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Eskimo Regalia winners for the Cloth category are 1st place winner Adelle Hansen of Fairbanks, second is Tatiana Korthuis of Bethel, and in third is Alana Moses, also of Fairbanks. photo by Greg Lincoln

by Greg Lincoln

The World Eskimo Indian Olympics (WEIO) for 2024 featured some new records set, a testament to the hard work and determination of participants competing in the traditional native games of WEIO.

Emily King of Whitehorse, Yukon in Canada set a new record in the One Foot High Kick – Traditional Style. She kicked 85” breaking the longstanding record of 84” held by Carol Pickett set in 1989. Autumn Ridley of Anchorage and Erica Meckel of Fairbanks tied the record in 2014.

Traditional style one foot high kick is jumping off of one leg and hitting the sealskin ball with that same leg you jumped off of and landing also on that same leg.

Kipnuk’s Colton Paul tied the world record of 106”, also in the One Foot High Kick – Traditional Style. World record holders in this event include:
Travis Cronin (1993), Tino Morrow (1997), and Manuel Tumulak (2007).

Folks from all over the world came to enjoy the games  farthest visitor said they came all the way from Norway during a verbal poll taken on the last night of WEIO.

Bethel sisters Claire Dyment and Rosemarie Dyment both raced to a spot on the podium in the Race of the Messenger. Claire took second place with a time of 23 mins, 50 seconds. Rosemarie placed third, her time as 24 mins, 1 sec.

“Me and my sister ran a lot in Bethel, getting ready for the race,” said Claire. “Both of us wanted to place in the top three. So we were happy because that’s exactly what happened.”

Both girls are getting ready for their high school cross country season.

Bethel’s Kelly Lincoln and world record holder (2022) won her fifth gold in the fish cutting contest. She also placed third in the seal skinning, her seal was donated to her host family.

“The competition at WEIO is always friendly and the volunteers and organizers are so supportive and welcoming,” she said. “They do a great job, quyana.” Chevak’s Casey Ferguson took first in the seal cutting contest.

The regalia contest showcased the beautiful skill of the sewers whose work was displayed for the judges and for the crowd – fur parkas, sealskin boots with fur, beaded fur headdresses, kuspuks, ivory jewelry, accessories such as purses and reindeer beard dance fans.

Sharon McConnell, Marie Yaska, Betty Ross were the judges of the regalia contest. The scored the contestants based on authenticity, materials, quality of work, overall appearance, and crowd appeal.

Several contestants with Yukon Kuskowim delta region roots won a spot on the podium in the regalia contest – Adelle Nakrialnguq Hansen (Toksook Bay), Tatiana Korthuis (Bethel/Emmonak), Alana Moses (Hooper Bay/Bethel), Letha Chimegalrea Simon (Bethel).

Reggie Joule of Kotzebue was the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award and Emily King of Whitehorse, Yukon in Canada was awarded the Outstanding Athlete Award.

2024 WEIO Results

July 10-13, 2024

Big Dipper Arena, Fairbanks Alaska

KNEEL JUMP

FEMALE

1st:
Amber Vaska, Fbks, 46 1/2”

2nd:
Emily King, Yukon, 46”

3rd:
Anastasha Wilde, Anch, 39 1/2”

MALE

1st:
Colton Paul, Kipnuk, 69 1/2” WR

2nd:
Davin Malzahn, Fbks, 52 1/4”

3rd:
Matthew Quinto, Juneau, 50”

TOE KICK

FEMALE

1st:
Luanna Greybear, Anch 42”

2nd:
Abigail Semaken, Kenai 36”

3rd:
Amber Vaska, Fbks 32”

MALE

1st:
Colton Paul, Kipnuk 90”

2nd:
Parker Kenick, Nome 70”

3rd:
Matthew Chagluak, Anch 62”

RACE OF THE MESSENGER

FEMALE

1st:
Grace Moore-Anderson, Fbks, 20 min 52 sec

2nd:
Claire Dyment, Bethel, 23 min 50 sec

3rd:
Rosemarie Dyment, Bethel, 24 min 1 sec

MALE

1st:
David Kokrine, Fbks, 18 min 24 sec

2nd:
Finley Hightower, Juneau, 18 min 42 sec

3rd:
Kadin Daytion, Fbks, 19 min 42 sec

FISH CUTTING

1st:
Kelly Lincoln, Bethel, 55.51 sec

2nd:
Isabelle Dyment Bethel, 59.29 sec

3rd:
Skyler Ervin, North Pole, 60.62 sec

PRETTIEST FISH CUTTING

Ariella Derrickson, Fbks

ONE HAND REACH

FEMALE

1st:
Kylirose Paniptchuk, Golovin 59”

2nd:
Autumn Nanouk, Unalakleet 58”

TIE 3rd:
Emily King, Whitehorse 56” 0 misses

Kierra Egrass McGrath 56” 0 misses

MALE

1st:
Bernard Clark, Wasilla 71”

2nd:
Parker Kenick, Nome 66”

3rd:
Leif…