BHP Billiton Rock and Ice Ultra
Diamond Racers
Rob Howard / 18.03.2009
Racers and volunteers are now making their way to Yellowknife, capital of Northwest Territories, for the start of the BHP Billiton Rock and Ice Ultra. Yellowknife is the end of the road, a 90 minute internal flight from the nearest international airport at Edmonton, holds numerous Canadian cold weather and snowfall records, and is one of the most important diamond mining towns in the world. The town’s position on the edge of the Barren Lands, just below the Arctic Circle, its remote location, surrounding geography, weather and industry all contribute to the unique appeal of this race. The physical challenge is to complete one of the three available courses: the one-day 55 km ‘Cold Foot Classic’, the 3 day 135km ‘K-Rock Ultra’, or the 6 day 225Km ‘Diamond Ultra’. All distances can be completed solo or in relay teams, and either on foot/snowshoe, or x-country skis.
Race HQ is set up at ‘Matrix Village’, built on the ice at Yellowknife Bay on Great Slave Lake. From here almost the entire course is on the ice of the thousands of lakes that cover the surrounding area. There are surprisingly few portages and only 4 stage camps as the Diamond Ultra route comprises a figure of eight allowing the long distance racers to spend their 3rd night back at Matrix Camp. All of this is within the Dene Nations territory.
The lake ice will remain frozen for some time yet. There is little noticeable sign of the arrival of spring, although the temperatures have risen recently to lie closer to the historic average for this time of year. It’s -14C today, and that’s the high temperature in the afternoon – it will fall much lower tonight and wind chill makes the temperature feel much colder.
In the first ever race two years ago race the low was a painful -42C, but surprisingly there were more problems with snow blindness and frost bite and ‘warmer’ temperatures last year.
Working in this harsh environment requires know-how, skill and professionalism, and the race has those qualities in abundance. BHP Billliton operate the Ekati Diamond mine which lies 300km north of Yellowknife, working year round in arctic conditions to mine the high quality Ekati diamonds, some of which are the prizes for the longer courses. This year for the first time there are diamond prizes for both male and female categories and a total of 8 diamonds worth $37,000 will be won!See All Event Posts
