27 March 2017
27 Mar 2017
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.