buzz, the adrenalin that I think most of us are probably searching for a little bit when you come sign up for a race like this.” 

As for their goals, Holland said his and Bennett’s perspective has changed a little bit. 

“When we got here, we started talking about what good times would be and how fast we should be doing different sections, so the mindsets start to pivot into that. 

“We originally were thinking 55 hours. We got told that’s probably what the winners of the race will do this year, so we had to wind that back to 60, 65.” 

Banic said if he’s leading, then he’ll start racing. 

“Top 3, then I start paddling,” he laughed. “If not, I wish to enjoy it. Take a lot of pictures.” 

Banic said there’s a lot of excited people in Slovenia waiting for photos. The first goal, like Holland, is to survive the race, he added. 

“Paddling safe and come to Dawson City. Come to finish with a smile.” 

Holland said he’s planning on taking photos and video for the folks back in the U.K. 

Banic said a lot of people can’t imagine paddling more than 700 kilometres. 

“I don’t think they can understand it and, to be fair, neither can we,” said Holland. “You probably don’t sign up for the race if you know what you’re getting into. Doing 30 hours of sleep deprivation – I don’t think anyone really knows what that does to your mind.” 

He added he’s “super-excited to be here. The welcome that we’ve had from everyone has been amazing. Very genuine and friendly. Help everywhere. It’s been very refreshing. Super-excited to get on the river now.” 

Banic added, “Everybody wants to help me. I’m really excited for (the) start.” 

The Yukon River Quest features 178 paddlers on 76 teams from 12 countries. It will start at 9 a.m. Wednesday at Rotary Peace Park in Whitehorse. 

Morris Prokop

Morris Prokop, Sports Editor, has held a variety of media jobs spanning a 23-year career.

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