Dog teams delayed by storm



If a chopper had been able to fly over the small lake were the Ivakkak dog teams camped out last night, it would have probably not seen them this morning, the white out they awoke to having completely erased their campsite from the map. Expected in Kuujjuaq today, the dog teams had to stay put and wait out the storm, which only calmed down later in the afternoon, too late to make it. They will be back on track tomorrow and, with 25 miles to cover in deep snow, they are expected to arrive in Kuujjuaq only sometime after lunch, if not later.

The mushers and their dogs took advantage of this forced break to rest, something that was much needed after the long day they had yesterday.

While some caught up on their sleep, others took this time off to make some repairs to their harnesses and ropes. Trapped in their tents, the mushers also recounted stories to pass the time. All in all, it was a good day off, which the men, who have been giving all they’ve got since the start of the race, seem to appreciate.

After a day’s rest, the dogs should be in good shape tomorrow, to get going again. They will need all the strength they can get, as they will have to battle through fresh and heavy snow to reach their next destination.

Rank Racer Today’s Time Total Time
1. Peter Kiatainaq 12h 44m 52s
2. Novalinga Novalinga 13h 18m 14s
3. Willie Kulula Sr. 13h 18m 57s
4. Charlie Watt Jr. 13h 22m 05s
5. Aisara Kenuajuak 13h 31m 47s
6. Willie Cain Jr. 14h 29m 59s
7. Tamusi Sivuaraapik 14h 55m 13s
8. Adamie Inukpuk 15h 20m 16s
9. George Annanack 15h 32m 36s
10. Juusipi Qisiiq 15h 40m 13s
11. John Jack Séguin 15h 52m 39s
12. Masiu Nassak 16h 07m 01s
13. Simeonie Elijassiapik 16h 29m 56s
14. Nutaraaluk Iyaituk 16h 48m 05s
15. Harry Okpik 16h 50m 01s
16. Lucassie Alayco Sr. 17h 56m 10s

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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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