The 2024 Buckwheat International Ski Classic was another big hit this year.

275 people registered for the 2024 Buckwheat, compared to about 238 people last year.

According to race organizer Aric Baldwin, their biggest year saw 400 people come out.

“I think we’re still recovering – I hate to say it – a little bit from the COVID years. But it’s nice to see more folks coming out cause it’s a really fun, family friendly race.”

The theme this year was “A Buckwheat Odyssey: Monsters, Myths and Mischief”. It didn’t disappoint.

Whitehorse’s Cole Digel won Best Costume for dressing up like a centaur. The Star spoke to him before he started his 32 km race.

“When it was announced, I was like, ‘I want to do something unique and interesting.’ And then I thought of centaur and it just kind of stuck in my head. So we made it work.”

Digel explained where he got the idea.

“I adapted it from a mom on the Internet who posted about doing something similar like this for her child. But I needed to make it a little more stable. This one’s adapted for the nordic conditions.”

Digel wasn’t sure his costume would make it through the whole 32 km.

When asked if he was going for best costume, Digel replied, “That’s the plan.”

Lo and behold, Digel’s plan came to fruition. Digel, by the way, finished 28th, not bad for a guy with four legs and four skis.

Tymur Tkachenko of Juneau showed up attached to an inflated alien.

When asked what inspired his costume, Tkachenko replied, “I just had it in my locker.”

Tkachenko, who was skiing in the 5 km, was asked if he thought the alien would make it to the finish.

“I hope so,” he responded. Tkachenko finished sixth in the 5 km, sans his alien buddy.

Johanna Rockenstein of Whitehorse, sporting a purple wig, finished the 16 km.

“It was great. Very nice conditions. Beautiful weather. I was a little over-dressed. I think the wig is a bit hot. But it was very lovely.”

Rockenstein was about to race the 5 km with her children – Lars Bell, 3, Theodora Bell, six, and Adelaide Bell, eight.

Rockenstein’s other half, cyclist extraordinaire Willie Bell, finished fifth in the 32 km.

Juneau’s Todd Bailey, dressed up like a giant Cookie Monster, was racing in the 10 km.

“I feel like I’m in pretty good shape. I’ve been doing a lot of double-poling. Eating a lot of cookies.”

About his costume, Bailey said, “This thing was engineered. We’re within the wind specs today.

“I was a little worried about getting overheated.”

Bailey added, “In making the costume, I was reflecting on the message of the Cookie Monster. Just thankful for the letter C, and it’s good enough for me.”

Organizer Baldwin said it was a perfect day.

“Everybody’s having a great time. It’s been super-fun. Overall, it’s been a great course, great race, great costumes, great people.”

Baldwin said a new thing this year was the use of timing chips.

“It’s a new system we’re working. We’ll get feedback on that from folks, but I think it’s gonna work good. From our end it worked well.”

The start system this year involved mass starts for the 32, 16, 10 and 5 kms, as well as an option for people to start when they wanted between 8 and 11 a.m. Alaska time.

“We’ve had good feedback on that start system,” related Baldwin.

Of the mass start, Baldwin said, “For the kids, it’s awesome. They love to start together.”

Baldwin said the type of skiers ran the gamut.

“We’ve been getting a good mix of both. People who just want to go for it and be more leisurely and others who want to really get that racing vibe.”

As far as people finishing their distance, Baldwin said, “It seems like if you’re from Skagway, we have quite a few DNFs (Did Not Finish). They seem to make it to the aid station. That seems to be the finish line to them.”

As for the spirit of the race, Baldwin described it as “a howling good time.”

Baldwin added, “It’s an entirely volunteer-run event and we try to keep the trails usable from December on, so come on up and enjoy them all year, not just for the race.

“It’s truly an international race and a community event and really love combining all the Whitehorse folks, folks from Juneau, from Skagway, Haines.”

Baldwin said they also had participants from B.C., Alberta, Nova Scotia, and Ontario.

“Really it’s those northern communities coming together and really make this race happen, make it fun.”

The 2024 Special Award winners, besides Digel for Best Costume were: Des Duncan Award (Volunteer of the Year) – Nicole Kovacs, Skagway; John Briner Award (Enthusiastic and Committed Skier) – Amy Nye, Juneau; Miss Buckwheat – Madeline Bennett Brooker, Skagway; LCSS Member Winner of Skis (draw at Awards Ceremony) – Natalka Luciuk, Whitehorse.

Whitehorse’s Colin Abbott finished first in the 32 km.

Daniel Dreiseitl, also of Whitehorse, came out on top in the 16 km.

Whitehorse’s Fraser Pearce activated the chip first in the 10 km.

Whitehorse’s Erik Embacher came in first in the 5 km 11-12 age group.

Samual Pearce completed a Whitehorse sweep with a first in the 5 km 10 and Under division.

Complete Buckwheat results can be found at https://zone4.ca/race/2024-03-09/4959970c/results