Tim and Eric left their final layover in Churchill at 9:19am. Our support team #2 had gone ahead to the Ranger checkpoint and we had stayed back to get Tim and Eric out of Churchill. As soon as they left, we booked it towards the Ranger checkpoint. We saw them cross the road on the Trans Labrador highway 500. It is funny to call it that because it is a dirt road in the woods and the only road in and out of Labrador. We gave them the thumbs up and headed to the Ranger checkpoint. We made it there and waited about 45 minutes for team 31 to come in. The ladies at the checkpoint were so nice. They fed our support crew caribou soup while we waited. Tim and Eric ran in the cabin and signed their passport without a word spoken. They ran out and put gas in the snowmobiles. Tim wanted to go without, but Eric wanted gas because his was using more fuel than Tim’s was using. They took off and so did we. We got to Miron River where the last checkpoint was and debated hard. Do we send a support crew out to make sure they were good or did we go. We decided that with the bogging troubles Tim was having with his snowmobile that we couldn’t do anything to help anyways. So we kept going to Labrador. I was going crazy worrying and wondering what was happening. It is so hard not knowing what is going on, especially since I knew Tim’s snowmobile wasn’t running right. We had the satellite phone sitting on the dash next to the window and I don’t think I ever took my eye off of it. Sometimes we would lose our signal. We had no cell phone signal, so we couldn’t even call anyone to check on the computer to see where our team was. We knew that they had planned on not fueling up in this last checkpoint in Miron, but did not realize that was how they had gotten the lead. We arrived into Lab City and went to the White Wolf Snowmobile club. We got inside and looked on the screen and saw that Team 25 was in first and our team was in second. We were psyched because when we left Ranger Tim and Eric left in fourth place. We weren’t in there more than 5-10 minutes when a Cain’s Quest official announced that the winning team would be crossing the finish line in 20 minutes. We went outside and got the snowmobiles out of the trailer, dressed up and took off to the Wabush Lake. It was freezing on the lake; the wind was blowing so hard. We waited about 25 minutes when we heard someone yell, “Here they come!” I looked up and saw the helicopter on the top of the hill and was fully expecting Team 25, who was Aucoin and Frechette, to be on the top of that hill. When I saw the orange coat and black snowmobile I yelled, “That is our Team!!!” It was unbelievable…. We were all yelling and shouting and jumping around. They crossed that orange finish line and we all ran to them to congratulate them on winning the 2009 1400 mile 6 day long Cain’s Quest! It was the experience of a lifetime for all of us. Below are pictures of Tim and Eric after they crossed the finish line and then of the snowmobiles being inspected in the garage after the race. The final picture is of all of us; Team 31. We would also like to thank Todd Smith, Denis Carrier, and Chelsea Newman for flying out to Labrador and celebrating with us! And a big thank you to all the Cain’s Quest volunteers and people of Newfoundland; you were awesome. Also congratulations to all the teams that entered and finished the Cain’s Quest endurance race.
B
March 20th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
WOW CONGRATS AGAIN ALL!!!
March 20th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Drinks at the Northland are on me !
March 20th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Congrats Tim, Eric, and crew. You guys played a smart race, and it payed off for you. I have enjoyed this site for the whole build up on the sleds, and race prep work. Hope that you enjoy your visit here in Labrador, and wish to see you up here again next year.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
hey guys, I bet you didn’t bring any spiffy clothes for the banquet! I doubt that was on your mind before you left Jackman 10 days ago! I see Bud lights, where are the labatt’s??
March 20th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Awsome!
I can’t believe that Tim made the whole race wearing a Thong!
March 20th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Hey guys congrats HOOORAHHH. I am so happy you won. Now I can catch up on my sleep!!!!!! Hope to see you when you get back. You made us all proud back here
March 21st, 2009 at 12:19 am
Unbelievable Guys that was amazing. My hats off to the support crew, great job. Thank you Carey for keeping everyone informed and with pictures. Drink alot of Beer,Get some sleep. See you all when you get back.
March 21st, 2009 at 12:55 am
Hmmm….has anyone been looking at the Team Maine blog? Interesting….
March 21st, 2009 at 3:11 am
well,well,well, Ronnie isn’t alone when he replied about all the emotions, man,I know it sounds a little crazy, but this accomplishment has brought a tear,or two to my eyes, I’m so happy that you guys pulled this thing off,I want you all to know that,and you will or maybe you’ve already seen the e-mails I was sending you as I tracked your every move,I was never in doubt at all that this was doable,! I knew your plan and strategy and if the equipment held up,(like I said at the shop that the wrenching was all to be done at home),and it did other than a little hickup on Tim’s machine ,that you had what it takes! I saw how you were carving into a 3 and a half hour deficit like a determined Buck hunter on the track of a grandaddy whitetail,then two hours and wow , what a great plan you had!! incredible! That two hours was then erased on the run to Churchill Falls and I was saying Holy Shit, These savages are gonna pull it off. I’ve never had so many beers alone at my desk for as many hours as I did but man was it worth every minute!! Awesome Job!!
March 21st, 2009 at 3:17 am
Oh yea and one more thing,like the Buckmaster in Mass. blogged when you were shuckin’ and dicin’and so it looked from home,tradin’ paint on the sea ice with the 25 and the 27……..”NOBODY PUTS BABY IN THE CORNER”
March 21st, 2009 at 10:27 am
Awesome job guys. I am a displaced mainer now living overseas and don’t get to sled much now. But this race and your planning and determination where an awesome sight to watch (even remote). Looks like you stuck to your plan and 100% payed off, congratulations. Coming back to Maine later this year and would be interested to get involved in support or planning if it’s needed. Again great job and celebrate your much deserved win, congratulations!
March 21st, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Congratulations Jun-Jun and Tim.
Félicitation
See you at the Northland hotel Thursday night 5h30 be there.
March 21st, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Great job Eric and to the rest of the team! All that sledding at Barbel has payed off. Big Time! You and your family must be very proud. I saw the sign at the gas station in Jackman on my way home from camp. I new you guys had pulled it off! Great job!!
March 22nd, 2009 at 1:34 am
Awesome Job Guys!!! Your perservence proved how determined you were to win this. Maine can truly be proud of this accomplishment. Jackman surely is….Many are awaiting your arrival HOME!!!
March 23rd, 2009 at 1:39 am
Congrats guys on a great race. Great job on the sleds as well as the more than perfect job on the web-site.it’s been wonderful having all of you here for the past week or so. true gentlemen and a great group of supporters .Can’t wait to see you guys again next year.Take care & have a safe ride back to Maine.
March 24th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Hey,
nice job guys. I have been tracking the race the whole time and you guys were the most consistant, and I think that the other teams did as much to the sleds as you, and I think that it payed of… Nice job and I hope you go for another win next year.
August 24th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
wahesesan…
Birdman And Lil Wayne Picture Kissing …