The Whale Cove snowmobile race has deep roots going back to 1975, when it was first started by Mary Sigurdson (Irkortee). It began in Whale Cove as a mass start race, with riders coming from Whale Cove to Rankin Inlet and back again.

It was a community-driven event from the beginning. One of the first prizes was a case or pallet of soft drinks. The race quickly became a highlight, bringing people together and pushing riders across tough northern terrain.

After a few years, the format shifted and began starting from Rankin Inlet. Keith Sharp helped run the race during that period. However, due to safety concerns, the race was eventually stopped around 1979 and remained inactive for decades.

In 2022, the race was brought back to life. A new organizing group was formed, with handpicked committee members including Neco Towtongie, Gabe Choquette, and Taina Ashoona. The goal was to revive the race in a safer, more structured way while keeping the spirit of the original alive.

The Modern Race

Today, the race runs as a timed event rather than a mass start.

Racers begin at 12:00 PM, leaving in pairs at 30-second intervals. Typically, there are around 30 participants. The course runs from Rankin Inlet to Whale Cove, which is about 60 miles one way, and then back again along the same trail.

The terrain is challenging. Riders cross sea ice, land, and rocky sections, with multiple checkpoints along the route. It’s not uncommon for machines to take damage due to rocks and ice, which is part of what makes the race so demanding.

At Whale Cove, fuelling is mandatory. The pit stop is tightly controlled, with no passing allowed in the pit lane. Once refuelled, racers head back to Rankin, again passing through all checkpoints.

After all racers have returned and checkpoint crews are accounted for, the community gathers for a celebration and prize ceremony, with winners determined by total time.

The race successfully returned to Rankin Inlet all of 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The 2026 race will introduce a new route. Racers will start in Whale Cove, travel to Rankin Inlet to refuel, and then return to Whale Cove.

This year also marks a major step forward in technology and safety. The race will use GPS tracking systems provided from the United Kingdom, allowing anyone in the world to follow racers live. Each rider will have a tracker showing their location, speed, and race progress, along with details about the racer and their machine.

Safety is a top priority. With live tracking, organizers can respond quickly if a racer needs help. Rescue teams and ambulance services will be on standby throughout the event.

There will also be live coverage:

• Start and finish streamed on Facebook and YouTube

• Live updates from along the trail using Starlink

• Multiple professional drone operators capturing footage

The committee and all the racers, fans, and supporters can’t wait to get going!