April 1, 2005
Five Snow Challenge
racers break three-hour record
Paul Gordon wins sportsmanship
award for helping a racer
SARA
MINOGUE
Race organizers predicted
this would be the year that Snow Challenge racers broke the three-hour record,
and it was.
Ricky Kilabuk of Pangnirtung
came in first, with a time of just two hours and forty-eight minutes. The previous
record, held by Bobby Gordon of Kuujjuaq, was three hours and two minutes.
Kilabuk took home $14,450
in prize money. Second place winner Albert Netser (2:51:36) won $5,350. In third
place, Anuga Michael (2:53:25) won $4,250.
One racer was injured during
the race. Joeffrey Kalujak was taken by helicopter to the Baffin Regional Hospital
where he was treated for a concussion.
Paul Gordon of Kujjuaq
received the sportsmanship award for stopping to help Kalujak, and throwing
away his chance of winning. At a banquet held in the Kamotik Inn on Saturday
night, he received $250, a sports bag, and a Nunavut Snow Challenge poster signed
by the competitors.
Altogether, 22 out of 40
competitors completed the trip to Kimmirut and back. The remaining racers are:
- Roger Alivaktak, 2:56:15,
$1,000
- Joanasie Kilabuk, 2:58:30,
$1,000
- Jimmy Gordon, 3:01:35,
$1,000
- Ted Irniq, 3:01:37,
$500
- Miki Lyta, 3:03:15,
$500
- Stephen Kleist, 3:05:09,
$500
- Junior May, 3:09:38.
$500
- Daniel Kaludjak, 3:17:28
- Romeo Kuglugiak, 3:17:46
- Larry Ittinuar, 3:18:35
- Johnny Sequaluk, 3:19:06
- Jamesie Nauyuk, 3:20:20
- Sylvain Degrasse, 3:27:02
- Steven Inukshuk, 3:28:57
- Corey Levesque, 3:37:19
- Eegeesiak Aningmiuq,
3:42:57
- Sakeasie Kilabuk, 3:57:10
- Dave Sowdluapik, 4:05:49
- Mikijuk Akavak, 4:10:10
Organizers thank Nunasi
Corp., Woddies, Globalstar, Atas Van Lines, Nunavut Emergency Management and
Canadian North for their sponsorship and support.
They also thank the two
emergency medical technicians from the Iqaluit Fire Department who joined the
helicopter rescue on their day off, and Premier Paul Okalik who supported the
race, and volunteers.
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