Yukon Quest: Racers neck and neck at final checkpoint

Two-time defending champion Allen Moore and Brent Sass are just two minutes apart at the final checkpoint of theYukon Quest, setting the stage for a dramatic finish inthe 1,600 kilometre sled dog race from Whitehorse, Yukon to Fairbanks, Alaska.

Sass, of Eureka, Alaska, hadbeen enjoying a healthy lead since the race began in Whitehorse, Yukon, on February 7th. However, his lead overMoore, of Two Rivers, Alaska, had shrunk to just 16 kilometresby the timehe arrived atCentral checkpoint256 kilometres from Fairbankson Sunday morning.

Sass and his 12 dogs left Centralabout two hours ahead of Moore as both traversed the long climb over Eagle Summit. He stopped for a break at theMile 101 checkpoint, only to watch Moorearrive with his team of 13 dogs. Moorequickly fed the dogs, found some dryclothes, and left at 10:26 p.m., overtaking Sass, who left at 10:55.

However, by the time the two reached the race'sfinal checkpoint at Two Rivers, Alaska, Moore's slim lead had all but disappeared. He arrived in Two Rivers, just 72 kilometres from the finish, at 5:36 a.m. Alaska Standard Time, with Sass hot on his heels at 5:38. Two Rivers serves as the last mandatory layover for the race, meaning Moore and Sass must wait eight hours before departingthis afternoon.

Speaking to media, Sass called his run the hardest time he's ever had over Eagle Summit, while Moore said the pass was the best he's ever seen.

Last year's race was neck-and-neck between Moore and Sass untilSass sufferedan accident and had to be airlifted to Whitehorse for medical attention.

Several hours behind the two leaders are Ed Hopkins from Tagish, YT, in third, followed closely by Hugh Neff of Tok, Alaska. Hopkins has moved up two places since Saturday, and is the only racer besides the two leaders to have made it past the Central checkpoint, leaving at 7:24 this morning.

Vancouver residentDamon Alexander Tedford has held his fifth place position through the Circle City checkpoint, maintaining his status as the race's top rookie participant, and is on his way to Central.

According to race organizers, Sass and Moore will be in Fairbanks Monday evening, should the two teams keep up their current pace.