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!
These phenomenal four aurora shots were taken by Alex De Vries – Magnifico at Discover Churchill are out in the polar bear denning area in Wapusk National Park. Wat’chee Lodge is the premier location to see polar bears emerging from their winter dens. Although Alex wasn’t fortunate enough to observe polar bears near their dens this trip, he was with some awesome photographers from around the world. They all were lucky to be bathed in these incredible northern lights in the cold, crisp northern skies! Enjoy!
The Hudson Bay Quest has wrapped up an amazing return to glory as all racers finished up late yesterday arriving safely in the polar bear capital of Churchill. We will have the official results as soon as they are posted. We will also post images from the race like these as we get them in as well. We are all so happy for these northern towns and Churchill especially to be able to retake their culture through the repairs to the Hudson Bay Railway and train service being reinstated to the region. Enjoy!
Night lights in Churchill. Dorota Walkoski photo.
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Churchill trapper tent under the northern lights. Discover Churchill photo.
Another banner northern lights season is finishing up this week as Natural Habitat Adventure’s last groups are in Churchill. These two sensational aurora shots are two beauties that capture the incredible lights above the Hudson Bay! Features on the ground always accentuate the greenish glow in the northern sky and these two by local photographers Dorota Walkoski and Alex de Vries – Magnifico really raise the level of photo composition around northern lights. Enjoy these and stay posted for some other lingering pics and news from the 2019 Hudson Bay Quest starting tomorrow.
Churchill is preparing for the return of the annual Hudson Bay Quest! The trail is going in, straw is ordered, checkpoints are being readied. Looks like we shall have ourselves a race in 2 weeks! Tom Terry has withdrawn for this year. Racers are as follows:
David Daley, Churchill, MB
Blake Freking, Finland, MN, USA
Peter McClelland, Ely, MN, USA
Shawn McCarty, Ely, MN, USA
Martin Massicotte, QC
Denis Tremblay, QC
Ed Obrecht, ON
Jesse Terry, Sioux Lookout, ON
Kevin Malikowski, MN, USA
Jake Leingang, Finland, MN, USA
Stay tuned to churchillpolarbears.org for updates beginning next Friday. Good luck to all the mushers!
