T he traditional dog sled race Avannaata Qimussersua is once again drawn into the drama of the United States' interest in taking over Greenland this year.
KNQK, the association for dog sled drivers, wrote in a press release on Tuesday night that the US special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, has been invited to Avannaata Qimussersua.
- On January 8, 2026, KNQK received an inquiry from an American journalist stating that the US President's newly appointed envoy, Governor Jeff Landry, has been invited to Avannaata Qimussersua, writes Mikkel Jeremiassen, chairman of KNQK.
Who invited?
The board describes the possible participation as inappropriate, and KNQK will now investigate who is behind the invitation:
- The board of directors of KNQK finds it unacceptable that political pressure is exerted from outside, and therefore considers the participation of foreign political actors in Avannaata Qimussersua to be completely inappropriate.
- The board is currently working closely with patrons to clarify who has sent invitations to foreign actors. When this investigation is completed, the board will provide further information, writes Mikkel Jeremiassen in the press release.
Jeff Landry is the governor of the state of Louisiana, and he was appointed by Donald Trump in December as the 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
In the first months of 2025, Avannaata Qimussersua also became a central part of American interest in Greenland because the American consulate agreed to sponsor the event.
Additionally, Usha Vance, wife of US Vice President JD Vance, was supposed to be in the audience, but cancelled her visit. At the same time, KNQK considered inviting US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, as there were plans to use US military helicopters to transport drivers and dogs.
In 2025, KNQK received massive criticism from several quarters for accepting American support, while Greenland was under pressure from President Donald Trump, who also made statements at the time about wanting to take over Greenland.
Mikkel Jeremiassen told Sermitsiaq in April 2025 that the race was in danger of cancellation without the American sponsorship, and therefore he did not regret that the Americans became involved in the race.
