It might be the only time the Whitehorse RCMP, fire department, ski patrol, figure skaters and local gymnasts get together in the same room, not to mention the Polarettes Gymnastics Club.

Thirteen teams competed in the third annual Fitness Challenge this past Sunday, hosted by the Yukon Gymnastics Association. The challenge is held as part of National Gymnastics Week, Feb. 7-15. It consists of a circuit of ten events that test speed, endurance, strength, flexibility, balance and team work.

Yukon gymnasts challenge everyone in the community to take part in the fitness test.

'Gymnastics is a lesser attended sport generally, as compared to a sport like hockey,' said Kelly Mock, the technical director of the Yukon Gymnastics Association and head coach of Team Yukon gymnastics. 'But that's improving thanks to these types of initiatives.'

Six teams took part in the challenge last year, but Mock said the awareness of the event and the general recruitment were much better this time around. The outcome was much better for the gymnasts as well.

A team of weightlifters beat them last year, but the team of Chelsea Beauchemin, Shaun Porter, Sierra Palamar, Jasper Martin and Tony Nguyen also known as Teamo Supremo reclaimed the title for the gymnasts.

'Gymnastics is one of the hardest sports to do,' said Beauchemin. '(We do this) to prove that we are the fittest athletes in town.'

'We train really hard,' added Porter.

The training was evident, as the gymnasts breezed through a couple of the events. Beauchemin said the long jump was her favorite 'because it's easy' while Porter liked the dips and chin-ups. Both of the gymnasts agreed the L-sit was probably the most difficult.

As for the most difficult competitors, Beauchemin and Porter admitted the firefighters are tough.

'They have a lot of training to go through, too,' said Porter.

'They're bigger and full-grown,' smiled Beauchemin.

One of the biggest competitors at the events was a member of the RCMP Safety Bear.

'The bear was awesome,' laughed Beauchemin and Porter.

'It was a hoot,' said Safety Bear, a.k.a Wayne Beauchemin. 'The kids have a blast making fun of their parents.'

This was the first year the RCMP got involved in the challenge, which the senior Beauchemin said is a mandate of the auxiliary program.

'We kind of jumped on the bandwagon,' said Wayne.

He was joined by Jon Trefry, Susan Rubinoff and Rick Smith. Youth Strategy Coordinator Grant McDonald also made an appearance. And the RCMP ended up adding a temporary member because they were short a person.

Gymnist Odette Rivard was given a police shirt and toy cruiser along with the chance to hang with the cops.

'Which probably saved us from being in last place,' Wayne joked.

The police didn't finish last, although he wouldn't elaborate on their score. In all fairness, the police jacket the bear had to wear was a little heavy.

'The shuttle run pretty much put me over the edge,' Wayne laughed.

Even so, he said the RCMP will probably be back for the challenge next year.

'I think so. Maybe we'll get some different guys in it though.'

Mock said everyone seemed to have a really great time, and he's already heard people talking about coming back next year.

'It's good to have these types of role models within our own gym, for the kids to look up to,' he said.

Both Chelsea Beauchemin and Porter believe the challenge should continue, for fundraisng purposes and also to prove the ability of Yukon athletes.

'Yukon is a small place but we still have top level athletes,' said Chelsea.

Beauchemin, Porter and other Yukon gymnasts will be competing in the Northwestel 2004 Western Canadian Championships, which will be held in Whitehorse from Apr. 15 to 17. Yukon gymnasts will be joined by 300 other coaches and athletes from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C. and N.W.T.