Wednesday, saw the end of the race here in Arctic Bay. Things started to happen around noon, when the barbeques were fired up down on the ice and lunch was provided for anyone who wanted. There were, of course, games, while the crowd waited. There are always games.
Around two thirty the snowmobiles, and komatik, of the support team appeared around the point at Uluksan. As you can imagine an event such as this, involving twenty teams of racers, almost 200 sled dogs, plus race officials and timers etc, is a major undertaking. Each racer has a support team that travels ahead to the days finish line, sets up camp, gets food ready for the dogs, and the drivers. Any work on the race komatik, icing the runners etc has to be done by the racer (I believe). Each komatik carries the driver, a grub box with some basic survival gear and necessary equipment, and a rifle. But everything else is carried by the support people.
As the support teams appeared they lined up on the far horizon and then slowly drove around Arctic Bay (the body of water not the town) single file. They then turned and one by one parked next to the crowd and the festivities to the cheers of the crowd, who immediately moved through them, shaking hands and cheering.
A little after this Hilary had reached well beyond her reasonable limit, and I took her home where she promptly fell asleep for almost three hours, giving her dad a much needed break from a major grumpiness outbreak which featured liberal use of the word "no". Sorry that should be the word "NO".
A couple of hours later the first of the teams began arriving, led by Moses Oyukuluk of Arctic Bay. He may be the overall winner but it is still to be announced. The young woman pictured above, Denise Malliki of Repulse Bay, is Leah’s cousin and she is staying with us until she returns to Repulse. She won last year’s Nunavut Quest at the age of 19. She finished quite respectfully this year, despite the fact that she was sick for the entire race.
This year a rider from Grade VIII IX was chosen to be a passenger on the final leg. Each team chose a student by drawing names and the lucky student rode on the komatik for the final stage. After each team crossed the finish line the komatik, driver and student were hoisted into the air by the crowd, while everyone cheered.
There is a $10,000 purse for the winning team, but each participant is treated like a winner. It is a major undertaking to travel over 500 kilometres by dog team, not to mention the distance travelled by the competitors to get to the start line or home afterwards. Denise, her dog team, and support people, for instance travelled a further 600 plus kilometres from Repulse to get to Iglulik, and in a couple of days will travel almost twelve hundred kilometres on snowmobile to return home.
Importantly each and every participant is helping to keep tradition and traditional skills alive in the High Arctic, and each one, in that way, is a winner.
More photos below the fold, any picture with a racer or dog team in was taken by Leah.
Niore Iqalukjuaq, the man behind the Foster Grants in the foreground, has been one of the organizers of Nunavut Quest since its inception 10 years ago…
Some of the youth at the event, playing one of the many games while awaiting arrival of the racers…
My beautiful daughter, pre-tantrum. (and my beautiful son with his back to the camera)…
The hand sewn banner that someone made to commemorate the race…
My boy, not realizing his picture was being taken…
Removing that empty Styrofoam hot chocolate cup from her hand marked the start of the end of my race watching day…
Candy toss!…
Hard to make out, because they appear against the shore, but the thirty-eight snowmobiles pulling komatik that make up the support teams, race officials etc. are line up single file in this picture…
Again hard to make out but here again are some of them, with King George as the back drop…
Here they are again, almost there…
The Nunavut Quest equivalent of a spare tire. No, this dog would either be sick, injured, too tired, or just not effective and would be pulled from the team and gets to ride back. I’m not sure but I believe that you cannot add dogs to your team, you have to finish with the dogs you start with…
A couple of other dogs that came along for the ride…
Three teams after crossing the finish line. That flag on the right forms one edge of the finish line, and the official timer (I believe for all 10 races) Lee Narroway, a photographer, is seated on the snowmobile…
I believe this is Denise Malliki’s team coming in after crossing the finish line…
Moses, first across the finish line. His student is on the left (Veevee Kilabuk I believe). They have been lifted above peoples heads in this photo…
Simon Qamanirq, formerly of Arctic Bay, now living in Iqlulik, and his student, up in the air (note someone’s gloved hand on the runner)…
Denise and her Grade VIII IX student, Jaypaytie Olayuk…
Comments
6 responses
What a fantastic day! I’ve read about dog sledding but your pictures really bring it to life. Thank you! How cool that 8th graders were included — that’s a fantastic way to pass the enthusiasm along to another generation!
That is pretty cool Liza. Originally they were going to draw names from throughout the community, but I think some of the racers were worried they’d draw my name.
We have had Ivakkak here in Nunavik for a few year too but, since I haven’t been following the Nutsy news this year, I’m not certain if it went off or not in ’08. I did, however, have the great pleasure of being a part of the starting line and the finishing line of Ivakkak. Both events were extremely exciting and highlights of my time in the north. The hometown racers (we had two) were welcomed as heroes.
Fantastic pictures and a very exciting week. I feel very privileged to be here to experience it all first-hand.
Just one very minor thing – the students who were drawn to accompany the racers on the last leg were grade 9. 🙂
Great stuff Clare. Can you tell us more about the womens coat? I remember being fascinated by them when I visited north but I cannot remember the name. Thanks – John
gary, there was a fellow from nunavik that participated for a couple of years. Did quite well if I remember. Not sure what community he was from though.
Made the change Darcy, thank you.
Do you mean the amautiq John, the woman’s parka for carrying a child? They are a great invention. I’ve got a whole post on them.
http://kiggavik.typepad.com/the_house_other_arctic_mu/2006/02/new_baby_new_am.html