OK, so I'm a little late in doing this, thanks in part to a much-needed vacation, but with the year Yukon athletes and Yukon volunteers had, it's impossible not to pay some sort of tribute.

From Canada Winter Games test events to national titles, numerous records and a big Canada Winter Games countdown, residents in the territory may feel like they saw it all last year. It's hard to believe there's still more to come, but that is inevitable as we head down the final stretch into the largest sporting event in the nation, and as our local athlete continue to strive for the podium.

We're going to look back on the top moments in local sports for 2006 in two parts, broken down over the next two days in the Star.

It all starts with the test events and Olympic visitors linked to the 2007 Canada Winter Games:

February brings top-notch

badminton action

The flexi-hall at the Canada Games Centre played host to 28 of the best men's and women's players Canada has to offer in the YONEX senior national championships, with both singles and doubles action on display for the local spectators.

'Everything has been great,' stated Charmaine Reid, the eventual women's singles champion and women's doubles champion with partner Helen Nichol. 'It's so beautiful and the people are very friendly. We had a chance to go dogsledding a few days ago.

'The whole facility is amazing. You're lucky to have such a great facility. I come from Fort Erie (Ontario). I would have loved to have something like this growing up.'

Freestyle skiing wows

spectators at Sima

More than 100 skiers from across Canada descended on Mount Sima in early March for the 2006 Northwestel Canadian Freestyle Ski Championships, showing off their skills in moguls, dual moguls, aerials and half-pipe.

Not only did local residents witness some amazing action on the slopes including a dominant performance in the mogul events by Quebec they also enjoyed a big thumbs up from the outsiders.

'We got a lot of positive feedback on the mountain itself and the freestyle courses,' said Vincent Gauthier, the chief of competition and also a representative with the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association (CFSA).

'We need to do some minor changes, but nothing that would really require construction in the summer (outside of the lodge). 'Most of the modifications can just be done with snow.

'We're very happy. The sites tested very well.'

Gauthier is expected to be in Whitehorse around the middle of this month, to do one of his final inspections prior to the Games.

Provincials disappointing for host Mustangs

Hockey teams from across B.C. took to the ice at Takhini Arena and the Canada Games Centre, for the B.C. Amateur Hockey Association 2006 Midget AA Championship.

The hometown Whitehorse Mustangs went into the championship considered one of the top contenders, after suffering just three losses all season. They swept two four-game series against the Anchorage North Stars, as well as a series against the Burnaby Winter Hawks, and claimed gold at AWG.

Unfortunately, another gold medal was not in their future, as Whitehorse posted a disappointing 0-4 record one home ice and finished in ninth overall.

Nonetheless, the Mustangs remained positive as they packed up their bags following the final contest.

'I think this is one of the best Mustangs teams Whitehorse has had in a long while and I am so proud,' said veteran defenceman Josh Craven. 'We just lost the wrong games.'

The Smithers Storm would go on to take provincial gold.

Nishikawa proves his worth on home turf

As the final awards were handed out at the 2006 Northwestel Western Canadian Cross Country Ski Championships in March, two things became clear the future of Yukon skiing looks incredibly bright and Cross Country Yukon will certainly be ready for 2007.

The Yukon Ski Team finished with 33 medals at Westerns, 10 of them gold, and local favourite Graham Nishikawa, who is a member of the national team and trains in Alberta, clinched the Canada Cup title the championships were also part of the Haywood NorAm Canada Cup Race Series.

The title meant Nishikawa, who picked up gold in the open men's 10-km classic and gold in the open men's 15-km free, had a spot reserved for him at the World Cup races this past fall.

Edmonton's Tara Whitten, who was the top female skier of the competition, was impressed with the courses at Mount McIntyre.

'It's been amazing. Canada Games are going to be awesome here next year. The trials are great and the volunteers did an unbelievable job.'

Claude Chabot, the Chief of Race, summed it up best:

'Our stadium design is beautiful. It's perfect for spectators and it makes for some extra exciting finishes, for both the spectators and the skiers too. The plans we had worked very well. Obviously, we can always do better, but there's just small things left.

'We're ready for the Canada Games. Bring em on.'

