On the western coast of Greenland, a young boy dreams of winning the national championship of dog sledding, an ancient form of transportation which has turned into a highly competitive sport. For thousands of years the sled dog has shaped the life of the Inuit people. Today, global and local changes are threatening the future of the sled dog in Greenland, and the unique culture surrounding it.

‘The Race’ is a portrait of 13 year-old Nick, who’s stepping into the sport of dog sledding for the very first time. His story is joined by 72 year-old race legend Ville Siegstad, whose life has inspired many young sled dog mushers.

‘The Race’ is part of the documentary series ‘When the dogs are gone’ that takes us on a reflective journey far North, to experience the value of sled dogs directly from those whose cultural identity is at risk. The series consists of five portraits across Greenland, that unveil the significance of this unique relationship and give voice to a conversation about the future of the sled dog.

The series is part of a large scientific project on the sled dog culture and the genetic origins of the sled dog. The project is called ‘Qimmeq – The Greenlandic sled dog’ is under the University of Greenland, the Natural History Museum of Denmark and the University of Copenhagen.