Greetings from the Qajaq Aviisiiliortut

4 July 2015

The Greenland National Competition for 2015 is about to start on Monday here in Sisimiut. The annual celebration of Greenland Kayak tradition includes racing, rolling, harpoon throwing, and rope gymnastics. Held usually in early July the event lasts about a week and ends with the determination of an overall male and female champion. The winning team is also determined. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the foundation of Qaannat Kattuffiat (the Greenland Kayak Association). It is also the 15th year the competition has been open to foreigners.

The field of top contenders expected to attend this year, include the following who have previously won the title at least once:

Maliina Amondsen from Nuuk,

Karla Reimer from Ilulissat,

Jens Peter Jeremiasen from Ilulissat,

Marie Kristine Samuelsen, formerly of Paamiut, now living in Nuuk,

Kristian David Josefsen from Nuuk,

Kunnuunguaq Davidsen from Sisimiut,

Ulunnguaq Josefsen from Nuuk, formerly Ulunnguaq Rosbach of Sisimiut.

Upcoming participants attending this year who are possibly on the verge of winning the title include:

Erik Amondsen from Nuuk,

Karen Marie Jensen from Ilulissat,

Pia Jensen from Ilulissat.

International competitors attending this year include:

Freya Fennwood and her father John Fennwood from the USA

Mats Hallberg from Sweden

Dubside will compete in Allunaariaqataarneq

In our next bulletin we will look in more detail at each of these competitors and their past records. We will also focus on the younger age categories. These start with the 4‐6 years olds, on up through the teenage divisions. Several outstanding competitors in these groups have the potential to become champions in years to come.

The number of expected participants this year is about 100, an encouraging sign. From a high of approximately 150 people in 2006 the numbers dropped to a low of 50 in 2010, but have been steadily rising every year since then. The skill levels have followed a general rising trend, and several records have been broken as many competitors have trained hard and come with impressive abilities.

Those familiar with the competition history know that Maligiaq Padilla, originally from Sisimiut, has won the title an unprecedented 9 times, beginning his string of wins with a stunning upset in 1998 at the age of 16, the only kayaker to ever win the title before he reached his 18th birthday. However, he is not expected to attend this year. Residing these days in Kotzebu, Alaska, with his wife and two young children, he has indicated a desire to retire from active competition and let a new generation of kayakers take over. Yet it must be noted that Maligiaq has expressed the same or similar sentiments as far back as 2005, later changing his mind and continuing to compete.

As of Saturday night the Qaqortoq team has arrived in Sisimiut. The team from Ilulissat is due to arrive tomorrow. Excitement is starting to build as another year gets underway. With this communication we at Qajaq Aviisii aim to give you full coverage of the Championship as it happens.

Takuss’

Qajaq Aviisii

July 6 2015 Sisimiut, Greenland

Today the competition will start. Weather forecast calls for sunny and dry, and a good deal warmer than yesterday, which got up to 10 C. The spring/summer season got off to a late start here. There was snowfall in early June. In fact there are still a few patches of unmelted snow by the roadways but they are disappearing fast. The mountains and hillsides still have large areas of snow on them.

The morning is scheduled to begin with the arrival of the ferry from the north, bringing the Ilulissat team just in time for the opening procession to the church, for service and following that the laying of flowers at the grave of those who dies at sea – many kayakers included. In the afternoon the naatsumut parrunneq (short distance race) will be held, starting with the children’s age categories, followed by the teens, and adults.

Looking at the lineup, we have the latest information on last-minute changes.

Kunuunnguaq Davidsen, the 2012 champion, who regularly finishes in the top three, has dropped out of the competition this year. He certainly would have been one to watch, as he holds the record for highest rolling score, and can often succeed at nusutsinneq (the walrus pull). He 3-Kununnguaq Davidsen in grew up with Maligiaq, both of them QU13 Ilulissat 1Jørgen Leander at the Qajaq 2-Camilla Leander ready competing as teenagers. Sisimiut clubhouse, preparing his for QU15 daugter’s qajaq

Jorgen Leander another of Maligiaq’s peers from Sisimiut has also dropped out. Jorgen has been one of the faster kayakers in the races. His daughter, Camilla, will however compete – in a qajaq that her father build for her - she won 2 gold and 2 bronce medals last year.

