After a good night’s sleep in Patirtuq, near the Nastapoka River, the dog teams arrived in Umiujaq today, just in time for lunch. The cold wind at their back all the way to Umiujaq made for a very short ride for the last 20 miles of this first half of the 2004 edition of the Ivakkak dog team race.
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The distance not too long between Patirtuq and Umiujaq, the race officials postponed their usual 9:00 o’clock morning start by an hour, giving a chance to the dog teams and their crew to enjoy the scenery of Nastapoka River a little longer before they head to town.
With the wind backing them up, it wasn’t long until the first dog teams arrived in Umiujaq, where a crowd of people awaited their arrival anxiously. Harry Okpik, a one-legged handicapped participating in this race for the third year in a row, received a particularly warm welcome as he crossed the halfway finish line.
Harry, who just turned 50 this past Monday, lost his leg when he was 22 years old to a bullet left in the chamber of a gun, after a seal hunt. A role model for many others like him, Harry learned to accept his handicap over the years, to a point where he says not to remember how he used to live when he still had his two legs. By participating in this race, Harry not only wishes to prove himself that he can still accomplish anything he puts his heart and mind to, but also to interest other people in his condition in what life has to offer.
Now in third position, after the first half of this race from Inukjuak to Kuujjuaraapik, Harry is gaining a little bit of time each day, getting closer to his goal, that is to win this fourth edition of the Ivakkak Cup. We wish him all the best!
Harry and his fellow qimutsitiit (musheurs) will have the chance to rest for a couple of days, over the coming weekend, before they head out towards Kuujjuaraapik, where they are expected next week. The race should start again next Monday, at 9:00 AM. Stay tuned for more updates each day, until the dog teams reach their final destination.
| Rank |  |
Racer | |
Today’s Time | |
Total Time |
| 1. | |
Peter Kiatainaq | |
2 hrs 7 min 14 sec | |
16 hrs 23 min 48 sec |
| 2. |
|
Junior May | |
2 hrs 13 min 14 sec | |
16 hrs 24 min 24 sec |
| 3. |
|
Harry Okpik | |
2 hrs 11 min 25 sec | |
17 hrs 3 min 13 sec |
| 4. |
|
Bobby Novalinga | |
2 hrs 10 min 16 sec | |
17 hrs 6 min 28 sec |
| 5. |
|
Tamusi Sivuaraapik | |
2 hrs 18 min 6 sec | |
17 hrs 15 min 36 sec |
| 6. |
|
Adamie Inukpuk | |
2 hrs 43 min 3 sec | |
18 hrs 48 min 32 sec |
| 7. |
|
Willie Kulula Sr. | |
2 hrs 35 min 22 sec | |
19 hrs 43 min |
| 8. |
|
Aisara Kenuayuak | |
2 hrs 33 min 12 sec | |
20 hrs 8 min 55 sec |
| 9. |
|
Juusipi Qisiiq | |
2 hrs 45 min 31 sec | |
21 hrs 21 min 46 sec |
| 10. |
|
Willie Cain Jr. | |
2 hrs 53 min 21 sec | |
21 hrs 49 min 5 sec |
| 11. |
|
Nutaraaluk Iyaituk | |
2 hrs 48 min 5 sec | |
21 hrs 51 min 24 sec |
| 12. |
|
Matthew Nassak | |
2 hrs 54 min 38 sec | |
22 hrs 33 min |
| 13. |
|
Simeonie Elijassiapik | |
2 hrs 55 min 42 sec | |
24 hrs 8 min 10 sec |
| 14. |
|
George Annanack | |
2 hrs 55 min 28 sec | |
24 hrs 46 min 37 sec |
| 15. |
|
Adamie Qumak | |
3 hrs 38 min 40 sec | |
28 hrs 35 min 15 sec |
