Crossing the line

KIRSTEN MURPHY

Jacopie Avingaq of Igloolik is $10,000 richer after winning the Nunavut Quest dog team race in nine days on April 26.

Avingaq beat out 14 teams to take first prize in the 370-kilometre race from Clyde River to Pond Inlet. His winning time of 31 hours, 52 minutes and 17 seconds was two hours ahead of Pond Inlet’s Panoeli Otkanguq. The race’s youngest competitor, 17-year-old Larry Kautuq of Clyde River, finished third with a time of 34 hours, 46 minutes and seven seconds. Each racer was limited to travelling 50 kilometres per day. Whoever finished first one day started first the next day.

Jamesie Atagootak, chair of the Iparautaq committee, was pleased with the results. “This is a cultural activity bringing back our traditional Inuit culture,” said Atagootak.

Nunavut Quest began in 1999 and is Nunavut’s longest dog team race.

Racers lost two days of racing due to bad weather this year. However, no one dropped out of the competition. Competitors came from Igloolik, Clyde River, Hall Beach, Arctic Bay and Pond Inlet.

Two days of feasting and celebration followed the race.

Plans are under way for next year’s race, Atagootak said. The host communities have yet to be announced.