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Kaludjak duo take two of three checkered flags Darrell Greer Northern News Services Published Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Nanauq Tanuyak placed second in the senior final, with Jarvis Towtongie taking third and Brian Tanuyak fourth. The field was rounded out by, in order, Joe Jr. Kaludjak, Ross Tatty, RJ Oolooyuk, Tootoo Tanuyak, Joseph Curley and Billy Kaludjak On the ladies' side of the ledger, Rankin's Gloria Kaludjak took top spot, followed by Iris Tatty, Savannah Issaluk, Qovik Netser, Emiline Inukshuk and Maggie Kingmeatok. Chester's Nathaneal Issaluk captured the junior flag, with Brandon Oolooyuk finishing second, Darren Tanuyak third, Thor Ittinuar fourth, Kenneth John Putulik fifth and Jeremy Maley sixth. Race organizer Lillian Simik said this was the first event for the new race committee in Chester. Simik said she had great fundraising support all year for the event. She said getting help became a lot easier as the racing grew closer. "I even had volunteers from Rankin a week before the event," said Simik. "We had a lot more racers this year than in previous years. "The racing was very close in both the juniors and seniors, and, a lot of people came to watch, even family from the Rankin racers." Simik said the atmosphere at the races was great with everyone really getting into the action. She said many racers helped each other, even during a race, and the people of Chesterfield Inlet welcomed and supported everyone. "The ladies had one race with seven entrants, while the juniors had two races with 10 entrants, and the seniors had seven races with 25 entrants. "The seniors had three heats of qualifying, a last chance qualifying heat, two semifinal heats, and a final heat with 12 racers. "All the ladies finished their race, while snowmobile problems kept three of the 10 juniors from finishing and two of the final 12 senior racers." Simik said this year's Challenge was a great event, with a lot of fast racers competing. She said although there were some accidents during the event, no one suffered any injuries. "I would like to thank committee members Doreen Mullins, Emiline Inukshuk, Billy Jo Putulik and Johnny Putulik for all their help, as well as the fire department, volunteer flagmen, Jason Ippiak, and Ross and Lydia Tatty. "We also thank the Northern store, Hamlet of Chesterfield Inlet and the Chesterfield Inlet Development Corp. for helping the event financially."
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