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March 16, 2012 at 8:41 pm #5827

Participant

Determined players take to snowmobiles to get to Nunavut hockey tournament

Nunatsiaq News March 16, 2012

Two hockey clubs used this mode of transportation to make it to a tournament this week in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut.

Players attending a major hockey tournament in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut proved this week it takes more than a blizzard warning to keep them off the ice.

The adverse weather was a rocky start for the annual Sakku First Avataq Cup. At least five of the 10 participating teams were grounded.

While three teams opted to wait for better weather, two hopped on their snowmobiles to make the trek.

Normally three hours away, it took the Whale Cove team six hours late on Wednesday, travelling through gusting winds and low visibility to reach Rankin Inlet.

"There were a lot of prayers being said, but all of them made it," said David Clark, tournament organizer.

The players had just enough time to rest, eat and lace up before hitting the ice Thursday to play the Rankin Inlet Miners, who beat them 5-3.

Next up, players from Chesterfield Inlet opted to trek more than 100 kilometres by snowmobile on Thursday, arriving in Rankin Inlet in the afternoon.

"It definitely adds to the challenge," Clark said. "But you do the best you can with the energy you have."

The last of the 10 participating teams — from Iqaluit, Baker Lake and Coral Harbour — were scheduled to arrive Friday, with the forecast showing the weather gradually clearing.

The Sakku First Avataq Cup, now in its 11th year, runs until Sunday.

Dean
M.Ed (Coaching)
Ch.P.C. (Chartered Professional Coach)
Game Intelligence Training
"Great education depends on great teaching."