The Company of the White Wolf has been on a steep learning curve and their growth is starting to pay off.

They hosted their second-annual Great Northern tournament at the Grey Mountain biathlon range last weekend, almost doubling the attendance rate from last year’s event.

“The fighting just increased immensely,” said Land Pearson. “We’ve really improved over the year.”

A core group of fighters has covered a lot of ground this year, attending nationals in Montreal this winter and then world championships in Portugal last month.

Reigning Polish world champion, Marcin Waszkielis, also hosted some clinics in the Yukon a couple weeks ago and the Yukoners fighting technique keeps getting better.

From a group of 12 using six sets of armour to fight at this tournament last year, most everyone attending on the weekend had their own set, which can cost upwards of $3,000, said Pearson, although some home DIY options are available. His brother for example, has done the leather work on his kit.

While last year the Company of the White Wolf held only one event, this year there were four events over two days.

Participants competed in sword and shield, long sword, pole arm and three-on-three melees.

Members were hard at work in the weeks leading up to the tournament as well, crafting medals and increasing the size of the list – the enclosed area where they fight.

In addition to the Yukoners, five people from Alberta attended: three fighters, an official and a support person.

“It was great to have people come from outside the territory,” said Pearson.

The team, Ironhart Vanguard is based in Calgary, with members from surrounding areas.

“They were very excited. They had a great time,” said Pearson. “They’re looking forward to next year.”

The Company of the White Wolf is looking to attend the Ironhart Vanguard’s tournament at the Brooks Medieval Faire in Alberta in August.

Then in September, they hope to go to Springfield, Ill., which will play host to nations from across the world in one of the biggest steel fighting events in North America. Here, the Yukoners will attend workshops and put to use everything they’ve learned the next day in the fights.