July 7, 2023
by Christopher Parker (@wheresbossman)

57 hours later, ultra hero Göran Gustavsson wins the Yukon River Quest; “Chilli” finishes runner-up


photo above: Thomas Schillig on the mighty Yukon River this week (credit: Schaien Fotografie)

In brief: Sweden’s Göran Gustavsson has won the 2023 Yukon River Quest, completing the 715km (444-mile) odyssey in a time of 57 hours, 4 minutes, crossing the line in the remote outpost of Dawson just after 3am local time today. Victory on the Yukon – one of the “grand classics” in the world of ultra-marathon paddling – adds to Göran’s achievements at the 11 Cities (where he’s completed the myhtical non-stop/five-day combo not once but twice) and as a pioneer of the new Last Paddler Standing format. Combined, it’s safe to say that Göran is now one of the heroes of the ultra paddling world.

Finishing runner-up was Swiss journeyman Thomas ‘Chilli’ Schillig who finished a highly-respectable 57 hours, 32 minutes in a near-mirror of last year’s race when he finished on 57:19.

And in a rare achievement, line honours and second place both went to tandem canoe teams, with Golden Lake Crew claiming victory in a time of 46 hours, 17 minutes ahead of the highly-fancied four- and six-person canoes.

Full results over on the race tracker.

More to come…