WEIO 2017 is in the books

by Greg Lincoln

Congratulations to our athletes and cultural ambassadors who participated in this year’s World Eskimo Indian Olympic events. Opening day started off with the five events including the Race of the Torch that was 3 miles of running in 85˚F weather! Day 2 featured the Native Baby Regalia Contest and the Muktuk Eating Contest. The muktuk was very good, quyana to the folks from Wainwright for sharing these tasty morsels. Day 3 highlights include the excruciating Ear Pull and the Seal Skinning contest. On Saturday evening, Miss WEIO was crowned which is Olivia Piiyuuk Shields, good job. Many volunteers and WEIO officials came together to put on this event, quyana! We also enjoyed the craft sales and many vendors. Below are the results that we were available to us as of press time. We hope to see you again next year!

Toe Kick

Ladies

1^st: Kinniq Sampson, Anchorage, 60”
2^nd: Deseray Cumberbatch, Inukjuak, 50” 3m
3^rd: Autumn Ridley, Anchorage, 50” 4m

Men

1^st: Nick Hanson, Unalakleet, 96”
2^nd: Nick Devens, Valdez, 72” 1m
3^rd: Phillip Blanchett, Anchorage, 72” 4m

4-Man Carry

1^st: Sido Evans, Fairbanks, 218’ 8 ½”
2^nd: Robert Strick, McGrath, 214’ 7 ¾”
3^rd: Stan Swetzof, Naknek, 27’ 10”

Kneel Jump

Ladies

1^st: Amber Vaska, Fairbanks, 54”
2^nd: Sharlane King, Seattle, 47 ¾”
3^rd: Erica Meckel, Fairbanks, 42 ¾”

Men

1^st: Kyle Worl, Juneau, 60”
2^nd: Austin Sumdum, Anchorage, 59 ¼”
3^rd: Andrew Kashevarof, Anchorage, 55 ¾”

1-Hand Reach

Ladies

1^st: Chelsea Morrow, Wasilla, 58”
2^nd: Autumn Ridley, Anchorage, 56”
3^rd: Sharlane King, Seattle, 54” 1 miss

Men

1^st: Bernard Clark, Wasilla 69”

2^nd: David Thomas, Palmer 65”

3^rd: Kyle Worl, Juneau, 64”

Race of the Torch

Ladies

1^st: Brooke Lizotte, Fairbanks, 19 mins. 56 sec.

2^nd: Dorothy O’Donnel, Fairbanks, 21 mins. 55 sec.

3^rd: Maxie Dibert, Fairbanks, 24 mins. 45 sec.

Men

1^st: Keel Simon, Fairbanks, 19 mins. 17 secs.

2^nd: David Kokrine, Fairbanks, 19 mins. 38 secs.

3^rd: Richard Stevens, Fairbanks, 20 mins. 21 secs.

This year’s Race of the Torch took place in 85˚F weather which was very unbearable hot on opening day.

Ear Pull

Ladies

1st: Auna Reed-Lewis, Palmer

2nd: Misti Evans

Men

1st: Linc Qimiq, Anchorage

2nd: Leroy Shangin, Anchorage

Two Foot

Ladies

1st: Sharlane King, 74” (1 miss) Seattle

2nd: Amber Vaska, 74” (3 misses)

Men

1st: Andrew Kashevarok, 98” Anch

2nd: Kyle Worl, 96” Juneau

3rd: Casey Ferguson, 96” Eagle River

Seal Skinning

1st: Mary Kakoona, Shishmaref, 1 min. 58 secs

Stick pull

Ladies

1st: Autumn Randazzo, Anch

2nd: Michelle Wardlow, Seward

3^rd: Julie-Anna Val Velzor, Anchorage

Men

1^st: Mathew Sido Evans, Fairbanks

2^nd: Donovan Phillips, Kenai

3^rd: Stan Swetzof, Naknek

Alaskan High Kick

Ladies

1st: Autumn Ridley, 83”

Men

1st: Casey Ferguson, Eagle River 93”

2nd: Elijah Cabinboy

Greased Pole Walk

Ladies

1^st: Amanda Galloway, Kenai, 68”

2^nd: Christina Glenzel, Anchorage, 56 ½”

3^rd: Michelle Strange, Anchorage, 34 ¼”

Men

1^st: Nick Hanson, Unalakleet, 77 ¾”

2^nd: Kyle Worl, Juneau, 71 ¼”

3^rd (tie): David Thomas, Palmer

Charles Teter, Fairbanks, 53 ¼”

Fish Cutting

1st: Ariella Derrickson, 27.61 secs

2nd: Marjorie Tahbone, 29.10

3rd: Kelly Lincoln, 41 secs

Muktuk Eating

1st: Diane DuFour, Fairbanks 1 min. 33.98 secs

2nd: Donna Rexford

3rd: Siikauraq Whiting

One Foot

1st: Tim Field, 116”

1st: Desaray Cumberbatch, 88” Inukjuak, Nunavik

Knuckle Hop

1st: Kyle Worl 148’ 4.5” Juneau

Indian Stick Pull

1st: Marjorie Tahbone

Blanket Toss

1st: Chelsea Morrow, Wasilla

Eskimo Stick Pull

Ladies

1^st: Autumn Randazzo, Anchorage

2^nd: Michelle Wardlow, Seward

3^rd: Julie-Anna Van Velzor, Anchorage

Men

1^st: Matthew Sido Evans, Fairbanks

2^nd: Donovan Phillips, Kenai

3^rd: Stan Swetzof, Naknek