1 sleep to Nuuk - Important Information

Reminders


1) Weather in Nuuk - as we heard tonight at the Pep Rally,  the forecast is not great for Friday and Saturday in Nuuk and there is a chance that our flights from Kangerluussaq will be delayed.  At the moment,  the boys are scheduled on the second flight bridge with Greenland Air at 1h15 on Saturday and the girls on the third flight bridge at 3h25.  This is all now all subject to change based on weather.  So.... please pack some items in your carry on to prepare to spend some hours/the night possibly at the Kangerlussaq airport (suggest you bring a pillow,  thermarest or small camping pad,  sleeping mask,  ear plugs,  card games or other games,  books,  toothbrush,  fresh socks and undies,   lots of snacks).    Prepare for a long stay over...hope for a short one :-)

2) Airport check in -  good news is that your super coaches will take all the ski equipment early to the airport (thanks coaches) so you do not need to arrive at the airport tomorrow night until 8h15pm.   When you arrive,   please come to see me to get your bag tags and then proceed to check in.   Please remember the weight limit:
- checked bag is maximum 35lbs
- carry on is maximum 20lbs
- and you can take a small hand carry item (pillow,  purse,  lunch small bag pack that you will put at your feet)
No liquid but please bring snacks and an empty water bottle to drink lots of fluid on the plane.
We will board the plan 30 minutes before departure (21h45pm - our departure is scheduled for 22h15) - you will not have an assigned seat on your boarding pass so you can sit with your team mates in specific rows we will assign for our team at boarding time.
Food on the plane:  Air North will serve a sandwich and warm delicious cookie on the flight to Yellowknife and then a hot breakfast 1.5hrs before we land in Kangerlussaq  (which will be approx. 4h35am on Saturday morning (Yukon time) if we are on schedule  - we are scheduled to land at 9h35 Greenland time)

3) What to wear on the plane -  we have been asked to show up at the airport in our Yukon Team outwear (snow jacket and pants) but wear some comfortable clothes for the flight.  You can put your snowpants in your carrry on please.   We need our outwear for when we arrive in Kangerlussaq (Winer jackets,  winter pants,  buff and toque).  

4)  Passport -   make sure you have your passport at the airport.   I will collect them all once we are on the plane and give them back to you before we go through Customs in Kangerlussaq.  Then I will collect them again until we leave Kangerlussaq on the 12th.

5) Please review the great packing list that Alain sent you on 25th Feb.   Add to the list a pair of running shoes please and your bathing suit as there is a swimming pool in Nuuk.

6) Pins -   I distributed the pins tonight at the Pep Rally but I am not sure if everyone got their bag.   I will bring the remaining pins to the airport.   Let me know if you are missing any AWG clothes or pins or anything else.

7)  Phones -   if you have not put a Text or Data plan on your phone and you are planning to take it,  here is one suggestion to ensure you are not going to get all sorts of charges:  take the SIM card off the phone.  This way you can take picture,  listen to music and even use the phone in the wiifi zone but you are sure not to get any roaming charges.  Just saying : -)

8) My contacts in Nuuk:
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions while we are in Greenland,  I will try to post updates and pictures on the blog or on Twitter
My contacts:
- Twitter:  @YukonNat
- Email: nathalie.matherdugas@gmail.com
- Text:  (867) 336-4879
- Phone in Nuuk:  +299 521 391


Have a good sleep and see you at the airport in .... 1 sleep :-)

Nathalie

Flights info

Hi everyone,  here is our flights schedule for the AWG

Depart: Friday March 4 at 10:15pm from Whitehorse

- please be at the airport at 7:45pm with passport and all your gear.
- we arrive Kangerlussuag on March 5 at 9:35am


Return:  Saturday March 12 from Kangerlussuag at 7:45pm

-we artive back in Whitehorse at 9:50pm on March 12

How to follow us on Twitter

Hi parents and athletes,   a couple of you have asked me how to follow the team and how to use Twitter while we are in Greenland.   If you have never used twitter,  please watch this short tutorial. 