Another disappointing cancellation is Heine Biilmann, now 15 years old. Last year he made an impressive entry into kayak competition by winning most of his races. He also had such a dependable roll, he was doing victory rolls at the end of races, like many of the top men do. This involves rolling without a tuilik on and in the frigid arctic water takes considerable nerve.

Looking at the men’s 20-34 lineup there are ten entrants – and it is in this group that Qajaqer of the Year will be found. Jens Peter Jeremiassen, last year’s champion could be the favorite, but watch out for Erik Amondsen from Nuuk. Erik is a very skilled skier in the winter time, and was last seen in a qajaq in 2010 where he came in second place. Has he been practicing? We will find out. Naatsumut, the short distance race, makes a good initial evaluation of speed to sort out who the top competitors are, so today’s results will reveal a lot. Also important will be how Erik does allunaariaqattaarneq - the ropes - scheduled for Tuesday. In 2009 he scored over 500, something very few others have done. Jaffet Davidsen, of the

Sisimiut team has long been a strong component of the 20-34 men’s group, 4Ulloriaq Davidsen in allunaariaqataarneq in but the new arrival in the 20-34 category is Ulloriaq Davidsen who just turned Qaqortoq 2014 20. Several of the other entrants are familiar names – Angut Davidsen (Jaffet and Kununnguaqs’s little brother), Kaaspaaraq Petersen and Martin Skade Jensen from Iluissat. However none of these, nor the two men from Qaqortoq are signed up for rolling. Missing the two rolling events, individual and team, doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t win the title, but it doesn’t put them at an advantage. We will analyze scoring in more detail later.

For the women’s 20-34 group, we can see right away that Marie Kristine Samuelsen, a four time champion (2005, 2007, 2008, 2012) is going to be competing in the 35-49 group. Likewise for Ulunnguaq Josefsen, the champion in 2004 and 2006. Ulunnguaq in recent years has been handling the competition administrative tasks. She also became a mother last year and is pregnant again (congratulations [bischluarit] ) yet still intent on competing this year. Her husband Kristian David Josefsen, the champion 2006 and 2010 is competing this year but in the 35-49 group.

So the field of 20-34 women is down to nine. The standouts are Karla Reimer from Ilulissat, last year’s champion,

6Karen Marie Jensen doing the "Palluussineq aapaa who has her work cut sakissap" on the ropes, all the way back in 2011 in out for her with the Sisimiut. return of Malina Amondsen (Champion 2009. 2001) who, like her brother Erik, has not appeared in competition since 2010. Karla Reimer has not signed up for kinngusaqattaarneq / rolling. In fact only three of the women are signed 5Malina Amondsen in Paamiut 2012, ready for up for all eight events: Malina, Ulunnguaq (we are not sure about letting individual rolling / Iligikkarluni kinngusaqattaarneq. a pregnant women do ropes) and Karen Marie Jensen. Karen will be exciting to watch. She has participated in the kayak competition for years and has placed in the top three a few times since becoming 20. For years she has held the women’s record on ropes, and it is known that she has strong rolling skills. We have not seen here the last two years due to the fact that she became a mother (congratulations). Karen Marie’s little sister Pia is also a contender. Pia has been attending for many years and has also finished in the top three more than once.

This is the end for now, we’ll return when there’s more to tell.

7Karla Reimer doing a great harpoon throw in Qaqortoq 2014 Qajaq Aviisii

Monday night 6 July 2015

Quick results:

The very first winners of 2015 are Ivalo Jerimiassen and Ivalo Reimer the first and second place finishers in the 4‐6 year old girls category. They are both on the Ilulissat team.

In the championship Man/Woman of the Year races Malina Amondsen finished first nearly a full minute ahead of Karla Reimer. Sorine Reimer came in third more than a minute later. If Malina has the same kind of speed in the longer races she will be the one to watch for this year’s title. We have seen in past years that she rolls quite well, so the harpoon events may be the deciding factor.

