Started in 1972, the NYO Games, previously known as the Native Youth Olympics, includes 10 events based on games past generations of Alaska Native people played as a way to test their hunting and survival skills, increase strength and maintain endurance, agility and the balance of mind and body. The Eskimo stick pull, for instance, is based on a strengthening exercise that Native hunters would do to prepare themselves for pulling seals out of the water. Although events are based on traditional Alaska Native activities, the competition is open to all Alaska students from seventh to 12th grade, regardless of ethnicity.  – from Anchorage.net

I love the Native Youth Olympics.  It’s the perfect way to celebrate the unique and wonderful Alaskan heritage and Alaskan school kids.  I bet they had a blast!

Big Congrats to everyone who participated- Especially, hometown Valdez girl, Marian Wamsley. She set a WORLD RECORD in the one-toe high kick.

ADN Coverage:  Native Youth Olympics kick off today: Arctic Games | Alaska news at adn.com. and ADN Photos: Native Youth Olympics 2012: Nyo | Alaska news at adn.com

Cook Inlet Tribal Council – NYO main page and official information

Pamyua played a concert:

The Native Youth Olympics Events:

• Seal Hop
• One-Foot High Kick
• Indian Stick Pull
• Two-Foot High Kick
• One Hand Reach (Aisa Pirti of Puvirnituq during the Arctic Winter Games 2012)
• Toe Kick (if you have a video, please share the link in a comment)
• Eskimo Stick Pull
• Alaskan High Kick
• Wrist Carry
• Kneel Jump

The Results of the 2012 Native Youth Olympics!

Thank you Cook Inlet Tribal Council

Kneel Jump – Female

1st     Apaay Campbell, BSSD, 50 1/2″
2nd    Kendall Dray, Dillingham, 44 1/2″
3rd     Jordan Kashatok, LKSD, 44 1/4″
4th     Autumn Ridley, ANCA, 43 1/4″
5th     Molly Norback, MEHS, 41 1/4″

Kneel Jump - Male

1st     Austin Sundown, Anchorage Team B, 61 3/4″
2nd    Dylan Magnusen, Unalaska, 60″
3rd     Yako McCarr, LKSD, 57 1/2″
4th     Steven Ahvakana, Anchorage Team A, 53 1/2″
5th     Martin Gardiner, Dillingham, 51 1/2″

Wrist Carry – Female

1st     Jorden Lisak, Dillingham, 373′ 4 1/2″
2nd    Samantha Ishnook, SWRSD, 307′
3rd     Amanda Burke, Mat-Su, 282′
4th     Rizalie Rollin, Unalaska, 259′ 8″
5th     Elena Evan, LKSD, 251′ 8″

Wrist Carry – Male

1st     Daniel Miller, Dillingham, 593′ 4 1/2″
2nd    Jacob McAnulty, Mat-Su Team B, 488′ 1/2″
3rd     Aaron Ulroan, Chevak, 481′ 7 1/2″
4th     Solomon Nashookpuk, Pt. Hope, 469′
5th     David Chagluak, LKSD, 424′ 9″‘

Alaskan High Kick - Female

1st     Autumn Ridley, Anchorage Team A, 82″ (New World Record)
2nd    Kaley Rolf, Dillingham, 77″
3rd     Chinace Egoak, LKSD, 73″
4th     Raven Phillips, Aniak, 68″
5th     Tahnee Esparzam, BSSD, 68″

Alaskan High Kick – Male

1st     Yako McCarr, LKSD, 93″ (Tied State Record)
2nd    Andrew Demientieff, Anchorage Team A, 90″
3rd     Daniel Adams, Mat-Su, 86″
4th     Austin Sundown, Anchorage Team B, 86″
5th     Everdan Sugabo, Unalaska, 84″

Eskimo Stick Pull – Female

1st     Mariam Wamsley, Valdez
2nd    Mesa Rohrer, Gilson
3rd     Shalisa F., Anchorage Team B
4th     Amber Shields, Anchorage Team A
5th     Kaity Wasillie, Bristol Bay

Eskimo Stick Pull – Male

1st     Dalton Beatie, Mat-Su Team A
2nd    Travis Turgiuna, SWRSD
3rd     Jaylin Prince, MEHS
4th     Lonner McConnell, Unalaska
5th     Johnathan Wilson, Kenaitze

