Competition like none other: Athletes ready to shine at Arctic Winter Games

Like the Great North itself, the Arctic Winter Games (AWG) are rich in life lessons – behind all sports there is a practical purpose and a deep culture.

The Arctics showcases incredible fitness in a way that is unique to the North, while the gathering has a 50+ year history of helping youth become the future leaders of their communities.

Twenty sports will be hosted in Wood Buffalo, Alta, starting this Sunday, but the traditional Arctic and Dene events are the ones that fascinate in the lower latitudes.

Snow snake, stick pull, the psychologically tricky handball, high kicking and distance jumping events, knuckle hop, the games are captivating if at times cringe-worthy to witness.

Eight teams are coming to the 2023 games. Alaska, Alberta North, Greenland, Northwest Territories, Nunavik Quebec, Nunavut, Sapmi and Yukon. The Sapmi team represents Sami athletes from Norway, Sweden and Finland representing nine languages. Russian athletes from Sapmi region are banned because of the war in Ukraine.

Suulut Geisler is Greenland’s coach for the Dene Games, which plays a big role in his country despite being thousands of kilometers away from traditional Dene territory.

In 2018, his team received top honors in handheld games — an event that looks like a mix of three-card monte, drum circle, and good old-fashioned taunting. Their skills earned them the golden ulu – the games medals are a design homage to the Inuit ulu, a utility knife

“We had a plan and we stuck to it. I won’t reveal our plan for these games, but you might be able to watch us and see how we work,” says Geisler.

Not even a hint?

“The secret to hand games is good team communication, being upbeat and loud, which can put off your opponent. Also, a good poker face.”

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Brooklyn and Jordan Wills of Grand Prairie, Alta. both compete in arctic sports. The whole family is involved, for three generations.

“Like everyone in my family, my grandmother told me to try arctic sports, so I had to say yes,” Brooklyn said.

Brooklyn, 13, likes the Alaskan high kick. Jordan, 15, is great at the one-foot high kick. His trainer, Melanie Curtis, set the women’s world record with a seven-foot-10 jump.

Jordan remembers the best advice Coach Curtis ever gave him.

“Don’t let outside pressure in.”

Vetle Knutsen from Bodø, Norway, skied in the AWG for the first time in 2018. He was bitterly disappointed when COVID forced the cancellation and postponement of the AWG in 2020 and 2022, but he stuck to his training.

He moved 500 kilometers from home to pursue top-level cross-country skiing. Vetle firmly believes in showing up for race day.

“I don’t know if a medal is possible. But you never know!” he said.

The Four Cs of the Arctic Winter Games

Nicole Clow, CEO of AWG 2023, emphasizes the outsized role of culture.

“All games have the three Cs,” says Clow. “Care and comfort for athletes and competition. But the Arctic Winter Games have a great focus on the big fourth C, which is culture.”

From the opening gala to artistic performances to the conduct of each sport, each edition of the AWG sees new and creative mashups of northern cultures.

Technical Director Kyle Seeley has seen culture evolve in surprising ways.

“You see shared language moments,” he said. “Children from Alaska, Greenland, and northern Quebec are finding that they have common words in their different languages.”

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Veterans talk about taking on younger, stronger competitors, and instead of sticking to their expertise, they share techniques with the new players, even if it costs them first place on the podium. Brendon Smithson is the CEO of North American Indigenous Games this summer. He notes that young people engage with culture in a myriad of ways.

“Think of the cultural side of being in the public eye and presenting performances and challenging moments where you might not win. People still want you to succeed,” says Smithson.

Local talent to prove

Aiden Armstrong, his team’s flag bearer from Northern Alberta, pointed to the international competitiveness that comes with these games.

“I’ve skied with some of the Yukon racers I first met at the Arctic. The great thing about these games is that the feeling of a major international competition is no longer alien to me.”

Armstrong also believes people overlook native talent.

“As part of Alberta North, we’re definitely underestimated as a team. I don’t think other teams see us as a threat,” he said. “It would be really cool to prove these teams wrong.”

15-year-old cross-country skier Johanne Ims is looking forward to the journey from her home above the Arctic Circle in Norway. It flies south to Oslo, further south to Frankfurt, across the Atlantic to Calgary and then back north again.

She spoke to CBC Sports on “Sun Return” day, when the sun peeks back over the horizon after the darkest weeks of winter.

In 2018, her 13-year-old brother came home from the games with a Team Yukon jacket that he swapped with another skier. Which brings up her semi-joking concerns about these games.

“We just got our team kit. It’s awesome. What if someone wants to trade? I don’t want to give mine away!”

Looking ahead to the races, Johanne simply says: “I’m happy when I do my best.”

“And get a podium!” adds team coach Sveinung Ims, who happens to be her father.

Coach Suulut is ready to start with Greenland.

“I want the kids to have great experiences and meet new friends. If they’re having fun, I’m happy about it. But we want medals,” he said. “We strive for gold.”

The first Arctic Winter Games took place 53 years ago and today’s goals are the same as those set in 1970. Everyone involved, all 1,800 volunteers, athletes and coaches, get a chance to build new relationships and enjoy life-changing moments, and celebrate northern culture.

Clow has long believed in the importance of this event.

“For the people from the north? The Arctic Winter Games is a premiere event. This is a high level competition. It’s not just another event,” she says.

“Perhaps by watching this a Southern audience can gain some insight into what’s important to the North.”