by Greg Lincoln
The Arctic Winter Games 2024 is in the books and Team Alaska is the champion with 222 medals. The AWG took place March 10-16 and was hosted by Alaska, the games took place in Wasilla, Palmer, Sutton, and Anchorage.
Other contingencies participating from the circumpolar north regions included the Canadian provinces: Yukon, Alberta North, Northwest Territories, Nunavut; Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), Nunavik (northern Quebec in Canada), and Sapmi (northern Europe, land of the Saami People).
Athletes competed in Alpine Skiing, Archery, Arctic Sports, Badminton, Basketball, Biathlon Ski, Biathlon Snowshoe, Cross Country Ski, Curling, Dene Games, Figure Skating, Futsal, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Short Track Speed Skating, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Table Tennis, Volleyball, and Wrestling.
Some athletes for Team Alaska include Allie Alexie of Bethel – volleyball, Tania Boonstra of Ninilchik – Cross Country Ski, Ourea Busk of Unalakleet – Biathlon Snowshoe, Hunter Gumlickpuk of New Stuyahok – Wrestling, Isaac Kaviak Hoffman of Palmer – Table Tennis, Eden Jade Hopson of Anchorage – Arctic Sports, Alice Johnston of Palmer – Arctic Sports, Colton Paul of Kipnuk – Arctic Sports, Kirsten Angeline Prince of Kotlik – basketball, Brittany Woods-Orrison of Rampart – Dene Games, and Kyle Worl of Juneau – Arctic Sports.
Allie Alexie’s team won the team silver medal in volleyball. She said, “My goal is to play hard with my teammates and do my best to represent Alaska, my family, my region, and my heritage.”
Kirsten Prince’s team also won the silver medal in basketball.
Kipnuk’s Colton Paul won four gold ulus winning the One Foot High Kick, the Two Foot High Kick, the Kneel Jump – new record, and the Triple Jump. He won the silver medal in the Alaskan High Kick, and placed fifth in the Sledge Jump.
“My goal is to surpass my personal records until I reach any previous records,” said Paul.
Busk participated in the Biathlon Snowshoe winning the 5.0 km, 3.0 km Sprint, the 4.0 km Mass Start, and the 3×2.0 km Relay events.
Gumlickpuk won gold in the Individual and Inuit Wrestling competitions and also the Team Competition Mix. He said, “I do the best I can, learn from my teammates, and represent team Alaska.”
Isaac Kaviak Hoffman won the gold in the Doubles and silver in the Singles in Table Tennis.
Eden Hopson placed second in the One Hand Reach and fifth in the Alaskan High Kick
Palmer’s Ali Johnston won gold in the One Hand Reach, and silver in the One Foot High Kick, Two Foot High Kick, bronze in the Alaskan High Kick, and fourth in the Sledge Jump and Arm Pull competitions.
Brittany Orrison-Woods placed second in the Hand Games, taking home the silver ulu.
“I have the life goal of immersing myself into my Koyukon Dené culture more each year,” she said. “The Dene Games is an opportunity to continue my athletic career, maintaining physical wellness, and keeping our traditions vibrant. I look forward to all of the new connections I will make at this historic event!”
Juneau’s Kyle Worl won gold in the Airplane and the Knuckle Hop, silver in the One Hand Reach, and bronze in the Two Foot High Kick. He placed fourth in the Alaskan High Kick and the Sledge Jump and fifth in the Head Pull.
The Arctic Winter Games are held every two years. The last time the games were held in Alaska was in 2014. Congratulations to Team Alaska.
Be the first to comment