1Malik Jensen fights to a bronze‐medal out of 8 competitors! For the men’s 20‐34 race Jens Peter Jeremiassen took a strong lead, followed closely by Martin Skade Jensen, both from Ilulissat. Erik Amondsen did not look as strong off the starting line, but he had a surprise up his sleeve. By the end of the race he was a full minute ahead of Jens Peter. Jaffet Davidsen had passed Martin Skade Jensen for third but was still a minute and a half behind Jens Peter. Angut Davidsen was fifth. Although it doesn’t count for points we would like to note that Jaffet Davidsen made this year’s first victory roll and then coaxed Jens Peter to do one.

All of the results can be found on the Qajaq Sisimiut facebook page, under “files”. Tuesday is both ropes and individual rolling, a busy day for all.

A special note should be made of monday’s short races for women 35‐49, where Elisabeth Jensen – despite a history of capsizing due to a club qajaq that was really built for kinngusaarneq and not for newcomers – set out for the race, trembling on the inside and slightly wobbling on the outside. She had borrowed a qajaq that first broke a deckline, causing a hole in the hull that needed to be repaired. It was a tremendous victory when she – last but completely on her own – paddled across the finish line. Such are the tiny stories that make for great people. Qajaq Aviisii 4

1Mona Jensen begins nammaassaariarneq and Jens Christian Davidsen half way through the the same nammaassaariarneq

2Ivinnguaq Ane Olsen ready for singernermillugu

Rope Exercises were held on Tuesday July 7, 2015 starting around 9:30 in the morning with the children ages 4‐6.

The rope exercises, which are called allunaariaqattaarneq in Greenlandic are the only event that takes place without getting into the water in a kayak. There are more than 70 different variations of hanging on the ropes and swinging all the way around, each with left/right, forward/backwards variations and a score based on difficulty. Every competitor gets half an hour to do as many as they can. Most of the children have been active on the ropes before they got 3Aka Malik Enoksen sets up for qupaloraarsuusaarneq comfortable in a kayak.

Looking at the up‐and‐coming ropes competitors gives us an idea of who the future top kayakers might be. Aka Malik Enoksen from Sisimiut (see photo) in the boys 10‐12 group was very impressive with 178 points. Even Maligiaq Padilla was not scoring this high when he was that age.

Karl Peter Jonathansen has been outstanding on ropes for the past several years. This is the second year he has scored higher than Maligiaq’s best record. But looking at the ropes competition history, perhaps the most outstanding ropes record for boys is the 325 points Sisimiut’s Jens Jakob Davidsen performed in 2006 when he was only 12 years old. Unfortunately he never topped this score when he 4Pia Jensen from Ilulissat preparing to do peqquullugu. moved up to the 13‐14 group, and he stopped competing before he was 16. While Tuesday’s ropes event was in progress, Jens Jakob, who is now twenty years old, came by to watch. During a break he talked to with Karl Peter Jonathansen, the outstanding ropes expert from today conferring his counterpart from the previous generation.

With so many participants competing in ropes the day was long and by 7 or 8 pm all the children, teens and women were finished. Rather than go on into the late hours the men’s 20‐34 was postponed until probably Friday. 5Karl Peter Jonathansen and Jens Jakob Davidsen To see more about how the rope exercises are done and scored go to qattaarneq.com. You can also look up past records and names of participants going all the way back to the first competition in 1987. The Qajaq Sisimiut facebook page has this information gathered in an Excel‐database under “Files”.

The individual rolling competition was held at the same time as the ropes exercises, but in a different location. We have the full results at the facebookpage (under “files”) but worth noting is that the foreigners did fantastic well and were far ahead in each of their categories: Sandie Debois from France, Freya Fenwood from USA and the final competitor of the day was Mats Hallberg from Sweden, who even tried nusutsinneq (the walrus pull). He was not successful, because the decklines on his Black Pearl wooden kayak were elastic bungie cords, which unlike sealskin, stretch too much to hold the norsaq in place where the rope line is tied. Angerlaq Olsen from Ilulissat did also the walrus pull but was disqualified due to a loosened tuilik – which means that all of her previous rolls count for nothing – so are the official rules.

