RACING AGAINST EXTREME WEATHER IN ALASKA

The Yukon Quest 1,000-mile International Sled Dog Race takes place in one of the world’s harshest environments, running its course in the subarctic climate between Fairbanks, Alaska and Whitehorse in the Yukon territory of Canada.

Under ordinary circumstances, Yukon Quest is run in February with temperatures and windchills well below 0°F. The 2013 race was held under extraordinary weather conditions with temperatures routinely dropping to –60 °F (-51°C).

Poor trail conditions even forced a reroute over the Yukon River and American Summit, adding further exposure to subzero winds and icy terrain.

THE CHALLENGE: KEEPING VETERINARIANS WORKING IN EXTREME COLD

RefrigiWear, whose beloved mascot is a snow-loving St. Bernard named Reggie, sponsored the 2013 Yukon Quest veterinary team and provided Iron-Tuff® insulated garments to protect the team as they cared for sled dogs on the trail.

Veterinarians play a critical role in the race – dogs are examined in pre-race vet checks and at checkpoints along the trail, sometimes up to six times, to assess overall health, temperature, hydration, weight, and signs of fatigue or injury. Working outdoors in such conditions demands gear engineered for:

THE SOLUTION: REFRIGIWEAR IRON-TUFF® JACKETS & COVERALLS

Yukon Quest veterinarians needed fully insulated PPE and snow gear for reliable warmth in subzero temperatures, abrasion-resistant materials for durability and water repellency for protection against moisture and the risk of hypothermia to achieve their mission to care for canine athletes.

RefrigiWear insulated workwear was originally developed for industrial freezer and cold storage environments. In fact, the company is know for inventing the first freezer suit back in 1954. Iron Tuff® insulated PPE from RefrigiWear is comfort rated for extreme cold conditions down to –50 °F (-46°C) with features that perfectly addressed the veterinarians’ needs.