Sports

Organizers of the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon, made a decision to cancel the event over coronavirus concerns. The cancellation sent shockwaves of disappointment across the Arctic Circle.

“I kind of like spicy things, like chile relleno and some lasagna with a little zip in it, that sort of thing,” says Iditarod musher Linwood Fiedler.

After the ferry shut down, the Haines school had planned to fly the students, but the crew of the reality TV program “Ghost Hunters” had chartered a boat trip from Haines to Juneau already and they let the teams catch a ride with them.

Esports, or competitive video gaming, has been steadily growing in Alaska schools for the past few years. The new activity is helping foster community within schools.

Though Bethel musher Pete Kaiser was met with a huge welcome from the hometown crowd, the real excitement came later, with dramatic sprints to the finish and an unexpected marriage proposal.

Budget cuts to Alaska’s state ferry system have made it harder for high school basketball teams to travel this season, school officials say.

Fifty-eight mushers have signed up for the 2020 Iditarod. Among them are six former champions, including 2019 winner Pete Kaiser. But one four-time champion is absent.

Esports is growing in many high schools across Alaska. The sport was sanctioned by the the Alaska School Activities Association in April, and more and more students are getting involved.

After a Dimond High School athlete was disqualified at a swim meet over a uniform infraction, uproar and investigation led the Anchorage School District to call for a volunteer judge’s dismissal.

Freya Hoffmeister, a German sea kayaker, is attempting to circumnavigate North America in her kayak — a trip she expects will take her 8-12 years.