Yukon Quest mushers to reach Dawson City Wednesday

Brent Sass of Eureka, Alaska, is in the lead in the Yukon Quest sled dog race, having leftthe checkpoint at Eagle, Alaska.

Hugh Neff and Allan Mooreare not far behind. They havea 4 hour mandatory layover in Eagle before leaving for Dawson.

Fairbanks Musher Mike Ellis decided to scratch overnight.

Trail conditions this year have shortened what is normally a 1,600kilometre race to Whitehorse.This year it will be 100 kilometres shorter than normal.

After the Eagle checkpoint, the mushers cross the border into Yukon, heading for Dawson City.

The first musher into Dawson City is expected to arrive late tonight or early Wednesday morning.

Brian Wilmshurst,the lone Yukoner left in the Yukon Quest, is in14th place, out of Circle, Alaska.

Normand Casavant of Whitehorsewithdrew from the race Sundayafternoon in Central.Earlier in the day, Jean-Denis Britten of Dawson City scratched as well.