News Nov 20, 2019 – 2:30 pm EST

Iqaluit youth feel the need for speed at Team Nunavut tryouts

13 speed skaters will be heading to Whitehorse in March for the Arctic Winter Games

For 36 youth from Iqaluit, Saturday morning was about speed. Here a group of skaters fly past coaches, officials and fellow athletes during the Nunavut speed skating territorial championships. (Photo by Dustin Patar)

By Dustin Patar

Nunavut’s speed skaters took to the ice in Iqaluit on Saturday, Nov. 16, to prepare for the upcoming Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse.

Of the 14 skaters eligible to compete in the games, 13 were chosen to represent the territory, with the last named as an alternate.

The event also served as the territorial championships held by the Nunavut Speed Skating Association.

Between now and when the games are held in March, the athletes will remain busy, continuing their training three times a week, participating in a Christmas camp and likely competing in a two-day meet in Moncton, New Brunswick, in February as part of a last push before the games.

Aura Kwon, 13, is just strides away from completing her race on Saturday morning. By the afternoon she was named as one of 13 speed skating athletes representing Nunavut at the upcoming Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse in March. (Photo by Dustin Patar)
Nunavut Speed Skating Association coaches Kyle St-Laurent and Martine Dupont look on as their athletes compete for roster spots on the Arctic Winter Games speed skating team. (Photo by Dustin Patar)
And they're off! From left: Meliya Allain, Jonah Laird, Arthur Pothier and Igimaq Williamson Bathory take the first few strides of their final heat on Saturday morning. (Photo by Dustin Patar)
Emma Carpenter leads a pack of skaters competing in the Junior Girls category. Carpenter is one of 13 speed skaters representing Nunavut at the upcoming Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse in March. (Photo by Dustin Patar)
Two athletes look on and watch a final heat before taking to the ice for the next race. (Photo by Dustin Patar)
Six girls between the ages of six and eight take their positions along the starting line for their final heat on Saturday morning. (Photo by Dustin Patar)
With their race complete, the girls, ages six to eight, pose for a photo alongside officials. (Photo by Dustin Patar)