The fifth edition of Nunavik’s dogsled race ended today in Aupaluk. Ivakkak 2004 champion, Peter Kiatainaq, was once again the first to cross the finish line, to take the Ivakkak Cup back home to Kangiqsujuaq. Everybody in the small community of Aupaluk, as well as family and friends of Ivakkak participants who made the trip just for the occasion, was gathered at the edge of the village to witness the arrival of the dog teams. After close to two weeks on the trail, both men and dogs were happy to get the attention they deserved. And their fans certainly celebrated them!

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When Peter Kiatainaq’s dog team came in sight, his support crew, Aquyaq Qisiiq, went down the trail to meet him, bringing the musher’s little nephew, Tukirqi, to him. The little boy rode with his hero all the way to the finish line, as Peter was once again proclaimed Ivakkak champion. As soon as they crossed the finish line, everybody rushed towards them and both were hoisted on Peter’s sled by the ecstatic crowd.

Soon after, it was Willie Kulula’s turn to cross the finish line, standing tall on his sled. The crowd gave the 37-year-old competitor the same treatment it gave its champion, hoisting him up on his sled to celebrate his glorious journey, all the way from Kangiqsualujjuaq, 400 kilometers earlier. For his athletic performance, always running alongside his dogs, Willie was presented with the Sportsmanship Award. Unfortunately, no matter how much he ran, Willie was not able to catch up to Peter, who finished over an hour ahead overall.

Willie Kulula was followed closely by the youngest of all the mushers, the other Willie. Although 20-year-old Willie Cain Jr. didn’t finish third overall, he still managed to make it to the top five, winning him the award for the Most Improved. Having trained his dogs all winter on the trail between his home community, in Tasiujaq, and Aupaluk, he picked up speed on this last stretch of the race, passing Tamusi Sivuaraapik, Ivakkak’s first ever champion in 2001.

But Tamusi, was not far behind. He was in fact next one in line to cross the finish line and take a very respectable sixth place overall. For his extraordinary performance, the 63-year-old musher, was given a special award by the Avataq Cultural Institute and proclaimed the Veteran of the year, a recognition that came with a $500 cheque.

Finishing in third and fourth place, Aisara Kenuajuak and Novalinga Novalinga, both alos from Puvirnituq were the next one to cross the finish line. From then on, dog teams just kept on coming, one after another, each of them being hoisted by the crowd as they arrived.

Once the 17 dog teams left in the race made it to their final destination, a medal ceremony was held outside. Johnny N. Adams, President of the Kativik Regional Government, one of the main sponsors of Ivakkak, presented Aisara Kenuajuak with the bronze medal.

The silver was then given to Willie Kulula by Bobby Snowball, representative of the Federation of the Cooperatives of Northern Quebec (FCNQ), which is a partner in the organization of this race, along with Makivik Corporation and Air Inuit.

Makivik Corporate Secretary and Air Inuit Chairman, George Berthe, had the honour of handing back the Ivakkak Cup to Peter Kiatainaq, and putting the gold medal around his lead dog’s neck.

But that’s not it. After everybody had a chance to relax and get cleaned up, the Ivakkak participating teams were then treated to a community feast, during which many prizes were given out.

For his victorious performance, Peter Kiatainaq was awarded a sum of $3,500 by Makivik Corporation, a Polaris Trail Touring Deluxe snowmobile, worth $10,299.99 donated by the FCNQ, a pair of airplane tickets to Montreal from First Air and two night for two at the Dorval Airport Travelodge.

Silver medalist Willie Kulula Sr. was also awarded a sum of $2,500 by Makivik Corporation, as well as an Arctic Cat 2500 Generator, of a $2500 value, donated by Kuujjuaq Motosport, previously known as Pat’s Parts.

Bronze medalist Aisara Kenuajuak was also awarded a sum of $1,500 by Makivik Corporation, as well as a pair of handheld Mystic Uniden VHF/GPS, worth $1500 and donated by Umiak Builders, a subsidiary of the Nayummivik Landholding Corporation of Kuujjuaq. Aisara was also given one of the Team Spirit awards for his genuinely pleasant attitude with everyone.

