Race is on hold due to weather conditions; the dog teams remain in Kangirsuk after 2 days


The teams were supposed to leave yesterday morning to make their way toward Aupaluk but had no choice but to stay due to high winds and blowing snow. In the afternoon the winds had reached 70 kilometers per hour gusting to 90. The blizzard continues again today, with no movement out of Kangirsuk.

Being in town permits teams to stock up on their food at the local co-op store as well as to re-fill their dog food loads. The dog food, which is provided by the FCNQ, is flown up to each community located on their itinerary.

The weather forecast is calling for better weather and if all goes well the race will resume with a 9 O’clock departure tomorrow morning. They should reach a place called Nuluartalik which translates to “where there are nets”, situated between Kangirsuk and Aupaluk to camp over night.

Three wolves were seen within the vicinity of dog haven this afternoon (where the dogs are located) and were chased away by ski-doo.

RESULTS AS OF: March 25, 2010
Rank Racer Community Today’s time (h:m:s) Total Time (h:m:s)
1 Willie Cain Jr. & Joseph Cain (#3) Tasiujaq 03:50:53 13:11:22
2 Noah Annahatak & Sandy Annahatak (#8) Kangiqsujuaq 03:51:49 13:28:54
3 Allen Gordon & Tommy Kooktook (#1) Kuujjuaq 04:22:26 18:23:05
4 Harry Okpik & Junior Tukkiapik (#14) Quaqtaq 03:43:56 18:36:23
5 Charlie Elijassiapik & Lizzie-Ann Kasudluak (#4) Inukjuak 04:41:18 18:38:17
6 Peter Ittukallak & Juani Nutaraaluk (#5) Puvirnituq 03:46:43 18:43:01
7 Peter Kiatainaq & Peter Kiatainaq Jr. (#15) Kangiqsujuaq 03:38:06 18:46:11
8 Novalinga Novalinga & Aibilie Moses (#7) Puvirnituq 03:52:45 18:51:40
9 Juusipi Qisiiq & Paulie Qisiiq (#6) Kangiqsujuaq 04:10:56 19:16:01
10 Junior May & Aqikki Kooktook (#12) Kuujjuaq 04:16:35 19:23:39
11 Etua Lucassie & Juanasi Annahatak (#2) Aupaluk 04:14:55 19:26:08
12 Matthew Arngak & Charlie Arngak (#9) Kangiqsujuaq 04:13:47 19:30:22
13 Willie Kulula Sr. & Moses Tukkiapik (#10) Quaqtaq 04:20:24 19:45:38
14 Billy Cain & Willie Cain Jr. Jr. (#16) Tasiujaq 04:43:34 19:46:34
15 Johnny Arnatuq & Adamie Putulik (#11) Quaqtaq 04:27:42 19:52:42
16 Johnny Aakutaak Angnatuk & Sammy Angnatuk (#17) Tasiujaq 04:48:42 20:32:50

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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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