Whiteout conditions force later Day 2 start for Nunavut Quest mushers

On Friday, the second day of Nunavut Quest racing, mushers and their support teams woke up to learn there would be another weather-related delay.

A couple of sled dogs take in some nourishment on Friday, the second day of the Nunavut Quest race from Igloolik to Pond Inlet. Friday was the second day in the race. (Photo by Hezekiah Uttak, special to Nunatsiaq News)

The day’s trip was delayed because of the weather. The temperature was -25 C and the wind was a bit strong. It was snowing. And it was a whiteout.

After a meeting around 2 p.m., the entourage found out they would be leaving an hour later.

Race committee organizers and mushers usually try to meet around 10 a.m. to plan each day’s route, with the goal of leaving their camp around noon.

Everyone packed and got ready to leave Qikirqtaarjuk — the destination at the end of the first day of racing, Thursday — around 3 p.m. and head to Angmaluqtualuk for Friday night.

It was 55 kilometres to reach that destination.

It made for late-night arrivals at the end of Day 2, with the final team arriving at 11:20 p.m.

Members of the Nunavut Quest committee and mushers meet Friday afternoon to discuss plans for the day’s racing. (Photo by Jennifer Quassa, special to Nunatsiaq News)

Nanuraq Uttak arrived first at the camp and Tom Naqitarvik came in second place.

”Today was fun, fast,” said Uttak.

The Inuarak brothers — Daniel and Lee — arrived at the same time, making for a tie in the third place position. The rest of the mushers arrived in the following order:

1. Nanuraq Uttak (#5)
2. Tom Naqitarvik (#2)
3. (Tie) Lee Inuarak (#1)
3. (Tie) Daniel Inuarak (#8)
5. Donovan Qaunaq (#7)
6. Owen Jaworenko (#3)
7. Roland Taqtu (#6)
8. Peter Henry Arnatsiaq (#9)
9. Natalino Piugattuq (#4)

Natalino Piugaatuk was the last to arrive, at around 11:20 p.m.

The race was scheduled to resume on Saturday.