Rock and Ice Ultra

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Mine Hosts

Rob Howard / 24.03.2007

Thanks to their sponsors, the Ekati mine and their owners BHP Billiton, the first Rock and Ice Ultra had 4 high quality cut diamonds on offer as prizes, and such unique prizes were deserving of a very special presentation, one which was made at the mine itself.

The Ekati mine was the first in NW Territories, and started the ‘diamond rush’ which is one reason Yellowknife is now so prosperous. The mine is not exactly close to town however, and to get there a plane was specially chartered to fly the 4 main prize winners, race organisers and media 300km north to the mine.

After a delay for fog, the flight gave the racers a brief aerial view of some of the course, but soon any sign of rock was gone, replaced by the total snow cover of the ‘Barren Lands’. And in the midst of this hostile environment was the mine, visible as a small industrial complex surrounded by mine pits, with a runway alongside.

Once we touched down on the ice, it didn’t seem so small. In fact everything was on a grand scale, as we were soon to find out. First priority however, was to clear security and make the prize winner presentations in the large gym of the main building.

Sean Brennan, President and Chief Operating Officer of the mine, made the presentations of one carrot gems to the ‘Diamond 300’ winners, Dave Mackey and Mike Scherman, and a half carrot stone to each of the K-Rock 160 winners, Ewan Affleck and Philip Mees. Watches were also presented to Race Director Scott Smith and Race Advisor Ray Zahab. See All Event Posts