Greenland’s dogsled federation announced on Monday that a private tourism company had unilaterally withdrawn its invitation to Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Arctic island, to attend the federation’s annual sled race.
The Kalaallit Nunaanni Qimussertartut Kattuffiat (KNQK) stated in a press release posted on its Facebook page that it had been informed of the withdrawal.
“This is reassuring,” the KNQK added in the English version of the statement, signed by Chairperson Mikkel Jeremiassen. The federation also emphasized that it and the selected organizers, QQP, remain fully united in planning the Avannaata Qimussersua 2026 sled race.
The invitation had originally been extended by an unnamed private Greenlandic tour operator. The KNQK had previously described the invitation as “totally inappropriate,” according to reports.
Greenland dog sled championship start 🇬🇱
— Orla Joelsen (@OJoelsen) March 29, 2025
🎥: KNR pic.twitter.com/2JGnY0gREG
The development follows a similar incident last year, when U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s wife, Usha, canceled plans to attend the dogsled race amid opposition in Denmark. Those plans were replaced by a visit to the U.S. Pituffik military base in northwest Greenland with Vance and a delegation.
Trump appointed Landry as special envoy to Greenland earlier this month, amid the president’s repeated expressions of interest in acquiring the autonomous Danish territory.
Trump’s statements on Greenland have drawn opposition from local residents and European governments. In response to the opposition, he has announced tariffs on several U.S. allies.
A spokesperson for Landry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
