by Steve Selden | Mar 14, 2015 | Churchill News
Wearing Bib #13 Martin Massicotte glided into Churchill at 20:17:20 CST. An extremely fast run of the course from Gillam to Churchill. Even though he came into Churchill first the official results and winner will not be announced until the Mushers banquet on Monday at 17:30.
Stay posted for more updates on the 2015 Hudson Bay Quest!
Martin Massciotti first into Churchill. Courtesy Hudson Bay Quest.
Hudson Bay Quest finish line in Churchill. Courtesy Hudson Bay Quest.
Come see the amazing northern lights and next year’s Hudson Bay Quest.
by Steve Selden | Mar 13, 2015 | Churchill News
Start of the Hudson bay Quest. Courtesy Hudson Bay Quest.
All 13 mushers competing in the 2015 Hudson Bay Quest are off and running from Gillam, Manitoba towards the finish line in Churchill, Manitoba. Mushers and dog teams can be tracked live throughout the race on: Hudson Bay Quest 2015 Live Tracker. The race skirts Wapusk National Parc, a major polar bear denning protected area, to the east.
The weather is cooperating for this years start with the frigid cold temperatures waning this past week and providing somewhat more comfortable conditions for both dogs and mushers alike. Good luck to all teams in the race and stay safe on the tundra!
Hudson Bay Quest 2014. Brad Josephs photo.
Here are the mushers competing:
Blake Freking
Charlie Lundie
Dan DiMuzio
Dave Daley
Denis Tremblay
Jennifer Freking
Jesse Terry
Justin Allen
Martin Massicotte
Peter McClelland
Ryan Anderson
Shawn McCarty
Tom Terry
by Steve Selden | Mar 4, 2015 | Churchill Photography
Northern lights with tee-pee in the foreground. Brad Josephs photo.
Natural Habitat travelers with guide Brad Josephs have been experiencing some of the most incredible northern lights of the year in Churchill. These beautiful photographs with the aurora overhead highlight the dynamic greenish swirls being fueled by higher than normal solar flare activity. As you can see, even a bus with interior lights takes on a dynamic look when surrounded by northern lights. Temperatures have been cold though bearable when observing such rare displays of aurora borealis.
With the Hudson Bay Quest only nine days away, the excitement is building with these nightly displays of mother nature’s fireworks!
A view back towards Churchill with amazing aurora. Brad Josephs photo.
Incredible northern lights with a reminder of bear season. Brad Josephs photo.
A reminder of polar bear season with aurora above. Brad Josephs photo.
Even a bus looks beautiful with the northern lights above. Brad Josephs photo.
by Steve Selden | Feb 6, 2015 | Churchill News
The Hudson Bay Quest’s mushing roster has been trimmed down to 14 as the race draws nearer. Al Hardman has withdrawn his entry and Elizabeth Graves, after just qualifying in the John Beargrease Marathon in Two Harbors, MN, also had a change in plans and cannot attend. The Hudson Bay Quest starts in Gillam, MB this year on March 13th. Churchill, shrouded in snow with aurora borealis overhead ,will welcome mushers over the ensuing few days.
Churchill musher Charlie Lundie and his dog team. Steve Selden photo.
Al ran in the 2000 Iditarod and finished 37th. He then placed 21st in the 2002 Iditarod. In 2004 a virus struck his dog team on the first half of the race though he was able to nurse them to the finish in 59th place. Al is a retired CEO of his own company Hardman Construction in Michigan.
Elizabeth, a musher from Ely, MN, competed in the mid-distance leg of the Beargrease which is the longest sled dog marathon in the lower 48 states at nearly 400 miles. She was able to qualify for the Hudson Bay Quest through her efforts in the Beargrease.
Start of the 2014 Hudson Bay Quest in Churchill, Manitoba. Brad Josephs photo.
Hudson Bay Quest entrant Ryan Anderson won the Beargrease race edging out three time champion Nathan Schroeder by 28 minutes. Anderson also beat Schroeder to the finish line in 2011 by just 20 seconds.
Snowfall in Churchill piling up. Hudson Bay Quest photo.
The OFFICIAL 2015 HBQ race roster is as follows:
1.) Martin Massicotte
2.) Dan DiMuzio
3.) Dave Daley
4.) Justin Allen
5.) Tom Terry
6.) Peter McClelland
7.) Jesse Terry
8.) Jennifer Freking
9.) Charlie Lundie
10.) Blake Freking
11.) Denis Tremblay
12.) Ryan Anderson
13.) Shawn McCarty
14.) Leonard McPherson
by Steve Selden | Jan 27, 2015 | Churchill News
The Hudson Bay Quest starts in Gillam, MB on March 13, 2015 and finishes in Churchill, MB. As we move closer, the race roster has seen another adjustment. Musher Normand Casavant has needed to withdraw. Keep watching for more updates as we draw closer.
Start of the 2014 Hudson Bay Quest. Joseph Lin photo.
The updated OFFICIAL 2015 HBQ race roster is as follows:
1.) Martin Massicotte
2.) Dan DiMuzio
3.) Dave Daley
4.) Justin Allen
5.) Tom Terry
6.) Peter McClelland
7.) Jesse Terry
8.) Jennifer Freking
9.) Charlie Lundie
10.) Blake Freking
11.) Denis Tremblay
12.) Ryan Anderson
13.) Shawn McCarty
14.) Leonard McPherson
15.) Al Hardman
This official list has been reviewed by the Race Marshall and the racer’s qualifications have been evaluated. This list reflects the order of registration, and will be used for the bib draw. Welcome to the 2015 HBQ!
Originally from Quebec and now based in Whitehorse, YT, Normand Casavant was a fan favorite on the Yukon Quest in 2009. He feels his mantra of remaining calm and optimistic transfers positive waves between him and his dogs. This transcendence brings him closer to achieving his goals. We wish him the best and hope to see him back in Churchill next year!
