During Saturday's closing ceremonies at the Canada Summer Games in Regina, the Yukon was showcased in a number of ways, as everyone now looks toward the 2007 Winter Games in Whitehorse.

There was a video montage, accompanied by music and a performance from local breakdancer Nick Robinson, in salute to 2007, as well as the official passing of the torch.

And the athletes displayed their pride when two sprinted around Taylor Field with the Yukon flag during a musical break in the ceremonies.

'I know there is a real buzz around the sports world about 2007,' said Yukon's Chef de Mission, Vern Haggard. 'A tremendous amount of people that I talked to from the provinces want to come. And a number of volunteers in Regina were actually saying they want to come up and volunteer, help out.'

If this past couple of weeks' performances were any indication, the territory will have tons to be proud of in the competition during the 2007 Games.

In week one, Yukoner Daniel Sessford claimed the territory's first medal in 16 years in the mountain bike race. Swimmers also posted excellent results in the pool, with Alexandra Gabor and Bronwyn Pasloski both making a final. At just 12 and 13 years old, respectively, Gabor and Pasloski were in the pool with competitors up to five or six years older than them.

Numerous other Glacier Bears also posted personal bests at the Games, as did the other cyclists competing in Regina. And the women's soccer team earned respect in Saskatchewan, keeping themselves in every game and finishing with a win over the N.W.T.

In week two, the Yukoners competing in athletics showed impressive physical and mental stamina, some of them competing in two or three events per day. The volleyball teams were tough on the court, with the women collecting a victory over the rival N.W.T. in their final match of the tournamament.

The men's soccer team turned some heads at the Games, as they opened with a 1-1 tie against Nova Scotia bronze medalists in 2001. After a close contest with Newfoundland, they ended the tournament with a 2-1, double-overtime victory against the N.W.T.

'I was extremely pleased,' said Haggard. 'It was a very successful Games from our standpoint, with some excellent performances. Certainly the bronze medal would top the list, but we also had lots of personal bests and a number of excellent performances in team sports against the provinces.

'It's quite an indication of where we've come from and where we stand now.'

Haggard had the opportunity to take in many of the events over the two weeks, and from his perspective, they were one of th emost enjoyable Games he's ever been to. Because the Games were split over two weeks, and because of the number of sports the Yukon was entered in (six, plus the artists' program), he had a chance to see more than usual.

'It can do nothing but make you proud,' he said of the Games, adding Regina did an great job as the host.

'They certainly had some very good venues. The accomodations and food were very good and the transportation was adequate.'

There were some problems with travel to and from Moose Jaw, where men's soccer was held, as well as women's softball in week one. It's about a 45 minute drive from Regina to Moose Jaw, and while the athletes had team buses to take them there and back, a lot of the parents, spectators and media had a hard time.

Also, the volleyball and athletics participants weren't able to make it to more than one of the soccer games to cheer on their fellow Yukoners because of the distance.

'So, that was too bad. But overall, (Regina and Moose Jaw) did an excellent job,' said Haggard.

The Summer Games certainly set a high bar for Whitehorse to reach in 2007, but it's a challenge that organizers and members of the Host Society are willing to take on.

Host Society president Piers McDonald, Whitehorse Mayor Ernie Bourassa and Chris Morrissey, the general manager of the 2007 Games, were all in Regina during the two-week period of the Summer Games.

The three met with numerous officials, and also managed to take in some of the action.

Bourassa was impressed with the level of competition at the Games, and the effort put forth by the Yukon athletes.

He expects the Winter Games will be just as successful, though he admitted Yukon athletes are always in tough when competing against the big provinces.

'It's difficult, in team sports, for a small jurisdiction like ours to be really competitive,' said Bourassa. 'Individually, we can produce as good of an athlete as anywhere in the country, in some sports.'

Ontario ended up with the most flag points at the Canada Summer Games 259 over the two-week period, which means they were the overall winners at the Games.

Points are awarded based on results in each event, from first to 13th place.

B.C. was next with 223 points.

The Yukon had 12.5, placing behind the N.W.T. (15.5) and ahead of Nunavut (2.5).

The Centennial Cup, awarded to the province or territory which made the most improvement from the 2001 Summer Games, went to Manitoba.

The Yukon was ranked sixth in the Centennial Cup standings.