INUVIK
One of Inuvik's budding premiere athletes has brought a haul of medals home from Manitoba.

Inuvik speedskater Jackson Christie was a multiple medallist at the Canada West competitions in Selkirk, Man., last month. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

Jackson Christie has returned from Selkirk, Man., with three medals from the Canada West Speed Skating Championships.

The two silver and one gold medals are proof he's hovering on the cusp of being an elite athlete in the sport.

"The Canada Westerns featured all western Canada athletes skating there, with about a dozen boys," Christie said. "It was a pretty fun competition with those people. I got to meet new people and to experience everything that went on, like the opening ceremonies."

Christie took gold in the 3,000-metre points race, said Paul MacDonald, one of the club's coaches.

One of the silver medals was in the 1,500-metres race, with the second coming in the 3,000-metre relay.

"My times were really good," Christie said. "I was hitting some personal bests."

Braeden Picek, a fellow competitor with the Inuvik Speed Skating Club, also won a spot to attend the competition. He didn't fare as well as Christie, but still gained valuable experience.

"He had a tougher meet," Christie said. "But I think he learned a lot from everyone from the experience."

MacDonald said much the same thing.

"Braeden did well but did not qualify," MacDonald said. "He said he learned lots from the competition."

Christie said he went into the races confident he would medal in at least some of them.

"My coaches are pretty happy and excited, yeah," he said.

His mother, Stacey, also one of Inuvik's premiere athletes, was "pretty happy and wished she could have been there to see it," he said.

Stacey Christie helps coach Jackson, and said she was very pleased and proud of his results.

"He finished third overall in his age group, getting two silvers and a gold in the 3,000 race."

"Definitely, the distance races are a strength for him right now. He enjoys the shorter races and the fast pace, but they're a little more technical and he has to keep working and building on that. But he's got a lot of power, that he can keep going for days, I think."

Stacey said Jackson is "very motivated" to keep improving in speed skating.

"It's a passion sport for him right now. He enjoys many sports, but it's definitely his highlight sport."

She said the success of NWT Olympic speedskater Michael Gilday has been an inspiration for her son.

"Michael Gilday makes it real," she said. "Once he saw that, he said, 'Why can't I do that' and it's something that as long as he stays at it and has a passion for it, we're going to support him as best we can. I'm just glad he's so involved in sports. I think it's great for a lot for kids, for their self-esteem, for being involved in the community, and for going places."

Jackson is planning on returning to compete in the race again next year, with an improved performance.

Ultimately, he plans on continuing to skate through university and seeing how far he can go in the sport.

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