It is very easy:
1) you just have to create an account on www.twitter.com
2) and follow us @GoTeamYukon
3) This way every time someone from the team "post or Tweet" some news about the team in Nuuk you will see the post.   You can follow other groups like @sportyukon   @AWG2016

4) you can follow me @YukonNat

Pep Rally Info

Hi everyone,   I got confirmation today about the AWG Pep Rally,  mark your calendar:

What:  AWG Team Yukon Pep Rally
When:  Thursday March 3
Where:  Yukon Art Center
Time:  Doors open at 5h30,  Pep Rally starts at 6h00pm  (be there or be square !)
Food will be provided:  Pizza and Water


We will send a note next week about what to wear.   The Uniforms should be ready for distribution this Saturday at Squad practice.   Exchange for uniform will be available at Sport Yukon next Monday to Wednesday.

Stay tuned !!

How many sleeps before we go ?  Not many :0)

Nat

29 Interesting Facts about Greenland

Hi everyone,   you all looked fantastic at Mt Lorne today.  I love the smiles and happy faces and you looked very slick in your Yukon Ski Team race suits !

Coach Jan has found some very interesting facts about Greenland,  please have a read,  it is very cool.  Thanks Jan (and Al) !!
29 Interesting Facts about Greenland

(One kinda wonders why 29?  Gotta love the ‘net)
(Jan couldn’t help adding her comments...in blue)

(No shortage of bright paint)

                                                                                           

1. Geographically Greenland is part of North America. Politically and historically it is associated with Europe and nationally it forms a part of Denmark. 

·      Suggestion… based on the statement above prepare for some confusion – it seems as though they might have an identity issue.

2. It was a closed and self-sufficient country until World War II.

·      Hhhmmm – similar claim about the Yukon, except it was due to a road, see #8. 

3. It was granted home-rule by Denmark in 1978.

·      This was likely more to do with the fact Denmark had been carrying this country since the Second World War (reference above). 

4. Greenland is the world’s largest island.

·      Well, well – at what point is an island not an island but a continent.  Question for Liam…Kinda thought there was always a claim of sorts stating Australia (not the biggest island) was a continent?   Let’s find out…

5. The population of Greenland is less than 60,000.

·      Wow, impressive – almost twice the population of the Yukon!

6. The capital of Greenland is Nuuk.

·      Now here is an “interesting” fact:  Nuuk is the Kalaallisut word for "cape". It is so named because of its position at the end of the Nuup Kangerlua fjord on the eastern shore of the Labrador Sea. Its latitude, at 64°10' N, makes it the world's northernmost capital in the world.

7. Fishing and fish exporting is a major part of the Greenlandic economy, with shrimp fishing industry being by far the biggest income generator.

·      Wondering where they export them (the shrimp that is)?  I don’t think I have ever eaten a Greenlandian Shrimp, but I’m looking forward to it.

8. Transport between cities in Greenland is by air and boat as there are no connecting roads due to the many fjords.

·      Ok.  Read ahead…think they left out part of the reason there are no roads – see #9, 13, 21.

9. 85% of Greenland is covered in ice.

·      Ever wonder why it didn’t get the name Iceland?  Sadly perhaps they were forecasting climate change.

10. The name “Greenland” means Land of People.

·      This Just doesn’t make sense.  I suspect it’s been called Greenland for some time.  How many people could possibly been there when it was named?

11. The most active glacier in the northern hemisphere is located in Ilulissat (population 4,541).

·      And what will Ilulissat claim for their own when climate change claims the glacier.  These folks should get a chance at the UN podium.

12. Approximately 10-15,000 glaciers break off Greenland’s glaciers each year.

·      Maybe something lost here in translation.  I’m thinking they are looking for a reference to “icebergs” breaking off Greenland’s glaciers.  ‘Cause otherwise I am lost.

13. There are no roads connecting towns. You can only cover longer distances by air and ship.

·      I am really thinking this is a do over in an attempt to get to that mythical “29 interesting facts about Greenland”.  (Ref. #8) but I’ll be bringing Gravol nonetheless.

14. The first Christian church on the North American continent was built in Greenland.

·      There they go again claiming that “North American” status. 

15. The ice cap of Greenland was first crossed in 1888 – on skis!

·      They too are battling the bulge of inactivity.  Reference #8 and #13 – this can NOW only be done by air or boat.  Come you Greenlanders – get on Skis!!

16. The sun never sets from May 25th to July 25th.

·      Humn… now maybe somewhere on this freezing, ice-covered, largest Island, continent-thing the sun never sets, but Al (the original author of these comments) checked Nuuk and even through the longest days of the year the sun is down for about 3 hours. 

