On this 23rd day of March 2003, the second to last day for this year’s race, the qimutsiit covered 53 miles of ground and sea ice, trying to get as close as possible to the finish line, Akulivik.
____________________________
The qimutsiit left early this morning, anxious to reach their final destination, Akulivik. Going through land at first, they soon reached Kovik Bay. On the sea ice, the snow got very soft as the sun was warming it up it with all its rays of light, slowing down the pace a little. But for Adamie Qumak, who is getting closer to home, it was the opposite. His dogs recognizing the trail, they started trotting faster and faster, anxious to get home. This change of pace definitely helped him get ahead, and he moved from his previous day 11th position to become 10th overall. Speaking of getting ahead, Charlie Watt Jr. also gain some time over his closest rival, Peter Kiatainaq, who had been leading since the start, up until yesterday. After covering 53 miles today, Charlie arrived first at the camp site, Qillaqiartuuq, a good 9 minutes before Peter. Willie Kulula Sr. was right behind him, still running alongside his dogs. The one who was nicknamed Atanarjuat, the fast runner, is giving it all that he’s got to catch up to the leaders, keeping the suspense up until the last minute, as to which one of those three qualified qimutsitiit will come out victor of the Ivakkak 2003 race. Meanwhile, the gap is getting larger and larger between the leaders and the ones left behind. Aisara Kenuyuak had a long day. Last night, his lead dog got loose and feasted on food that was left outside the tents and igloo. His belly was still full this morning, making him look like he was going to give birth to a pack of puppies. Needless to say that he wasn’t running at his best until later in the day, when he finally had digested all that food. Willie Cain Jr., who had to quit yesterday and bring his dogs by qamutik to Akulivik, was joined by Adamie Inukpuk, who also decided to quit, as he was still far from reaching the last checkpoint late in the evening, way past his bedtime. Once again, he seemed to have gone off track, not able to find his way in the dark, and his support crew had to go recover him and his dogs. They only made it to camp after midnight. The qimutsitiit and their dogs will certainly be happy to reach Akulivik tomorrow afternoon and get a good night’s rest after the festivities that are planned upon their arrival. Good luck to all and may the best team win!
| Rank |  |
Racer | |
Today’s Time | |
Total Time |
| 1. | |
Charlie Watt Jr. | |
7 hrs 13 min 54 sec | |
43 hrs 26 min 51 sec |
| 2. |
|
Peter Kiatainaq | |
7 hrs 21 min 40 sec | |
43 hrs 35 min 9 sec |
| 3. |
|
Willie Kulula Sr. | |
7 hrs 19 min 57 sec | |
43 hrs 40 min 20 sec |
| 4. |
|
Bobby Novalinga | |
7 hrs 53 min 31 sec | |
46 hrs 51 min |
| 5. |
|
Tamusi Sivuaraapik | |
7 hrs 51 min 19 sec | |
50 hrs 48 min 29 sec |
| 6. |
|
Harry Okpik | |
8 hrs 13 min 19 sec | |
52 hrs 19 min 32 sec |
| 7. |
|
Charlie Inukpuk | |
9 hrs 34 min 5 sec | |
53 hrs 19 min 33 sec |
| 8. |
|
Aisara Kenuayuak | |
10 hrs 11 min 19 sec | |
60 hrs 56 min 17 sec |
| 9. |
|
Rina Snowball | |
10 hrs 23 min 56 sec | |
61 hrs 50 min 33 sec |
| 10. |
|
Adamie Qumak | |
9 hrs 26 min 19 sec | |
68 hrs 14 min 43 sec |
| 11. |
|
Juani Beaulne | |
12 hrs 12 min 4 sec | |
68 hrs 43 min 45 sec |
| 12. |
|
Nutaraaluk Iyaituk | |
12 hrs 17 min 4 sec | |
71 hrs 51 min 8 sec |
