I am very happy to announce that Joaquin Candel receives the Shelley Gellatly Spirit of the Yukon Award 2025.
I know Shelley would 100% agree with Joaquin getting this award that carries her name and stands for the “Spirit of the Yukon.” Joaquin deserves it in more than one way. If we had a “Hall of Fame,” he would have earned his place last winter by completing our maximum-distance race in all three possible disciplines: foot, fatbike, and ski. He reached Dawson City on foot and on skis, and in 2025 he finished on fatbike in Faro. That alone is remarkable, but it is not the main reason for this award. What truly matters is how he did it.
As a pilot, Joaquin carries a great deal of responsibility and stress in his everyday life. He comes to the Yukon to recharge his batteries. No matter how cold or how difficult the conditions are, you can see that he truly enjoys being out there. When meeting crew members on the trail and at checkpoints, Joaquin has always been kind, respectful, and fun. He lifts the spirits of everyone around him, and it has been wonderful to witness how a positive attitude can carry someone all the way to the finish – even when the going gets tough. I am pretty sure it is safe to say that Joaquin did not enjoy skiing 430 miles to Dawson City. But it was his goal, he committed to it, and he maintained his focus and positivity right through to the end.
For all of us at the Yukon Arctic Ultra, it has been a great pleasure to get to know Joaquin and to follow his journey. Congratulations, Joaquin! Keep up the great work, keep having fun challenging yourself, and keep inspiring those fortunate enough to share an adventure with you. We all hope to welcome you back to the Yukon many more times.
