2008 HUDSON BAY QUEST UPDATE

Click here for Official Hudson Bay Quest Race Sheet

April 1 , 2008 - 11:00pm - So, maybe we jumped the gun a bit on the official last words of the 2008 Hudson Bay Quest. First of all, the HBQ was not completely over when we said it was over. Despite scratching at Nunalla, Andrew Panagoniak of Arviat completed the race by dogteam coming into Arviat at 5:15pm today. Given that there may have been some language barriers, he was award an 'Honourary Finish' and while he does not have an official rank, he will received $300 in prize money.

Secondly, the last words of this year's HBQ should read, 'For anyone interested, there will be a square dance starting at the hall' because with that the awards banquet finished and the fifth Hudson Bay Quest was OFFICIALLY complete.

David Oolooyuk (NOT Ooolooyak) won first prize of $8500, $1000 Northern Store certificate and a new Canada Goose Parka and Gloves with a record-setting time of 35 hours 5 minutes, almost two hours faster than the previous fastest time. He also won the 'First to Nunalla' award, despite arriving four minutes after Baker, his official time adjusted for the Race Start was two minutes faster.

Philip Kigusiutnak took home the most prizes this year, winning the Calm Air Sportsmanship Award, Most Valuable Musher and becoming the first inductee into the Hudson Bay Quest Hall of Fame. He also won the draw for a trip for four to Vancouver aboard VIA Rail to see the Winter Olympics thanks to his friend, Rev. Jimmy Mukpah who, as he reached into the hat, joked to the crowd, 'I sure hope I pick Philip's name'. And, then he did!

Miriam Korner's lead dog Frank won Most Valuable Lead Dog. Frank led Quincy to victory last year and performed extremely well on some of the glare ice sections this year.

Ceremonies kicked off with race organizer Dave Daley being presented with a Walrus Bacculum by Rev. Jimmy Mukpah and Haqihaqtiit. It is for Daley to use to fight off polar bears in Churchill and, well, its a bit of a long story... and just pretty long.

This year's banquet is a real credit to Arviat's new dogsled society - Haqihaqtiit and the group of volunteers that formed to organize this year's Quest on the Nunavut side and other local races.

The best thing about the banquet tonight was the feeling of what dogsledding means in this part of the arctic and just what the Hudson Bay Quest has done to build community spirit through northern Manitoba and Nunavut. There are strong emotions and bonds that run through this race, through the mushers, the volunteers, the communities. This is an event that really means something. Considering this started with a handful of mushers and a two-day blizzard, that's a real credit to everyone involved, especially Dave Daley, originator of this amazing event.

April 1 , 2008 - 12:50pm - With the words 'Its cold out there, man. I mean its really, really cold.', Hudson Bay Quest Five is officially done! Ed 'The Sled' Obrecht crossed the finish line at 11:50am April 1st to win the 'Red Lantern' award for 2008. Late last night, Steve Higgins arrived, frosty and relieved, at 12:47am. His first words across the finish line were 'Now, I can finally put my eye back in!' Official times and standings will be posted this afternoon.

A banquet will be held at the Arviat High School this evening, including the top three finisher trophy ceremony, sportsmanship, veterinarian's and first to Nunalla awards as well as the musher's draw for a VIA Rail Trip to the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Unofficially, we can declare Burton Penner winner of this year's best 'snotsicle' award coming in at a 2.53 inches.

Several Canadian Rangers and Arviat Search and Rescue are still on the trail back to Arviat after overnighting at Big River. However, Charlie Lundie is resting in Arviat with his dogs, close to midnight last night. All dogs are in good condition. Special thanks to HBQ Sponsor Calm Air who has organized several cargo planes to fly dogs and supplies back to Churchill.

March 31, 2008 - 11:15pm - Only two teams, Steve Higgins and Ed Obrecht, remain on the trail for this year's Hudson Bay Quest. Higgins is reported eight miles out of town while Obrecht will be overnighting 12 miles out, thus saving Moses Kigusiutnak from the Red Lantern award! All other racers have reported to Arviat.

