by Steve Selden | Jan 12, 2015 | Churchill Photography
Polar bears get all the press in Churchill, Manitoba. They are why most travelers head north to the Hudson Bay shoreline… hoping to see the “king of the Arctic”. Another animal is quite prevalent in the area and they inhabit the town year-round.
Sled dogs of different breeds are scattered all across the tundra on the outskirts of town. Mushers locate them in groups of 10-50 in designated areas on crown land leased for that purpose. With the increasing popularity of dog-sledding from a tourism standpoint as well as the increase in passion for professional endurance races such as the Hudson Bay Quest, the iconic “husky” sled dog has become an animal attraction for those wanting to get the full flavor of the Arctic.
Enjoy these fantastic photographs from Churchill…the new “sled dog” capitol of the north!
Hudson Bay Quest race start 2014 in Churchill, MB. Brad Josephs photo.
Canadian Eskimo sled dog outside Arctic Trading Company in Churchill. Karen Walker photo.
Sled dog team waiting for the signal in Churchill.
Sled dog taking a quick rest between runs in Churchill.
Churchill musher Charlie Lundie and his dog team. Steve Selden photo.
Churchill sled dogs going for the gold. Brad Josephs photo.
Come to Churchill for a sled dog excursion with Natural Habitat Adventures! visit nathab.com for more information on these incredible experiences.
by Steve Selden | Jan 4, 2015 | Churchill News
The Hudson Bay Quest will begin this year in Gillam, Manitoba on March 13th, 2015. The mushers will sled 271 kilometers north to Churchill, Manitoba.
Hudson Bay Quest.
Looking over the 2015 musher roster one finds mushers from Churchill. Maybe this will be the year a local musher brings home the crown. Here’s a look at the Churchillian contingent of mushers registered at the moment:
Charlie Lundie
Dave Daley
Earnest Azure
Dan Dimuzio
Justin Allen
by Steve Selden | Dec 28, 2014 | Churchill News
March 13th marks the start of this year’s Hudson Bay Quest dogsled race. This year the race begins in Gillam, MB and finishes in Churchill, MB. The start date is slightly earlier this year as it has been closer to St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) the past few years. should be a festive winter atmosphere as the mushers guide their sleds toward Churchill.
Sled dogs in training for the Hudson Bay Quest. Brad Josephs photo.
Take a look at the 2015 updated musher roster and race map courtesy of Hudson Bay Quest website.
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.) Normand Casavant
12.) Denis Tremblay
13.) Ryan Anderson
14.) Shawn McCarty
15.) Leonard McPherson
16.) Al Hardman
This is the official list as our Race Marshal has reviewed the racer’s qualifications. This list reflects the order of registration, and will be used for the bib draw. Welcome to the 2015 HBQ!
by Steve Selden | Apr 9, 2014 | Churchill News
Minnesota mushers top leaderboard in Hudson Bay Quest
by Steve Selden | Mar 19, 2014 | Churchill News
HBQ 2014 Times:
Red Lantern bib #3 Justin Allen 54:20:12
12th place bib #8 Bob Shanahan 44:38:12
11th place bib #14 Charlie Lundie 44:08:00
10th place bib #9 Jim Oehschlaeger 40:41:30
9th place bib # 4 Dan DiMuzio 40:34:52
8th place bib #13 Kevin Malikowski 39:44:20
7th place bib #6 Ernest Azure 38:30:23
6th place bib #15 Shawn McCarty 37:50:52
5th place bib #11 Josh Compton 36:15:47
4th place bib #5 Blake Freking 35:45:51
3rd place bib #12 Troy Groeneveld 35:32:53
2nd place bib #7 Peter McClelland 34:55:41
1st place bib #1 Ryan Anderson 34:35:32
Ryan Anderson,above, from Ray, MN won the 2014 Hudson Bay Quest with a time of 34:35:32….20 minutes ahead of Ely, MN runner – up Peter McClelland . The Red Lantern bib award ( last to finish) was secured by Quest rookie Justin Allen with a time of 54:20:12…20 hours off the first place finisher Anderson.
The 210 mile race was free of any blizzard conditions this year though the temperatures were in the negative 35-40F range. With the upper half of finishers completing the course in just about a day and a half, overall the course ran pretty smooth and quick. After challenging the lead, race organizer and promoter and local Churchill resident, Dave Daley withdrew very close to the finish with cramping dogs. Unfortunately no official finish this year for Dave. I;m sure he will be counting the days until the 2015 HBQ.
Finish line in Gillam,MB. Tony Loewen photo.
Bib #7 Peter McClelland having a break at M’Clintock. Nace Hagemann photo.
Bib #5 Blake Freking providing to one of his dogs at M’Clintock. Nace Hageman photo.
Warming hut along the trail. Nace Hageman photo.
