INUVIK
Anders Lenes, an Olympic-level cross-country skiing coach, never ceases to be amazed at the athletic ability of Northerners when he comes to Inuvik.

Holly Jones, director of programming with Inuvik Ski Club, and four-time Olympian Sharon Firth stop for a photo during a youth session on March 29. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

"There's a phenomenal gene pool in the indigenous people up here," he said after helping run a ski clinic at the Inuvik Ski Club with Sharon Firth, a four-time Olympian competitor last week.

"They're just absolutely fun to see. They work so hard, they're so good and so talented, such an athletic group."

Firth, born in Aklavik, was one of the first stars in Canadian cross-country skiing along with sister Shirley in the 1970s and '80s.

Now she works for the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and regularly makes trips to the Beaufort Delta to hold skiing workshops.

Firth and Lenes visited East Three School and were scheduled to tour Aklavik, Tuktoyaktuk, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson as well.

Lenes has been coming to Inuvik since 1975.

"The kids are beautiful to work with," he said. "They're so happy, they laugh, they work hard. They fall and they crash and they laugh at that too. Lots of talent up here."

He and Firth ran a few skiing drills and went on a group ski. Lenes complimented the Inuvik Ski Club and high quality of the local trails.

It's a worthwhile sport for youth to get into because of the opportunities it provides, he said.

"The kids, if they get good enough, they get to travel," said Lenes. "They get to see the rest of the country and maybe go international too like Sharon did. It's a wonderful opportunity and it's also a way for the kids to be outside during the wintertime."

Firth, who now works as a youth program advisor with the GNWT, said she talked to more than 150 youth in one day in Inuvik.

"It's just amazing to get them out in the fresh air and play," she said.

She added that it was a privilege to be able to go into the school and work with students, knowing how busy teachers can be already.

Firth said her visit wasn't just about skiing, but promoting a healthy lifestyle.

"We try to expand into trying out arts and crafts and music and dance," she said. "It's not only about sports, it's broadening your mind and getting active in other areas of life."

What made her an Olympics-level athlete was a desire for something better in life.

"Coming from a small community, often people think they can't go very far," she said.

But she and her twin sister Shirley, who passed away, both went to four Olympics.

"Today, things have changed so much," said Firth. "We have to push the kids to look beyond a small community. There's so much in life that one can do."

She complimented East Three School on its promotion of wellness.

"We want to keep people healthy (and) get involved in something that's lifelong," she said.

"(Skiing) got me to four Olympics and it taught me much about life, the discipline, the commitment, taking care of yourself, the importance of eating properly and (keeping) everything in balance."

She was happy to see parents come out to ski with their children.

Firth encourages youth to finish high school and feel positive about themselves.

The Inuvik Ski Club will be holding the 49th annual Top of the World Loppet Sunday, April 9.

Races will begin at 9:30 a.m. and run until about 11:30 a.m.

Distances include 200 metres, 1.6 kilometres, five kilometres and 10 kilometres.

The public is welcome to attend and viewership as well as participation is encouraged.

Ski rentals will be available the day of the race.

Registration is open to anyone until Friday, April 7.

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