Day 2: Racers jockey for better positions


From start to finish today, Peter Kiatainaq and Johnny May Jr. continued their neck-and-neck battle. After travelling 43 miles from Qikirtaluk to Pamialuk, only a mere 19 seconds separated their two teams. Although Ivakkak’s finish line in Kuujjuaraapik is still several days away, both racers are showing every intention of arriving there first.

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Jockeying for position also continued among Ivakkak’s other racers. Tamusi Sivuaraapik clocked a particularly good third place finish today, not far behind the race leaders. If he can maintain that same pace in the days to come, Tamusi is sure to rapidly improve his overall position.

The trail today began fast and flat, but was complicated by large patches of smooth polished ice where it was extremely difficult for the dogs to get any toehold. In addition, by the afternoon the snow on the trail was softening and it began to stick to the runners of the sleds, slowing the progress of many racers.

At the end of the second leg of Ivakkak 2004, all mushers are in high spirits. Aisara Kenuayuak completed the day with his arms raised high in personal victory. He was particularly proud of his dogs’ performance. At one point in the day, having picked up the fresh scent of a seal breathing hole ahead on the trail, his dog team had carried him along at a faster than normal place.

However, not all encounters with wildlife today worked to improve racers’ results. The dogs of Simeonie Elijassiapik and George Annanack, for their part, caught sight of a nearby wolf and decided to turn to the chase, which unfortunately was not in the direction of the race. Precious time elapsed before the two racers were able to get their teams back on the trail and heading southward.

Today’s leg of Ivakkak 2004 wound along the sea ice just off the shoreline. Racers and race officials were treated to the beautiful scenery of powerful hills and impressive cliffs. The mercury hovered around -20°C.

Some dogs that had expended too much energy on Day 1 of the race had to be transported by the support crew. It is expected that they will have recuperated today and be back in the race tomorrow.

Rank Racer Today’s Time Total Time
1. Peter Kiatainaq 4 hrs 35 min 57 sec 10 hrs 09 min 04 sec
2. Junior May 4 hrs 35 min 38 sec 10 hrs 09 min 23 sec
3. Harry Okpik 4 hrs 53 min 53 sec 10 hrs 28 min 22 sec
4. Bobby Novalinga 4 hrs 51 min 00 sec 10 hrs 40 min 07 sec
5. Tamusi Sivuaraapik 4 hrs 44 min 58 sec 10 hrs 40 min 20 sec
6. Adamie Inukpuk 4 hrs 59 min 49 sec 11 hrs 18 min 42 sec
7. Willie Kulula Sr. 5 hrs 30 min 50 sec 11 hrs 59 min 02 sec
8. Willie Cain Jr. 5 hrs 31 min 16 sec 12 hrs 44 min 44 sec
9. Aisara Kenuayuak 5 hrs 28 min 06 sec 12 hrs 45 min 44 sec
10. Juusipi Qisiiq 5 hrs 52 min 41 sec 13 hrs 00 min 08 sec
11. Nutaraaluk Iyaituk 6 hrs 08 min 32 sec 13 hrs 28 min 59 sec
12. Matthew Nassak 6 hrs 18 min 37 sec 13 hrs 37 min 29 sec
13. Simeonie Elijassiapik 7 hrs 12 min 41 sec 15 hrs 20 min 09 sec
14. George Annanack 7 hrs 51 min 21 sec 15 hrs 21 min 49 sec
15. Adamie Qumak 8 hrs 37 min 57 sec 17 hrs 21 min 25 sec

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The return of the Inuit Dogs

At the end of the last century, the pure-breed Husky dog was nearly extinct in Nunavik. Nowadays, Inuit people mostly travel by snowmobile. Yet, the memories of another time when dogs were man’s most reliable partners are not so far behind. Long known to be man’s best friend, dogs were once essential to the survival of Inuit in the merciless arctic environment. In fact, only a few decades ago, sled dogs were a foundation of the Inuit nomadic way of life.

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