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INUVIK
Twelve Inuvik speedskaters went to Edmonton for a tournament and have come back victorious.

The Inuvik speed skaters who competed at the Edmonton Fall Classic last weekend. The Inuvik Club came away with great honours and continues to be a force in western Canada speed skating. From left: Brandon Adams, Flynn Perry, River Ross, Darcie Setzer and Nina Verbonac. - Samantha Stokell/NNSL Photo

Inuvik claimed two first places, three seconds, and a third-place finish in the Edmonton Fall Classic, which draws skaters from the North, British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. With 161 skaters competing in 11 different divisions, Inuvik had an impressive showing at the tournament on Oct. 22 and 23.

"There were skaters from most of Western Canada and we were right in competition with them," said Doug McLeod, coach for the Inuvik speedskating Club. "Our skaters are up there competing with and beating skaters from the south."

Brandon Adams, 12, came first in Division 9, beating skaters from Edmonton and Calgary with 3,482 points – five first-place finishes throughout the weekend. He has skated for three years.

"It feels pretty good. We've been training for a long time and have gone to Yellowknife," Adams said. "It was really hard at the start, but I think I've got the hang of it."

Even the skaters who didn't place finished with personal bests and McLeod plans to send eight Inuvik speedskaters to the Arctic Winter Games trials in Yellowknife in January. He thinks they'll have a good showing, especially since two skaters have already attended the Canada Winter Games.

This tournament in Edmonton helped prepare the Inuvik skaters for racing on the racing-size rink and to see what competition feels like – a crucial aspect for skaters from Inuvik where there are few opportunities to skate against other clubs.

"This was the biggest team we've sent," McLeod said. "We've got eight skaters trying out for the Arctic Winter Games and it's really important they get some competition in before."

McLeod has coached the Inuvik club for the past 10 years. The younger age group, six to 10 years old, practises twice a week and learn the basics of skating. The older group practises three hours a week, with one hour of on-land training.

"Down south they can't afford to play two sports, but here it's cheaper and they do it," McLeod said. "At a territorial level we do really, really well and we're tied with the Yellowknife club."

Parent Charlene Ross, who attended the Edmonton competition, thinks having McLeod as a coach also helps create the competitive skaters.

"He knows a lot about speedskating. He's a calm coach and he gets great results," Ross said. "It's great to have the pool and hockey rink, but you need the dedicated volunteers. We're lucky to have him."

The skaters have a proven track record, with four skaters finishing first in the "Calgary Are You Fast?" competition. McLeod is looking forward to the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse from March 4 to 10.

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