LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Five speedskaters in Fort Simpson are hopeful that four days of specialized coaching will give them a winning edge at the Arctic Winter Games trials.

Debby Fisher, a sports consultant with Global Innovations in Sport from Calgary, spent from Dec. 6 to 10 on the ice with the speedskaters from the village who will be competing at the territorial trials for the 2010 Arctic Winter Games. Fisher worked with the athletes on their technique including powerful starts off the line, staying low and tempo and speed in the corners.

Arctic Winter Games speedskater hopefuls in Fort Simpson got some pointers from instructor Debby Fisher during a four-day clinic. Participants included, from left: Robert Harold, Kevin Roche, coach Val Gendron, instructor Debby Fisher, Madison Pilling and Aleyx Smith. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

"They're moving really well," said Fisher.

Aleyx Smith, Madison Pilling, Kevin Roche and Robert Harold will be competing for the spots in the juvenile division on Team NWT at the trials on Jan. 28 in Yellowknife. Alex Roche will compete in the junior division. There are eight spots in each age group, four for females and four for males.

"I think they've got a pretty good shot. They're skating really well," said Fisher.

Aleyx Smith, 11, one of the speedskaters, said she learned about pushing in the corners and where her knees should be positioned while skating on the straight away.

"I learned a lot," said Smith.

Smith said she's "a bit nervous" about the trials next month.

The Fort Simpson speedskaters aren't the only ones benefiting from Fisher's coaching.

Fisher is assisting the potential speedskaters on all of the Arctic Winter Games teams in Canada including the Yukon, Nunavut and northern Alberta. In January she will be doing another tour in the territory to visit Yellowknife, Fort Smith and Fort Simpson.

Fisher said she's trying to raise up the level of skating skills, abilities and the performances by all of the athletes.

Her stop in Fort Simpson was sponsored jointly by Sport North and the Fort Simpson Speedskating Club.

In addition to training the speedskaters in the village Fisher also worked on basic skating skills with students from kindergarten and up at Bompas Elementary School and Thomas Simpson School.

Fisher brings a wealth of knowledge every time she comes to the village, said Val Gendron, the regular coach for the speedskaters.

"It's awesome because she can fix their technique," Gendron said.

"She has a big tool box of drills that she can have the kids practise their technique with."

Gendron said Fisher makes learning fun for the skaters, adding she learns as much from Fisher as the athletes do.