N.W.T. speedskater competes in Special Olympics Canada Winter Games

An N.W.T. speedskater is competing for a chance at gold at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games this week in Corner Brook, N.L.

Cynthia Simmons, 18, is the sole N.W.T. athlete at the games.

Her first races are Wednesday, when she competes in the500-and 1,500-metre races. On Thursdayshe'll compete in the 1,000- and 777-metre races.

"It's a little bit stressful because it's on the next stage of me competing, but at the same time I'll have a lot of fun," Simmons said.

Her coach, David Gilday, is also in Corner Brook.

In 2013, Simmons won two silvermedals at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, in the 777- and 333-metre events.

If she wins all four of her races this week, she'll qualify to go to the World Winter Games in Austria next year.