Kuujjuaq welcomes the dog teams for the weekend


240IDThe dog teams participating in this fifth edition of Ivakkak reached their first destination today, as they arrived in Kuujjuaq. The new snow from yesterday’s storm didn’t seem to slow them down at all, as the first dog teams came in sight before most people had time to finish eating lunch. Nevertheless, the dog teams were welcomed by a crowd of many, gathered on the shore of the Koksoak River. It was a hot day at the beach: the sun shining high and the excitement at its peak! And it’s not over! Kuujjuamiut will certainly have their share of action in the next couple of days, as the dog teams decided to spend the weekend in Nunavik’s “capital”, before they head out again Monday morning.

Willie Kulula, who was tailgating the leader, Peter Kiatainaq, two days ago, managed to pass him today, and was the first to come in sight across the Koksoak River. His arrival was welcomed by a round of applause and cheers.

From then on, the dog teams, who had only 25 miles to cover today, started turning up one after another, much to the delight of the crowd gathered at the beach to witness their arrival. By two o’clock, all the teams were in, ready to get settled.

Willie Kulula, who had the fastest time today, was granted with a prize by the municipality of Kuujjuaq for his performance. He will be receiving a brand new ice drill, a tool now commonly used by all Inuit for ice fishing.

Rookie John Jack Séguin also had a good day. The 23-year-old man who came in thirteenth the first day, as he left home from Kangiqsualujjuaq, and then moved up to the eleventh place, came in sixth today, bringing him to a tenth position overall. Taking example on Willie Kulula, who went from fifth to second in a couple of days, the lean musher hopes to keep moving up in ranks by running alongside his dogs as much as possible between Kuujjuaq and Tasiujaq, as well as on the way to Aupaluk.

Further down the line, Masiu Nassak’s dog team surprised everybody by showing up without its master. Trying to get a cigarette from one of the other mushers on the trail, Masiu lost his balance and fell off his sled. Still a few miles away from Kuujjuaq, he tried to run to them, but the dogs were already on a roll. So he had to hitchhike a ride, first on Juusipi Qisiiq’s sled, and was then picked up by Simeonie Elijassiapik. But even then, he was never able to catch up to his dogs and Simeonie arrived in Kuujjuaq with his passenger onboard.

Simeonie didn’t seem to mind the extra weight, his dogs being used to pull heavy loads. As a matter of fact, it didn’t seem to affect his speed at all, as Nutaraaluk Iyaituk, who was just behind him, became smaller and smaller in the horizon.

Although the dog teams had a good day today, the long trail from Kangiqsualujjuaq to Kuujjuaq was starting to weigh on everybody, including the dogs, who could use a break. That’s why the mushers decided that a pit stop in Kuujjuaq was necessary. The break will also give them a chance to dry up their equipment, left damp by the storm, and to make some repairs to their sleds, which have had a rough time with the trees. Some dogs are also suffering from minor injuries to their paws, so the time off will give them the chance to heal. And since Sunday is customarily a rest day, religious practices oblige, the mushers, will stay for the whole weekend, to pray for their dogs to win the race.

Their departure from Kuujjuaq is hence now scheduled for Monday morning, at 10:00 AM, from Stewart Lake. From then on, the dog teams will be heading towards Tasiujaq, 80 miles North, probably spending one more night out on the land before they arrive in the small but lively community off of the Ungava Bay.

Rank Racer Today’s Time Total Time
1. Peter Kiatainaq 3h 40m 21s 16h 25m 13s
2. Willie Kulula Sr. 3h 38m 14s 16h 57m 11s
3. Charlie Watt Jr. 3h 53m 06s 17h 15m 57s
4. Novalinga Novalinga 4h 01m 31s 17h 19m 45s
5. Aisara Kenuajuak 4h 05m 15s 17h 37m 02s
6. Willie Cain Jr. 4h 10m 34s 18h 40m 33s
7. Tamusi Sivuaraapik 4h 10m 32s 19h 05m 45s
8. Adamie Inukpuk 4h 19m 39s 19h 39m 55s
9. George Annanack 4h 17m 49s 19h 50m 25s
10. John Jack Séguin 4h 10m 29s 20h 03m 08s
11. Juusipi Qisiiq 4h 27m 27s 20h 07m 40s
12. Masiu Nassak 4h 35m 44s 20h 42m 45s
13. Simeonie Elijassiapik 4h 20m 58s 20h 50m 54s
14. Harry Okpik 4h 25m 41s 21h 15m 42s
15. Nutaraaluk Iyaituk 4h 35m 35s 21h 23m 40s
16. Lucassie Alayco Sr. 5h 03m 07s 22h 59m 17s

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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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