Friday, March 9, 2012

and Team Players for Team for the NWT scramble

Photo credit: VINCEWhitehorse FEDOROFF STAR

2 Hockey Playoff Preview...7 published by Close-ups & Snapshots... 10 Your AWG Cultural Beat... 2 ULU News Friday, March 9, 2012 • 2012 THE DAILY HYPE AWG NEWS AND UP & COMINGS

BY THE NUMBERS AIPAI ! The font-tastic cheer from Nunavik-Québec This roaring game originated by Heather LeDuc in Scotland in the early 19th It started with an AWG Facebook post: Aipai laguma Nunavik lar- century and has always been itsi!!! Aipai!!... Aipai!!... a chivalrous game – let's It looked like a cheer, but I wasn’t sure. I Googled Aipai, and came up have a look at some impor- with a reference to a syllabic font developed for the Nunavik Inuttitut. I tant numbers of this sport. was stumped. How does a font relate to a cheer? Nunavik-Québec’s Chef de Mission Jean Dupuis gave me the scoop. 1970 – year curling At the Grand Prairie Arctic Winter Games in 2010, the contingents debuted at the Arctic were all waiting to participate in the opening ceremonies. The wait dragged Winter Games. It was one on, and the young athletes were growing bored and restless. Something had of the 10 sports selected to be done to motivate them and keep them from nodding off. for the inaugural Games. That’s when Nunavik-Québec’s head coach Tunu Nappartuk came up 91.44 – maximum with an idea. On the spot, he made up a cheer, and began chanting: Aipai circumference of a curling NWT Midget Male Colby Wallis celebrates a penalty shot goal in laguma nunavi lagitsi! aipai... nunavik; aipai... nunavik; aipai... nunavik! stone in centimetres. Wednesday night action. (If I say Aipai repeat after me Aipai nunavik aipai nunavik!) 73 – minutes of playing That was the spark that lit the room. The athletes perked up, and soon time each team receives all the contingents were chanting cheers of their own. for a ten-end game. PLAYOFF PREVIEW: IT’S Aipai is an Inuttitut computer font developed by the Kativik School Board and a source of pride for the people of Nunavik. Combine “Aipai” 60 – duration of a time-out in seconds. ALL IN THE NUMBERS with “Nunavik”, and the words roll off the tongue. Each team may call two The cheer, like the font, is now part of the culture, and followed the time-outs per game by JOEL WITTEN Nunavik contingent to Whitehorse. Tunu Nappartuk wasn’t able to come to the 2012 Games, but he’s excluding any extra end. As we get closer to the medal advantage will be the difference when here in spirit, and in cheer. 45.72 – length in metres round, the players sense that more is the Ulus are handed out. of the sheet from the inside on the line, the hockey games grow In the Bantam Males category, edges of the back boards. more intense, and the quality of play Team Alberta North looks like the team points. Both of these squads are very determining factors. A hot goalie can 19.96 – maximum is improving. to beat. Undefeated in four games, Al- strong both offensively and defensive- lead a team to victory, so too can a for- weight for a curling stone Wednesday night at Takhini Are- berta North has averaged more than 8 ly with nearly identical goals for and ward with the Midas touch. Ultimately, including handle and bolt na, the Midget Males won a goals a game for an impressive total against. Alaska has tallied 33 for and to walk away with an Ulu it will come in kilogram. The minimum hard fought battle against their north- of 34 goals scored. They have been 5 against and Alberta North posting 30 down to preparation, execution, and a weight is 17.24 kg. ern neighbours: NWT. This put these stingy at the other end of the ice, only for and only 4 against. It will take a ma- little bit of luck. 10 – minutes each team teams and the Yukon hosts all in simi- allowing 8 goals so far. Team NWT is jor upset to unseat one of these teams is allowed to practice lar positions, each team having won 2 second, going 3-0-1 for 6 points. Alas- from a berth in the final medal game. prior to each game. games and lost 1 for a total of 4 points. ka stands third with 4 points and a 2-2 Teams Yukon and NWT Junior Fe- Whoops! Team Alaska stands 0 and 3. record. At 1-3, Yukon has two points. males have each gone 1-2-1 for 3 points, 8 – number of stones In the Thursday March 8 each team uses. At this stage, NWT Midget Male Despite a solid effort, Team Nunavut while Nunavut has yet to post a victory. standout Colby Villebrun leads all was not able to win any of their first Jamie Rall of Alaska leads all edition of the Ulu News, 4 – total number of skaters in his category with 7 points. four games. hockey players with a stunning 9 goals the following stories were player per team. Nunavut’s Lodie Ipeelie and Yukon’s For the Bantam Males Brad Girard and 6 assists for a total of 15 points. misattributed: 2 – number of sweepers Tyson Glass each have 5, as does Vill- of Team Alberta North is setting a strong The next four spots in the Junior Fe- “Family Time, Courtside” per curling team. berun’s teammate Keegan Hnatiw. pace with 11 points. NWT’s Curtis Ger- males scoring race are held by Team (pg 3) was written by 1 – number of points a Watch for these players to continue to man is right on his heels with 10 points. Alberta North skaters Elisha Lam- Glenda Koh, not Indra Kley team scores at the end make a difference as their teams ad- With 9 points, Girard’s teammate Geoff ouche, Shyann Nicol, Morgan Loroff, of an end for each of its vance to the medal round. Gordon stands third. If these skaters and Charity Price. “Two minutes for looking stones located in or All the rink rats I conferred with, continue to produce at this level, their The statistics always dictate the so good” (pg 6) was written touching the house that are found picking a playoff winner in this teams will contend for gold. standings, but as we head towards the by Joel Witten, not Thomas closer to the tee than any grouping too close to call. As expected, The Junior Females is a tight race, playoffs the numbers can only tell us Schoeneich stone of the opposition. Yukoners in the stands are banking on with Alaska and Alberta North each so much. Power play and penalty kill- the home team, hoping that home ice having posted 3 wins and one tie for 7 ing effectiveness will be important Our apologies for the mistake.