Despite first place on Monday in the short distance race, both Erik and Maliina Amondsen said they had not been practicing – same as they said about their rolling. To say that you haven’t been practicing and aren’t very good, especially if you have been practicing and are very, very good is very much like what a seal hunter in the old days would say.

(foto by Kendra Pierre‐Louis from todays kinng. Of an unknown Qajartortartoq) Qajaq Aviisii 5

Results of the short distance race are in. The weather was sunny, dry with a slight breeze down by the water. Very nice except for the mosquitoes – a typical summer in Greenland. There was a good turnout of curious spectators to cheer on their favorite competitors. The Men 15‐17‐years of age race was only completed Friday afternoon, since the leading boat originally had taken a wrong route because they hadn’t been provided with an updated route map. In the hard wind Noah John Davidsen won, followed by Gerth Johansen – son of the brave Elisabeth, whom we wrote about earlier.

The distance of 5,7km was used for all of the men from 18 and up: 18‐19, 20‐ 34, 35‐49 and 50‐59. By comparing them, it’s revealed that Erik Amondsen certainly is the fastest (35:19) but Jens Peter Jeremiassen’s second place (both guys are in the 20‐34‐group) actually was slower than two men from the 35‐49‐group: Hans Kristian Olsen and Jørgen Kristiansen. Jeremiassens 36:33 was 25 seconds slower than Olsen and 9 seconds slower than Kristiansen. Also the third place of Jaffet Davidsen wasn’t as fast as Torben Johansen of the 50‐59’ers who with 37:38 was 20 seconds faster. In the women’s race Angerlaq A. Olsen (35‐49) was – with 32:32 on the 4,8km – exactly a minute ahead of Malina Amondsen of the 20‐34’s and 4:13 faster than 18‐year old Camilla Leander. Angerlaq also won the women’s long distance, but we will only have the details later. The oldboys – and girls ‐ are still strong qajatortartut!

We would 1Underneath is John Eliassen (+ son) next to Steen have liked to C. Nielsen, at a medal ceremony 2015. (foto by Heather Adams) Steens wife Idun is also a strong see John paddler, competing in QU15. Pedersen (50‐ Left is John Petersen from last year. 59) and John Eliassen (35‐ 49), both from Ilulissat, on the starting line. Pedersen – whom for many years have spent considerable time and effort on the qajaqing sport – was on the partipants list, but had to cancel, and “both Johns” have paddled in many QUs as, and amongst, the fastest competitors in their age group. Last year also benefitted from Steen C. Nielsen, whom ‐ according to our database – only partakes every 6th year of so, but whom last year won everything in his age group without problems. We’ll be looking forward to seeing those three again…. Although we might have to wait a while for Steen. Results from Tuesdays rolling competition / ataas. kinngusaqattaarneq: The foreigners of the international class scored much higher than the Greenlandic competitors. Why is this? Well, first of all it must be noted that both Freya Fenwood of the USA and Mats Halberg from Sweden were not using sealskin tuillit (tuiliks). Sealskin does not stretch as much as neoprene and is not as buoyant. It also does not provide as much insulation against the cold water. On the other hand – as Sandie Debois from France showed after her individual rolling – a tuilik of sealskin is completely waterproof. 2foto of Karl Larsen taken by Heather Adams in Qaqortoq 2014 To perform the rolling maneuvers a person needs to use their bodily flexibility to lay against the kayak either forward or backward as much as possible. Sealskin’s stiffness, especially if it has not been prepared properly by being rubbed with seal fat or laid in water for several hours, hinders the movements needed to do the more difficult rolls. So in looking at high rolling scores the type of tuilik should be taken into account, even though the records do not indicate this. The foreign participants in International class can use them because they “don’t count”, but the rules say that participants in QU must use tuilik or akkuilissaq / spray skirts of sealskin.

