Pull Your Finger at the Arctic Games

The countries and small towns that surround the Arctic Circle are quite secluded and thus seek their own form of entertainment from time to time, or every two years when they host their own Arctic Games. Canada, Norway, Alaska, Russia and Greenland come together to hold a series of competitions that have been inspired and cultivated from traditional Inuit culture.

© Arctic Winter Games 2016

With events such as the head pull, the high kick and the one-hand reach, these extremely unconventional Arctic sports within the Games take competition to whole new level. The head pull, for example, involves two competitors lying on the floor, head to head. A large rubber band is placed around both players’ heads. The goal is to rise to a push-up position and pull the other contestant over a line that separates the two players.

© Arctic Winter Games 2016

The physically demanding high kick event (also known as Kick the (Stuffed) Seal) requires competitors to prepare with a running start, then jump into the air with both feet parallel to the ground while kicking the target.

© Arctic Winter Games 2016

Seemingly juvenile — but quite challenging and possibly even dangerous — is the finger pull, an event that requires contestants to sit on the floor, facing each other and locking middle fingers. Each contestant pulls at their fingers while holding the opponent’s ankle with the opposite hand, attempting to pull the other contestant over.

The Arctic Games take place in Greenland in 2016.