Sled dog racing veteran Ed Hopkins will return to action in the Yukon Quest six years on from his last entry in 2011.

The musher, who hails from Tagish, Yukon, first took part in the gruelling 1,000-mile-plus event in 1993 and returned in 1994, 1999 and 2005.

Hopkins, who will be hoping to build on his 8th place showing last time out, told organisers he wants to avoid any disasters on the course.

Event bosses added: “Welcome back to the race Ed.”

He becomes the 21st musher to sign up for the February 2011 race, which is already set to feature 2010 champion Hans Gatt and veterans Ken Anderson and Terry Williams.

Mike Ellis and Sonny Lindner are among the other experienced sled dog racers signed up for the event.

Rookies such as Kyla Durham, Jerry Joinson,, Peg Harpham, Debbie Knight and Kurt Reich will be hoping to impress, along with Denis Tremblay.