Day 8 of Ivakkak brings mushers closer to Quaqtaq

Mushers in the annual Ivakkak dogsled race got back into the swing of things Thursday after weather delays earlier in the week.

This year’s Ivkkak race started March 18 in Akulivik with eight teams, but two have dropped out. Teams typically travel between 60 and 80 kilometres a day.

The six remaining teams were ready to start at 10 a.m., approximately 62 kilometres south west of Kangiqsujuaq, along the Kimber River.

A livestream broadcast at the start of the race showed a bright blue day. A cacophony of barks, howls and yelps could also be heard.

At the start of Day 8, mushers were approximately 156 kilometres from the finish line in Quaqtaq.

Aisa Surusila and Piita James Napartuk of Puvirnituq, who have led the race since Day 2, finished Wednesday’s Day 7 still on top with a time of 4:44:04 and an accumulated total time of 31:16:46 since the race began.

Charlie Angnatuk and Itsaja Angnatuk of Tasiujaq arrived second with a time of 04:53:54 and total time of 32:24:45.

Willie Cain Jr. and Shawn Aullaluk of Tasiujaq ended Wednesday’s route in third place with a time of 4:54:54. Their overall time as of Thursday morning was 32:52:15.

The teams’ locations as of 2 p.m. ET Thursday were spread over about 4.5 kilometres, according to GPS live tracking data shared by Ivakkak organizers on the race’s website.

It appeared the Tasiujaq’s Angnatuk team was in the lead, followed almost three kilometres back by Kulu Tukalak and Felix Amamatuaq of Puvirnituq.

Kuujjuaq’s Johnny May Jr. and Felix Suppa were in third and Aloupa Grey-Eetook and Conia Cain of Aupaluk were in fourth place.