Builders Supplyland would like to wish all the athletes, coaches and volunteers of the 2012 ARCTIC WINTER GAMES A WONDERFUL YUKON EXPERIENCE.

BUILDERS SUPPLYLAND

PHONE 668-6068 • FAX 668-6052 • 414 BAXTER ST. WHITEHORSE Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games • Friday, March 9, 2012 ULU News 3

Arctic Sports WATCH World Records TOP set at AWG 2012 YOURSELF [as of Thursday morning, March 8] IN ACTION! TWEETS Kneel Jump Junior Female AWG Daily on TV @evaholland Monday, March 5 (Whitehorse cable I'm totally hooked. Veronica McDonald, NWT channel 9) and a You- Some of these girls 1.32 metres Tube gadget near you. move like gymnasts, (previous 1.31m) New episodes at 9 pm others like basketball daily during the Games. Triple Jump players. Huge range Open Female of approaches to the Wednesday, March 7 Day 5: Thursday, Anna Rivard, Yukon March 8 edition: jump. 8.55 metres Snowboard Cross (previous 7.9m in 2010) Dene Hand Games @paperless_crane both Snow- You should go to Triple Jump shoe and Ski Open Male the basketball gold Andrew Bell, Nunavut medal games. You 10.95 metres (previous 10.51 in 2004) AWG Daily captures could have a the flavour and pizazz chance to win Alaskan High Kick of the Games. Yukoner $10,000. #awg2012 Autum Ridley, Alaska Chris McNutt gives us 6’2” #halfcourtshot (previous 5’10”) a small sampling of the energy and excite- ment happening around @YukonSusan town. Catch the faces of Four new records set the kids, spot someone at AWG One of RECORDS TUMBLE AT ARCTIC SPORTS you know, see the ac- them set by Yukoner, It doesn’t happen very often that the Ulu News delivers the news of a new World Record to tion and feel the electri- an athlete. But there is a first for everything. Anna Rivard in triple fying energy in the air. jump She jumped 8 by THOMAS SCHOENEICH point 5-5 metres On Wednesday morning, Andrew Kugluktuk in western Nunavut in or broken – and there has been no been impressed so far with the level #cbcnorth #awg2012 Bell from Nunavut had finished the 2008. The athlete only took up Arc- shortage of that at the 2012 Arctic of competition in Whitehorse. But he Triple Jump in first position with tic Sports in November last year. Winter Games. thinks that even some long-standing a new record of 10.95 metres. He “Where I’m living now, I was On top of Bell’s record, Yukon’s Arctic Sports records will be chal- @danrueck jumped 44 centimetres further than looking for hobbies and activities Anna Rivard landed 8.55 metres in lenged sooner or later. the previous record set by Alexander and things I could use to occupy my the Triple Jump on Wednesday – a “Records are always going to be #awg2012 Dene Shernakov from Yamal at the 2004 evenings and I took up Arctic Sports new World Record distance. She broken because there are going to be hand games look Arctic Winter Games. with a few other people in the com- now holds both the Record in the more kids that are adapting different like a blast! But up until Wednesday night – munity,” he said. Open Female and the Junior Female ways of training, so their ability and until the Ulu News told him – Bell “(My coach) Andrew Atatahak category in this event. strength are going to be different” he wasn’t even aware that there wasn’t shared a lot of his secrets with me. Another World Record was set said. “So there’s always going to be @YukonCurler just a gold Ulu but also a new World He has been helping me out a lot. It by Autumn Ridley from Alaska. She a way of beating a Record.” Record in his name. (Arctic Sports) is (addictive). Espe- kicked 6’2’’ in the Junior Female Andrew Bell hopes that his Tri- What a great week “It feels great. I’m very happy cially