Miriam Korner placed 7th coming in at 6:51pm coming with a good looking team. This year, Korner ran a komatik sled with a custom-designed brake and gangline hitch. Dressed in traditional Inuit clothing, she made a big impression crossing the finish line. Peter Mamgark arrived in Arviat at 8:22 pm followed closely by race elder Philip Kigusiutnak at 8:34pm. Philip was virtually mobbed at the race line by excited onlookers and hoisted in the air. There was much handshaking and nose rubbing.

Burton Penner coasted in under cover of darkness and with a tad less fanfare than Philip at 9:50 pm to complete his second quest. Harry Towtoongie crossed the finish line without part of his required equipment (GPS) and may be assessed a penalty by the Race Marshal. Stay tuned for more updates tomorrow morning along with final standings and the 2008 HBQ photo album.

March 31, 2008 - 5:30pm - The second group has begun to arrive in Arviat led by Moses Kigusiutnak at 4:07pm, Harry Towtoongie of Rankin Inlet at 4:47 and Johnny Mamgark twenty minutes later. Dogs are in good condition and the weather continues to hold out with clear skies and no wind.

Miriam Korner and Peter Mamgark are expected in about an hour, followed shortly by Penner, Obrecht and Higgins. Philip Kigusiutnak is not expected until late tonight or may overnight on the trail. Canadian Rangers remain at the Checkpoints.

March 31, 2008 - 3:45pm - Gypsy Bakery coffee table beware! Race organizer Dave Daley has arrived in Arviat, Nunavut at 2:35pm finishing fourth in the 2008 HBQ. Despite carrying his injured lead dog, Smoke, in the sled basket for much of the last stretch to Arviat, his team arrived in good shape.

Race purse is as follows: David Oolooyak - $8500 plus $1000 Northern Store certificate, Daryl Baker - $6000, Ernest Azure - $4000, Dave Daley - $2000. Sportsmanship and veterinarian award will be given out at tomorrow's mushers banquet in Arviat. As well, the Town of Arviat has sponsored a prize for fastest time to Nunalla.

The second group of mushers are now closing in on Arviat, through the 30 Mile checkpoint. Harry Towtoonige, Moses Kigusiutnak, Johnny Mamgark, Peter Mamgark and Miriam Korner have all passed 30 Mile roughly between 11am and noon. Steve Higgins, Burton Penner and Ed Obrecht came through 30 Mile together near 12:45pm. They are expected in this evening. Philip Kigusiutnak the final musher on the trail has just come through at 3:40pm.

Dog teams in Arviat are bedded down for a well-deserved rest after this tough race. The Veterinarian's Report has also come in on Daryl Baker's team and has assessed no penalty, siting that the musher did his utmost to ensure the safety and health of the dog under the circumstances, including carrying the dog on his sled to the nearest Veterinary checkpoint. Arviat Search and Rescue has left for Gellini River to meet mushers heading north. They are expected to arrive around 10pm tonight.

March 31, 2008 - 12:45pm - Daryl Baker crossed the finish line into Arviat at 11:41am with Ernest Azure close behind at 11:54am. This is Azure's first Hudson Bay Quest, running with Wapusk Adventures Kennel based out of Churchill.

Official standings will not be posted until the Veterinarian's Report is complete. One of Baker's team expired shortly after the race and a ruling will be made today concerning this event. Azure's team is all reported in good condition.

Dave Daley has been reported closing in on Arviat. Moses Kigusiutnak and Harry Towtoongie are not far behind. Philip Kigusiutnak reported into Big River at 11:00am.

March 31, 2008 - 10:48am - A musher (with white dogs) has just been spotted ten miles out of town. All three teams are still out on the trail and all three have some white dogs in their team so.... Stay tuned to see who it is!!! I'm going to grab a snowmobile and check it out. Rumour has it that it might be Ernest Azure of Churchill.

Its a good day for mushing but all teams are moving slowly, the hectic pace fo the first half and rough trail conditions north of Nunalla have worn them down. We should have a second place finisher just in time for lunch at Neevee's.

Burton Penner, Steve Higgins, Ed Obrecht and Miriam Korner are all through Big River Checkpoint shortly after 9am this morning. Philip Kigusiutnak is now the lone musher left to pass Big River.

March 31, 2008 - 9:00am - On a cold and clear morning in Arviat, word is coming in that the next group of racers are closing in on the finish line. Daryl Baker, Dave Daley and Ernest Azure were reported to have left 30 mile checkpoint together this morning, around 5am. Baker's team was almost spent last night and he was unsure as to whether he would be forced to scratch between 30 Mile and Arviat. Teams are expected in around 10am. Trail conditions are reported as 'very rough' between Big River and Arviat, the homestretch for this year's Quest.

