AVANNAATA QIMUSSERSUA
The 22-year-old Angutimmarik Thygesen from Saattut is Greenland’s fastest dog sled driver this year. He won the Avannaata Qimussersua in Qasigiannguit, starting with twelve dogs and finishing with ten. Shortly after arriving, he told what was behind it.
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 gratifying. All emotions go through me.
But it is the joy that fills the most.
– It’s really nice. After preparing all year, it is of course a great joy to achieve such a beautiful result.
After covering the 40 kilometers in about 1 hour and 38 minutes, he secured the victory.
– I was only sure of it when I reached the goal. I was catching up, says Angutimmarik.
It can be seen from the GPS tracking that Angutimmarik and his competitor from Saattut, Anton Street, drove close to each other the whole way.
– When I started, I was number one, but he passed me along the way. On the way back I was number one again, he says.
What did you do?
– I started driving faster when we drove outwards, says Angutimmarik.
Lost some of his dogs
Angutimmarik started with twelve dogs, but as he approached the finish line he had only ten left.
– I removed two because they were tired. The route was also very challenging. The snow was new and hard 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 will reward his dogs for their great efforts.
– 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 he wants to celebrate the victory.
– I’m going to the hall tonight. We will also eat together at 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.
