After a late start, the qimutsiit finally make it to Ivujivik on this first day of spring, their last checkpoint before they cross the finish line in Akulivik in a couple of days. Ivujivimmiut, who are mourning the death of one of their elders, Mattiusi Luuku, were still gathered on the sea ice in front of the village to witness the arrival of the qimutsiit, something they haven’t seen here for quite some time.

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After a long night of search and rescue looking for Adamie Inukpuk and his dogs, the race officials decided to delay their usual morning start until noon, since they were not too far from Ivujivik anyway. About 12 miles away from town, it didn’t take long before the kids gathered on the sea ice in front of the village started yelling “Qimutsiq!, Qimutsiq!”, announcing the arrival of the first dog team. From a distance, the people could see the qimutsiit go down the hill leading to the Ivujivik Harbour. Nutaraaluk Iyaituk, who is originally from Ivujivik, was given a particularly hearty welcome by the member of the community, many of which are his relatives. Even though he was one of the last to pull in the finish line set up on the sea ice, expecting his arrival, his many grandchildren awaited him patiently. As soon as he stepped out of his sled, he was surrounded by a crowd of people anxious to shake his hand. Nutaraaluk, who is now 59 years old, moved to Akulivik about 10 years ago, but the ties that he has with people here in Ivujivik are still as strong as the sealskin main line that holds his dogs to his sled. Trailing behind in the latter rank, Nutaraaluk is just happy to take part in this event. In fact, having been diagnosed just a few years ago with a terminal illness, which he overcame, having to give up one of his lungs, he is just happy to be alive. He also lost most of his dogs last year, as an epidemic of Distemper struck Akulivik dogs, preventing him from participating in Ivakkak last year. However, he managed to raise a few more to partake in this year’s race, which for him is a reward in itself, never mind the prizes. All the dogs were settled near the mountains, where the kids were having fun sliding on a steep slope. An igloo was even built there, alongside which a sled with traditional runners made of soil was laid down. The qimutsitiit all made it to Ivujivik by the end of the afternoon, just in time for them to attend the 4:00 PM funeral for Mattiusi Luuku, who was a close relative to some of them. Unfortunately, the respected 67 years old elder, who was suffering from a cancer, didn’t get to see the qimutsiit pass through his community, something he was really looking forward to. After the burial, everybody met at the local Co-op again, to get more food supplies for the last portion of the road ahead and refilled their snowmobile gas tanks. Everybody them went on to the community hall, to feast on fresh seal and walrus meat, maktak and caribou. A stomach full of country food, rich in nutrients, and a mind filled with the joy of meeting with old friends and relatives, most qimutsitiit called it the night, while some others stayed up late working on their sled.

Rank		Racer		Today’s Time		Total Time
1.		Peter Kiatainaq		1 hr 23 min 14 sec		31 hrs 29 min 57 sec
2.		Charlie Watt Jr.		1 hr 21 min 42 sec		31 hrs 41 min 16 sec
3.		Willie Kulula Sr.		1 hr 25 min 24 sec		31 hrs 50 min
4.		Bobby Novalinga		1 hr 32 min 7 sec		34 hrs 0 min 4 sec
5.		Charlie Inukpuk		1 hr 47 min 10 sec		37 hrs 49 min 15 sec
6.		Tamusi Sivuaraapik		1 hr 46 min 47 sec		37 hrs 51 min 58 sec
7.		Harry Okpik		1 hr 36 min 17 sec		39 hrs 6 min 44 sec
8.		Aisara Kenuayuak		1 hr 59 min 44 sec		44 hrs 46 min 38 sec
9.		Rina Snowball		2 hrs 5 min 45 sec		44 hrs 48 min 22 sec
10.		Juani Beaulne		1 hr 51 min 39 sec		48 hrs 56 min 39 sec
11.		Willie Cain Jr.		2 hrs 39 min 30 sec		50 hrs 9 min 4 sec
12.		Adamie Qumak		2 hrs 3 min 20 sec		52 hrs 6 min 20 sec
13.		Nutaraaluk Iyaituk		2 hrs 10 min 19 sec		52 hrs 20 min 13 sec
14.		Adamie Inukpuk		2 hrs 31 min 7 sec		52 hrs 43 min 24 sec