The rain held off just long enough for the Hot Hounds race series to get underway Sunday afternoon.

The first event of the season took place at Muktuk Adventures in the Ibex Valley, a kennel owned by former Yukon Quest champion Frank Turner.

Twenty mushing enthusiasts turned out for the season opener, which included the usual two bikejoring races followed by a canicross event.

Darryl Sheepway earned victory in the one-mile, one-dog race, blazing to the finish line in 3:28, 11 seconds ahead of runner-up Cynthia Corriveau. Adam Robinson finished third in 3:42.

Corriveau wouldn’t be denied in the two-mile, two-dog race however, finishing first in 7:20, ahead of runner-up Alex Rochat (7:35). Robinson again finished third with a time of 8:15.

Damaris Riedwyl took home the red lantern award in the two-mile event, traversing the course in a three-wheeled cart.

Armin Johnson finished sixth despite losing his bicycle when his dogs took a wrong turn on the trail system. Johnson received some help from a friendly race fan, who anchored himself to Johnson’s bike, preventing his dogs from getting away.

The two eventually sorted it out, and Johnson was again on his way.

Then in the canicross event, Jonathan French ran to victory in the one-mile, one-dog event, hitting the finish line in 4:51.

Robinson finished second, one second ahead of Virginia Sarrazin with a time of 5:04.

The duo raced the majority of the race length together, before Robinson sprinted past Sarrazin just prior to the finish line.

The weather held out just long enough to grant the group of racers another fine social event.

“When we arrived, it was raining,” Sarrazin told the Star. “It was raining but the sun was out. It was weird. Finally it stopped.”

As the mushers packed up and pulled out, the rain began again.

Race regulars were joined by Muktuk tourists for the races.

Prior to the event, the Dog Powered Sports Association of the Yukon (DPSAY) held its annual general meeting, which reportedly revealed a healthy financial status.

Eight people were elected to serve on the board this season, including Corriveau, Sophie Firmenich, Meagan Grabowski, Johnson, Simi Morrison, Robinson, Sarrazin and Claudia Wickert.

Their specific positions will be determined at a future board meeting.

As always, the race concluded with a few beverages and a barbecue.

Sarrazin said the board is looking to host one race per month over the summer. A date for the second race of the season has not yet been determined, however.

The Hot Hounds summer series is the younger sister of the winter Twister series that sees mushers race once a month on trails near Whitehorse.

“It’s really social,” said Sarrazin. “We want to make sure that we still connect over the summer. The dogs still enjoy it, and we socialize and prepare for next season.

“It’s a way to gather and stay in touch.”