Day 2 Takes Racers to Tuttutuuq


With the results now in for the second day of racing, the real battle for position begins. Currently, the top three positions are held by teams from each of the three coasts that make up Nunavik: Peter Kiatainaq in first place represents the Hudson Strait, followed by Novalinga Novalinga for Hudson Bay and Charlie Watt Jr. for Ungava Bay. The respectable performances to-date of two Elder’s also deserve mention. Adamie Inukpuk is in seventh place, trailed by Tamusi Sivuaraapik in eighth position. Ivakkak 2005 is showing promise of being just as tight a race as those held in previous years.

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Trail conditions were much more conducive to dogsledding today. The sky was sunny with a few clouds and, happily for the dogs, temperatures did not climb above -15°C. This cooler air not only helped the dogs to pull with greater vigour, but it kept the snow packed harder, speeding up the pace of the race.

Early this morning, race officials decided to set the day’s finishing line at the Tuttutuuq River, roughly 25 miles from the morning’s starting point. The decision to limit the distance of this leg of the course was made in order to give the dogs an opportunity to recuperate somewhat from the previous day’s particularly difficult trail conditions and because Tuttutuuq provides some excellent camping areas. Since leaving Kangiqsualujjuaq yesterday morning, Ivakkak 2005 has covered close to 60 miles.

Again today, dog lines continued to snag around trees, causing a certain amount of lost time for many teams. However without a doubt, today’s prize for snags goes to Nutaraaluk Iyaituk. Running down a steep pitch on a very narrow section of the trail, Nutaraaluk and his sled careened out of control, before colliding with a tree. Perhaps unused to such obstacles, Nutaraaluk’s dogs continued to pull forward and, in the confusion that followed, their lines became severely twisted and knotted. While Nutaraaluk walked away unharmed from his sled and the tree, the trail was soundly blocked and Johnny Arnatuk was forced to stop his team for several minutes while members of the support crew sorted out the mess.

Mention should also be made of the adventures of Willie Kulula Sr. Crossing some especially rough terrain, Willie was bounced from his sled and left lying in the snow by his dogs which continued on alone. With his sled having disappeared down the trail ahead of him, Willie was left with no choice but to walk. However in the spirit of Ivakkak, he was picked up and carried in turn by three trailing teams. And in the same spirit, Willie was at one point in his journey by foot able to lend assistance to Aisara Kenuajuak who was attempting to get hold of a loose dog whose line had earlier become entangled.

In other news, after obtaining good results the first day of Ivakkak 2005, George Annanack was significantly slower today, in particular because one of the dominant dogs in his team has become injured and had to be carried on George’s sled. Nunavik’s inspiring one-legged racer, Harry Okpik, has been experiencing some discomfort in his knee and therefore decided to don a knee-brace today for extra support. Adamie Qumak who took the wrong turn yesterday still trails the race in final position. It already appears that his dogs may never make up the lost time. And finally, if John-Jack Séguin’s improved day-two performance is any indication, he holds the hope of advancing in the race’s overall ranking before the finish line in Aupaluk.

The shorter leg today meant that the last racer had crossed the day’s finishing line just beyond the Tuttutuuq River by 3 p.m. In this manner, everyone had a chance to rest their dogs and tune up their sleds in preparation for tomorrow. The extra time also allowed members of the support crew to hunt up some ptarmigan and put together a good, hearty supper for all the mushers and race organizers.

Rank Racer Today’s Time Total Time
1. Peter Kiatainaq 2h 58 m 39s 07h 09m 01s
2. Novalinga Novalinga 3h 15m 10s 07h 19m 02s
3. Charlie Watt Jr. 3h 05m 35s 07h 32m 44s
4. Aisara Kenuajuak 3h 11m 18s 07h 41m 47s
5. Willie Kulula Sr. 3h 30m 52s 07h 49m 31s
6. Willie Cain Jr. 3h 21m 14s 08h 16m 05s
7. Adamie Inukpuk 3h 32m 49s 08h 27m 03s
8. Tamusi Sivuaraapik 3h 23m 38s 08h 48m 07s
9. George Annanack 4h 01m 01s 08h 48m 22s
10. Juusipi Qisiiq 3h 46m 59s 08h 54m 31s
11. John Jack Séguin 3h 39m 30s 09h 15m 20s
12. Simeonie Elijassiapik 3h 58m 22s 09h 19m 56s
13. Masiu Nassak 3h 50m 59s 09h 22m 17s
14. Nutaraaluk Iyaituk 4h 03m 40s 09h 50m 45s
15. Harry Okpik 3h 50m 21s 09h 54m 50s
16. Johnny Arnatuk 3h 57m 47s 10h 08m 20s

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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.

These brave allies were central to seasonal Inuit movements, especially in the winter.Strongly built with a thick fur, huskies can withstand bitterly cold temperatures and are capable of lugging their share of supplies during long hours travelling across the endless tundra. Harnessed to a sled or simply keeping pace alongside their master, dogs made it possible for Inuit to cover great distances in their search for game to provide for their families, and to transport heavy loads (...).

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