Labrador Winter Games kick off in Happy Valley-Goose Bay

You could feel the electricity in the air as more than 300 athletes marched onto the floor of the E.J. Broomfield Memorial Arena for the 11th Labrador Winter Games opening ceremonies Sunday night in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Athletes proudly waved and cheered, carrying signs with the names of their communities.

Twenty-three communities will be competing in 14 sporting activities including the Labrathon and the Northern Games over the next week.

Hundreds of fans used clappers to enthusiastically welcome in the athletes.

Premier Dwight Ball and Labrador MP Yvonne Jones were among the dignitaries to bring greetings to the athletes.

Joe Goudie, who chairs the Labrador Winter Games board, also took the podium to welcome athletes.

"Good luck, God bless, and fair competition," he said.

The games mascot a rabbit named Snowffjoined the oldest and the youngest athletes as they lit the games flame with a torch.

There were also touching moments, too, as musician Harry Martin played a song in tribute to Max Winters, a long-time organizer of the Labrador Winter Games who died in October. Athletes and fans waved glowing cellphones to honour him.

Athletes are full of anticipation for what promises to be fierce competition at Labrador's premier sporting event this coming week.

The Labrador Winter Games run until March 19.

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