The chairman of the dog sled organization KNQK, Mikkel Jeremiassen, is following the weather forecast closely these days. It is uncertain whether the planned 27 participants will participate in the Avannaata Qimussersua dog sled race this year.
At most qualification locations, there is either a lack of snow or ice.
– This is unusual. When something like this happens, we usually do not lack snow, while the ice conditions can be poor or almost ice-free. Right now, you have to say that it is both. There is a lack of both ice and snow, says Mikkel Jeremiassen.
The warm weather and the lack of snow and sea ice are keeping KNQK and the organizers of the competition in Qasigiannguit busy.
– It is challenging and gives us extra work, he says.
Date and location may be moved
Due to the weather situation, the date or location of the competition may be changed if the conditions do not improve. There is also a lack of snow in Qasigiannguit, where the competition is to be held.
– So far, we are working with March 28 as the target, but we have also discussed April as an option, says Mikkel Jeremiassen and continues:
– However, we cannot just decide like that. First, it must be ensured whether we have flights if the competition really needs to be postponed to April.
At the beginning of April it is Easter, and since Easter is a busy travel period, it is uncertain whether a postponement is possible. The participants from Upernavik, Uummannaq and Sisimiut will be transported by plane.
Whether the competition will be postponed or moved to another location will be decided by the end of this month.
– We are working with the organizers to make the final decision at the end of February. It will be made after assessing how nature provides the conditions, he says.
A challenging training
Participating in Avannaata Qimussersua requires both well-trained dogs and thorough preparation.
– The competition is tough, so we only use dogs that are well-trained. It takes time to get here, says Mikkel Jeremiassen.
But the weather can put the participants to the test. The chairman of KNQK hopes that there will not be too few participants from the nine qualification locations due to a lack of snow or ice.
– It is up to each driver whether they want to participate in the qualifying races.
The biggest hope is that snow and ice will soon appear in the places where the qualifying races are normally held on the sea ice. There is optimism.
– The situation has improved a bit. We have already had some snow, and the forecasts show that it could be around minus 20 degrees here in Uummannaq around February 18, says Mikkel Jeremiassen.
If everything goes according to plan, Avannaata Qimussersua will take place on Saturday, March 28 in Qasigiannguit.
The children's race, Avannaata Qimussersuaaraa, is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25.
