Wearing a parka, boot, mitten and hat system from Northern Outfitters was one important element in the winning style of four Yukon Quest International dogsled teams.

Hans Gatt, who won the 1000-mile Yukon Quest this year, wears the parka, boot, mitten and hat system found in Northern Outfitters' 9-piece clothing system.

The top three winners of the Yukon Quest sister race, the shorter Yukon Quest 300, also wore the parka and cold weather clothing system made by Northern Outfitters.

Winners of the YQ300 were, in order of their finishes, Sven Haltmann, Magnus Klatenborn and Sean Williams, who are qualified to run in the Iditarod this March.

All four mushers expressed their gratitude for Northern Outfitters' sponsorship. Hans Gatt said, “Thanks to the folKs at Northern Outfitters for supplying me winter clothing that stood up to everything the Yukon Quest could throw at it.”

“Wearing the best cold weather clothing gives the mushers a wider range of motion in addition to warmth and moisture transportation,” explained Jim Harrison, Northern Outfitters owner. “This improved ability to move offers them the range of motion required for competition at this level.”

Gatt won the Yukon Quest with a time that beat the previous race record by more than 24 hours. His first order of business at the finish line was to check and thank his dogs. He arrived with his great dog, Sonny, showing the way and nine dogs on the line. At the finish line, he also thanked Northern Outfitters for supplying the gear that served him so well on the trail.

The winner of the 1000-mile race said his team was the strongest in his history. “It is the best team I’ve ever raced,” Gatt said. He went on to say, “the dogs and I are all completely ready for the March 7 start of the Iditarod.” He again thanked Northern Outfitters for its sponsorship.