17. The Northern Lights can be seen on clear nights all throughout the year.

·      Tell me; with a claim like #16 how are the northern lights seen May 25 through July 25?

18. July is the only month when the temperature gets above the freezing point.

·      Oh my.  Interesting for sure – I think just the same I might have left this little tid-bit out.  Just a note, bring your woolies as last year temperatures in March were -30.

19. June 21, the longest day of the year, is a national holiday.

·      Now these are my kind of people!!!  I think we should use this to approach the Yukon Government for a similar holiday.

20. The official languages of Greenland are Greenlandic and Danish, but English is also widely understood.

·      Hope the last part of the statement is true

21. Greenland is spread over an area of 2,175,900 sq. km, of which around 85 percent is covered with ice.

·      Really, really working the fact that this place is covered in ICE.

22. The currency of Greenland is Danish krone.

·      By the way, if you want to email home depending on how fast you type it could cost you $22 Canadian.

23. Greenland was discovered by Vikings in the 10th century. It is believed that they named it Greenland in order to entice settlers.

·      Wow, that was bad judgment.  1015 years later and the population is only 60,000.  The Vikings did better at their next stop off – Newfoundland.  

24. The first Christian church on the American continent was built in Greenland.

·      I checked my “copy and paste”.  It appears the writer has a couple of “do-overs.”

25. Greenland was a closed and self-sufficient economy till World War II.

·      Ok.  This is a complete “do-over”.  Whoever put this list together thought they could squeak in couple and still didn’t make it a list of “30 interesting facts”.

26. Kayak, anorak and igloo are Greenlandic words that have been adopted directly by many other languages.

·      Many may have adopted the words, but there aren’t that many places requiring the need to create their own word for it (Kayak – enclosed, cold water, single person boat; Anorak – a cold weather pull-over - now known as a “hoodie”; Igloo – really).

27. Greenland remained a member of the EU from January 1973 to February 1985. It has been a member of NATO since 1949.

·      Gee, I wonder why the EU thing didn’t work for them?  Maybe because most EU countries have the population of Greenland living in their subways.  As far as the NATO claim they seem to piggybacking Denmark’s membership pretty heavily.

28. July is the only month in which Greenland’s temperature goes above the freezing point.

·      They celebrate Winter year round.

29. For beverages you’ll find Greenlandic coffee, similar to an Irish coffee, as well as Ice beer.

·      Ok so this one likely doesn’t matter to you but it is on the list.

Well team, I am not really sure there are 29 interesting points about Greenland here, but it is a start.  I am sure you’ll find many more while you are there.  I hope your trip is great; I’m looking forward to sharing the adventure.

Jan

AWG Team meeting this Thursda

We will have a AWG team meeting:

When:  Thursday Feb 18
Time: 5:30 to 6:15
Where:  Grey Mountain Room (Mt Mac)

Please read your Team Yukon Handbook before the meeting.

Thank you !! Qujan !!

Updates on Registration, Team Handbook, Raffle tickets,

Hi everyone,  I have a couple of updates for the team:

1)  Registration

I am very happy to report that all our online registrations,  consent forms,  pictures are in !   Thank you so much for your collaboration.  I know this was a lot of request for information from me and we got it done by the deadline !   Bravo !

2) Raffle Tickets

Please remember that raffle tickets are all due to Sports Yukon no later than February 12 (this is this Friday).   You need to bring back all tickets (sold and unsold) and the money from the sales of your tickets.   Sport Yukon is open 8h30 to 4h30 so please remember to turn your tickets in by Friday.

Important: Please do not pay any participant fees to Sport Yukon if you did not sell your 6.5 book of tickets.   Sport Yukon will calculate the money your raised from your sales and send a bill to CCY for the remainder of your participant fees.  You will be charged via your Athletes account by CCY for the unpaid participant fees.

3) Team Meeting Next Week 

I will send you all an invite next week for a short team meeting once I have the hard copies of the Team Yukon Handbook.   We will go over the book and it will also be a chance to respond to questions about the trip you might have and share additional information about flights,  uniform, Pep Rally,  Phone services,  etc.


4) AWG Games Guide

Here is the link to the AWG Games Guide which contains a lot of great information about Nuuk and about the Games:

http://awg2016.gl/sites/default/files/media/awg2016_games_guide.pdf  (copy link to your browser)


5)  Get in the Games

Do you realize that we are going to Nuuk in 25 days ! Yahoo !



