Cain's Quest a go for 2024, despite concerns about weather conditions

Extreme snowmobile race Cain's Quest is a go this year,says board chair Chris Lacey.

There had beenconcerns unfavourable weather conditionswould thwart the popular event, whichattracts teams from across the world.

The race, which is set to begin in March, was cancelled last year due to safety concerns, after unseasonable weather conditions led to one team breaking through ice over open water.

WATCH: After much deliberation, Cain's Quest is on for 2024:

Start your engines: Cains Quest 2024 is on, to the delight of racers and businesses

9 months ago

Duration 2:31

The extreme snowmobile race in Labrador that attracts teams from all over the world is getting the green light. Organizers said theyre confident weather wont force a cancellation unlike last year. As the CBCs Darryl Dinn reports, businesses are celebrating the decision.

Lacey says the Cain's Quest board of directors has reached out to stakeholders, search and rescue groups, and community members such as trappers about the conditions in Labrador to make its decision.

He said he had "no concernwhatsoever" that the race will have to be cancelled midway through the competition, as happened in 2023.

"We got a lot of excellent reports and a lot of good stuff around that, while the conditions are not ideal, they're definitely doable in 99 per cent of the route," said Lacey.

"So there'll be no major changes and you're going to see a race happen."

Unfavourable weather

The 3,500-kilometre race, which takes snowmobilers across Labrador's tundra, typically takes around five to seven days to complete.

Last year, the race was suspended twice before being cancelled altogether, after most racers had made it to the sixth checkpoint. A team from Finland reportedly fell through ice into open water on their way to the checkpoint. The two men were safe and were said to have finished in high spirits.

Mushuau Innu First Nation Chief John Nui and his brother Mark Nui competed in last year's raceuntil poor weather conditions brought their route to an end.

Mark told CBC News in January that snowmobile conditions have been less than ideal in parts of Labradorandthey have had to ride their snowmobiles over rocky ground until early January.

Coastal communities in Labrador have seen significant changes in weather, said John, and Cain's Quest should perhaps reconsider having race checkpoints near unpredictable coastlines.

"It might be better if Cain's Quest [starts] looking at the future races, to focus on inland, rather than going on ice. Because ice patterns are not very safe," he said.

Lacey said people have been reaching out to Cain's Quest about snow conditionsbutfrom an ice safety perspective, there doesn't seem to be anything of particular concern inland this year.

"Sea ice has always been an issue," he said. "You can never predict that, even in the coldest of winters.

"When it comes to inland routes and different places like that, while the snow is minimal, it's passable and doable."

He says the snow conditions could actually decrease the risk of a major incidentbecause riders will be able to see the obstacles in front of themandwill have to ride slower and make more calculated decisions.

Lacey said Cain's Quest staff went through all of the concerns and suggestions, adding Thursday's decision took around two and a half hours to reach.

Cain's Quest provides mandatory checkpoints to racers, but it's up to the snowmobilers themselves to choose their own route, said Lacey. He said the team is still deliberating on whether there will be minor changes in where they direct racers, for instance.

The race is set to start on March 3 at Tanya Lake in Labrador City.

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