Avannaata Qimussersua
{{Short description|Annual sled dog race in Greenland}}
{{lang|kl|Avannaata Qimussersua|italics=no}} ({{Literal translation|The Great Dog Sled of the North}}) is Greenland's annual national sled dog race. The location and distance change every year, but the race is always held in west Greenland above the Arctic Circle. Only Greenland Dogs may race in Avannaata Qimussersua, as other breeds are restricted from entering Greenland north of the Arctic Circle.
History
File:Greenland 467 (35130903436).jpg]]
Established by Greenlandic musher Ole Qvist in 1989, the first race started as the north Greenlandic regional championship and took place in Uummannaq.{{Cite web |last=Kruse |first=Kathrine |date=2019-12-10 |title=Stifter af populært hundeslædeløb er død |trans-title=Founder of popular dog sled race has died |url=https://knr.gl/da/nyheder/stifter-af-popul%C3%A6rt-hundesl%C3%A6del%C3%B8b-er-d%C3%B8d |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=KNR |language=da}}{{Cite web |last=Pitcock |first=Tod |date=2017-04-28 |title=Icy Greenland smiles as climate change brings greening – and independence |url=https://www.afr.com/policy/energy-and-climate/icy-greenland-smiles-as-climate-change-brings-greening--and-independence-20170424-gvriu9 |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}} The race was named Avannaata Qimussersua, which is Greenlandic for "The Great Race of the North".{{Cite web |date=2025-03-27 |title=What is the Avannaata Qimussersua? |url=https://mushing.com/news/what-is-the-avannaata-qimussersua/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Mushing Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Hjelmgaard |first=Kim |title=Why Usha Vance's Greenland adventure got derailed by a dogsled race across ice and snow |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/03/27/usha-vance-jd-vance-greenland/82636162007/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} In 2019, mushers from Qeqertarsuaq and Kangerluk were banned from participating in Avannaata Qimussersua due to the suspicion that some of their dogs were not purebred Greenland Dogs.{{Cite web |last=Kruse |first=Kathrine |date=2019-12-22 |title=Dyrlæge: Det har vi lært af slædehundesagen |trans-title=Veterinarian: This is what we have learned from the sled dog case |url=https://knr.gl/da/nyheder/s%C3%B8ndag-dyrl%C3%A6ge-det-har-vi-l%C3%A6rt-af-sl%C3%A6dehundesagen |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=KNR |language=da}} The 2020 championship was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Mølgaard |first=Noah |date=2020-04-07 |title=Aflyst i år - men Avannaata Qimussersua bliver stort næste år |trans-title=Cancelled this year - but Avannaata Qimussersua will be big next year |url=https://knr.gl/da/nyheder/aflyst-i-%C3%A5r-men-avannaata-qimussersua-bliver-stort-n%C3%A6ste-%C3%A5r |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=KNR |language=da}} In 2021, Avannaata Qimussersui became the national championship for all of Greenland, although some dog sledding areas were excluded due to the unavailability of vaccinations for sled dogs.{{Cite web |last=Mølgaard |first=Noah |date=2024-03-04 |title=Avannaata Qimussersui: De er kvalificeret til det store løb |trans-title=Avannaata Qimussersui: They are qualified for the big race |url=https://knr.gl/da/nyheder/de-er-kvalificeret-til-det-store-loeb |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=KNR |language=da}}{{Cite web |last=Mølgaard |first=Noah |date=2021-02-19 |title=Landsdækkede slædevæddeløb på sporet igen |trans-title=National sled races back on track |url=https://knr.gl/da/nyheder/landsd%C3%A6kkede-sl%C3%A6dev%C3%A6ddel%C3%B8b-p%C3%A5-sporet-igen |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=KNR |language=da}} The 2025 route covers about {{Convert|40|km|mi}}, mainly on land but occasionally crossing lake and sea ice.{{Cite web |last=Mølgaard |first=Arne |date=2025-01-12 |title=Grønlands længste hundeslædevæddeløb starter |trans-title=Greenland's longest dog sled race starts |url=https://www.sermitsiaq.ag/kultur/gronlands-laengste-hundeslaedevaeddelob-starter/2180942 |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=www.sermitsiaq.ag |language=da-DK}}
