D a traditional dog sled race Avannaata Qimussersua is drawn again this year into the drama about the USA's interest in taking over Greenland.
KNQK, the association for dog sled drivers, writes in a press release on Tuesday night that the USA's special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, has been invited to Avannaata Qimussersua.
- On January 8, 2026, KNQK received an inquiry from an American journalist, in which it appears that the US President's recently appointed envoy, Governor Jeff Landry, has been invited to Avannaata Qimussersua, writes Mikkel Jeremiassen, chairman of KNQK.
Who has invited?
The board describes the possible participation as inappropriate, and KNQK will now investigate who is behind the invitation:
- The board of KNQK finds it unacceptable that political pressure is exerted from outside, and therefore considers that the participation of foreign political actors in Avannaata Qimussersua is completely inappropriate.
- The board is currently working closely with patrons to clarify who has sent invitations to foreign players. When this investigation is completed, the board will provide further information, writes Mikkel Jeremiassen in the press release.
Jeff Landry is governor of the state of Louisiana, and in December he was appointed by Donald Trump as a so-called special envoy to Greenland. Jeff Landry stated in connection with his appointment that he looked forward to working to make Greenland a part of the United States.
Consulate sponsored the race in 2025
Avannaata Qimussersua also became a central part of American interest in Greenland in the first months of 2025, because the American consulate stepped in and sponsored the event.
In addition, Usha Vance, wife of US Vice President JD Vance, was supposed to have been in the audience, but canceled her visit. At the same time, KNQK considered inviting US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth, as there were plans to use the US military's helicopters for the transport of coachmen and dogs.
In 2025, KNQK received massive criticism from several sides for having accepted the American support, at the same time that Greenland was under pressure from President Donald Trump, who also then made statements about wanting to take over Greenland.
Mikkel Jeremiassen told Sermitsiaq in April 2025 that the race was in danger of being canceled without the American sponsorship, and therefore he did not regret that the Americans became involved in the race.