Toe Kick – Female

1st     Raven Phillips, Aniak, 76″ (New State Record) Video interview with her from the 2011 NYO
2nd    Renee Romer, MEHS, 58″ 3m/50
3rd     Alecia Egoak, LKSD, 58″ 4m/50
4th     Jonisha Wilson, BSSD, 58″ 6m/38
5th     Rebekah Sawers, LYSD, 58″ 8m/50

Toe Kick – Male

1st     Michael Charles, LKDS, 90″
2nd    Chris Undbo, Anchorage Team A, 85″
3rd     Michael Kanuk, Nenana, 84″
4th     Kevin Horton, Mat-Su Team A, 76″ 2m
5th     Forest Strick, Mat-Su Team B, 76″ 3m

One Hand Reach – Female

1st     Revie Tony, LKSD, 59″
2nd    Brittany Akaren, MEHS, 58″
3rd     Kristen Smecten, Dillingham, 58″ 1m
4th     Rebecca Brink, BRHS, 54″ 1m @ 54″
5th     Chelsea Morrow, Burchell, 54″ 1m @ 50″

One Hand Reach – Male

1st     Jeremy Andrew, LKSD, 65″
2nd    Dennis Wilson, Dillingham, 64″
3rd     Douglas Krukoff, Unalaska, 63″
4th     Andrew Demientieff, Anchorage Team !, 62″
5th     Vance Gregory, Mat-Su Team B, 62″ 1m

Two-Foot High Kick – Female

1st     Autumn Ridley, Anchorage Team A, 75″
2nd    Tahnee Esparza, BSSD, 73″
3rd     Frederica Shaeffer, Mat-Su Team A, 67″
4th     Kendall Dray, Dillingham, 67″ 1m
5th     Teresa Korn, McGrath, 66″ 2m

Two-Foot High Kick – Male

1st     Andrew Demientieff, Anchorage Team A, 94″
2nd    Austin Sumdum, Anchorage Team B, 94″ 1m
3rd     Kevin Brown, LKSD, 90″ 1m
4th     Stuart Towarak, BSSD, 90″ 3m
5th     Donavan Phillips, MEHS, 90″ 6m

Indian Stick Pull – Female

1st     Olivia Shields, Anchorage Team B
2nd    Deborah Hersrud, NWA BSD
3rd     Summer Ulroan, Chevak
4th     Christina Glenzel, KP NYO
5th     Lori Paul, LKSD

Indian Stick Pull – Male

1st     Mike McCain, Valdez
2nd    Randy Standur, Tebughah
3rd     Forrest Strick, Mat-Su Team A
4th     Charles Teer, Lathrop
5th     Daniel Ballais, Mat-Su Team B

One-Foot High Kick – Female

1st     Marion Wamsley, Valdez, 92″ (New World Record)
2nd    Autumn Ridley, Anchorage Team A, 87″
3rd     Tahnee Esparza, BSSD, 82″
4th     Jordan Lisac, Dillingham, 80″
5th     Ashley Apangolook, Mat-Su Team A, 79″

One-Foot High Kick – Male

1st     Stuart Towarak, BSSD, 112″ – Video of the winning effort
2nd    Jens Irelan, Nome, 106″
3rd     Andrew Demientieff, Anchorage Team A, 104″
4th     William Byrd, Mat-Su Team A, 104″ 1m
5th     Donovan Phillip, MEHS, 104″ 2m

Seal Hop – Female

1st     Dajan Treder, Anchorage Team A, 160′ 9 1/4″
2nd    Teresa Korn, McGrath, 128′ 4 3/4″
3rd     Kristin Smetchen, Dillingham, 126′ 9 1/4″
4th     Haley O’Brien, Bethel, 123′ 9 1/4″
5th     Megan Friday, LKSD, 118′ 5 3/4″

Seal Hop – Male

1st     Michael Kanuk, Nenana, 139′ 5″
2nd    Demck Black, Galena, 133′ 9 1/2″
3rd     Fabian Pete, LYSD, 121′ 3 3/4″
4th     Eddie Chuchkwurk, LKSD, 120′
5th     Wigberto Gonzalez, Mat-Su Team A, 118′ 11″

Records set at this year’s NYO games!