when all these athletes come Alaskan High Kick. The previous ple Jump Record will stay his with at the Arctic Winter about that. This is my first Arctic together and we help push each oth- record had been 5’10’’. him, at least for while. “I hope it (the Games. Everything Winter Games,” the 27-year-old er to a new limit. That’s what I like Already on Monday, Veronica Record) holds for a while and I hope said. “When I lived in Nova Scotia, I about it.” McDonald from the Northwest Ter- I can expand that a little bit more running so smoothly. used to participate in track and field The beauty of Arctic Sports is ritories finished with an impressive maybe next time,” he said. Congratulations events. So there are some similari- not only the great sportsmanship 132.4 metres in the Junior Female “The plan is to stick with it (Arc- Whitehorse and ties in the jumping events but there’s and camaraderie among the ath- kneel jump. She added 1.4 centime- tic Sports) and we are going to keep Games organizers. definitely a technique to the Arctic letes. Together with Dene Games, tres to the previous World Record the practices going as usual. Every- Sports that takes a little bit of time.” it’s the only sport at the Arctic Win- distance. body from our team has learned a lot #awg2012 Bell moved to the community of ter Games in which records are set Head Official Edward Arey has from these Games.”

Proud Supporter. Air North, Yukon’s Airline is thrilled to be the official airline of the 2012 Arctic Winter Games.

To all the athletes, coaches, supporters, volunteers and AWG staff – congratulations and thank you for making the 2012 Arctic Winter Games a huge success!

flyairnorth.com 4 ULU News Friday, March 9, 2012 • Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games THE PLAYERS THE WHO’S WHO OF THE GAMES

logistics to support the Games is a luggage -handling, AWG transit was confident it could provide a complicated affair. Yellow school schedule maps and even the coordi- 30 minute service from anywhere FROM POINT A TO B buses, on hiatus for March Break, nation of a lost and found system! in the city to the Games were commandeered into servic- Meanwhile, the City of White- Centre. es with extra buses added during horse expected a major increase AWG volunteers can also get on DURING THE AWGs morning and playoff peak periods. from the normal 35 people to over the City buses for free with their by BRIGITTE PARKER Shuttling gear and equipment 100 people per ride during the AWG accreditation badge. also required special planning and Games due to limited parking at the “We did it for the Canada Win- attention. Biathlon rifles and am- venues. ter Games and we wanted to make Did you know that the AWG Village, the transit system’s route munition need safe and secure trans- “We can squeeze you on,” says sure people can get around to the transit system provides transporta- includes the catering facility, sports portation while skiing sports and Cheri Malo, AWG Transporta- venues despite the limited park- tion services to athletes, coaches, venues, mission offices, social hockey require space for lengthy or tion Chair and Manager of City of ing,” said Malo. and cultural participants every 15 activity centres and major hotels bulky equipment. Whitehorse Transit. Extra buses will be running for minutes to all major AWG venues? around the city. The AWG overall transportation Since implementing their new later hours during the closing cer- Originating from the Athlete’s Orchestrating the transportation plan also includes colour-coded transit system last July, the City emonies on Saturday night. AFGHANISTAN TO AWG: THE VALUE OF SERVICE by KAREN KEELEY