Nathalie

Uniform sizing info

Uniform Sizing Info - Friday Jan 29 

1. Please have your athletes wear clothing that they can try the pieces over top of.  Change rooms aren’t available.  

2. Hoodies are not a piece of their uniform, but they are available for sale for $30.  Anyone can purchase these, including parents/supporters.  We  will be taking orders starting Friday to the next Friday, February 5th and they need to pay at the time of order (Friday). Size samples are available, including an example of the logo on the hoodie.  We also have sweat pants from the 2015 Canada Winter Games for sale for $20 each.  

3. The pieces they will try on are:

- Jacket (men’s and women’s sizes)

- Ski pants (men’s and women’s sizes)

- Inner jacket (men’s and women’s sizes)

- long sleeve tee (unisex sizes)

- short sleeve tee (men’s and women’s sizes)

- sweatpants (unisex sizes)

4.  The pieces they record on their sheet are not guaranteed. Please let the athletes know this. The uniforms were ordered a full year ago, so we are simply getting an indication of size for bundling them up, by sport, late February.

5. ***For the flu clinic, anyone 13 years or under must have their parent/guardian with them to receive their immunization.  Those over 13 can access at the discretion of the nurse.  I would recommend all athletes bring their health care cards, or at least their numbers.  I don’t know yet whether this is a requirement. The clinic will be set up in one of the boardrooms, so let’s get as many of our athletes through there as possible. 

Thanks everyone. 

See you there tomorrow 

Nathalie

Athletes Registration for the Games

Inuugujaq everyone ! 

If you have not registered yet for the Games,  please take a few minutes and register online.  Sport Yukon would like all our athletes to be registered by February 1st.   Here is a copy of the registration link:

https://awg2016.gems.pro/Participant/Register.aspx?&Participant_Type_GUID=4a443792-2039-405e-8645-8552b72c744c

When you register online,  you will also be asked to download and sign 2 consent forms to participate in the Games.   I have copied the link for the 2 forms below for your convenience.  Please print them,  read them,  sign them,  have your parents sign them and return them to "moi" on Saturday at practice (or give them to Alain or Amanda next week).

1) AWG Participant Assent:

this document

2) Team Yukon Assent - Participant Agreement

yukon_awg2016_participant_consent.pdf

I pulled a report from the system tonight and I can see the following athletes registered:  Liam, Regan, Simon, Victor-Emile, Jude, Alexis,  Sasha & Curtis (alternate).  If you have registered and not showing on this list,  please let me know and I will follow up with the administrator.

For the photo,  make sure it is a nice clear head shot because it will be used for your accreditation pass for the Games.   Sara Lewis was kind enough to take some pictures last weekend before squad and I will send them to you when I get them but feel free to do your own selfie and upload to your registration profile :-)

Finally,  if you have not had a chance to send me your information for the flights please email me your
- Full name as per your passport
- Passport number
- Passport expiry date
- Your weight in pds


Finally but not the least,  Scotty and I wish you all the best for your exams !   Bonne chance !


Sinilluaritsi,

Nathalie

AWG Uniform Sizing and Flu Clinic - Jan 29th

Hi everyone,  please mark your calendar for Friday,  January 29th.  

We will have the AWG uniform sizing and Flu  Shot (spray) Clinic at Sport Yukon.

Please come by the main administration building of Sport Yukon on 4th Avenue between 3h30 and 6h30 on the 29th to try out the beautiful AWG 2016 Uniform.    I will be there to help out along with other volunteers.  

If you are interested to get your Flu Shot,  the Whitehorse Health Centre will have a team of nurses on site at Sport Yukon to offer the Flu Shot (nasal spray) to AWG athletes.    

• If the athletes are 13 years old or less,  they will need a parent consent to get their Flu shot. 
• Athletes older than 13 can receive  mature minor consent from the nurse giving the spray.

Hope to see you all there on the 29th !

Happy skiing

Nathalie

Message from the Yukon Chief Medical Officer to all AWG athletes

A letter from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Yukon

January 8, 2016

Dear 2016 Arctic Winter Games Participants

As Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, may I congratulate you all on your upcoming trip to Nuuk to partake in the Arctic Winter Games. The Games are a wonderful opportunity for celebrating the spirit of healthy competition, as well as providing a chance to learn about other peoples’ cultures.