One-Foot High Kick – Female

1st     Marion Wamsley, Valdez, 92″ (New World Record)

Alaskan High Kick - Female

1st     Autumn Ridley, Anchorage Team A, 82″ (New World Record)

Alaskan High Kick – Male

1st     Yako McCarr, LKSD, 93″ (Tied State Record)

Toe Kick – Female

1st     Raven Phillips, Aniak, 76″ (New State Record) – Video interview with her from the 2011 NYO

2012 Festival Highlights

• Outstanding Field Trips – including viewing of Aleutian Terns
• Numerous Activities for Kids relating to Birds and Cultural Resources
• Native Cultural Events including the Mount Saint Elias Dancers and Native Story-telling
• Related Speakers and Seminars on Yakutat Natural and Cultural Topics and new saltwater based trips
• Keynote speaker Bob Armstrong
• Wildlife Photography Workshop
• Live Bird Programs by the Alaska Raptor Center
• Bird banding demonstration

via Home of Yakutat Tern Festival.

You know what else is funny?  They are screening “THE BIG LEBOWSKI” and serving microbrews.  It’s like a Lewbowski Fest Anchorage.  I would definitely show up as ‘the Jesus’ or maybe the police chief of Malibu.  Anything can happen in AK~!

from the website:

ALASKA EXPERIENCE THEATRE
TRAVEL / TOURISM OPEN HOUSE 2012

Friday, May 11
5:00pm – 9:30pm

What is it?
A chance for all tourism, hospitality, restaurant employees to experience the Alaska Experience Theatre and 1964 Earthquake Museum

What is the cost?
Nothing!  This is a free event.  Please register when checking in.

What’s going on?
You can check out any or all of our 30-minute Alaska films, the 15-minute 1964 film with hydraulic “safequake” simulator, and the 1964 Earthquake Museum.

Where is this place?
In the big blue mall on the corner of 4th & C.  333 West 4th Ave.  907-272-9076

What if I’m hungry?
No problem.  Light snacks and beverages provided.

Can I bring a date?
Sure.  Bring a friend or significant other.

Is it all-ages?
Yes.  However, at 10:00pm we are screening THE BIG LEBOWSKI in our main theatre.  This event is ages 21 and over because we will be serving local microbrews.

Please RSVP for Lebowski – Limited to 100 Seats – Ages 21 and over, only.

www.alaskaexperiencetheatre.com

Who won? The dude with the giant sword, Brandon Reid. Photo: Big Mountain Taxi

Brandon Reid
holds the sword and the cash. 10,000 in 100 dollar bills. That’s cash money. Screw the big check, they got a big ass sword!

Emily Weer wins for the Women!  Her facebook update below:

Wholy Shiza…..I did it!!! Bringing a sword and a whole lot of amazing memories back to Tahoe. Yoko from japan killed it…Natalie from Switzerland, Sharka from Check Republic….etc. Can’t really believe it…stoked to come home and ride some pow. Queen of the hill for today.

Check out all the event photos and updates at Tailgate AK facebook page

Tailgate Alaska and Flow Freeride Championship in Thompson Pass, AK

The final results:

1. Brandon Reid 2. Sammy Luebke 3. Mikey Marohn 4. Max Zipster 5. Donny Mills 6. Scotty Lago 7. Micah Hoogaveen 8. Cody Beach

1. Emily Weer 2.Yoko Nakamura

The results are in - Top 8 dudes and all the ladies are in the Finals!

Flow Freeride Championship Men

1. Scotty Loso
2. Brandon Reid
3. Cody Beach
4. Max Zipster -Blog Page
5. Mike Marohn -Mike Marohn on Vimeo
6. Donny Mills – Donny can’t be contained by the internet
7. Sammy Lucbke – Lib Tech » Sammy Luebke
8. Micah Hoogaveen – Micah Hoogeveen on Vimeo and Micah Hoogeveen (micahhoogeveen) on Twitter
9. Will Bromliesick
10. Sin Biyamq
11. Mark Carter
12. Danny Delozier

Top 8 in the Finals.

Flow Freeride Championship Women

1. Emily Weir
2. Yoko Nakamura
3. Nathalie Zenklussen
4. Cecelia Millac
5. Sarka Pancochova

Top 2 are in the Finals.

