We know it’s been awhile, however due to some website issues, we were unable to post this video of the 2019 HBQ winner Martin Massicotte being lifted by the other Hudson Bay Quest mushers in Churchill. What a tremendous race and return to the tundra of an amazing northern event!
Canadian Rangers are a big reason for the success of the Hudson Bay Quest. Vivid Arctic Photography photo.
Traditional raising the sled of the HBQ winner. Martin Massicotte, this year’s winner, broke the HBQ record! Vivid Arctic Photography photo.
Martin Massicotte accepts the first place award for the 2019 Hudson Bay Quest. Vivid Arctic Photography.
Canadian Ranger volunteers congratulated for a job well done. Vivid Arctic Photography photo.
The 2019 Hudson Bay Quest results are official. What an amazing return to glory for one of the most thrilling dog sled races in North America! Churchill had an amazing energy upon the arrival of the teams into the frontier town on the Hudson Bay. Here are the closing remarks from the HBQ officials this past week:
“Well, that’s a wrap! The last musher “Ed the sled” came across the finish line at 2.49am yesterday morning taking home the red lantern. Last night we celebrated another successful Hudson Bay Quest with a banquet in Churchill. Thank you to all of the mushers, organizers, veterinarians, volunteers and sponsors that made it all happen. Congratulations to Martin Massicotte who not only came first but broke the record for the fastest HBQ finish by over 3 hours! Also, a huge congratulations and thank you to all of the mushers that came to race this year. It was awesome meeting you all and I had a great time taking photos of you and your amazing dogs.”
Here are the 2019 Hudson Bay Quest results!
-1st Martin Massicotte (HBQ Record breaker)
-2nd Denis Tremblay
-3rd Blake Freking
-4th Peter McClelland
-5th Jacob Leingang (Winner of the Vet Choice Award for best cared for dog team)
-6th Shawn McCarty
-7th David Paul Daley (Winner of the Sportsmanship Award)
-8th Kevin Malikowski
-9th Ed Obrecht (Took home the Red Lantern)
Hudson Bay Quest finish line in Churchill. Vivid Arctic Photography photo.
We cannot wait for the 2020 HBQ…it should be even bigger and better than this one!
Hudson Bay Quest 2014. Brad Josephs photo.
Hey dog mushing fans..the Hudson Bay Quest is back this March with a vengeance following the repair and reinstitution of the Hudson Bay Railway. Churchill cannot wait for the first full-fledged passenger train to arrive by the end of November. The train will allow mushers and their supplies and dog teams to have support along the trail. We are all so excited to cover this amazing event that has thrilled the northern region for years before the washout of the Hudson Bay Line!
Drumroll, please…
Registered racers for the 2019 HBQ are:
David Daley, Churchill, MB
Tom Terry, Sioux Lookout, ON
Blake Freking, Finland, MN, USA
Jennifer Freking, Finland, USA
Peter McClelland, Ely, MN, USA
Shawn McCarty, Ely, MN, USA
Martin Massicotte, QC
Denis Tremblay, QC
Morgane Halbout, QC (tentatively registered)
Ed Obrecht, ON
Jesse Terry, Sioux Lookout, ON
Kevin Malikowski, MN, USA
We are capped at 12 racers this year, so the roster is now full. All additional racers will be placed on a wait list and will be offered a spot if it becomes available. Also, great news for Churchill... the first train in 17 months rolled in on Oct. 31. It’s a huge relief for the community and will help to make the 2019 HBQ possible!
Race Director – Dave Daley
The 2019 Hudson Bay Quest dogsled race will be reinstated next March riding, literally albeit hopefully, of the Hudson Bay Railroad. The vital lifeline that links Churchill and Gillam needs to be up and running in order to pull off the logistical operations for the race. Crucial supplies, officials as well as dog teams and emergency workers shuttle between the two towns and drops at checkpoints occur as well.
Both the 2017 and 2018 Hudson Bay quests were cancelled due to track washouts.
Registration, which opens November 01 at 12:00:01 (noon) CST, will be capped at 12 racers this year. The rail line between Gillam and Churchill is essential for moving race officials, supplies and dropped dogs/scratched teams. The rail is anticipated to be operational in time for our March 15, 2019 start date in Gillam, MB.
To register or for HBQ information, the official website will be updated soon at hbqrace.com.
Dave Daley leaving the start in Churchill. Nace Hageman photo.
Justin Allen from Churchill tears out of the gate in the Hudson Bay Quest. Drew Hamilton photo.
Dave Daley’s dogs raring to go at the Hudson Bay Quest start line. Ales De Vries – Magnifico photo.
Ryan Anderson wins the 2016 Hudson Bay Quest. HBQ photo.
All the racers are in from Gillam and what a brutally cold race it was. With weather reported in the -30’s with a wind chill of -45 or higher, the Hudson Bay Quest was a tough one this year. Only four mushers scratched with 10 completing the course. One registered dropped prior to the race.
A dog patiently waits to run. Cheryl Sommerfeld photo.
The unofficial results are as follows:
1. #1 Peter McClelland 1:19:47
2. #14 Shawn McCarty 03:29:21
3. #15 Troy Groeneveld 03:29:21
4. #2 David Daley 06:11:30
5. #11 Matt Groth 06:35:44
6. #8 Jesse Terry 09:36:xx
7. #9 Hank DeBruin 09:40:xx
8. #13 Ed Obrecht 14:02:08
9. #12 Jim Oehschlaeger 14:57:25
10. #4 Charlie Lundie 18:17:21
#10 Dan Dimuzio finished but time not yet available.
Scratched:
#3 Julie Robitaille
#5 Stefaan DeMarie
#6 Alvin Hardman
#7 Ryan Anderson
Congrats to Peter McClelland for winning the race with a standout time. Dave Daley from Churchill and race organizer took local top honors with a fourth -place finish. The racers fought through incredible cold temps which ironically are the trademark of this sub-arctic classic challenge.
Here’s a little cool story about the winner relayed by the HBQ Facebook page updated by Dave Daley:
Peter McClelland was telling a group of us how he got such a lead on Troy. Turns out they were egging each other on, and at a rest in Lamprey they found a couple of comfy chairs, put their feet up for a few minutes and threatened each other to give chase if the other took off.
The chairs must have been really soft and nice, because Troy closed his eyes for just a moment and rested his weary head, while Peter pretended to rest his weary bearded head. Next thing Peter realizes, Troy lets out a soft snore!
Peter, being the gentle soul that he is makes a decision that Troy needs his rest, so he signals a finger to his lips and whispers “shhhh” to the Rangers, and tip toes outside so he doesn’t disturb his dear fellow competitor.Once outside, he finds his dogs, hooks up, and goes to Churchill to let everyone know that Troy will be coming along soon.
Dogs awaiting the next leg. Cheryl Sommerfeld photo.
It’s all about the dogs. Cheryl Sommerfeld photo.
Congratulations to all the mushers and their dogs for a well run race. I’ll post the official results when they become available.