To get the most outof these games, I hope that you all manage to stay as healthy as possible. You will want to be at your best for the competition, and be able to participate in the various extra events, the camaraderie, and all the fun!

One important way to stay healthy is to stay free of infectious diseases, and one of the most important ways to to prevent the spread of communicable diseases is by vaccination (or immunization).

The Arctic Winter Games will be happening at a time where we often see influenza (the flu) reach its peak. Past events similar to this one have seen outbreaks of influenza, gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”), and pertussis (or whooping cough) which at times has led to participants either having to miss out on participating, and/or return home. Also, measles and mumps outbreaks continue to occur in various parts of the world, including Europe. These diseases can even be transmitted in international airports, and often target young people like yourselves.

To make sure that you are able to compete and to get the most out of your upcoming adventure,  I urge you to ensure that your own vaccinations are up to date. Please ensure that you are protected against seasonal influenza (this is a vaccine that needs to be repeated annually,  as well as pertussis (whooping cough), and MMR (or Measles-Mumps-Rubella). I would strongly discourage anyone who is not up to date in immunizations from travelling to the Games.

In addition to immunizations, there are many other aspects to keeping well and in your best form as the games approach. This is a time to ensure that you are eating well: a variety of vegetables and fruits as well as healthy sources of protein and whole grain foods. Cut the junk food and the pop as much as you can! Keep your minds alert and focussed by minimizing time in front of the screen or television—except for what you really need to do. And make sure you allow yourself a good sleep every night. Teens and school aged children need at least 9 hours of sleep per night. When you are training and preparing for a trip, a good night’s sleep is even more critical to keep you free from illness and to optimize your fitness for travel and competition. 

Thanks for reading this, have a safe and healthy trip, and have a great experience at the Games!

Signed:

Brendan E. Hanley MD CCFP(EM) MPH

Chief Medical Officer of Health, Yukon

Air Transportation to Nuuk might be available for parents/visitors

News from the Chef the Mission
;

There are some options for parent/guardians interested in going to Greenland.  

Flight options include

- Air Greenland has flights from Iqaluit to Nuuk on March 6^th, 8^th and 9^th.  Flights from Nuuk to Iqaluit occur on the 9^th and 10^th.  

- Air Iceland have opened up a flight from Reykjavik to Nuuk – rtn.  This occurs March 3^rd, returning on the 10^th.  

- Sport North in NWT also has a parent charter with Summit Air with flights from Yellowknife to Iqaluit March 3^rd, Iqaluit to Nuuk on March 5^th, Nuuk to Iqaluit March 13^th, and Iqaluit to Yellowknife on March 14^th.   Check out the website from more information.  

- There are also a number of people interested in getting on our Air North charter to Nuuk however we are not sure if we have any seats at this point due to the restriction on the flight bridge to Nuuk.  If in the end there are seats we will conduct a lottery for available seats. The approximate cost of a charter seat would be $2000 to Nuuk-rtn. and $1,500 to Iqaluit rtn.  People will be responsible for their own accommodation, food etc. while in Nuuk.  If you are interested to be considered for these seats,  please drop by Sport Yukon and put your name on the list.

Thanks

Congratulations Team XC Ski

Congratulations to all the athletes who participated in our AWG Trials.   I saw beautiful smiles out on the trails and amazing sportsmanship.  Well done everyone !

Welcome to the Team !!

Our Athletes for the 2016 AWG

• Sonjaa Schmidt
• Alliya Thomson
• Dahlia Lapointe
• Kate Mason
• Sofia Bond
• Dagmar Janzen
• Regan Fuerstner
• Hannah Jirousek
• Natalie Hynes
• Hannah Deuling
• Mira Mason
• Alexis Gee
• Derek Deuling
• Sasha Masson
• Ben Puskas
• Victor-Emile Thibeault
• Liam Mather
• Nichollis Schmidt
• Jamie Phillips-Freedman
• Jude Slater
• Michael Kischuck
• Simon Cash
• Pelly Vincent-Braun
• Alternates Juvenile Girls - Hazel Lewis,  Mary Londero
• Alternates Midget Boys - Curtis Cash,  Romeo Champagne

Coaches

• Alain Masson
• Amanda Deuling
• Jan Downing

Mascot

• Scotty the Squirrel

Get ready to have fun !   Only 59 days before the Games !!!