They race 700 kilometres in less than 10 days, but the drivers and teams who take part in the Nunavut Quest dogteam race are doing more than mushing for money. They're helping to establish a Nunavut tradition.
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Arctic Bay (May 14/01) - Nunavut Quest racers received a hero's welcome in Arctic Bay when they crossed the finish line April 26.
Most of the community's 700 residents crammed into the Qaggivik school gym for a feast of muktaaq, seal, char, walrus, caribou and square-dancing.
"It was very exciting," said Niore Iqalukjuak, Arctic Bay mayor and Nunavut Quest co-organizer.
Teams from Pond Inlet, Repulse Bay, Iglulik, Arctic Bay, Hall Beach and Iqaluit covered the 700-kilometre course in 10 days.
Arctic Bay competitors David Kalluk and Jobie Issigaitok flew across the finish line neck and neck, leaving competitors in a blur of snow.
"I've never seen anything like it. I think this was the best year so far" said Joeli Qmanirq, race co-coordinator.
Kalluk finished first but placed eighth overall after racing times were tabulated. First place went to Issigaitok for the third consecutive year. Second place went to Paul Quviq Malliki of Repulse Bay.
Third place and $2,500 went to Pond Inlet's Sam Omik, Issigaitok's brother.
"Some people had problems with their dogs, not me," Omik said.
Omik said weather and snow conditions were good everyday except one.
"I'm very happy right now. You should tell people with dogteams to do it. It's a lot of fun," he said.
The top five finishers walked away with money and prizes. Issigaitok received $10,000 and two tickets anywhere First Air flies in the North.
Racers finishing in last seven spots received two-burner camp stoves. Iqaluit's Peter Kritzan, who finished last but not least, received a special surprise: a hand-sewn seal skin wall hanging.
Eighteen hours separated Issigaitok and the twelfth place finisher.
Twelve of the 16 teams leaving Hall Beach finished the race. Four teams dropped out, at least two because of dog problems. Ike Ungalaq of Iglulik left the race four days after it started. His dogs' health took precedent over prize money.
"Nunavut Quest will become very popular I hope. You learn about the land, the environment and you think about your ancestors. It's very good for Inuit," Ungalaq said.
Another person called the race healing.
As in other years, teams packed up temporary camps daily and departed in one minute intervals to avoid getting tangled up.
Whoever finished first one day, started first the next day.
Some days racers travelled for 10 hours at a stretch. Other days, it was a couple of hours.
Tents, store-bought food, country food and cooking gear were carried by seven snowmobiles -- ready to assist in the case of an emergency. Racers who left garbage behind had five penalty minutes added to their time.
Many racers said sponsorships are needed to offset the cost of food, supplies and travelling.
The first Nunavut Quest from Arctic Bay to Iglulik in 1999 marked Nunavut's birth as a territory.
Today, organizers hope Baffin Island's longest dog team race becomes a longstanding tradition.
Next year's race has been set: Clyde River to Pond Inlet.
Iqalukjuak said organizing Nunavut Quest takes time. His committee started deciding dog food transportation, where and how long racers travel each day, how many dogs per team almost a year ago. The most difficult task this year was raising the $40,000 in prize money and prizes.
Two weeks after Nunavut Quest 2001 finished, Iqalukjuak was in Clyde River visiting family and planning for next year's race.
"We want other communities to see it too. We've never had entrants from Qikiqtarjuaq or Pangnirtung," Iqalukjuak said.
Final standings
1. Jobie Issigaitok, Arctic Bay, 47 hours 40 minutes
2. Paul Quviq Malliki, Repulse Bay, 48 hours 37 minutes
3. Sam Omik, Pond Inlet, 49 hours 41 minutes
4. Panoele Okango, Pond Inlet, 50 hours 45 minutes
5. Simon Qamanirq, Arctic Bay, 51 hours 42 minutes
6. David Naluk, Repulse Bay. 52 hours 8 minutes
7. Peter Siakuluk, Hall Beach, 53 hours 9 minutes
8. David Kalluk, Arctic Bay, 55 hours 31 minutes
9. Herve Paniaq, Iglulik, 55 hours 37 minutes
10. Jackolasie Killiktee, Pond Inlet, 59 hours 55 minutes
11. Olayuk Barnabas, Arctic Bay, 61 hours 55 minutes
12. Peter Kritzan, Iqaluit, 65 hours 10 minutes
- Racers who paid the $100 registration fee but dropped out: Natalino Piugatuq and Ike Ungalaq of Iglulik, Andrew Taqtu of Arctic Bay and Solomon Qanatsiaq of Hall Beach.
