Sports > Arctic Sports
The premier sports, particularly for spectators, and what really sets the AWG apart from other winter competitions, are the Inuit and the Dene games. Actually, there are a number of distinct events encompassed in these two groupings and all are representative of traditional forms of competition and activities of the Eskimo (Inuit) and interior Native (Dene) cultures. While all other sports in the Games now focus exclusively on youth, the Inuit and Dene games have retained adult competition. One of the major reasons for this decision is that there are very few opportunities for young people to receive coaching from experienced athletes or to learn the traditions that accompany the sports. One tradition of special note, particularly in the Inuit Games, is the technical assistance and advice that an athlete is expected to, and, in fact, does give to his or her rival during competition. While winning is important, the higher value is to help an athlete achieve her or his best possible result.
The Inuit Games (Arctic Sports), officially introduced into the Games in 1974, include 11 events: the one-foot, two-foot, and Alaska high kicks; arm pull; kneel jump; airplane; one-hand reach; head pull; knuckle hop; sledge jump; and triple jump. Collectively, each of these sports requires some combination of strength, conditioning, technique, and a high tolerance for pain.
The events included at the 2008 Arctic Winter Games are:
1. Arm Pull Two competitors sit on the floor facing each other and lock right arms at the bent elbow, with their left hands holding their opponent’s right ankle. The left leg is straight and the right leg is bent over the opponent’s straightened leg. (Positions are reversed for the left arm pull.) Competitors pull steadily at the elbow while bracing their opposite hands on their opponent’s ankle. The object is to pull the opponent over or touch the opponent’s hand to one’s chest.
2. One-Foot High Kick The competitor starts with a running or standing approach with feet no more than a shoulder width apart at take off. The suspended target must be struck by one foot and land on that same foot while maintaining balance and control.
3. Two-Foot High Kick The competitor starts with a running or standing approach with feet no more than shoulder width apart at take off. The target must be clearly struck while both feet are parallel. Maintaining balance and control, the competitor must land on both feet at the same time, no more than a shoulder width apart.
4. One-Hand Reach In the starting position the competitor must brace himself with the elbow of the balancing arm tucked into the body. The competitor begins by lifting his feet off the floor while balancing on his hands. With one hand the competitor reaches up to strike the target while maintaining his balance on the other hand. The striking hand must touch the ground before any other part of the body does so. (Males only)
5. Knuckle Hop The competitor “hops” along the floor on toes and knuckles until he collapses. The longest distance wins. In 1986, Rodney Worl from Alaska set the record of 191 feet 10 inches. (Males only)
6. Airplane The competitor lies on the floor, face down, with arms straight out in an “iron cross” position. Four assistants lift the competitor two to three feet off of the floor and carry him forward at a constant speed. When the competitor’s body or arms begin to sag, he drops. Longest distance before dropping wins. (Males only)
7. Head Pull Two competitors lie on the floor, their stomachs facing each other. A looped band is placed over the back of each head above the ears. Rising to a “push-up” position with only hands and feet touching the floor, the athletes pull with their heads, bracing their hands out in front and using their whole body strength to pull steadily backward. The object is to pull the opponent over a line that is drawn between them. (Males only)
8. Alaskan High Kick The competitor sits on the floor below a target with one hand grasping the opposite foot. With the other hand planted on the floor, the athlete springs up and attempts to kick the target with the free foot. After kicking the target, the competitor must land on the same side of one’s body. Height is the objective.
9. Kneel Jump The competitor begins in a kneeling position, with buttocks resting on one’s heels, toes pointed backward, and hands on knees. From this position, he then jumps as far forward as possible, lands on his feet in a squatting position, and maintains balance.
10. Triple Jump Using a running or standing start, the competitor completes three consecutive jumps. Feet must stay no more than shoulder width apart. The shortest distance from the back of the starting line to the nearest point touched by any part of the competitor’s body wins.
11. Sledge Jump From a standing position, the athlete jumps consecutively over 10 sledges placed parallel to each other, turns around using one jumping movement, and then jumps back over the 10 sledges. Jumps must be executed in a continuous action with legs no more than a shoulder width apart and executed without falling to the ground or touching the sledges with any part of the body above the waist.
* Content Reprinted with permission: Alaska State Museum/ Arctic Winter Games Catalog, Copyright 2006, Author - George Vinal Smith; Catalog design - Laura Lucas.
