Sage Acorn had a good start to the 2023 Arctic Winter Games.

SA国际影视传媒淚 feel really good,SA国际影视传媒� said the 17-year-old speed skater. SA国际影视传媒淭wo golds and a record, who wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 want that?SA国际影视传媒�

He earned that gold in the menSA国际影视传媒檚 500m, which he completed in 45.02 seconds, beating the previous time of 45.37 seconds.

Acorn, whoSA国际影视传媒檚 been skating since he was four, also had a gold to his name in the 1,000m race as of Wednesday, Feb. 1.

SA国际影视传媒淚n those races I just focused on getting out in front and then I sped it up,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淢y competition is tough, but luckily the races werenSA国际影视传媒檛 too tough.SA国际影视传媒�

Acorn previously went to Arctic Winter Games for futsal, where his team didnSA国际影视传媒檛 place, but heSA国际影视传媒檚 participated in many skating competitions in the south.

SA国际影视传媒淭he AWGs is not as high level as competitions youSA国际影视传媒檒l go to down south,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭here are some skaters who are pretty speedy that you have to watch out for.SA国际影视传媒�

He wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 banking on bringing any more ulus home before the end of the Games, but he hoped to.

SA国际影视传媒淧lacement on the podium is always the goal, but there are a couple tough competitors who are close to my level,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檒l have to fight for it.SA国际影视传媒�

Erika Pollard, another Yellowknife skater, was sitting with a gold and a silver at the midway mark of the Games.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e been speed skating as long as I can remember pretty much,SA国际影视传媒� said the 18-year-old, attending her first AWGs.

She earned gold in womenSA国际影视传媒檚 1,000m and silver in the 500m.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey were pretty intense,SA国际影视传媒� said Pollard about the races. SA国际影视传媒淎 lot was happening. A few falls happened during the race and I just tried to stay on my feet, and it worked out pretty well for me.SA国际影视传媒�

She said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 relying on her training to give her the edge.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e worked very hard for this so I think all the effort ISA国际影视传媒檝e put into it has built up enough for me to succeed, and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 why the competition isnSA国际影视传媒檛 overbearing, but its still there, itSA国际影视传媒檚 still pushing me,SA国际影视传媒� said Pollard.

She wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 sure about bringing any more ulus home. SA国际影视传媒淵ou never knowSA国际影视传媒� what happens in a race, said Pollard, but she hopes her training can lead her to even more heights.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 just very lucky and happy to be here,SA国际影视传媒� she said.