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Two Yukon mushers withdraw from Yukon Quest

Yukoners Jean Denis Britten and Normand Casavant have withdrawn from the Yukon Quest dog sled race, which began Saturday in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Jean Denis Britten and Normand Casavant scratch from race

Two Yukon mushers have withdrawn from the Yukon Quest International sled dog race, which began Saturday in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Dawson City musher Jean Denis Britten scratched Sunday at the Mile 101 dog drop for personal reasons, according to Quest officials. Whitehorse musher Normand Casavant withdrew at the Central checkpoint Sunday due to health issues.

That leaves only one Yukon musher, Brian Wilmshurst of Dawson City, remaining in the race. 

The Quest trail has been shortened this year due to warm weather and poor snow conditions, but so far the trail is reportedly hard packed and fast. 

The first mushers left the Circle City Checkpoint early Monday morning.  Out of the Circle checkpoint, Brent Sass was leading followed by Hugh Neff and Allen Moore.