August 16, 2012 (Whitehorse, YT) – Yukon resident Fabian Schmitz has been hired as Operations Manager for the 2013 Yukon Quest 1,000 Mile International Sled Dog Race.

A long-time Yukon Quest supporter, Schmitz sits on the Dog Powered Sport Yukon Association (DPSAY) board of directors and has organized, planned, and managed five local sled dog races for two seasons. A musher himself, he ran the YQ 300 in 2011 and has been a handler on the Yukon Quest trail for three years.

“Along with his in-depth knowledge of mushing and race logistics, Fabian has a hard working attitude and great event planning skills, which are crucial for his role as Operations Manager. Having a team that works great together in the office was very important in the selection process, and I am delighted to welcome Fabian to the Quest family!” said Marie-Sylvestre Belanger, Yukon Quest Executive Director in Yukon. “With Fabian on board, the Yukon staff will be working hard in preparation for the Yukon Quest’s 30th anniversary. Get ready for some exciting new events!”

The 30th annual Yukon Quest 1,000 International Sled Dog Race starts February 2, 2013 in Whitehorse, Alaska. For up-to-date information and news about the race, visit www.yukonquest.com.

Media interested in attending or covering the 2013 Yukon Quest are invited to register for accreditation by visiting http://www.yukonquest.com/site/media-accreditation/.