10 February 2014

Leader's Injury Casts Somber Mood Over Yukon Quest

A head injury took Eureka musher Brent Sass out of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, casting a somber mood Sunday in a race known for its camaraderie among competitors.

Sass, who led the 1,000-mile race at the midway point, was airlifted to a hospital in Whitehorse, Yukon, where he was treated and released. A report on his kennel’s Facebook page said he was resting and doing well Sunday night.

... Sass fell off his sled during the 70-mile run from Carmacks to Braeburn, race officials said. He was about 12 miles from Braeburn.

By all accounts, Sass was well ahead of the pack before receiving the injury that took him out of the race. Our prayers go out to him.

6 comments:

Teresa said...

Head injury... ugh. Prayers indeed. Treated and released could mean anything from he's okay to he can live at home but won't be doing much on his own ever again. I hope he's okay.

Rev. Paul said...

The initial reports over the weekend didn't sound too awful, but you never know with head injuries. We pray he's okay, too. Thanks, T.

PioneerPreppy said...

In a couple of years when the Liberals get up to Alaska in force they will require mushers to wear protective helmets and pads and only run of approved courses with guard rails.

Rev. Paul said...

They're welcome to try. They've been after the Iditarod for years already.
And Alaskans, by and large, tell them to stuff it.

Cathy said...

I'm thinking maybe just a concussion and not a subdural . .
Interesting how now-a--days they send you home and tell you to 'literally' rest your brain. I know two people who fell and hit their heads this winter (ice). They are told not to do mentally taxing things so that the brain can heal.

Rev. Paul said...

That's quite likely, Cathy. The big news story now is that the #2 guy won the race; if Sass's injury were really bad, they'd be talking about that, too.

Thanks.