Reports from Big River have come in that Moses Kigusiutnak, Johnny Mamgark, Peter Mamgark and Harry Towtoongie have departed Big River Checkpoint at 8:10am this morning. Information is sparse right now and no reports concerning the other group of Steve Higgins, Burton Penner and Ed Obrecht followed by Miriam Korner and Philip Kigusiutnak have come in at this time. It is unclear whether they camped last night and were passed by the Inuit group. All racers have passed the Gellini River Checkpoint.

Six teams have scratched at Nunalla and the Churchill Race Committee, Canadian Rangers and Arviat Search and Rescue are organizing snowmobiles and bombardiers to travel south to Nunalla to reach the stranded teams. Scratched racers and Canadian Rangers are moving north from Nunalla to camp at Gellini River tonight. Upwards of 80 dogs are expected to be moved over the course of the next two days.

Oolooyak Wins Again, Sets HBQ Record

March 30, 2008 - 9:00pm - David Oolooyak has won the 2008 Hudson Bay Quest in a new record time of 35 hours and 5 minutes. He arrived at 8:19pm, crossing the finish line in traditional caribou skin clothing, amidst lines of snowmobiles and trucks, headlights shining on the swirling crowd at the starting line. You could see his team coming from a distance, as trucks parked at the edge of town began following his komatik (sled) as he closed in on the finish line.

As he crossed the finish line, local children jumped over the barricades and surrounded the sled, soon followed by community members, each offering their congratulations to the new champion. You could feel a real sense of pride in the crowd, as David, Coca-Cola in one hand, variably shook hands, hugged and laughed with the many fans. Soon, with a couple shouts from the crowd, David jumped back on his komatik to be hoisted up. With many hands holding his sled up high, Oolooyak waved to the cheering crowd, an impressive sight on this minus thirty night.

Daryl Baker is overnighting at 30 Mile (Ivik) Checkpoint, resting his dogs. He had a rough start to this second day of racing, with his team getting away at Nunalla Checkpoint, resulting in the loss of top spot to David Oolooyak as he retrieved his dogs.

Ernest Azure and Dave Daley are a few hours behind, passing Big River (Nuvungnatjuak) at 6:10pm. The afternoon group is reported near Gellini (Kuugluk) but communications with that checkpoint are limited. Harry Towtoongie is reported in fourth place, with Burton Penner, Steve Higgins and Ed Obrecht following. Philip Kigusiutnak and his son, Moses, appear to be travelling together on the way to Gellini Checkpoint. Temperatures have dropped and this will be a cold night on the trail.

Confirmed scratches are Jamie Kablutsiak and Thomas Kitluk. Reports are coming in that as many as six teams may be withdrawing at Nunalla. Bombardier track vehicles are being mobilized from Arviat to retrieve the dogs and mushers tomorrow morning.

March 30, 2008 - 4:45pm - The second group has left Nunalla. Burton Penner and Steve Higgins were first on the trail leaving at 3:45 and 3:47 pm respectively. Ed Obrecht is now running in seventh place, with Harry Towtoongie and Moses Kigusiutnak just behind.

Reports have not come in from Gellini River or Big River checkpoints but indications are that Dave Daley and Ernest Azure should be through the Big River checkpoint.

Miriam Korner will be continuing the race and should be back on the trail, along with Philip Kigusiutnak, Peter Mamgark Sr. and Johnny Mamgark.

March 30, 2008 - 2:35pm - Daryl Baker has just arrived at Big River (Nuvungnatjuak) checkpoint holding down Second Place. Race leader David Oolooyak has now stretched his lead to 3.5 hours leaving Big River checkpoint at 11:07am this morning. He is expected into Arviat early this evening. Dave Daley and Ernest Azure are still on the trail , reported one hour south of Big River.

Unforeseen circumstances seem to have struck the 2008 Hudson Bay Quest. Churchill's Charlie Lundie has unofficially withdrawn from the race. After running in the top five for two thirds of the race, his team seems to have quit on him. He is three hours out of Nunalla and has radioed in for pickup by the Canadian Rangers.

