For many young athletes, it's been a long time coming: the first Arctic Winter Games to be held in five years. The weeklong event kicks off this weekend in Fort McMurray, Alta.
Tim Ellis/KUAC
The Arctic Winter Games ended Saturday, a week after they began here in Fairbanks. Most of the 2,000 athletes that came here from circumpolar nations left that night, along with the 3,000-some staff, family, fans and others who came along for the show.
It was a stunning weeklong show of hundreds of competitive and cultural events that combined such games as hockey and basketball with traditional indigenous contests such as the high-kick and knuckle-hop.
Team Alaska’s athletes were the top medal-winners of the nine contingents that competed in the Games, winning190 medals total, 67 of which were gold. Team Yamal, from Russia, was second with 134 total, 55 gold; followed by Team Alberta North with 125 total, 42 gold.