Yukon figure skater off to Special Olympics world games

A young Yukon figure skater is off to South Korea to represent Canada at the Special Olympics World WinterGames.

Michael Sumner, 16, of Whitehorse made the team after several regional competitions, including a gold medal win at the 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.

He is the only athlete from Yukon on the 141-member Canadian team. N.W.T. speedskater Cynthia Simmonswill also be competingat the games.

He's a relative newcomer to the sport but Sumner said he's looking forward to skating in front of a large crowd.

"Am I nervous? Sometimes, but for the most part I am so excited and thankful to have an amazing opportunity," he said.

He'll be skating a routine called Pirates of the Caribbean: The Black Pearl.

Sumner leaves next week for the games in PyeongChang, South Korea. They get underway on Jan. 29. The eight-day competition is expected to host nearly 3,300 athletes from 120 countries.