On their way to Ivujivik, the dog teams covered 65 kilometres (40 miles) today, before they stopped at Mamarniq to set their tents for one more sleep out on the land before they make it to the Ivakkak 2009 tomorrow (Sunday). It was indeed a very nice Saturday for the mushers to be out on their sled, perhaps even a bit warm for the dogs running and pulling with all they’ve got. But except for Juusipi Qisiiq and Matthew Arngak, who’s teams are literally “dog-tired”, really feeling the length of the trail, most dog teams seem to be getting faster as they near the end of the race. Everybody is anxious to make it to Ivujivik and cross the finish line. They are so excited, in fact, that, according to the race’s official timekeeper, Jackusie Ittukallak, some maybe not even be able to sleep tonight. Willie Cain Jr., who had taken the lead over Novalinga Novalinga in Puvirnituq, but just fell behind today, will probably be up all night trying to dream up some strategy to take the lead back. But he better hurry, as there is only 27 kilometres (17 miles) to Ivujivik, before one of them crosses the finish line. As for Harry Okpik, he will probably lose the little bit of voice he has left, shouting at his dogs to encourage them to go faster, in an attempt to catch up to the two leaders. Even Matthew Arngak, who required the assistance of the support crew on snowmobile to make it to camp this evening, is planning to do whatever it takes to finish the race, his first one, on his own with his dogs. The dog teams will all be on their way in the morning, around 10 o’clock, and the first teams should start showing up on the sea ice in front of the community of Ivujivik during lunch hour.

Log on again tomorrow for the final results of the Ivakkak 2009 dog team race…