However, another obvious reason should be taken into account: time for practice and the weather: all of the Greenlandic competitors are amateurs, and if they’re not elite sportsmen in other disciplines, have very little time to practice. Like Erik Amondsen in skiing, he pointed this out to us despite his own surprise at this coincidence. This is unlike for example Freya Fenwood or Dubside who have made rolling into something of a lifestyle and livelihood. And in Greenland there’s really only ice free shorelines and a bearable water temperature from late May through to early October. Mats Hallberg also agrees, although he did also train some in the cold period just outside of Stockholm in his native Sweden. Back in the day ‐ at least in west Greenland because no one hunts from qajaqs here any longer ‐ the hunters would naturally need to still set out during winter, but today people simply only train in the few months of summertime. That’s a fact, and it shows.

Having said this, the results from this year include two competitors in the 35‐49 group who we know have rolled much better years ago. Taking time off for family and other obligations is certainly understandable, and it is nice to see them participating again. However, our database shows that Pavia Tobiassen has a best of 272 in 2003, and has exceeded the 250 level multiple times. This year it looks as though he has not practiced for a long time. He just barely fell short of the 50‐point minimum qualifying score for men. Kristian

3Sisimiuts HP Jeremiassen in 2014 rolling over to begin the pusillini Paarneq David Josefsen had a personal best of 278 in 1999, and these records were set back when the rolling list was only 30 maneuvers long. In 2007 the list was extended to 35 maneuvers, making the maximum possible score over 350.

The absolute highest possible rolling score cannot be stated exactly because of pusilluni paarneq, ( upside down for distance). If you could for a kilometer on one breath within half an hour you could theoretically get one thousand points. According to Efraim Adolfsen, one of the last surviving seal hunter of Qaqortoq, who passed away in 2010, a seal hunter would be trained from childhood to hold their breath for a long time. And by the time they were an adult they could do it as long as a seal.

The flexibility, coordination, and timing that the ropes require are the same qualities 4Ephraim Adolphsen in 2008, age 82, observing the QU in needed for the rolls. But a person has to overcome the fear of being underwater – Qaqortoq upsidedown. Karen Marie Jensen from Ilulissat, who has been the best woman in allunaariaqattaarneq (ropes exercises) for many years, learned to roll in 2009 yet seems to have gotten discouraged. Seeing her perform on the ropes one can tell she has not yet reached her full potential in kinngusaaqataarneq (rolling). On the Sisimiut team Hans Peter Jeremiassen is very impressive rolling, and last year he braved the icy water in Ilulissat during the rolling competition, which many of the competitors say is noticeably colder. Why isn’t Karl Peter Jonathansen, who is so talented on the ropes, rolling as well? Gerth Johansen, like Hans Peter in the 15‐17 group, can roll, so the Sisimiut team has no lack of coaching talent.

Thursday was long‐distance‐day and the evening ended around midnight after the mens 16,2km route, changing between calm waters in the bay and the rough waves outside – only one kayaker capsized and two had to give up, so it was a fine race. And as far as we know, Erik Amondsen won in front of Jens Peter Jeremiassen, then Pavia Tobiassen and Martin Skade Jensen. We’ll tell more when we know more.

5Uiloq Jessen in her Qajaq, that like most from Qaqortoq, is red with straight stern and bow, arrives after 9,6km Long distance. Qajaq Aviisii 6

Another year of the Greenland National Kayak Championship has come to an end. We will summarize the last week’s highlights.

In the men’s 20‐34 race Erik Amondsen lead the pack consistently. At the second portage the waves coming into shore made launches tricky. Several competitors couldn’t get the akuilisaq on fast enough to prevent the next

wave from spilling into the kayak, making it necessary to get out, empty the qajaq, and start over.

1‐Erik Amondsen is about to be surprised ‐ the wave will in a second fill his Qajaq 2Jaffet Davidsen, always a jokester, still found time to pose and he will have to get out and empty his qajaq of water, before reentering. for the camera in the middle of a tiring race. The women’s group, using a course not as long that did not include beach launch the men had to negotiate, found Malina Amondsen holding the lead.

In each of the races a pattern developed wherein Jens Peter Jeremiassen usually came in behind Erik, and either Sorine or Karla Reimer took second behind Malina Amondsen.

