Angutimmarik Thygesen had only won Avannaata Qimussersua ten minutes earlier when we spoke to him, and he is still clearly moved.
- It is both touching and joyful. All emotions are running through me.
But it is the joy that fills me the most.
- It is really nice. After preparing all year, it is of course a great joy to achieve such a beautiful result.
After covering the 40 kilometres in about 1 hour and 38 minutes, he secured the victory.
- I wasn't sure until I reached the finish line. I was being caught up, says Angutimmarik.
You can see from the GPS tracking that Angutimmarik and his competitor from Saattut, Anton Street, were riding close to each other the whole way.
- When I started, I was number one, but he passed me on the way. On the way back, I was number one again, he says.
What did you do?
- I started going faster as we were going outwards, says Angutimmarik.
Losing some of his dogs
Angutimmarik started with twelve dogs, but as he approached the finish line, he only had ten left.
- I eliminated two because they were tired. The route was also very challenging. The snow was new and heavy to drive in, but otherwise the country was easier to drive in, he says.
If the dogs and their owner had not worked well together, they would not have achieved this result. Angutimmarik wants to reward his dogs for their great effort.
- Of course I am very grateful to them. I give them what they want and make sure they get all the food they need, he says.
What will you give them?
- Their favorite food, says Angutimmarik.
After making sure the dogs are well fed, he says that he will celebrate the victory.
- I am going to the hall tonight. We will also eat together with those we are with, says the winner of Avannaata Qimussersua.
Angutimmarik's fellow villager from Saattut, Anton Street, came second in Avannaata Qimussersua, while Markus Jensen from Saqqaq came third. Paalu Kristensen from Tasiusaq was fourth, and Jonas Kristensen from Ilulissat was fifth.
