Eight young Yukon athletes are getting set to compete in what are often the most-watched events at the Arctic Winter Games.

Traditionally, the Yukon hasn't faired too well in Arctic sports, but these athletes will try their best to change that in Fort McMurray, Alta., next week.

'I'm quite positive something good is going to happen,' said coach Chris Nash after an Arctic sports demonstration Saturday evening. 'In the triple jump we're coming very close. And in the 1-foot kick.

'I'm fairly optimistic we're going to come back with something this year.'

Nash is in his first year as coach. He originally got involved in Arctic sports through his job as a recreation director in Teslin, and now as recreation director at the Skookum Jim Friendship Centre, his job includes Arctic sports and Dene games development.

Many of the athletes are in their first year of Arctic sports as well.

Melissa Howell and Briann Gagnon will compete in the junior female category at the Games while Cedric Dumas and Sam Reimer will take part in the junior male category. Four athletes will represent the territory in the open male category Cody Wilkenson, Tyler Cusick, Bobby Sparrow and Jake Loos.

The athletes will compete in anywhere from four to ten events, ranging from the triple jump to the head pull.

'They came to our school and put on a demonstration,' explained newcomer Dumas, who will compete in the one-foot kick, triple jump, arm pull and sledge jump at the Games. 'I was pretty good at them so I went to tryouts and now I'm on the team.'

Dumas also plays basketball and volleyball but said Arctic sports are completely different.

'Volleyball and basketball are team sports, so (with Arctic sports) the pressure is not nearly as great on you.'

'It's way different. Everyone is silent when you step onto the floor.'

Nash agreed that a big part of Arctic sports is mental.

'Mentally you're going against yourself sometimes,' he said. 'You need to get over the fear of not being able to make it.

'Also, different muscle groups are being used,' he added. 'Stretching and flexibility are so important. So that's what we focus on in practice.'

Even after practice, Dumas said he stretches before he goes to bed.

'I've gotten so much more flexible since we began,' he smiled. 'The stretching is phenomenal.'

Dumas credits a lot of success to his teammates, as well as to Nash.

'No one's real hard on you. You just try to beat your personal best,' he said. 'And it's fun to go to practice.

'The coach is great. If I don't think I can do something, he'll just tell me to take my time and relax. We all support each other.'

Nash said the team makes it easy for him, as they are all well behaved and act like friends helping each other out. He hopes that comes in handy next week, when the Yukon has to take on some tough competition. Alaska is usually the team to beat.

'They have a lot of records in the one-foot (kick),' said Nash. In fact, Alaska holds more than 12 individual records. The Yukon currently holds two both in the sledge jump and both were set by Kim Babala in 2000 and 2002.

'I just want to try and medal in one of my two best events the triple-jump or the one-foot kick,' said Dumas of his goals for this year's Games. '(And also) have a good time and get experience. Then, in two years, at the next games I will go for gold.'

Nash said while a medal would be great, he has bigger goals in mind.

'I just want them to enjoy the experience so they'll come back for the next few years,' he said. 'I want them to enjoy and learn. And stay out of trouble.'

Nash said his own goals are to learn from the other coaches and make sure the team is well represented.

The 2004 Arctic Winter Games in Fort McMurray, Alta., are now just days away. They will be held Feb. 28 - March 6.