AWG hopefuls show their best at Nunavik trials

Aisa Pirti had a sold finish in the Alaskan high kick open male event in Inukjuak last week, securing a top spot with a 228 cm-high kick. (PHOTO COURTESY OF KRG)

James Cumberbatch wows the crowd with his two foot high kick during the regional Arctic Winter Games try-outs in Inukjuak last weekend. (PHOTO COURTESY OF KRG)

Young Nunavik athletes worked up a sweat last weekend at the regional trials for the upcoming Arctic Winter Games.

More than 80 youth took part in the try-outs for Arctic sports events, Dene games, badminton and table tennis held in Inukjuak from Nov. 11 to 13.

The trials will help the Kativik Regional Government and coaches across Nunavik to narrow down their team selections for the AWG March 2012 competitions in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Top-placing athletes from the try-outs have a good chance of being chosen to represent the region at the games next March.

In Arctic sports events like high kick and kneel jump, top athletes include Ned Gordon, Linda Kowcharlie, Aisa Pirti and Deseray Cumberbatch.

In Dene games, athletes such as Leanna Angnatuk, Eva Angnatuk, Paulusie Angnatuk, Mario Rupert and Deon Hughie finished high in several events.

See the results of who placed in the top three positions of each event here.

Team Nunavik-Quebec has yet to be chosen, but the final team will be made up of 48 athletes, 12 coaches and six cultural performers.

The selection of team members is based on athletic performance as well as sportsmanship and leadership qualities.

The roster of Team Nunavik will be announced by the end of January, 2012.

The AWG take place every two years, drawing athletes from northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Yamal (Russia) and Sápmi (Scandinavia).

Team Nunavik-Québec has participated as a guest team in the games since 2000.

Athlete Aisa Pirti participates in the Arctic sports event called the knuckle hop, as part of the Nunavik’s Arctic Winter Games try-outs hosted in Inukjuak Nov. 11 – 13. (PHOTO COURTESY OF KRG)