Top three dog teams on their way to Kangirsuk


26_ID_2006Peter Kiatainaq, who is still in the lead, left at the crack of dawn this morning, followed by the Sivuaraapik and Séguin’ dog teams, a couple of hours later. All three are now well on their way towards Kangirsuk, where they are expected to cross the finish line sometime late tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon or Sunday morning. Meanwhile the two last teams that the race officials were still waiting for in the Payne Lake camp have now made it safely to the halfway checkpoint.
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It was still dark outside when Peter Kiatainaq and his partner, young Peter Qisiiq, got up to get ready to leave early this morning. By the time they had packed their sled and harnessed their dogs it was just past 4:30 AM. The sun was just coming up, finally revealing the trail ahead, when they took off from the Payne Lake camp.

A couple of hours later, around 7:40 AM, it was Tamusi Sivuaraapik and his son Johnny’s turn to take off, after exactly 36 hours of rest. The once champion team was followed shortly thereafter by the Séguin brothers and their dogs.

By the time the rest of the camp awoke, they were all gone, well on their way on the Payne River, which leads to Kangirsuk. Leaving the flat lands behind, the top three dog teams were now moving through a scenic river valley, surrounded by hills worthy of this name. Overshadowed by thick clouds, the beauty of it all was unfortunately overcast. Nonetheless, the mushers and their huskies were certainly enjoying this change of scenery.

Finding the trail was also made easier, as they only had to follow the twists and turns of the great river, above which herds of caribou roamed free. Up on top, a few wolves were also watching their husky descendants pull their masters across this forsaken land.

John Jack’s dogs, who are used to the steeps that surround their community of origin, Kangiqsualujjuaq, probably felt more at home in this valley, because they somehow managed to pass the eldest musher in this race and first ever Ivakkak champion, 64-year-old Tamusi Sivuaraapik. This little manoeuvre won the two brothers back their second place.

The hard packed snow on the river made it for very good travelling conditions. Now running at a good pace, the dogs certainly had found their “Ivakkak”, an Inuktitut word that simply means “comfortable pace” when it comes to dog teams. So much so that Peter Kiatainaq had already covered close to 145 kilometres (90 miles) by nightfall, as he settled in the Qalasiq cabin, only 100 more kilometres (65 miles) away from Kangirsuk, where he’s expected to cross the finish line sometime late tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon.

Meanwhile, the other ten dog teams that had made it to the Payne Lake checkpoint yesterday were taking their day off at camp, grateful to finally get some rest and to sleep in heated cabins. Even Johnny Arnatuk, who had gone missing and gotten the safety patrol searching for a while, had finally made it safely to camp by mid-morning, after having sidetracked a couple of miles South.

During this little adventure of his, Johnny also broke a toenail, which by the time he arrived at the Payne Lake camp, had gotten infected. Fortunately, Carole Beaulne, who is the mother of Jani-Marik and Juani, one of the Puvirnituq teams, and happens to be a nurse, had kindly accepted to follow the race coordinator to the halfway checkpoint, to make sure everybody was all right. Needless to say it wasn’t long before Johnny’s toe was taken care of, and the infection controlled with antibiotics. Carole also took care of some other guys who had gotten a little snow blind on the very white trail, giving them ointment for their eyes, to calm the stinging.

By 4:30 in the afternoon, the only team that had still not made it to camp, Adamie Qumak and his dogs had also finally showed up. No matter how long is journey had been so far, Adamie and his partner Allie Tukalak were still a happy campers when they arrived at the Payne Lake checkpoint. All the other mushers, who were by then preparing for their late evening or nightly departure, rushed towards these last but not least to greet them.

By tomorrow morning, most teams should be on their way towards Kangirsuk, and it is hoped that they will all have made it to the finish line by Monday or Tuesday at the latest, weather permits. But for now, watch out for news on the upcoming arrival of the two-time champion, Peter Kiatainaq, in Kangirsuk.

Rank Racer Start Arrival Arrival date Total Time
1. Peter Kiatainaq (#2) 10:51:00
2. John Jack Séguin (#8) 10:57:00
3. Tamusi Sivuaraapik (#15) 11:03:00
4. Harry Okpik (#5) 10:54:00
5. Matthew Nassak (#16) 11:04:00
6. Novalinga Novalinga (#3) 10:52:00
7. Willie Cain Jr. (#6) 10:55:00
8. Peter Ittukallak (#1) 10:50:00
9. Adamie Inukpuk (#4) 10:53:00
10. Jani-Marik Beaulne (#12) 11:01:00
11. Poasi Kenuajuak (#10) 10:59:00
12. Simeonie Elijasiapik (#9) 10:58:00
13. Jusipi Lucassie (#11) 11:00:00
14. Johnny Arnatuk (#14) 11:02:00
15. Adamie Qumak (#7) 10:56:00

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