INUVIK - It's hard to find someone more excited about the ski trails in Inuvik than Brian Terry. The excitement he has in his voice when describing the defused glow of the sunset he witnesses while out on the trails rivals that of a child on Christmas morning.

From left, Brian Terry, Olav Falsnes and Paul Arthorne groom the trails Sunday evening, March 27, in preparation for the 43rd annual Top of the World Ski Loppet. - Kira Curtis/NNSL photo

He gladly stops to show off pictures of the how wide and well packed the trails are. This makes Terry ideal to spearhead Inuvik's 43rd Top of the World Cross-Country Ski Loppet this Sunday.

"There will be lots to do because the Muskrat Jamboree's on," Terry said, "but many people have some experience in cross-country skiing. It's a very long-standing, rich tradition in Inuvik and this is carrying it on."

The loppet has waxed and waned throughout the years but always remained. Being that it is not the most nail-biting sport to view, Terry is hoping more people want to come out and partake, than just watch this year. With a pair of airline tickets to Edmonton up for grabs, he may get his wish.

"It's not a spectator's sport," Terry said. "There will be people whooshing through the stadium. I'm sure the average person will be amazed at how fast they go - they'll come down the hill and I bet you their average speed going through the stadium .. would be 30 kilometres per hour."

There will be hot chocolate and refreshments, and with seven different categories there is potential for plenty of people to come across the finish line.

"There's excitement for the takeoff, there's excitement while people are milling about and getting ready," Terry said. "There will always be something to see, but it's not as though you're watching a closed arena like a hockey rink where you can see everything all at once."

Sitting rosie-cheeked after a morning ski on Sunday, Terry explained that one doesn't have to be an elite athlete to participate, as the objective is to finish. There are around 50 medals to give away but the grand prize trip out of the Arctic by plane, as well as other donated gifts, will be awarded by raffle and given out at a banquet dinner at the Legion that night - the only rule is that you must finish.

The loppet runs Sunday from noon until 3 p.m., with the race beginning at 1 p.m. at the Inuvik Ski Club shack on Gwich'in Road.

There will be a 1 p.m. mass start. Terry will be giving out free pointers to those equally excited about the sport.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.