4 dog teams rescued from blizzard during race

A blizzard slowed dog teamsin the annual Ivakkak dog team race in northern Quebecthis weekon their way to Umiujaq.

Fifteen teams began the600-kilometre race on Monday that stretches from Kuujjuaraapik, Que., to the finish line in Puvirnituq.

Timekeeper Johnny Oovaut said four dog teams had to be rescued Tuesday.

"The dog team owners are just fine; the dogs might have been affected slightly," he said in Inuktitut. "The weather was bad. Even the person on a snowmobile who went to get them passed Umiujaq as he could not see the community."

All of the teams are carrying SPOT GPS trackers, which helped officials quickly find the teams needing assistance.

The last few teams eventually made it to Umiujaq after midnight.

Allen Gordon of Kuujjuaq is still leading but not far behind him is Peter Ittukalak of Puvirnituq in second place, and Willie Cain Jr. of Tasiujaq in third.

The race will resume at 9 a.m. Thursday, weather permitting.