With blizzard warnings still in effect this morning, the race officials were up at the crack of dawn, studying the weather forecasts and satellite images of the storm in progress. After careful considerations, and an actual check out on the land, it was becoming obvious that what both the meteorologists and local Inuit elders were predicting was definitely coming their way. By 8 o’clock this morning, the wind was already getting stronger, and the visibility was slowly, but surely, deteriorating. The race officials, Jobie Epoo and Jackusie Ittukallak, decided to call off the start of the Ivakkak 2009 dog team race for today, postponing it until tomorrow, or further notice. The mushers, their race partners, the race officials and snowmobile safety patrol, who were all ready to go after yesterday’s busy schedule preparing for the start, had to stay put and take advantage of this day’s rest. The race officials also took this opportunity to have some of the racers test their SPOT tracking devices, to make sure they are working before they head out, hopefully tomorrow. According to the weather forecast, the winds should die down and the blizzard end overnight, with the weather clearing up in the morning. If that’s the case, the dog teams will be on their way by noon tomorrow.