BOAC,
It's just that I had the impression from your post that you felt a tailwind of >10 knots was too strong for a safe landing. I am quite sure that the crew of the ill-fated 737 had no concerns in this regard. If you fly strictly by the book in the Arctic you wouldn't get much done. The only safe approach to YRB in marginal weather is from the south, where you let down over the sea, line up with Rwy 35, cross the coast and arrive at the runway threshold with no obstructions to negotiate.
I don't wish to speculate on what the crew intended (I'm not qualified to do so in any case) beyond reiterating that I am quite certain they did not decide on a back course approach.