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Cain's Quest 2016 hopefuls prep for snowmobile endurance test

Cain's Quest 2016 hopefuls prep for snowmobile endurance test

Snowmobilers in Newfoundland and Labrador are readying mind, body and machine as they gear up for their chance at endurance snowmobiling glory, in the countdown to the start of Cain's Quest 2016 on March 4.

"It's basically a game of survival. Just basically ride a snowmobile as hard and as fast as you can," competitor Mark Simms told the Corner Brook Morning Show.

This year's race bills itself as the toughest yet: teams of two racing through 3,500 kilometres of Labrador wilderness and visiting some of its most remote communities.

Lucky number three?

Simms, based in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, speaks from the sting of experience: he's been beat by Cain's Quest twice before, dropping out each time due to mechanical issues.

Despite that, Simms remains undeterred from his dream of making it across the finish line in 2016.

"I haven't been lucky enough to finish one yet, and this is my third race, so we're hoping third time's the charm," Simms said, adding typically fewer than half of those who begin the race complete it.

37 racing teams, all the way from Alberta to Finland, are trying their luck at this year's event, all vying for its $100,000 purse.

Serious shock absorption

For L'Anse au Loup racer Myles O'Brien, the lead-in time to the race is being spent in the mechanic's shop.

"We got our snowmobiles basically all re-modified. We're putting shocks in, suspensions, skid plates, skis, lighting — whatever we can reinforce on those machines to take the endurance," said O'Brien,

"Those machines are gonna be pushed … It's a lot of impact."

Simms agrees, but said beyond the physical reinforcements come the mental ones.

"More than anything, you have to prepare yourself to endure. You gotta be tough. resilient, gotta have your mind in the right place, prepared to overcome any obstacle that you encounter during the race," Simms advised.

No matter the mental pain nor the mechanical breakdowns, Cain's Quest has made a mark on these men.

"It don't seem like it gets out of your blood," said O'Brien, who has kept a close eye on it even when he hasn't competed.

"I never fell away from the race at all. I tracked the race, I supported teams. It's something that keeps growing on ya."