One hour remains before the next group returns to the trail. Indications are that Miriam Korner will scratch at Nunalla Checkpoint. Andrew Panagoniak has arrived at Nunalla at 11:50am. Canadian Rangers are still waiting for Arviat mushers Michael Ivu, Jamie Kablutsiak, Thomas Kitluk and Barney Kalluak to arrive at Nunalla.

March 30, 2008 - 2:00pm - Barring any unforeseen incidents, David Oolooyak will once again claim the HBQ's top prize of $8500 and a $1000 Northern Store certificate (not to mention bragging rights through the Kivalliq and northern Manitoba). The remainder of the top five will be decided amongst Daryl Baker, Charlie Lundie, Dave Daley and Ernest Azure. These teams are running almost seven hours ahead of the next five still waiting at Nunalla.

Starting at 3:28pm, the next HBQ teams will finish their mandatory rest at Nunalla and return to the race trail. Steve Higgins and Burton Penner will be first out of the gates, followed by Harry Towtoongie, Moses Kigusiutnak, Johnny Mamgark, Peter Mamgark, Ed Obrecht and Philip Kigusiutnak, all fighting for sixth place.

March 30, 2008 - 12:30pm - David Oolooyak is running away with the Hudson Bay Quest and again, Nunalla Checkpoint seems to be the difference in this race. While Baker and Oolooyak arrived within minutes of each other, Oolooyak departed Nunalla at 6:05am this morning while Baker did not get away until 8:44am. this late departure has also put him within striking distance of Dave Daley, now running third, Ernest Azure and Charlie Lundie. All three departed Nunalla at 9:17am. The question remains whether Baker's dogs can keep the blistering pace they set in the first half of the race.

Burton Penner and Steve Higgins have moved up into sixth and seventh place, coming into Nunalla just as the top five departed. Harry Towtoongie and Moses Kigusiutnak are close behind, althought Moses appears to have missed the Catton Lake checkpoint and will be assessed a resulting time penalty. Ed Obrecht rounds out the top ten, coming in at 9:54am today, with the race start adjustment he is now in ninth place, minutes ahead of Harry Towtoongie.

Philip Kigusiutnak arrived just behind Obrecht. Other teams reported into Nunalla include Miriam Korner, Johnny Mamgark and Peter Mamgark. Three teams have dropped dogs at Nunalla - Charlie Lundie, Ernest Azure and Daryl Baker.

March 30, 2008 - Hudson Bay Quest leaders Daryl Baker and David Oolooyak are on the final stretch to Arviat. Arriving at 10:15 and 10:19pm, Oolooyak has closed the gap on Baker and it will be tough competition for the final one hundred miles. Charlie Lundie, Dave Daley and Ernest Azure, all from Churchill, are reported to have left Nunalla. Harry Towtoongie and Moses Kigusiutnak are travelling together and have both reached Nunalla this morning (after stopping for tea on the trail around 3am). Mushers Ed Obrecht, Burton Penner and Steve Higgins are also reported into Nunalla for their mandatory six-hour rest.

Most teams were listed as through Catton Lake checkpoint last night. Trail is reported in good conditions from Nunalla to Big River where 'overflow' will push the trail out onto the sea ice before returning to shore for the final sprint to Arviat. Temperatures are a chilly -27C with light north winds resulting in a windchill of -35C, colder than normal for this time of year.

March 29th, 2008 - 9pm - Teams are running strong today and as expected the field is slowly dividing in two. Currently, Daryl Baker leads the Quest, pulling into Catton Lake checkpoint at 5:20pm today over thirty minutes ahead of second place, David Oolooyak. Churchill's Charlie Lundie has overtaken third place and is running strong, maintaining his lead over 4th place Andrew Panagoniak of Arviat. David Daley looks to have overtaken Harry Towtoongie for official 5th place. Ernest Azure is running close behind.

Baker and Oolooyak are expected into Nunalla around 10pm tonight with top contenders soon following. While Baker has almost an hour lead over third place musher, Charlie Lundie, anything can happen after the six hour rest at Nunalla. Eighth place, Ed Obrecht and ninth place, Philip Kigusiutnak, cannot be counted out just yet. Don't be surprised if Miriam Korner's even-keeled team doesn't end up in the mix as well.