LeMay Doan makes first of two trips to Whitehorse

Catriona LeMay Doan became the first of numerous Olympic medallists to set foot in Whitehorse during 2006, as she visited the Canada Games Centre in April to announce a major sponsorship from Bell Canada.

LeMay Doan also took time to watch some of the action at the 2006 Canada Post Age Class Short Track Championships, another test event which was hosted at the Canada Games Centre.

In total, about 130 athletes competed in the event, from Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C., N.W.T., Nanuvut and Yukon.

'This is a thrill for me, because you get to go back to the beginning,' said LeMay Doan. 'I skated in these championships, even in short track. These are the kids of our future in the sport I love.'

She would return to the Yukon again in September, this time stopping off in Haines Junction as well as Whitehorse.

Table tennis championships offered something different

The 2006 Western Canada Open table tennis championships, held in May, featured the top athletes from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alaska, as well as the Yukon, fighting it out for ranking in both men's and women's doubles and singles action at the Canada Games Centre.

Twelve tables were set up in the flexi-hall at the centre, with action ongoing at almost all of them throughout the day, whether it was practice or competition. Ten local athletes tested their mettle against tough competitors and coach Kevin Murphy, who was also one of those who played, was pleased with their performance.

Caron achieves goal against western foes

Whitehorse received the thumbs-up from visiting coaches and skaters, as local organizers and volunteers worked to put on the final test event prior to the 2007 Canada Winter Games last September.

More than 80 figure skaters from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C., the N.W.T. and Yukon took to the ice over the two-day competition, which featured pre-novice and novice men's and women's singles, as well as pre-novice and novice ice dance events.

About 30 officials were also flown into the capital city from the western provinces.

Yukoner Kevin Caron, who was hoping for a top-five finish at the event, achieved his goal by placing fourth overall in the pre-novice men's category.

Campbell touches down in rural Yukon communities

Canadian women's hockey legend Cassie Campbell provided inspiration for residents of Mayo, Pelly Crossing and Carmacks last October, as part of the Canada Winter Games Community Partner Program, which aims to give all rural communities in the territory an opportunity to get involved in the 2007 Games.

Campbell, who also retired from competitive women's hockey last fall and is now an analyst on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada, showed off her gold medal from the 2006 Olympic Games and took part in a floor hockey game.

Like Catriona LeMay Doan, Campbell is an ideal ambassador for the Canada Winter Games, as well as for the community program. She took part in the 1991 Games and knows how important they can be for people of all ages.

'I think the Canada Games kept me in hockey. Literally, it was the event that allowed me to pursue elite level women's hockey. So I think to have something of this magnitude here, people really need to respect that and enjoy that, realize it's important in the impact it can have not only on the kids, but on us older adults as well.'

Western boxing championships a heavy hit

Hundreds of loud, passionate spectators packed the gym at F.H. Collins Secondary School Saturday, for the opening night of the Western Canadian Amateur Boxing Championships.

The championships were held as a test event for the 2007 Canada Winter Games and while Troy Malcolm, Kevin Mendelsohn and Adam and Jarrod Nolan were certainly the hometown favourites, competitors from Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan also entertained the crowd.

Athletes fought in cadet, junior and senior categories, ranging in weight from 119 pounds to 201-plus.

Malcolm and Adam both came away with silver medals for their efforts.

Wickenheiser, Hrudey brave cold to celebrate Games

Haley Wickenheiser, considered by many as the best women's hockey player in the world, joined Hockey Night in Canada analyst and former NHL goaltender Kelly Hrudey to help Whitehorse kick off the 99-day countdown to the 2007 Games.

After Hrudey hosted a celebration in the Yukon legislature, he and Wickenheiser officially opened the Canada Games Volunteer Centre on First Avenue.

They drew hundreds of spectators as they played a game of road hockey on an outdoor ice rink, mingling with Whitehorse Minor Hockey Association players.

Wickenheiser, who was just 12 years old at her first Canada Games, offered parting advice for Yukon athletes competing in next February's Games.

'Enjoy the experience, take a lot of photos. And be proud of the opportunity you've been able to accomplish.'

See tomorrow's edition of the Star for more top moments in local sports from 2006.