Over the past year, Yukon’s Games was formed. As a student in for a worthy cause. People need to be Ramesh Ferris had numerous oppor- the Service Learning Course, I’m motivated to get out of their everyday tunities to travel around the world required to volunteer for 15 hours comfortable routines. In order for promoting the importance of polio either before, during or after the communities to successfully thrive eradication. We had a chance to talk Games, with wrap-up activities. In in diverse ways, I feel it’s essential with Ramesh during the volunteer addition to the 15 hours of volunteer- for community members to volun- orientation sessions held at the Can- ing, I’m also required to write a 25 teer. We all have unique gifts, skills, ada Games Centre. page report on my learning and my and talents to offer, share and to learn What motivated you to vol- overall experience at the Arctic Win- from one another. unteer for the 2012 AWG? ter Games. What are your duties at the It was an opportunity to give back What are the benefits to Games? to my community, to be a role-model you? Three areas that I am volunteering for others in the hopes that I might In return for my participation, in are: assisting with volunteer ori- inspire them to see the value and im- I get the value of being a part of a entation, accreditation and uniform portance of giving back to their com- unique sport and cultural event host- collection, with Venue site ticket munity through volunteering. ed here in the great Yukon. I also verification, and working in the HIP What program are you tak- receive 3 academic credits which I Lounges. I really enjoy engaging and ing at the College? How does intend to use towards the completion working with members of the general the co-op element work? of my Bachelor of Social Work De- public, so for me, I purposely select- For the first time in Yukon Col- gree that I’m currently working on, ed positions in these areas. lege’s history, students have an oppor- in partnership with the University of Ramesh recently returned from a tunity to enrol in what is called Service Regina and Yukon College. trip to India where he was busy wear- Learning. This unique opportunity What do you hope to give ing his humanitarian hat in the cause allows students to take advantage of to others by helping with the of eradicating polio, as he has done learning opportunities outside of the Games? in Afghanistan, too. Look for him dur- classroom that includes new skills de- My hope is that by participating ing the Games when he’ll be wearing velopment, demonstrated leadership, at the 2012 Arctic Winter Games, I the bright blue and green volunteer and becoming a volunteer. can be a role model for others, par- colours. In the spirit of giving back— A partnership between Yukon ticularly the younger ones and inspire his engaging smile will be a beacon College and the 2012 Arctic Winter them to get involved in volunteering of inspiration.

Xerox Canada Ltd. salutes the athletes of The Arctic Winter Games Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games • Friday, March 9, 2012 ULU News 5 MAN IN MOTION: RICK HANSEN’S Q?A ULU GETS TO KNOW YOU 2012 AWG TOUR by Brigitte Parker by HEATHER LEDUC

Most of the athletes and artists a difference in their communities. participating in the 2012 Arctic Win- Yukon’s Ramesh Ferris is one ter Games weren’t even born when of these medal bearers. In 2008, Rick Hansen set out on the first Hansen supported Ferris during his Man in Motion World Tour. Hansen cross-Canada Cycle to Walk tour to started the 40,000 km odyssey in eradicate polio. Ferris will be par- Newfoundland in 1985 and ended ticipating in the final stage of the 26 months and 34 countries later, relay through the Fraser Valley into raising $26 million for spinal cord Vancouver. injury research, rehabilitation and Canada’s north isn’t one of the Ulu News spoke to Niklas Thorleifsan and Sofia Lyberth, both indoor soccer sport. official stops on the tour, but Hansen players for . Hansen’s journey didn’t end is visiting all the territories to rec- there, and he has continued to work to ognize northern difference makers. NIKLAS: support research and to create more Since Hansen believes that sport can accessible, healthy, inclusive com- bridge differences and inspire youth, Rick Hansen meeting a quadriplegic man near Sudbury, Ontario dur- What’s on your iPod? munities through the Rick Hansen it’s no wonder he’s visiting Yukon ing his Man in Motion Tour on December 11, 1986. Lil Wayne, Drake, a lot of Foundation. during the Arctic Winter Games. hip-hop and rap music. AFGHANISTAN TO AWG: The Foundation’s current focus Rick arrives in Whitehorse on On Saturday, March 10, Han- ing ceremonies Saturday evening, is the 25th Anniversary Rick Han- Friday, March 9. Rick’s first stop is sen and Minister of State (Sport), the when he’ll be presenting awards to What is your goal for AWGs? sen Relay, which retraces the entire an event hosted by the Yukon Coun- Honourable Bal Gosal, will drop the AWG difference makers. Canadian portion of the tour. Partici- cil on disABILITY at the Yukon ceremonial puck at the gold medal But we’ll have to wait until the To win Gold and make THE VALUE OF SERVICE new friends. by KAREN KEELEY pants include 7,000 medal bearers, all Government Main Administration hockey game at the Takhini Arena. ceremony to find out who those AWG of whom were nominated for making Building on Friday. Hansen also has a big role in the clos- difference makers are. What do you do to relax in your down time? Listen to music.