The unfinished allunaariaqattaarneq competition from Tuesday was rescheduled to Friday evening, and relocated to be closer to the on‐water

4Erik Amonsen leading the way in the portage race shortly after start

3(left) Edgar Markussen doing Pakassummillugu (Right) Knud Jensen coached by daughter Karen Marie. activities. Tuesday’s location was at a spot in town next to the lake where it was done in 2011. But this year the uprights had been placed ahead of time with a spacing of only 3 meters apart, leading some people to complain that the rules say they should be wider. On Friday the ropes were suspended from the corners of the shipping containers which happened to be spaced at the full six meters, allowing the men’s category to be done in compliance with the official rules.

Erik Amondsen, with a personal allunaariaqattaarneq best of over 400 in 2004, managed to make 309, certainly a respectable score, but not enough to get a gold medal this time. It was Ulloriaq Davidsen in his first year with the 20‐34 group who beat Erik by 60 points. We expect to see Ulloriaq get better and better in the future.

Karen Marie Jensen, with 189 points resumes her top women’s ropes position after a two year hiatus. Malina Amondsen finished fourth with 105, behind Sorine 5Ulloriaq Davidsen ina peaceful moment before relay races

Reimer (146) and Pia Jensen (113).

In rolling, Jaffet Davidsen outrolled Erik Amondsen 217 to 159.5 with Jens Peter Jeremiassen in third scoring 111.

In team rolling competition Nuuk’s trio of Erik Amondsen, Pavia Tobiassen and Kristian Josefsen with 77 points defeated Ilulissat’ Jens Peter Jeremiassen, Abel Jakobsen, and Jens Jensen’s 48.5 points.

Malina M. Amondsen had a 135 point towards the title “qajaq woman of the year”, far ahead of Sorine Reimer who has 100. Since the difference was greater than 21 points , it means that she could have skipped one of her 1st place finishes, skipped the race entirely and still won the title. Brother Erik Amondsen, however, finished much closer to Jens Peter Jeremiassen when the point totals were added up, 149 versus 141. Looking closer at the event totals, Jeremiassens rolling team did 48,5 points – 1,5 point shy of a qualifying score, leaving them with a zero for team rolling. Had they made one more roll and qualified, that second place finish would’ve given them each 18 points which would easily have put Jens Peter ahead of Erik – thus making HIM kayaker of the year! Thus, at the awards dinner, Erik Amondsen (1st) was named Qajaq man of the year, with Jens Peter Jeremiassen in second and Jaffet Davidsen in third place – and Malina Amondsen Qajaq qoman of the year, with Sorine Reimer in second place and Pia Jensen in third. The just as coveted team trophy was won by Ilulissat – if they win it next year ae well, they get to keep it for ever!!

Several honorees were named: Alibak Augustussen, who had spent many years on starting and running Qajaq clubs in Maniitsoq and Sisimiut, and Kaleeraq Bech and his wife Lone, who started Qajaq Sisimiut. In 1999 and 2000 Kaleeraq played a major role in facilitating the formation of QajaqUSA, the American affiliate of Qaannat Kattiffiat and last year, Kaleeraq was honored by Qajaq Sisimiut for his many years of service and dedication.

6(top left) Alibech, (bottom left) Kaleeraq today, and (above) Kaleeraq in the Awards ceremony in Sisimiut 1994 – it was actually Alibach who made and gave the present, a cut‐out profile of a qajaq.

Qajaq Nuuk rises again

For a long time Qajaq Nuuk, Qajaq Sisimiut, and Qajaq Ilulissat were the major players in the Championships. They sent the largest teams, dominated the team trophy standings, and fielded most of the top contenders for Man/Woman of the Year. Qajaq Qaqortoq and Qajaq Paamiut have also had a strong presence, yet lately Qajaq Paamiut has gone dormant, and one of their top members, Marie Kristine Samuelsen moved to Nuuk – and competed this year on their behalf.