In 2025, the United States funded a grant to assist mushers to attend Avannaata Qimussersua despite a near total freeze on U.S. foreign aid.{{Cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Tom |last2=Kelemen |first2=Michele |date=2025-03-26 |title=As U.S. foreign aid grants get slashed, Greenland gets money for a dog race |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/03/26/nx-s1-5341322/greenland-trump-vance-dog-sled-race |access-date=2025-03-30 |work=NPR |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Knickmeyer |first1=Ellen |last2=Amiri |first2=Farnoush |date=2025-01-24 |title=State Department freezes new funding for nearly all US aid programs worldwide |url=https://apnews.com/article/state-department-trump-foreign-aid-bf047e17ef64cb42a1a1b7fdf05caffa |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Reimer-Johansen |first=Tôrtia |date=2025-03-23 |title=Doris Jakobsen Jensen advarede Avannaata Qimussersua om politisk drejning i USA-støtte |trans-title=Doris Jakobsen Jensen warned Avannaata Qimussersua about political turn in US support |url=https://www.sermitsiaq.ag/samfund/doris-jakobsen-jensen-advarede-avannaata-qimussersua-om-politisk-drejning-i-usa-stotte/2212036 |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=www.sermitsiaq.ag |language=da-DK}} Meanwhile the second lady of the United States, Usha Vance, announced she would attend the race during a diplomatic visit to Greenland, generating controversial responses after United States President Donald Trump's assertions that that the United States should be in control of Greenland.{{Cite news |last=Moses |first=Claire |date=2025-03-24 |title=Usha Vance to Attend Greenland's Main Dog Sledding Race |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/world/usha-vance-dogsled-race-greenland.html |access-date=2025-03-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Due to public backlash, the public appearance was canceled, and Vance visited Pituffik Space Base instead.{{Cite web |last=Hari |first=Ravi |date=2025-03-26 |title=JD Vance makes surprise Greenland visit announcement amid growing US interest — 'Checking out security there' |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/jd-vance-makes-surprise-greenland-visit-announcement-amid-growing-us-interest-checking-out-security-there-11742936825322.html |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Mint}}
Race
File:Thule AB hosts Greenlandic Heritage Week (210409-F-O3755-1013).jpg
Avannaata Qimussersua is the official national championship for Greenland. Organized by Kalaallit Nunaanni Qimussertartut Kattuffiat ({{Literal translation|Greenland Dog Sledding Association}}), the event is held annually in March or April.{{Cite book |last=Jensen |first=Ilannguaq |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w7VVDwAAQBAJ&dq=Avannaata+Qimussersua&pg=PT20 |title=Things to know about Greenland: An informational book about Greenland |publisher=Ilannguaq Jensen |year=2018 |isbn=978-87-404-4636-4 |publication-date=2018-03-29 |pages=22 |language=}}{{Cite book |last1=Auzias |first1=Dominique |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xxJEEQAAQBAJ&dq=Avannaata+Qimussersua&pg=PT3 |title=GROENLAND 2025/2026 Petit Futé |last2=Labourdette |first2=Jean-Paul |date=2025-02-12 |publisher=Petit Futé |isbn=978-2-305-11682-2 |language=fr}}{{Cite web |date= |title=Tikilluarit |trans-title=Welcome |url=https://www.knqk.gl/ |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=Kalaallit Nunaanni Qimussertartut Katuffiat |language=kl}} The event rotates between different towns and routes, but is always held in western Greenland north of the Arctic Circle, where only Greenland Dogs are permitted.{{Cite web |title=National Dogsled Race (Avannaata Qimussersua ) |url=https://visitgreenland.com/event/dogsled-race/ |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Visit Greenland |language=en-US}}{{Cite book |last1=Campbell |first1=Gill |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-CcKEQAAQBAJ&dq=Avannaata+Qimussersua+history&pg=PT104 |title=Greenland |last2=Campbell |first2=Alistair |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |year=2024 |isbn=978-1-80469-284-4 |language=en}}{{Cite news |last1=Tekeli |first1=Maya |last2=Gettleman |first2=Jeffrey |date=2025-03-29 |title=No Second Lady, No Problem: Greenland's Dog Sled Race Goes Barking On |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/29/world/europe/greenland-dog-sled-race-vance-trump.html |access-date=2025-03-30 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |date=2020-06-17 |title=7 key facts about sled dogs in Greenland |url=https://guidetogreenland.com/about-greenland/greenland-nature/7-key-facts-about-sled-dogs-in-greenland/?affiliate=140 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Guide to Greenland |language=en-US}} Mushers may participate with a maximum of 12 dogs, with only basic gear and a traditional low sled.{{Cite journal |last1=Vitale |first1=Emma |last2=Rasmussen |first2=Jacob A. |last3=Grønnow |first3=Bjarne |last4=Hansen |first4=Anders J. |last5=Meldgaard |first5=Morten |last6=Feuerborn |first6=Tatiana R. |date=2023-11-01 |title=An ethnographic framework for identifying dog sledding in the archaeological record |journal=Journal of Archaeological Science |volume=159 |pages=105856 |doi=10.1016/j.jas.2023.105856 |issn=0305-4403|doi-access=free |bibcode=2023JArSc.159j5856V }} The race may be run as a mass start or a timed start depending on conditions.
