By the closing of the 25th biannual Arctic Winter Games, Team Alaska had amassed 125 ulus in 21 events and Kenai Peninsula athletes contributed to the medal count with 21 total medals including nine gold (first place) ulus.
The 2018 Arctic Winter Games, held jointly in Hay River and Fort Smith, Northwest Territories in Canada featured seven days of competition from March 18 through March 24 in a variety of sporting events including: Arctic Sports, badminton, basketball, biathlon ski, biathlon snowshoe, cross country ski, curling, dene games, dog mushing, figure skating, futsal, gymnastics, ice hockey, short track speed skating, snowboarding, snowshoeing, table tennis, volleyball and wrestling.
The Peninsula athletes participating in the 2018 Arctic Winter games were lead by a four, gold ulu week by Riana Boonstra. Boonstra, a senior at Kenai Central High School, earned gold in the 7.5K snowshoe, 5K snowshoe, short distance combined snowshoe and 4X400 snowshoe relay.
Peninsula Ulu Winners
Riana Boonstra, Kenai — Gold in junior female snowshoeing 5K cross-country, gold in 7.5K cross-country, gold in short distance combined, and gold in 4X400 snowshoe relay
Judah Eason, Ninilchik — Gold in junior male Alaskan high kick
Brooke Satathite, Kenai — Gold in junior female basketball
Shaylynn Zener, Soldotna — Gold in junior female volleyball
Leah Fallon, Kenai — Silver in juvenile female snowshoeing 2.5K cross-country, silver in 5K cross-country
Keegan Lorring, Soldotna — Silver in wrestling (up to 71 kg female), silver in team competition mix, bronze in Inuit wrestling (up to 71 kg female)
Mekhai Rich, Kenai — Bronze in junior male 1-foot high kick, bronze in junior male Alaskan high kick, bronze in junior male triple jump.
Autumn Daigle, Homer — Bronze in 3x3K classic relay cross-country skiing
Matt Hagel, Soldotna — Bronze in midget male ice hockey
Brenna Eubank, Kenai — Gold in junior female ice hockey
Brianna Stanton, Kenai — Gold in junior female ice hockey
Terry Gilliland, Homer — Bronze in bantam male ice hockey
Casey Otis, Homer — Bronze in bantam male ice hockey
The 2018 Arctic Winter Games awarded 748 total ulus; 253 gold ulus for first place finishes. Alaska earned 51 gold ulus, tied with Yamal for first in the gold ulu count. Overall Alaska earned 125 medals, second to Alberta North with 133 total medals.
At each Arctic Winter Games, the AWG International Committee presents the Hodgson Trophy to the contingent whose athletes best exemplify the ideals of fair play and team spirit. Team members also receive a distinctive pin in recognition of their accomplishment.
Alaska was awarded the Hodgson Trophy for 2018; the second, consecutive award for Team Alaska and the fourth time in the past seven games, including the 2006 Kenai Peninsula Arctic Winter Games.
2018 Arctic Winter Games Medal Count
| Contingent | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
50 | 35 | 48 | 133 |
 |
51 | 38 | 36 | 125 |
 |
35 | 41 | 46 | 122 |
 |
51 | 38 | 20 | 109 |
 |
20 | 43 | 39 | 102 |
 |
18 | 25 | 22 | 65 |
 |
15 | 17 | 23 | 55 |
 |
8 | 8 | 5 | 21 |
 |
5 | 5 | 6 | 16 |
