In the Skagway Hill Climb, a race that starts at the turn off to Dyea and finishes at the summit with over 3,000 ft of climbing, the sky was falling.

Or that's the way it must have appeared to the racers who put up with downpours, thick fog and shivery conditions.

Veteran speedster Ian Parker took first place with a near record breaking 53:38 followed by a very impressive first hill climb by Karl Blattmann. Finishing third and fourth were Scott Kerby and Jerome Mcintyre.

In the woman's race Tamara Goeppel flew up the course like she had a bear behind her back wheel.

Her impressive 59:11 put her in first.

Kerrie Paterson and Laura Salmon finished within seconds of each other with Paterson crossing the line just ahead of her rival.

Nadele Flynn rounded out the pack of expert riders.

In the Sport category we had the pleasant addition of Skagway resident Spencer Morgan.

In the woman's sport category young Olivia Findley crossed the line looking strong.

She was the only competitor to finish through wind and sleet and snow and rain with a smile on her face.

Results are as follows:

Expert men

1. Ian Parker 53:38

2. Karl Blattmann 55:28

3. Scott Kerby 59:48

4. Jerome Mcintyre 1:02:01

Expert Women

1. Tamara Goeppel 59:11

2. Kerrie Paterson 1:09:35

3. Laura Salmon 1:10:48

4. Nadele Flynn 1:22:45

Sport Men

1. Spencer Morgan 1:07:50

Sport Woman

1. Olivia Findley 2:01:11

2. Article and results submitted by Scott Kerby