Inuvik鈥檚 curling teams are gearing up to make an impact at the Arctic Winter Games this March.

Two teams from town will represent Team NT at the games in Mat-Su, which run from March 10-16.

Flying the NT flag will be teams Willkomm and Wainman, the latter being the defending AWG champions.

And both teams know what they need to work on.

鈥淵ou know how you slide out and then you push it a little bit at the end?鈥� asked Jasper Willkomm of the team bearing his name. 鈥淥ftentimes when we push it we put it on a different trajectory, then we鈥檒l miss the shot. So if we could just like push it and make it go perfectly straight we would miss a lot less.鈥�

鈥淥ur slides aren鈥檛 super, super strong,鈥� chimed in his brother Atticus. 鈥淪o we have to add if it鈥檚 a hit or a heavy shot. So we鈥檙e working on our adds.鈥�

Both teams have been hard at work perfecting their on-ice skills, particularly their in-game communication but also the timing of their throws.

The members of Team Willkomm said they鈥檙e particularly looking forward to a rematch with Team Yukon, though they will be facing off against different curlers this time around.

No matter, said Jasper. The Yukon edged Team Willkomm in two games decided by a single point, and the boys intend to make them pay.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 our goal,鈥� he said.

鈥淓ven though it鈥檚 not the (same) team,鈥� said Atticus.

The boys are also looking forward to curling in a hockey rink that is being adapted for the games.

They鈥檝e also set a team goal.

鈥淭ake home an ulu,鈥� said Atticus.

鈥淓ven if it鈥檚 just bronze,鈥� said Jasper.

For their part, Team Wainman said they鈥檙e looking forward to a repeat of their previous experience at the event.

鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be great just to be a team again,鈥� said Brooke Smith.

After their last trip to the games, the girls are focusing on keeping cool in the face of competition.

鈥淛ust to stay positive,鈥� said Tamara Bain.

鈥淲hen we play our best,鈥� began Alex Testart-Campbell.

鈥淲e have a chance,鈥� finished Tamara.

In their bracket, most of the teams are making a second appearance, so the girls are eager to meet up with familiar competitors.

鈥淪o it should be some good games,鈥� noted Reese Wainman.

They noted they would love to repeat their gold ulu success from last year.

鈥淚 think it鈥檇 be really exciting to get another gold medal, but also just the whole experience in general,鈥� said Alex.

Grateful for the support they continue to receive from the community, the members of Team Wainman made their usual shout out to Kate Jarvis, all their parents and coach Nick Saturnino.

Team Willkomm wanted to give a special shout-out to their friend Ben Nadeau, who they say wants to get involved in the sport.

鈥淗e wants to join curling and maybe this will make him more encouraged if he鈥檚 in an Arctic Winter Games article,鈥� said Jasper.