Husky racing fans were expecting to see Hans Gatt take his dog harness to the International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race (IPSSSDR) rather than the Yukon Quest (YQ) next year.

However, the Canada-based veteran has "surprised everyone" with a dramatic about-turn which will see him defend his YQ title next year rather than appear in Wyoming.

Gatt was not part of the initial 16-strong party of people who signed up for the gruelling 1,000-mile-plus YQ last month and had said he was planning to race in the IPSSSDR instead.

However, he recently visited the YQ's headquarters in Whitehouse to notify officials of his change of heart, telling them he "wants to represent the Yukon in this year's Yukon Quest".

Gatt is set to go up against a strong field of experienced husky racers at the February 2011 meeting – Ken Anderson, Hank DeBruin and Hugh Neff have all signed up to take part.