These are the results from the Flow Freeride Championship at Tailgate AK.  The top 8 men qualify and top 5 women qualify for the finals. If you have links to more stuff about them, please share in the comments below!

Check out the websites below for more details.  Good luck riders!

Summary and event write ups

• Tailgate Alaska + Flow World Freeride Championship Qualifiers 4/9/12 – Shayboarder.com
• Scotty Lago and Emily Weir qualify first in Flow World Freeride Championships | Snowboard Magazine

Event and Valdez Information:

• TAILGATE ALASKA
• Alaskagold’s Traveler’s guide to Valdez Skiing

It’s no secret that I love Valdez and the Copper River Valley.  If I had to choose one reason why, it wouldn’t be the whales in the prince william sound.  No.  Not the tidewater Glaciers. Kayaking.  The McCarthy Road Summer camping out at the Kooskolana bridge.  3 feet Snow Storm weekend? no, close.  $75 dollar an hour snow shovelling gig? no, but getting closer.

Thompson Pass is the reason I love Valdez.

Starting 20 miles outside of Valdez on the Richardson Highway is Thompson Pass.  One Pass to rule them all, as it was explained to me.  I was a refugee from the industrial culture of the lower 48, when a good friend loaned me a bunch of fleece and an old snowboard to teach me to snowboard.  “Boots?  Do I need boots”, I asked.  “No”, he said. “Your sorels will do.  Here put these ski boot liners in them.”

Alaska Kills stupid. But, I got by with help from my friends

I learned to snowboard on Thompson Pass.  That was in the Spring of 1996.  It’s close to my heart. Some many friends and friendly people congregate there each Spring.  I met the gang up there.  Dean Cummings and Lisa Wax.  John and Jesse Tol.  Pete Lowney. The Mills Brothers.  Greg Geidt and Sean Wisner.  Most are still around.   Raeann Kruger.  Ran Crone.  Of course, my crew of Dale Bard, Eddie Spaghetti.

Crap, I’ve reminisced enough.

Someone but in a bootpack up Schoolbus

Trust me.  Thompson Pass, Alaska in April is a world class special place.  It’s hard. It sucks when it blows (paradox are common).  But in that crucible, lifetime memories are forged.  You will get high breathing the air and it will last a very long time. It’s special.  It’s ultra Alaska.  And I miss it.

So, if you are heading there, be glad.  If you are there, enjoy.  And, if you don’t know, now you know.

It was adrift about 195 miles from Sitka, Alaska, when it was sunk, officials said.

via BBC News – US Coast Guard sinks tsunami ‘ghost ship’.

A ‘ghost ship’ of the coast of Alaska!  It had been drifting for over a year and met it’s demise in Southeast Alaska.  Demise? final resting place in 9,000 feet of sea water.

A Canadian crew tried to claim salvage rights, but they decided against it.  Also, the Alaskan coast guard decided to NOT unload the fuel from the ship.  There was 2,113 gallons of diesel on board.  Dang!  My buddy had to pay a fine for spilling 10 gallons of diesel in the Valdez Boat Harbor.  I suppose it was just too risky to pump it out.  Understandable. And, it would be in extreme poor taste to fee the Japanese for this… heart goes out to those people.

Anyway, the video of them shooting the boat is pretty cool – check it out!

Supernova 2012aw: the pictures! | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine.

You all may know that I listen to Earth and Sky which begins the KNBA.org broadcast day.  Today, I was surprised to find out that ALL of the GOLD on earth is due to a very cool celestial event: The Supernova!

And Guess What?  A Supernova is visible in the sky right now.  Of course, it happened over 38 million years ago… or 28 million miles away.  It’s ridiculous the time and distances we talk about here – Astronomical, namely.

Is it true that all gold comes from supernovas?  Will there be more gold on earth now?  Interesting questions, for sure.  Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Jan takes the red lantern and steps off the trail under the burled arch.

Congratulations everyone involved with the race.  It was great to catch the Iditarod fever.  See ya next year!

Living My Dream — Jan Steves Iditarod Blog

Jan and Bob are coming in from White Mountain.  C’mon, Red Lantern’ers!

You are an inspiration to so many – You can make it!