ALL THINGS ZAMBONI What do you think of AWGs? by SARA BERGQUIST This is my first time here Charlie Brown once said, “There machines were invented, it would take layers of water on the cold surface. The There are three and this is a great city. The are three things in life that people like three to five workers around an hour end product is a sheet of ice about one Canada Games Centre is to stare at: a flowing stream, a crackling and a half to resurface ice. They used and a half inches thick. The temperature things in life different and my favourite fire and a Zamboni clearing the ice.” I scrapers, towels, shovels, squeegees, of the ice is closely regulated because part of the Games. We do have to agree with him on that one. a hose and sometimes a tractor to do the quality of the ice is key and can that people like not have facilities like this Last winter, Takhini Arena was all the work a Zamboni now does in make the difference between a medal- in my hometown. packed for the WHL game between minutes. winning effort and potential injury. to stare at: a the Kamloops Blazers and the Van- Frank Zamboni wanted to find a Can you imagine playing a whole couver Giants. It was a great game way around this and he succeeded in game of hockey without having a flowing stream, SOFIA: and the crowd was rowdy. The loudest 1949 when he patented his “Model A fresh sheet of ice at the start of each What’s on your iPod? cheers, however, came when the Zam- Zamboni Ice Resurfacer.” Now figure period? Or being the last figure skater a crackling fire boni hit the ice between periods. skaters, speed-skaters, hockey play- to perform? What if you skated in My favourite song is How did the Zamboni come to be? ers and recreational skaters would be the last heat of a speed-skating race? and a Zamboni Boomerang by DJ Felli And how are these machines critical able to skate on the best ice possible This is where the Zamboni comes into (featuring Akon, Pitbull, & to the success of ice sports during the without waiting as long. play. With three rinks and three sports, clearing the ice. Jermaine Dupri) Arctic Winter Games? How are ice resurfacing ma- the Zamboni will hit the ice over 150 How did the Zamboni come chines critical to the success of times over the course of the Games. What is your goal for AWGs? to be? ice sports during the Arctic Win- Skilled facilities crews will ensure the – Charlie Brown To win Gold! Ice resurfacing machines are vehi- ter Games? ice has clean edges and a smooth, flat cles that clean and resurface ice rinks. I met up with some of the facilities surface. And they do this in minutes. What do you do to relax In North America, we call these ma- staff at the Canada Games Centre to So the next time you break your hard to make sure the ice is as close in your down time? chines ‘Zamboni’ even though Zam- find the answer. It turns out the Zam- previous speed record, execute a to perfect as possible throughout I hang out with my friends boni is a registered trademark named boni is just one part of maintaining ice. flawless routine or get a little ex- these Games. Their hard work and and we go out. after its inventor, Frank J. Zamboni. Arena floors house a refrigeration tra zip on your shot, make sure you technique help make it possible for Before mechanical ice-resurfacing system. Workers spray successive thin thank the men and women who work you to excel at your sport.

yukon energy keeping tradition in play 6 ULU News Friday, March 9, 2012 • Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games THE VIEW FROM UP HERE NEWS FROM THE PODIUM

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Reffing hockey at the 2012 Arctic Winter Games has been a great opportunity to give back to a sport that I love, make new friends, and promote fair play and sportsmanship.”