In fourth place, Novalinga Novalinga, was also awarded a sum of $1,000, as well as an Equinox Big Boggan fiberglass qamutik filled with camping gear (Coleman stove and lantern, Northern Expedition sleeping bag and Bushline tarp) donated by the Northern Stores of Kuujjuaq, Kangiqsualujjuaq, Kangirsuk, Kangiqsujuaq and Salluit, for a total value of $1400. The 23-year-old young man who was participating in Ivakkak for the first time was also presented with the Rookie of the year award.

Willie Cain Jr., who came in fifth was also awarded a sum of $750 by Makivik Corporation, as well as a gift certificate good for a $650 down parka to be custom-made by Nunavik Creations, one of Makivik’s subsidiaries.

All the other participants also received a participation prize of $250 donated by Makivik Corporation and various awards: Adamie Inukpuk, who finished seventh again this year, and Adamie Qumaq, who came in last, were both awarded a Perseverance award for their persistence, Inukpuk in trying to catch up to the top five, and Qumaq to make up for his lost time the first day.

Rookie John Jack Séguin, who came in eighth was given the other Sportsmanship award, not only for his athletic performance in his first race, but also for fairplay.

Juusipi Qisiiq, ninth, and Simeonie Elijassiapik, twelth, both received a Fellowship award for having helped fellow racers in trouble on the trail. For example, when Willie Kulula and Masiu Nassak fell off their sleds and were left behind by their dogs, both Juusipi and Simeonie took them on as passengers for a little while.
In tenth place, George Annanack was given the other Team Spirit award, for his overall good attitude towards everybody.

Masiu Nassak, in eleventh place, and Nutaraaluk Iyaituk, in fourteenth place, both received the Congeniality Award for their contagious good humour.

In thirteenth place, Harry Okpik was presented the Dedication Award for the care that he gives his dogs, as well as Charlie Watt Jr., who could not finish the race, not wanting to jeopardized his lead dog’s health.

Both Lucassie Alayco Sr. and Johnny Arnatuk, who respectively came in fifteenth and sixteenth place were presented with the Award for Best Effort. Johnny also won the participation prize draw for a pair of return tickets to Montreal on First Air and one night for two at the Dorval Travelodge. Coincidently, his support crew, Sam Unatweenuk, won the other pair tickets, donated by Air Inuit.

The municipality of Aupaluk also held a draw amongst the Ivakkak participants, who were treated to more prizes.

The mushers and their support crew then went on to celebrate the end of their long journey from Kangiqsualujjuaq to Aupaluk, one that they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Well done guys!

Rank		Racer		Today’s Time		Total Time
1.		Peter Kiatainaq		1h 38m 11s		30h 43m 37s
2.		Willie Kulula Sr.		1h 39m 35s		31h 55m 00s
3.		Aisara Kenuajuak		1h 51m 52s		32h 59m 57s
4.		Novalinga Novalinga		1h 47m 31s		34h 02m 07s
5.		Willie Cain Jr.		1h 44m 31s		34h 41m 46s
6.		Tamusi Sivuaraapik		1h 41m 17s		35h 02m 50s
7.		Adamie Inukpuk		1h 53m 42s		36h 06m 01s
8.		John Jack Séguin		1h 53m 08s		36h 46m 36s
9.		Juusipi Qisiiq		2h 01m 56s		37h 25m 44s
10.		George Annanack		2h 12m 48s		38h 00m 33s
11.		Masiu Nassak		1h 58m 49s		38h 34m 31s
12.		Simeonie Elijassiapik		2h 00m 00s		38h 38m 45s
13.		Harry Okpik		1h 53m 45s		39h 06m 25s
14.		Nutaraaluk Iyaituk		2h 02m 55s		40h 01m 40s
15.		Lucassie Alayco Sr.		2h 22m 16s		44h 16m 47s
16.		Johnny Arnatuk		2h 06m 45s		45h 32m 38s