The race is held within Greenland's sled dog district, an area where only purebred Greenland dogs are permitted.{{Cite web |date=2018-10-07 |title=The Veterinary and Food Authority of Greenland (VFMG) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Hunting and Agriculture has issued the following guidelines for bringing dogs and/or cats into Greenland. The guidelines also cover travelling with these animals within Greenland. |url=https://visitgreenland.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/pets.pdf |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Uumasunik Nakorsaqarfik Inuussutissalerinermullu Oqartussaaffik (UNIO) Veterinær- og Fødevaremyndigheden i Grønland (VFMG) [Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (UNIO) Veterinary and Food Safety Authority in Greenland (VFMG)]}} In addition, veterinarians require that all sled dogs be fully vaccinated before entering another dog sledding area; however, this sometimes results in mushers being excluded from racing due to challenges in obtaining vaccines.
A symbol of national pride, Avannaata Qimussersua celebrates the cultural heritage of the indigenous Inuit communities of Greenland and is well attended by spectators.{{Cite web |last=Nielsen |first=Arnaq |date=2025-03-30 |title=Avannaata Qimussersua: Når fart, tradition og fællesskab mødes |trans-title=Avannaata Qimussersua: When speed, tradition and community meet |url=https://www.sermitsiaq.ag/kultur/avannaata-qimussersua-nar-fart-tradition-og-faellesskab-modes/2215402 |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=www.sermitsiaq.ag |language=da-DK}}
Winners
This is a list of winners of the competition from the official site:{{Cite web |title=Qimussersuit |trans-title=Champions |url=https://www.knqk.gl/about |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=knqk |language=kl}}
- 1989: Tittus Mathiassen
- 1990: Nikolaj Therkildsen
- 1991: Nikolaj Therkildsen
- 1992: Otto Kristensen
- 1993: Niels Kristian Vetterlain
- 1994: Thomas Løvstrøm
- 1995: Amos Jensen
- 1996: Ville Siegstad
- 1997: Niels Poulsen
- 1998: Edvard Samuelsen
- 1999: Otto Kristensen
- 2000: Edvard Samuelsen
- 2001: Edvard Samuelsen
- 2002: Abraham Løvstrøm
- 2003: Egede Filemonsen
- 2004: Ville Siegstad
- 2005: Thomas Thygesen
- 2006: Thomas Thygesen
- 2007: Jørgen Kristensen
- 2008: Jens Ole Jensen
- 2009: Ville Siegstad
- 2010: Jørgen Kristensen
- 2011: Jørgen Kristensen
- 2012: Jørgen Kristensen
- 2013: Jørgen Kristensen
- 2014: William Jensen
- 2015: William Jensen
- 2016: Edvard Samuelsen
- 2017: Edvard Samuelsen
- 2020: cancelled
- 2021: Kristian Lundblad
- 2023: Milan Mathæussen
- 2024: Thomas Thygesen{{Cite web |last=Mølgaard |first=Noah |title=Avannaata Qimussersua: 28 deltagere er nu kvalificeret |trans-title=Avannaata Qimussersua: 28 participants have now qualified |url=https://knr.gl/da/nyheder/28-deltagere-er-nu-kvalificeret |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=KNR |language=da}}
- 2025: Henrik Jensen{{Cite web |last=Nutaarsiassaqartitsivik |title=Vinder: Henrik Jensen, Ilulissat vinder Avannaata Qimussersua |trans-title=Winner: Henrik Jensen, Ilulissat wins Avannaata Qimussersua |url=https://knr.gl/da/nyheder/henrik-jensen-ilulissat-vinder-avannaata-qimussersua |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=KNR |language=da}}