March 21, 2012 – Different race, same champion!

The rules of the Ivakkak dog sled race may have changed for this 2012 edition, making each dog team and their masters completely autonomous in this challenging feat, but its champion remains the same. The titleholder, Peter Kiatainaq’s team, already five-time champion of Ivakkak –in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2011– was once again the first one to cross the finish line, making it to Kangirsuk at 4:30 PM yesterday, almost four hours ahead of the next team in sight.—->READ MORE

March 19, 2012 – From Kuujjuaq to Tasiujaq to Aupaluk, the dog teams are on the move again

It was a long day for the race officials and their support crew today, one that started early this morning, way before sunrise, and that could end again in the middle of the night, as all the dog teams were on the move again, some from Kuujjuaq to Tasiujaq, others from Tasiujaq to Aupaluk. The leaders are expected to close in Kangirsuk by evening tomorrow, Tuesday, March 20. But first, here’s a look at today’s activity on the Ivakkak 2012 trail…—->READ MORE

March 18, 2012 – The mushers wait out the storm and get ready to move on

As their dogs curled up in a ball of fur to shield themselves from the blowing snow this morning, their now well-rested masters took this opportunity to prepare for the road still ahead. With Allen Gordon’s team now off the ranks, eleven dog teams remain in the race. Six of them are getting ready to leave from Tasiujaq, four from Kuujjuaq and one from somewhere in between, all anxious to hit the road.—->READ MORE

March 18, 2012 – An eventful day on the Ivakkak 2012 trail between Kuujjuaq and Tasiujaq

Half of the Ivakkak 2012 participating dog teams made it to Tasiujaq so far. Peter Kiatainaq’s, Novalinga Novalinga’s, Junior May, Willie Cain Jr., Peter Ittukallak, Willie Kulula and their race partners were all welcomed like heroes by the members of this tight-knit community nestled on the shore of Leaf Bay. Allen Gordon, who suffered a knee injury on the trail last night, unfortunately had to abandon the race and headed back home to Kuujjuaq.  —->READ MORE

Mars 17, 2012 – The last dog teams make it to Kuujjuaq while the first ones already get going towards Tasiujaq

The last dog teams that were still on their way to Kuujjuaq made it in today. Meanwhile, the first teams that had already reached this first checkpoint, left today, this time on their way to Tasiujaq, Ivakkak 2012′s next checkpoint, which some were going to try to reach overnight or tomorrow. —-> READ MORE

March 16, 2012 - The dog teams still out on the trail carry on through blowing snow while Mother Nature’s ill temper wins the others already in Kuujjuaq extra time-out

The race officials, along with the Kuujjuaq IPL students of Jaanimmarik School, didn’t get much sleep during the night of March 14 to 15, as two other dog teams came in after the top five. Willie Kulula’s team pulled in at 12:36 AM last night, still in good spirits, even though they went through ups and downs on the trail, making for sore muscles from running alongside the dogs going up and working hard to hold back the sled going down. —->READ MORE

March 15, 2012 – BREAKING NEWS

Gusty weather and wet snow slow down the 4 dog teams still trying to make it to Kuujjjuaq, and prompt the race officials to postpone the departure of those that are already in by 24 hours. Check out the latest standings above until more details are available…

March 14, 2012 – The top five make it to Kuujjuaq after sunset

Although many Kuujjuaq school kids flocked to the beach with their teachers this afternoon, anxious to see the first dog teams arrive, they had a lot of time to enjoy this beautiful day out, playing and sliding on the ice, as it wasn’t until sunset that one of them finally turned up. As anticipated, Peter Kiatainaq’s Inuit husky lineup, fueled by years of experience winning this challenging race, was the first to reach the shore of Kuujjuaq, Ivakkak 2012′s first checkpoint, at 6:35 PM.—->READ MORE

March 14, 2012  – First dog teams expected in Kuujjuaq this afternoon

At 8:30 this morning, Silas Snowball, who is posted with Sammy Angma at the Marralik River to ensure the dog teams’ safe passage, notified the Ivakkak race coverage crew that Peter Kiatainaq’s team had already gone by.

Meanwhile, the race officials were on their way by helicopter. Junior May’s partner, Tommy Kooktook, had gotten injured late yesterday. When trying to untangle the dogs’ ropes, he got himself tangled as well and hurt his leg. —->READ MORE

March 13, 2012  – Ivakkak 2012 kicks off: 3, 2, 1… Uit! Uit!

Excitement was at its peak this morning on the sea ice in front of the community, where only a few decades ago, Inuit used to meet the occasional plane by dog team to get supplies. This time, Kangiqsualujjuamiut were gathered on the bay to witness the departure, not of a plane, but of the twelve dog teams registered in this 11th edition of Ivakkak, the Inuit of Nunavik’s very own dog sled race. —->READ MORE

For once, the weather forecast did not lie. This morning, the wind had grown stronger as predicted, and by the end of the day, it wasn’t just flurries but heavy snow falling, making everybody grateful for the race officials’ decision to delay the start of the race by a day. But this extra day in Kangiqsualujjuaq wasn’t spent sitting around, except maybe for the dogs, which couldn’t do much but roll up in a ball and wait out the storm. —->READ MORE

Twelve (12) teams will launch themselves on Monday March 12, 2012, on the most captivating of journeys, where the definition of the words wisdom, fellowship and perseverance will take its true meaning – they’re taking part in Ivakkak’s dog team race, the most gruelling but also the most popular event in Quebec’s Far North. The start of the race will be given in Kangiqsualujjuaq and the race will end in Kangirsuk approximately 10 days later, depending on the whims of Mother Nature.  Stopovers are planned in Kuujjuaq, Tasiujaq and Aupaluk. —->READ MORE