Darrell Pasloski, hockey referee and Premier of Yukon BALANCING ACT: AWG ULU COUNT by GLENDA KOH As of 7:00pm Thursday, March 8 Results for the Tuesday’s team competition saw Still, Rankin Inlet is incredibly Team Alberta North take the gold Ulu lucky to have coach Lisa Kresky, a ded- CONTINGENT TOTAL

All-Around Event: by just a hair. There was a mere 0.59 icated high school teacher and coach •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• point spread between Alberta North and who has been the driving force behind Gold: Austen Fraser, Team Alaska’s 146.86 points. As father gymnastics in that community. Alaska 47 49 45 141 Alberta North of multiple medalists, Austen Fraser Soales says, “Lisa is completely •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Silver: Fayne O’Donovan, puts it, “One missed step by any of them dedicated to the kids, and in turn they Yukon 33 33 18 84 Yukon could have cost them the medal.” are equally dedicated to her.” •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Bronze: Michaela Brown, Team Alberta North and Team Gymnastics is certainly a sport Alaska Alaska have the advantage of an older that requires dedication. The gymnasts NWT 19 22 39 80 team, with a number of 14- to 16-year practice between 15 and 30 hours a For more results, see olds. Gymnastics is often considered a week at this level. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• www.awg2012.org Alberta young sport because so many partici- With such precise, highly techni- North 31 25 19 75 pants reach high levels of ability at such cal requirements, that practice time is •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Gymnastics isn’t for everyone. If you a young age. However, with age comes necessary. A typical skill is completed think you can get up off that couch and experience, both in terms of sheer prac- within seconds, so a competitor doesn’t Yamal 32 24 14 70 do a back flip right now, think again. tice hours, and in terms of competition. have much time to think. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• “Very few average adults can do That competition experience is On the vault, for example, a move Nunavut 5818 31 any of the things these gymnasts are what every club in every sport through- is completed within seconds. Points are •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• doing,” says Team Yukon Mission out the north grapples with. Due to the deducted for any imperfection, such as Staff Tammi Sikorski. “A cartwheel or remote nature of northern communities, slowing down before approaching the Greenland 678 21 a handstand, or maybe the occasional it is always a challenge to participate in springboard, not planting hands correctly •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• round-off, which isn’t too hard.” enough competitions. on the vault, or a bent or arched body. Nunavik Maybe that’s why the Polarettes For example, Team Nunavut’s Gymnasts not only train their bod- Québec 579 21 gymnastics club was a packed house on gymnastics contingent hails from its ies. They also have a heightened sense •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Thursday for the individuals’ competi- two clubs in Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit. of where their body is located in rela- Sápmi 321 6 tion. We love to see the impossible. This is Nunavut’s third AWG. tion to other things. That sense, known At this event, individuals compete Mike Soales, Nunavut’s Mission as proprioception, is not something on each of 4 pieces of equipment: un- Staff for Gymnastics, notes, “Just fly- most of us are not aware of, but is an even bars, vault, the floor and the bal- ing from Rankin to Iqaluit for a terri- ability that can be honed. in children and young athletes. It can “but when they leave gymnastics, ance beam. Medals are awarded for torial championship is over $1,000 per Gymnastics might not be for every- also provide the foundation for many there are so many other sports avail- each of the four exercises, and a fifth athlete. Getting to Winnipeg or Toronto one, but Sikorski points out that it’s a other sports. able to them because they’re so strong medal goes to the top all-rounders. is that much more.” great for teaching balance and strength “Yes, it’s a young sport,” she says, and so quick.”

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Soapy's Car Wash Open Seven Days a Week 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games • Friday, March 9, 2012 ULU News 7 CLOSE-UPS & SNAPSHOTS YOUR PHOTOS More photos available on the AWG Flickr website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/awg2012/

1 A gymnast performs for judges at Vanier Catholic Secondary School (Photo by Tim Ho- gan) 2 An athlete takes aim in the Biathlon- Snowshoe event (Photo by David Musselwhite) 3 A snowboarder gets some air in the half- pipe event (Photo by Tim Hogan) 4 An alpine skier runs a slalom (Photo by Cozmo Ace Malzarby) 5 Team Yukon at the doubles competition (Photo by Vince Fedor- off, Whitehorse Star) 6 Arctic Sports at Vanier Catholic Secondary (Photo by Bruce Barrett) 7 Team Sápmi gets big crowd support at Indoor Soccer (Photo by Lidwina Hanrath)

Presenting Sponsor of the Cultural Festival Visit the Yukon Electrical downtown office and receive your limited edition collector pin! (quantities limited)

