Having swept away the competition in Yellowknife, two Inuvik curling teams are hoping to rock the Arctic Winter Games this January.

Team Wainman and Team Willkomm will represent the Northwest Territories at the circumpolar tournament Jan. 29 to Feb. 4 in Wood Buffalo National Park.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think we at least have a shot at winning a medal,SA国际影视传媒� said Reese Wainman. SA国际影视传媒淭hanks to all the people watching us from here.SA国际影视传媒�

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 been a busy end of year for Team Wainman, having dominated the Sherwood Park U15 bonspiel and placing second in Lacombe in November.

After just getting edged out by their rivals, team J. Kennedy, Wainman said taking the championship in Sherwood Park was extra sweet.

SA国际影视传媒淭he first time they beat us really bad, like eight to nothing,SA国际影视传媒� said Brooke Smith. SA国际影视传媒淭he second time we played, they beat us by two. Then we beat them in the finals.

SA国际影视传媒淚t felt like our training paid off.SA国际影视传媒�

Now, the team is hoping to take the experience acquired in those two bonspiels back to Alberta to claim the gold ulu.

Needless to say, the foursome is excited to be heading to the circumpolar gathering.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e playing a lot more games than we used to,SA国际影视传媒� said Alex Testart-Campbell. SA国际影视传媒淎t the qualifier the teams we played against werenSA国际影视传媒檛 the hardest, but there was still competition.SA国际影视传媒�

To get there, Smith said the team was focusing on its shooting accuracy.

Tamara Bain said she liked the teamSA国际影视传媒檚 chances in Fort McMurray.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think we have a pretty good shot at winning it,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e working on our hitting.SA国际影视传媒�

Team Willkomm looking for experience

Joining team Wainman will be the up and coming boys who make up Team Willkomm. They automatically qualified for the AWG after learning no one in Yellowknife was willing to take them on.

Though the young team will be standing among giants in Wood Buffalo, the boys say theySA国际影视传媒檙e eager to get schooled.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think since weSA国际影视传媒檙e in the U18 division, weSA国际影视传媒檙e probably going to get destroyed,SA国际影视传媒� said Jasper Willkomm. SA国际影视传媒淏ut weSA国际影视传媒檙e excited.SA国际影视传媒�

At their AWG debut, the fellas are prepared to learn a lot about the sport and build their game.

Modest expectations aside, the team is eager to get on the ice and throw some rocks.

Each boy brings along a few years of experience: Jacob Robinson has played for six years, Jasper has three years behind him, and Atticus Willkomm and Jett Etter each have two years with the game.

Jasper said he enjoys the feeling of success that comes with getting the hang of the sport.

SA国际影视传媒淚 like it when I get a good shot,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding he wanted to make a special shout out, SA国际影视传媒淗i mom!SA国际影视传媒�

With the tournament approaching, the boys are at practice several days a week getting ready for the big leagues.

Both teams say they are shifting focus from drills to actual competitions to ensure theySA国际影视传媒檙e prepared for the big tournament.

Bain expressed her gratitude to Kate Jarvis and all the parents for their continued support for the teams.

SA国际影视传媒淪he helps out so much,SA国际影视传媒� said Bain. SA国际影视传媒淭hanks to her and all the parents.SA国际影视传媒