Nunavut Quest mushers get earlier start, softer snow on Day 2

The second day of Nunavut Quest started Wednesday with a meeting at 9:30 a.m. with the racers, race officials and elders.

An elder asked the racers how they felt during the first day of the race. They were feeling good, they said.

This year’s Nunavut Quest, a dogsled race from Arctic Bay to Pond Inlet, began Tuesday. Ten mushers are competing for $54,500 in prize money, including a $20,000 first prize.

There was a vote on the start time for Wednesday between 1 p.m., 2 p.m., or 3 p.m., since the snow is much softer than other years. Earlier start time means softer snow, but a later start time means it will be colder.

Nunavut Quest participants take a tea break for approximately 30 snowmobiles and qamutiks loaded with support teams, families and race officials. (Photo by Cadence Arnatsiaq, special to Nunatsiaq News)

The mushers voted to leave at 1 p.m. After the meeting, the drivers and helpers quickly packed up the whole camp for a noon departure from the first day’s camp at Iqalulik. The drivers left the camp one hour ahead of the mushers.

The convoy of snowmobiles took a break at Iqaluligaarjuup River where Charlie Inuarak, the elder guide for the race, told a story about back in the 1960s when Arctic Bay was not yet a community.

People from Arctic Bay used to live on the land. There were just a few people from Arctic Bay but it wasn’t called Arctic Bay until there were lots of people there.

Igloolikmiut also used to travel to the big boats to get supplies. They traded ammunition, food, and cigarettes. People from Arctic Bay knew they were from Igloolik even before Igloolik became a town.

At the end of the break, the race guides cautioned the drivers to leave space between each other in case they got stuck. Drivers soon left the sea ice to go inland, weaving between mountains and hills. The trail was a mix of soft snow, rocks and frozen rivers.

Mushers are required to be equipped with mushing tools and preparedness items. Coming into the check point with missing items will result in penalties.

With the race being in the early stages, a change of terrain from sea ice to land, a healthy dog team, while avoiding penalties can make a big difference in the final results.

Day 2’s distance was four hours and 72 kilometres. Camp 2 is located at Iqaluligaarjuk.

Day 2 order of arrival:

1. Apak Taqtu (#11)
2. Nanuraq Uttak (#9)
3. Tom Naqitarvik (#8)
4. David Oyukuluk (#1)
5. Qiliqti Ivalu (#3)
6. Jeremy Koonoo (#7)
7. Lee Inuarak (#2)
8. Donovan Qaunaq (#4)
9. Owen Jaworenko (#10)
10. Daniel Inuarak (#5)

This article and the accompanying pictures are the result of a partnership between Nunatsiaq News and Igloolik youth participating in the Nunavut Quest Field Course, a project sponsored by QIA and the Ilagiiktunut Fund.