WWW. ATCO.COM UTILITIES | ENERGY | STRUCTURES & LOGISTICS | TECHNOLOGIES Yukon Electrical | Northland Utilities | ATCO Gas | ATCO Pipelines | ATCO Electric | ATCO Power | ATCO Midstream ATCO Energy Solutions | ATCO Structures & Logistics | ATCO I-Tek | ATCO Australia 8 ULU News Friday, March 9, 2012 • Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games TALENT & SKILL DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES? GUINEA PIG: BABY ELEPHANT WALK It’s hard to look elegant on ice if you have no practice in skating. It’s even harder when two true ice princesses accompany you. Still, I tried to become a star. by INDRA KLEY The ice is plane and smooth. Too tom. The crossover, a basic stroking drag my leg on the ice as if I were smooth for my rental skates and me. technique, looked okay while Maya Kathi Witt, the German 1988 Olym- I stumble, and regain balance just and Rachel skated hand in hand with pic Figure Skating champion herself. before I am about to fall. My coach- me. But my first attempt alone ends in My coaches are thrilled. Delighted es meet me with disbelief. Could the first corner. My knee hits the ice, by this success, I head for the spiral. someone really be so wobbly on the my coaches rush towards me, worried In this element, the skater glides on ice? Yes. And the lesson hasn’t even looks on their faces. I grit my teeth, one foot while raising the free leg started. get up and prefer to continue skating above hip level. I don’t know if I It’s definitely not an easy task for hand in hand with the girls. managed to raise my leg above my Maya Austin (14) and Rachel Pettitt The two-foot spin is another ba- hip, but I raised it – and at the same (13). The two Team Yukon athletes sic move Maya and Rachel want to time stayed on my blade. agreed on initiating me into the se- teach me. They turn and turn and Maya and Rachel are excited. crets of figure skating. “Anyone can turn and turn around. I manage to do With those five basic moves, I could do figure skating,” Maya had said 1.5 spins. Then it’s getting serious: actually create my own program, earlier. Even a 30-year-old German the waltz jump is a variation of the they say. I know already which mu- who never did any gymnastics or bal- famous Axel. I try and try and try. sic I’d take for my free skate: Baby let? And whose last skate dates back But every time it gets to the point Elephant Walk. Although I felt more almost 20 years (if you can call ‘be- where I am supposed to stick the like a big elephant when I, accom- ing on the ice rink to watch cute boys’ blade’s tip into the ice and jump, I panied by these two charming, lithe skating)? “Yes,” Rachel says. “It’s all panic. The memory of my first bad aspiring athletes, tried to dominate in your head. If you think you can do overturn on the ice is too vivid. I am the ice, the track matches my perfor- it and you know what to do, you can afraid to fall on my knee again. The mance like no other. land it. Just set your mind to it.” Axel has to wait. Today at 5 p.m. in the CGC: The Maya Austin (light top) and Rachel Pettitt (dark top) show I know what to do, my mind is We try the drag instead. And this Figure Skating Team Event Junior Ulu News’ guinea pig a thing or two on the ice. set and I actually land – on my bot- move turns out to be my move. I Female. Photos by: THOMAS SCHOENEICH

A snowmachine offers a lift at the snowboard half pipe event at Mount Sima

Photo credit: Tim Hogan

Best of Luck to all Arctic Winter Games participants!

Christie Richardson

®

MOMORTRTGAGEGAGGE BROKERSBROKERBRO S NETWORNEN TWTWOORK Phone Cell Fax Email Online Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games • Friday, March 9, 2012 ULU News 9

“I just thought, a true athlete thrives on adversity. So I tried to be a true athlete.”

