Ivakkak mushers end Day 9 a 30-minute car ride from finish line

For the third day in a row, a brilliant sun greeted mushers of the annual Ivakkak dogsled race on Friday – the ninth day of the annual dogsled race across Nunavik. 

Teams took off at 10 a.m. for the day’s journey, which usually measures about 80 kilometres each day. They travelled east along Latourette River to their final destination about 50 kilometres — what would be a 30-minute car ride in an urban setting — southwest of the finish line in Quaqtaq. 

The annual dogsled race began on March 18. This year’s route runs the width of Nunavik, starting in Akulivik and ending in Quaqtaq about 530 kilometres later.

GPS tracking data on Thursday showed overall leaders Aisa Surusila and Piita James Napartuk of Puvirnituq at a standstill when mushers started the day on the Kimber River about 62 kilometres south west of Kangiqsujuaq, The team emerged as the runners-up of Day 8.

Whatever GPS tracking issues there were, they appeared to have been resolved by Friday morning, when teams took off for Day 9.

As of 3:40 p.m., Aisa Surusila and Piita James Napartuk were once again in the lead, closely followed by Charlie Angnatuk and Itsaja Angnatuk of Tasiujaq in second-place.

Less than 500 metres separated the two front-runners. Willie Cain Jr. and Tamisa Saunders were 3 kilometres back in third-place.

Mushers will be back at it again on Saturday morning for the final 50 kilometres north east to Quaqtaq.

Overall standings as of Friday were Aisa Surusila and Piita James Napartuk in first with 37:19:55, Charlie Angnatuk and Itsaja Angnatuk in second with 38:25:27 and Willie Cain Jr. and Tamisa Saunders rounding out third with 38:57:26.