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De Beers was proud to host some of the finest ice carvers in North America at centre stage of the annual Long John Jamboree in Yellowknife, NT during the fifth De Beers Inspired Ice – NWT Ice Carving Championship, March 23-26.

After 30 hours of carving over three days, it was the team of Peter Slavin from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Chris Swarbrick from Hudson, Wisconsin who took home the top prize with their work, Lake Song,

“Lake Song to us means that when you walk on the lake at night and see the Aurora (Borealis), this is our interpretation of the sound the frozen lake makes,” explained Slavin.

Ten teams took part in the event, including three from the Northwest Territories, carving amazing works out of big blocks of natural ice cut from Great Slave Lake, that measured nearly two metres tall by 60cm square.

“We knew when we helped launch Inspired Ice in 2012 that this event had the potential to grow into something very special – and we’re seeing that potential come to life here this weekend,” said Allan Rodel, General Manager of Gahcho Kué Mine, during the awards presentation.

Final Standings:

1.     Peter Slavin (Pennsylvania) & Chris Swarbrick (Wisconsin) – Lake Song

2.     Stephan Koch (Indiana) & Mark Chapin (Alaska) – Survival: Furry Hurry

3.     Chad Hartson (Ohio) & Edwin Hutchinson (South Carolina) – Against the Wind

4.     Peter Fogarty (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) & Doug Lingelbach (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) – No Chance

5.     Larry MacFarlane (Winnipeg, Manitoba) & Monoj Khorugdharry (Ottawa, Ontario) – Amour

6.     Derrald Taylor (Yellowknife, NWT) & Bill Nasogaloak (Toronto, Ontario) – The Enchantress

7.     Eli Nasogaloak (Yellowknife, NWT) & Desmond Nasogaloak (Tuktoyaktuk, NWT) – Hunter or Hunted

8.     JD Hollingshead (Yellowknife, NWT) & Joel Maillet (Yellowknife, NWT) – Mojave Floor

9.     Christian Denis (Edmonton, Alberta) & Richie Velthuis (Edmonton, Alberta) – Infinity

Honorable Mention: Kenny Hudson (Ottawa, Ontario) & Mowafak Nema (Ottawa, Ontario) – Inspiration

De Beers Inspired Ice also included a Media Challenge, held on Friday, March 24 with four teams from Yellowknife media outlets. To prepare for the event, the teams attended an ice carving workshop led by Yellowknife artist Terry Pamplin, who also provided support during the media carving competition.

1.     Radio Taiga/L’Aquilon

2.     CBC North

3.     Moose FM

4.     Northern News Services Ltd.

Leading up to Inspired Ice, three teams of high school students took part in the inaugural High School Challenge. (For more information, CLICK HERE).