NEGAUNEE -- A father and son are teaming up to race in the world's longest canoe race. The Yukon River Quest starts June 27 and ends July 1.
Like father, like son. Five-time winner Steve Landick returns to The Yukon River Quest, the world's largest canoe race. It's no wonder his son Connor would follow.
"Doing it with my dad is like, I mean, racing with him, I've raced with other people and it's just not, it's not as fun for me. It's just like when I'm with him, it means more," said Connor Landick.
They're one of 73 teams hitting the water.
Starting at White Horse and paddling all the way to Dawson city, the course takes almost four days to complete with two mandatory rest stops.
They have been training for the past year and all through winter for the 450-mile race and feel they have what it takes to win.
Their game plan? Connor says starting off full force.
"Go out hard for about half an hour. We're going to try to ride some of the voyager canoes because if we can ride their wake, it's going to pull us away from the teams we are competing with which are the tandem canoes. So if we can get a lead on them, it's going to be really hard for any of them to catch us in a river that's that fast," Connor said.
His father, Steve, says leading can help, but weather conditions can easily change.
"Wind is a big factor, certainly on l\Lake La Barge. Even on the river, it's such a big river, the wind can really slow you down and make it a tougher race," said Steve.
Regardless of the results, doing it with his son is more important.
"He's just made tremendous improvements this year. So that's exciting and it's just exciting to go with him," Steve said.
Winning teams will receive cash prizes.
For more information on the race, click here.
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