INUVIK - Speed skating is a sport that takes a lot of practice.

One needs to master the right stride and technique before gliding across the ice at top speed.

Inuvik speed skating coach Doug McLeod gives some advice to assembled skaters during a practice. - Philippe Morin/NNSL photos

In the meanwhile, it's nice to have padded blue gymnasium mats on the edge of the rink ready to catch a fallen skater. (Like the bales of hay at a go-kart race.)

The players wear neck guards, helmets and Kevlar gloves to protect against cuts.

"We are doing warm-ups, mostly just skating in circles. We work on technique," said coach Doug McLeod on Nov. 16, explaining the team's workout routine.

He added 2007 has been a good year for the speed skating group, which has 15 members so far.

Five of its members are now preparing to travel to Yellowknife for the Arctic Winter Games preliminary trials on Jan. 30.

The lucky skaters are Allison Baetz, Allison McDonald, Conor McLeod, Cullen McLeod and Roald Langford.

"All of the members have been pretty good," said McLeod.