Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 22/00) - Forget all those other races -- the dog mushing, the mountain biking, the snowmobiling.

Every year around this time, waiters and waitresses start getting hyped for the Waiter Waitress Relay.

Earl Koch, Anthony Santos, Christine Auger, Tim Noble, Deeana Lang (up before noon on the day the group met for this interview), Lisa Tesar and Jo Russell will be the esteemed bribable judges at this day-long competition being held Sunday, April 2 at 2 p.m.

"About a week before, bar staff start bribing the judges," says Tesar.

"Full cheating is involved in this sport," throws in Koch.

Team members, from between 25 and 35 Yellowknife bars and restaurants, can accumulate points even before the race starts. Teams are also responsible for bringing in obstacles for the course.

"For example," says Tesar, "last year we had two kegs and you had to change the kegs."

There's also been the head of a cod -- take that to mean the real head of a real fish -- propped up in the snow. Participants had to kiss the cod.

"Some bars this year are bringing human props," says Tesar, laughing.

All teams must be decked out in costumes according to the year's chosen theme, which happens to be superheroes this time around.

Physical prowess and endurance are not the only skills tested.

"The second part is held in a restaurant in town," Tesar says, adding that this year's location is Giorgio's.

The second part involves brain power and talent.

Auger, who is responsible for the quiz show, says she must come up with about 65 questions.

"Questions on everything," she adds.

"The history of wine and beer, recipes of cocktails and shooters, the origins of types of alcohol, and a bit about certain countries, producers and consumers. Some are obvious, some you have to think about."

Finally, the participants must face a 10-minute, drink-making test. Given a few mystery ingredients, they have a very limited amount of time to come up with an original drink.

And they should think twice about just sloshing it all together, because as Koch notes, there's 60 years of bar experience on the panel.

One final, important note: all teams that register for the race, which will be hosted by Karl Geraghty and Tanya Kidston, must adopt a local charity for the year.

For teams who haven't yet applied, get thee to the Gallery for a form.