Whale Cove race returns for first time in 3 decades

Snowmobilers zipped from Rankin Inlet to Whale Cove and back last weekend, marking the return of a race that has been on hiatus for 30 years.

Noel Kaludjak, one of the organizers, said the event was successful.

The race start was staggered, with participants leaving in groups of two, starting at noon on May 4. Groups would leave every couple minutes until they were all on their way.

The route was the 136-kilometre round-trip between the two Killaviq communities.

“Once they took off, they were flying,” Kaludjak said.

Thirteen snowmobilers participated, with nine finishing the race.

Snowmobilers line up to have their machines inspected prior to the start of the 136-kilometre race from Rankin Inlet to Whale Cove and back, which ran on May 4 for the first time in 30 years. (Photo courtesy of Noel Kaludjak)

The racers were judged on their time to complete the route, which was mostly over ice with two land crossings over peninsulas.

While there were some obstacles along the way, the race itself was good riding, Kaludjak said.

“Everybody was happy,” he said of the race.

“It was really good to watch the racers and [see] their time.”

There were people along the trail to monitor the race and record it with live video. When racers got to Whale Cove they gassed up their machines, took a drink of water, then went back, Kaludjak said.

Around 100 people showed up to see the race start in Rankin Inlet, according to Kaludjak, while in Whale Cove, there were around 200 people watching.

Jarvis Towtongie won the race with a time of one hour, 18 minutes and 35 seconds; Nanaout Tanuyak came in second at one hour, 20 minutes and 42 seconds; and Leo ‘Dali’ Kaludjak came in third with one hour, 21 minutes and two seconds.

Kaludjak, 64, said he used to do the race when he was younger.

“I don’t think we even had helmets back then,” Kaludjak said.

“We just paid the fee and went to line up.”

Kaludjak said he and fellow snowmobilers have been talking for the past couple years about bringing the race back. Younger racers were interested, he said, as they know of the race to Iqaluit to Kimmirut and back.

The race had been on hold because of a combination of funding struggles, a lack of volunteers and safety concerns. Safety is improved now, Kaludjak said.

“I just wanted to rejuvenate it, make it come back,” Kaludjak said.

After a couple years of trying and almost giving up, the organizers established a committee, people volunteered and enough money was fundraised to make the race happen.

“Everybody worked hard,” Kaludjak said of the race preparations.

“The volunteers were awesome.”

Kaludjak encourages young men and women to get into racing.

While it can be challenging and dangerous, and does take a lot of practice and knowledge, it’s “good for the soul,” he said.

Kaludjak said the committee is already planning for another Whale Cove race next year, in mid-April.