The wind has switched to the north, expected 30-50km tomorrow with light snow. Temperatures will be falling through the day with a -40 windchill by late afternoon. This may work in the Arviat mushers favour as north winds will slow down the teams while Arviat dogs will still sense their familiar home territories. Either way, at this pace, this all should be settled by tomorrow evening (or even late afternoon)!

March 29, 2008 - The Hudson Bay Quest is officially underway. Nineteen teams departed Churchill this morning, starting at 9am. Trail conditions are favourable and the weather is cold and clear, hovering around -16C with a light south wind. Initial impressions for this year's contenders include Miriam Korner (running virtually the same team that won last year's race), Daryl Baker, David Oolooyak, Andrew Panagoniak, Ed Obrecht, Charlie Lundie, Dave Daley and, of course, Philip Kigusiutnak.

One of Jamie Kablutsiak's (Racer #7) dogs broke away at the starting line resulting the loss of his position. Aside from that incident, it was a clean and fast start for most teams. Benjamin Denecheche and George Sinclair were both scratches prior to race time.

Teams are expected into Seal River Checkpoint around 3pm. Checkpoints this year are Seal River, Catton Lake, Nunalla, Gellini River, Big River and 30 Mile. Several teams are expected into Nunalla by this evening.

March 12, 2008 - The registration deadline has passed and there are officially twenty-one mushers running in this year's Hudson Bay Quest. Latest entrants include Burton Penner of Vermillion Bay, Ontario and Steve Higgins from Buraboo, Wisconsin.

The Hudson Bay Quest would like to thank this year's sponsors for making our biggest race yet possible. Click here for the HBQ Sponsor Page

February 18, 2008 - The 2008 HBQ will see the largest field of mushers in race history. Nineteen teams are getting ready for the fifth HBQ, leaving Churchill, Manitoba on March 29th. We would like to welcome new Hudson Bay Quest racers, Peter Mamgark Sr., Johnny Mamgark, Thomas Kutluk, Barney Kallual and Ivu Michael, all from Arviat, Nunavut, as well as Benjamin Denecheche (Lac Brochet, Saskatchewan) and Ernest Azure (Churchill, Manitoba). This new level of interest is a good indication that dog sledding is alive and well in northern Canada! Good luck to all...

Cold weather and seemingly weekly blizzards continue to dominate the north (and most of the planet it seems...). This has delayed many mushers in their training regimens for the upcoming race. Most snowfalls have been accompanied by strong winds so most snow has blown into the treeline or inland and there are still bare patches of tundra seen near Churchill.

Ice conditions are thicker than usual so hopefully there is less overflow encountered at river crossings. We did not see the east winds this year that created the jagged ice build up last year so trail conditions should be improved for 2008.

*** Congratulations to David Hochman of St. Malo, Manitoba on his victory at the Northern Trappers Festival Dog Sled Races at The Pas. Click here to read the Winnipeg Free Press Article. ***

January 26, 2008 - To date, eighteen teams are registered for this year's Quest, running from Churchill to Arviat. Eleven teams from Nunavut will participate, including former race champions, David Oolooyak (2004) and Andrew Panagoniak (2006). Churchill will be represented by four teams, race organizer Dave Daley, Charlie Lundie and George Sinclair as well as a new entrant, Ernest Azure, running with Wapusk Adventures.

Philip Kigusiutnak, looking for a fifth consecutive finish in the top five, will be joined by his son, Moses, this year. Only Philip, the race's oldest competitor, and Dave Daley have competed in all four Hudson Bay Quest races.

Check out the musher profiles here. And stay tuned for more race updates!!!

The 2008 Hudson Bay Quest runs from Churchill to Arviat, starting at 9:00am, March 29, 2008. Trail logistics and support will be provided by the Canadian Rangers. Special thanks to race sponsors Calm Air, Gardewine North, Churchill Mitigation Trust Fund and Canada Goose.

2008 HUDSON BAY QUEST APPLICATION FORMS

Download race application forms here fro the 2008 Hudson Bay Quest. Race is limited to twenty teams, registration due date is February 21, 2008.

Download in: Adobe Acrobat .pdf or Microsoft Word

HUDSON BAY QUEST - 2008 RULES

HUDSON BAY QUEST - 2008 TRAIL PROCEDURE