On your marks, get set, bring on the snow! Cain's Quest snowmobile race kicks off

The snowmobilers have started their engines and areoff on a long and challenging endurance race across Labrador in Cain's Quest 2023.

But Mother Nature has brought some new challenges for this year's riders, says Chris Lacey, the event's chairperson.

Weather conditions aren't exactly favourable, he says, as there are some areas in Labrador that have little to no snow.

"As a past racer, I think it's going to be challenging. It's going to add an extreme part of the race that we haven't had in a long time minimal snow conditions," said Lacey.

"But as an organizer, it's always cause for concern from a safety standpoint to make sure everybody makes it through the race safely and without injury."

• These snowmobilers are ready to hit the snow in Labrador's 2023 Cain's Quest

Cain's Quest is a 3,500-kilometre snowmobile race beginning Saturday morningin Labrador City. The race takes competitors to 18 checkpoints across Labrador, which Lacey says could take five to seven days to complete.

This is the first Cain's Quest in three years, as it had been suspended under the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lacey says it takes around 500 volunteers to help put the race together.It's a lot of work, says Lacey, but it's worth it.

"Very excited, very happy, pumped, tired, all of the emotions are going through now," he said.

'It's absolutely incredible'

Photographer Scott Roninhas had to wait three years to come back to Cain's Quest because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While he gets to document the race, even he won't see the full scope of the distance travelled, he said.

"Nobody understands about this race, how many fine details there are, how elaborate it is, how complex it is," Ronin said.

"I only have just a small perspective, but I'll tell you, it's absolutely incredible. So happy to be back."

The Corner Brook-based photographer said the event is a perfect fit for him as a snowlover.

"This is about the most exciting thing in the world for me. I love snowmobiling, I love winter. Now, in like half an hour, they're going to put me in a helicopter and I get to chase these guys for the next six or seven days. It's insanity."

Jeremy Thoms of Labrador City was excited to get the race started, the first Cain's Quest for both him and his partner.

"I got ants in my pants," he said.

"It's going to be a good experience. That's what you sign up for."

His nephew, Lincoln Thoms, was there, cautiously cheering on his uncle.

"I'm kind of worried for everybody, but I feel like they're just all brave, so they're going to do pretty good, I think," he said.

Terri Lynn Saunders-Ryan made the trip from Happy Valley-Goose Bay to cheer for Team 29. It's the first time she's been to the raceafter her husband helped the team with their snowmobile.

"He was doing a little work to, I don't know, something on their Ski-Doo," Saunders-Ryan said, laughing.

"They were over at our place for a little bit in Goose Bay. They're great guys, so we're going to cheer for them."

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