Labrador City, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR – After five days of intense racing over more than 3,000 kms, Cain’s Quest is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026, 20th Anniversary race. Crossing the finish line around 10:30 am local time on Feb. 27 was Team 99: Saga Boys Vikings, composed of father and son racers Randy Malleck and Sebastian Malleck, veteran racers from Sheshatshiu.
“This year’s race was grueling and thrilling at the same time and all the racers who crossed the finish line are winners in their own right,” says Cain’s Quest founder and Board Chair Todd Kent. “We’re thrilled for the Saga Boys Vikings team and are welcoming home all the remaining racers as they cross the finish line.”
The Saga Boys Vikings team crossed the finish line to applause and cheers from a large welcome party cheering them on. This is the second Cain’s Quest win for the father and son racers. Randy and Sebastian both rode 2026 Backcountry snowmobiles throughout the race.
Team 99 will take home a cash prize of $100,000.
“This year’s dramatic race was a real demonstration of courage, endurance, and kindness,” Kent says. “We saw teams supporting one another throughout the race, proving Cain’s Quest has always been about community.”
Approximately an hour later, Team 6 Northern Legacy Racing crossed the finish line to take second place. Racers Joshua Rose and Mike Elliott, both competing for the first time, are from Happy Valley-Goose Bay and will take home a cash prize of $15,000.
Coming in at third place was Team 18 Nutakuan, with rookie Mathias Rich and veteran Len Scott Rich, both from Natuashish. They will take home a cash prize of $10,000.
Throughout the next several hours, the Cain’s Quest team stayed on-site, welcoming the final five teams at the finish line. All finish times are unofficial until formal checks have been completed by timekeepers.
In total, 18 teams crossed the start line on Feb. 22, 2026. However, only eight teams are expected to cross the finish line. Teams scratched for various reasons, including engine trouble, equipment failure, and medical issues.
Cain’s Quest is made possible by the incredible support of the communities and people of Labrador, the individuals who give of their time, and the generosity of financial supporters including Presenting Sponsor Rio Tinto IOC, Innu Development Limited Partnership, Tacora Resources, Altius Minerals, Municipal Group of Companies, and a number of other corporate and municipal supporters.
“Cain’s Quest is truly a group effort and we want to sincerely thank everyone who participated in big and small roles throughout this grueling, but thrilling 2026 race,” Kent says.
Media Contact:
Todd Kent
Founder and Board Chair
info@cainsquest.com
Phone: (709) 944-5011
Cell: (709) 280-5011
About Cain’s Quest Cain’s Quest snowmobile endurance race, is one of the most extreme winter races in the world. This high-energy race began in 2006, and sees teams of two racers traverse thousands of kilometres through rough, all-natural terrain. The name Cain’s Quest comes from Jacques Cartier’s famous expedition in which he described Labrador as “The land God gave to Cain.”
As the Cain’s Quest’s team, racers, and volunteers past and present come together to celebrate the 20th Anniversary, we invite the world to come discover the people, place, and the thrilling experience of this extraordinary race.
