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.

A second race, the Yukon Quest 300, runs concurrently with the 1000-mile race. The three top winners of the Yukon Quest 300 also were sponsored by Northern Outfitters. These mushers also wear parkas and clothing systems designed for extreme cold weather and sold exclusively by Northern Outfitters.

The top three mushers in the shorter YQ300 were Sven Haltmann, Magnus Klatenborn and Sean Williams. The YQ300 is a qualifying race to participate in the Iditarod in March 2010.

The winter clothing by Northern Outfitters worn by the four mushers helped make the difference in their outstanding performances. They all expressed thanks for the warmth and comfort offered by the parka, boot, mitten and hat systems.

“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, a Northern Outfitters Pro Staffer and designer of the Gatt Racing Dog Sled, won the Yukon Quest with a time of 9 days, 1 hour and 38 minutes. He arrived with nine dogs on the line and his great dog, Sonny, showing the way. As soon as he crossed the finish line, he checked and hugged his dogs, thanking all of them for a great race. He then expressed thanks to Northern Outfitters, supplier of his cold weather gear.

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.