Of the three largest teams, Qajaq Nuuk’s presence at the competition surprisingly dropped down to just about nothing in the last three or four years, a significant factor in the low numbers of competitors during this period. Arriving this year with only ten members, including three new faces we haven’t seen before: Marie Heilmann Josefsen, Aputsiaq Petersen, and Ujarneq Tobiassen; Nuuk did not have any big expectations other than taking another step towards rebuilding the team in the next few years. But as this week’s events got underway they became caught up in the excitement as they realized that both the Man and Woman of the Year titles were within reach. By the week’s end their strong races results meant that first place finishes in harpoon, ropes and rolling weren’t necessary, and their overall totals gave each of them a comfortable margin of victory.

7Noah John Davidsen after relay

How to out‐Maligiaq Maligiaq

In the old days kayak greatness was defined by how many seals a hunter could catch. The act of towing home five or six seals or a big walrus spoke for itself. Nowadays we have the Kayak Championship. In the 30 year history of Qaannat Kattuffiat only Maligiaq Padilla has won the title more than three times, and his nine wins are indeed a great achievement. But the purpose of holding the Championships has always been to pass on awareness and respect for the skills and techniques of to the next generation. In the Qajaq clubs we have mothers, fathers, and their children at many different age levels taking part year after year. This is as it should be. What better way to pass on kayaking than have your own son or daughter win the year’s title. And what could be greater than to have both titles won in your own family in the same year?

And so we feel that Jenseeraq Amondsen is the real winner for 2015. He is also probably the happiest, proudest man today in Sisimiut. From the early years up to around 2011 Jenseeraq has been the president, vice president, treasurer and we can’t remember what else of Qaannat Kattuffiat. He has dedicated much of his life to kayaking and Qaannat Kattuffiat, devoting countless hours and resources. If you have enjoyed the historical angles of our competition coverage, when we cite past high scores or note which years a

8Jenseeraq Amondsen at the start of QU15 particular competitor has been present or absent, you should know that this information would not have been available without Jenseeraq’s dedication to cataloging and maintaining Qaannat Kattuffiat’s archives. If he had not had the foresight to hold on to the thousands of pages of documents that now make up these records, we would only be able to venture guesses as to names and scores from years ago.

Kayaking skills, particularly the rope exercises and rolling maneuvers, evolved over time by someone performing a difficult thing, and then someone else doing it even better in a way that was a little more difficult. If anyone is going to beat Maligiaq’s record of nine championship wins, it will take them a long time. But Jenseeraq Amondsen has raised the challenge even higher: teach your children the kayaking tradition, then have them win both Championship titles in the same year – exactly the 30th anniversary for the rejuvenation of qajaq in it’s ancient homeland

Maligiaq and his wife Elizabeth now have a daughter and a son. It will take them at least fifteen years to match Jenseeraq’s achievement. Can they do it? We will see.

Next Year: Nuuk 2016

For those of you in English‐speaking countries, we are aware that often in the past the only news you would hear about the Greenland Championships was either that Maligiaq won, or that he didn’t attend, and this news wouldn’t be circulated until weeks afterwards. We were aiming to give you daily stories as they happened, as well as highlight some of the lesser known names and faces involved, but as this is our first attempt to do so, we ran into various obstacles including an exhausting pace, logistical challenges, and lack of time to sleep. Perhaps some of our typographical errors, factual inaccuracies, and translation differences made this apparent.

Knowing that there is interest in traditional kayaking around the world, and that travels costs are often prohibitive, we feel that better communication and awareness will most effectively strengthen and unite us. We here at Qajaq Aviisii are only today starting to recover from an exhausting week, and 9Playing on the ropes a few days before QU aren’t quite ready to think about next year. begins But it is possible – maybe – that we will 10Elias Inusugtok ‐ another important man – a lifelong strong qajartortartoq and builder of qajaqs. regroup and have another go in 2016 in Nuuk.

We hope that with this coverage, we have shown that kayaking in Greenland is far more than one person’s name or one year’s events. It’s the togetherness / ataqatigiinneq, it’s the pride of a continuing tradition, and it’s the victory of a simple wooden skeleton covered by a flimsy cloth that to this day braves the waves of the rough coasts in a harsh climate.

Thanks for your interest

11One of the "dead" qajaqs outside the Sisimiut Clubhouse. It only needs a new fabric skin and a paaq / manhole, and it's ready for duty ‐ after all these forgotten years.