Snowboarder and Olympic Gold Medalist, Jasey-Jay Anderson

OFFICIAL Supporting Sport...because it matters. SUPPLIER 10 ULU News Friday, March 9, 2012 • Whitehorse 2012 Arctic Winter Games CULTURAL BEAT YOUR DAILY DOSE OF AWG CULTURE GET GAMES GEAR PINNED PIN OF THE DAY SKIN SUIT FITS JUST LIKE SKINNY JEANS! It may not be the by BRIGITTE PARKER most flashy, nor does it comprise of rotat- Despite their name, skin suits stretch a lot and are easy to get ing, multiple parts, into. According to Alberta North speed but the pin for AWG skater Liam Ennis, his aerodynamic 2012 General Man- MAGICAL skin suit “fits just like skinny jeans”. Studies on skin suits have conclud- ager Chris Milner is ed they significantly increase the aver- on fire right now. This MYLARCHITECTURE, age skating speed by 0.2 – 0.3 seconds pin is so hot that one per lap for athletes, especially in the trader got an entire UNDERGROUND long-distance speed skating events. by HEATHER LEDUC As a result, all skaters are required puzzle for a single to wear a suit that fits the contours of Chris Milner. Only The Arctic Winter Games is rife several large pieces of paper, which the body to ensure every race is run one of two pins to with magic. Any time a team of young have been crumpled then flattened completely on athletes’ skills. There are people come together for sport and so the surface is crinkled. Between restrictions to the suit’s design. It can- feature an individual culture, awesome moments are bound the suspended shapes and the screen, not alter the shape of the skater’s body. person, the popular- to happen. there is a sheer curtain or scrim, which The suits also protect the skaters ity of the Chris Milner This is true of MYLARchitecture, the viewer walks behind to experience from harm. Team Alaska wears suits an awesome collaborative art piece the projection of the habitats on the partially made of Kevlar while Team Pin is a fitting testa- created by students attending the Yu- screen. Alberta North wears a full Kevlar suit. ment to anyone who kon School of Visual Arts (SOVA) in The shadows of the suspended “The full Kevlar is warm and knows him, who has Dawson City. SOVA instructor Veron- habitats emerge as three misshapen heavy,” says Ennis. “It feels better than normal clothes. Some people wear an worked with him or ica Verkley installed the multi-media but beautiful totems on the screen. work and today walked me through its The projector also has a DVD of video under suit of Kevlar and an over suit who wants to simply many magical layers. shot by the students. When projected, on top. It is good because it keeps us bling out with a cool The piece evolved from a chal- these ghostly moving images play on safe.” guy’s name on their lenge put to the students by interna- the habitat shapes and animate them. While Ennis has never been victim tionally acclaimed artist Ed Pien, who It’s like encountering a strange, spar- of a crash, he did smash into a competitor during his first meet. The opponent lanyary d. asked them to use Mylar to create kling, ethereal landscape whose invis- fell in front of him and Ennis accidentally hit him in the stomach with his habitats for imagined creatures. This ible inhabitants we can only imagine. skate and stepped on him. Fortunately, the competitor was wearing protective presented significant difficulties, con- Or, in the case of the pre-school Kevlar, which did not get cut so he only suffered bruising from the hit. sidering Mylar consists of flat sheets kids who toured MYLARchitecture Always a fast skater, Ennis took up speed skating two years ago because of transparent, inanimate plastic. with SOVA instructor Veronica Verk- he couldn’t shoot at hockey. He instantly fell in love with the sport and its However, the students used all matter ley, it’s a really fun space to make adrenalin rush. The 12-year-old was bumped to compete at the junior level of ingenuity to manipulate the mate- shadow puppets! and is also on the relay team. rial and coax it into an astonishing va- MYLARchitecture opened March His kit includes soccer shin pads, safety goggles and a cycling helmet. riety of forms. 8 in Arts Underground as part of the The boots for his speed skates are specifically designed to fit stiff and snug Equally inventive is how the stu- AWG cultural programming. Also in around his feet. The “rocker” blades are also adjusted to the side of the boots HoldHldi on tighth to dents worked together to exhibit the the Underground are the Yukon Art based on the athlete’s performance to ensure the boot doesn’t touch the ice during the race. The tips of the blades are also rounded which influences how your Chris Milner or 17 individual habitats as a cohesive Society’s exhibition Exquisite North, whole. As we walk through screens featuring collaborative work by a much of the blade touches the ice. trade it carefully. and encounter the space, there are number of visual artists, and MacBride This is Ennis’ first time competing at the AWGs and he loves it. “It is Everyone wants a three rows of habitats, each suspended Museum’s Bill MacBride’s Yukon: Im- great! You line up to race and the person next to you is your enemy and then piece of him. from the ceiling at a different height. ages from Yukon in the 1950s in the later, we could be sitting together having lunch as friends.” Behind them is a screen made with Hougen Heritage Gallery.

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