Gatt leads Quest mushers out of Braeburn

BRAEBURN, Yukon (AP) -- The top two teams in the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race left the Braeburn checkpoint early Wednesday for the 109-mile-run to the finish line in Whitehorse.

Hans Gatt of Atlin, British Columbia had jumped into the lead on the way into Braeburn, where the mushers had a mandatory 8-hour layover. He was the first out, leaving at 4:30 a.m. Alaska Time.

Peter Butteri of Tok, dropped into second place, leaving Braeburn at 5:03 a.m.

By mid-morning, four other mushers had reached the Braeburn checkpoint.

Joran Freeman of Fairbanks arrived at 1:58 a.m. Thomas Tetz of Carcross arrived at 2:21 a.m. Dave Monson of Fairbanks reached Braeburn at 5:15 a.m. and William Kleedehn of Carcross arrived at 5:33 a.m..

Eight other teams were on the trail from Carmacks for the 80-mile run to Braeburn.

Twenty-eight teams remained in the race. Thirteen have scratched.

Wayne Hall of Eagle was holding onto last place. He left the Stewart River checkpoint at 7:47 p.m. Tuesday, 253 miles behind the frontrunners.

The first musher to reach Whitehorse will collect $30,000.