Sunshine greets Ivakkak dogsled teams as Day 6 of race resumes
Mushers and teams paused the 530-kilometre race across Nunavik Tuesday because of poor weather
An unidentified man feeds his dogs on Tuesday, as mushers in the Ivakkak dogsled race wait out the weather near Pingualuit National Park. Weather turned for the worse earlier in the week, leading to a one day delay in the race that runs from Akulivik to Quaqtaq this year. (Photo courtesy of Ivakkak)
After several days of delays, teams in Nunavik’s Ivakkak dogsled race got off to a late start, leaving from Pingualuit National Park around noon on Wednesday.
A livestream from the day’s starting point showed a clear and sunny day, though the wind whipped the crowd.
As the off-screen starter counted down, dogs from the team of Aisa Surusila and Piita James Napartuk of Puvirnituq, currently in first place, pulled, jumped and charged against their reins; they whined and barked to go.
The tension built until the team bolted forward, a streak of fur heading towards the horizon.
Race starts are staggered two minutes apart to keep the dog teams separated.
The second-place team’s dogs were just as eager for their start two minutes later — perhaps too eager — as they bolted without their mushers, Charlie Angnatuk and Itsaja Angnatuk of Tasiujaq, onboard.
Both of them missed an attempt to catch the sled and get control of the dogs. The dogs stopped only moments later and team Angnatuk were soon on their way.
The third-place team, made up of Willie Cain Jr. and Shawn Aullaluk of Tasiujaq got off to a much slower start.
Racing had been on hold since Monday. Seven of the nine teams arrived at the park on Monday with the intention of leaving the following day. But weather forced them to push back their departure until Wednesday.
On Wednesday — the start of Day 6 of racing — mushers were more than halfway through the course that began March 18 in Akulivik and will end in Quaqtaq. There were about 216 kilometres remaining.
As of 3:30 p.m., Wednesday Aisa Surusila and Piita James Napartuk were still leading, almost a kilometre ahead of the Angnatuks in second. Kulu Tukalak and Felix Amamatuaq of Puvirnituq were in third, with Willie Cain Jr. and Shawn Aullaluk rounded out fourth.
Two kilometres separated the leader from fourth place and teams had travelled about 36 kilometres southeast of their starting point at Pingualuit National Park.
🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕———🛷 Every participant should be hoisted in victory this year. 👏👏👏🤩🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
The ivakkak should be an inspiration to raise your animals in a more humane manner and respect life with dignity and kindness. Feed and care for your pets Inuit!