Kiatainaq wins race for fourth year in a row

Nunavik's Ivakkak dog team raced ended March 22 in Salluit, after participants spent two weeks battling bad weather and rough ­terrain.

The race started in Quaqtaq on March 6, ending 450 kilometres later in Salluit.

The route was initially planned to end in Ivujivik. But race officials decided to end the race early, before an accident occurred in the stormy weather.

Peter Kiatainaq of Kangiqsujuaq finished first. Kiatainaq also won Ivakkak in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Tamusi Sivuaraapik of Puvirnituq followed several minutes later. Sivuaraapik, 65, won the race in 2001.

About an hour later, Junior May of Kuujjuaq, who won the Ivakkak in 2003, finished third.

Daniel Annanack of Kangiqsualujjaq finished fourth. Although he came in a good four hours after this year's champion, he was just happy to finish the race on his own, running beside his dogs with a big smile on his face, says the Ivakkak web site.

Three other dog teams dropped out of the race on the last day of the race.

Of the 17 dog teams that started in Quaqtaq, 11 finished.

The final standings are:

• 1st, Peter Kiatainaq and Peter Qisiiq Jr. of Kangiqsujuaq at 29:53:20;
• 2nd Tamusi and Johnny Sivuaraapik of Puvirnituq at 30:25:44;
• 3rd, Junior May and Aqikki Kooktook of Kuujjuaq at 34:22:17;
• 4th, Willie Cain Jr. and Joseph Cain of Tasiujaq at 34:29:24;
• 5th, Willie Kulula Sr. and Gabriel St-Cyr of Quaqtaq at 35:37:10;
• 6th, Novalinga Novalinga and Poasi Kenuajuak of Puvirnituq at 35:44:27;
• 7th, Juusipi Qisiiq and Tuniq Koneak of Kangiqsujuaq at 38:51:44;
• 8th, Harry Okpik and Juupi Qamugaaluk of Quaqtaq-Kangiqsujuaq at 39:04:39;
• 9th, Adamie Inukpuk and Billie Brian Kasudluak of Inukjuak at 39:42:26;
• 10th, Johnny Arnatuq and Matiusi Alaku of Quaqtaq-Kangiqsujuaq at 42:44:58; and
• 11th, Daniel Annanack and Leevan Etok of Kangiqsualujjuaq at 43:45:05.

Makivik Corp. first launched the Ivakkak dog team race in 2001 to encourage Nunavimmiut to revive this traditional means of travel, which almost disappeared following the slaughter of Inuit dogs in the 1950s and 1960s and the introduction of snowmobiles into the region.