Inuvik hosted Arctic Winter Games trials for both traditional northern games and snowshoe racing Jan. 23-25, bringing out over 50 athletes from across the Northwest Territories to vie for a spot at the main event in Whitehorse March 16-21. Snowshoers plied the Mackenzie River while braving -27C winds while traditional athletes wooed the crowds with their amazing athleticism over the three days.

Tsiigehtchic’s Austin Van Loon and Joel Arey have their game faces on as they complete their qualifier race during Arctic Winter Games trials Jan. 23 on the Mackenzie River ice road that leads to Aklavik.
Noel Cockney demonstrates how to do the kneeling jump for the athletes during the opening night of Arctic Winter Games trials Jan. 23 at East Three school in Inuvik.
Jessie Hawthorne of Fort McPherson was the first to complete the qualifier for the middle distance race Jan. 23 on the Mackenzie River. Hawthorne and his peers each ran 5 kilometres in snowshoes in -27C weather.

 

Kobe Alexie of Fort McPherson practices his double high kicks in the opening moments of Arctic Winter Games trials Jan. 23.
Dawson Craig, representing Yellowknife but born in Inuvik, performs an Alaskan High Kick at over five feet during Arctic Winter Games trials Jan. 24 at East Three School.
Mikayla Jacobsen of Tuktoyaktuk performs a two foot high kick during day two of Arctic Winter Games trials Jan. 24 at East Three School.
Chris Stipdonk of Fort Simpson performs the one hand reach on the second day of Arctic Winter Games trials Jan. 24 at East Three School.
Brayden Teddy performs a two foot high kick during day two of Arctic Winter Games trials Jan. 24 at East Three school.
Tuktoyaktuk’s Davie Kutpana shows off his sledge jump skills on day three of Arctic Winter Games trials Jan. 25 at East Three school.
Originally from Tuktoyaktuk, Byron Kotokak flew in from Yellowknife to show off his knuckle-hop skills at the Arctic Winter Games trials Jan. 23-25 at East Three School.
Jasmin Gruben gets some airtime following the Arctic Winter Games trials Jan. 25 during a demonstration of the blanket toss, also known as the human trampoline.

Eric Bowling

Breaking News Reporter and Digital Editor for NNSL, Eric operates out of Inuvik in the Beaufort Delta. He's four years into his Northern adventure and is eager to learn more about life in the Arctic Circle....

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