The Yukon Pickleball Association held a tournament at the Canada Games Centre (CGC) and Elijah Smith Elementary School this past weekend.

The Open and Intermediate divisions took place at CGC, while the Novice players faced off at Elijah Smith Elemetary School.

The athletes in the Open and Intermediate divisions all played 10 games each, including seven in a round robin format, before finishing off in a placement round.

The format was based on total points.

The Star spoke with Yvonne Clarke after the Intermediate placement round. Clarke was playing despite a knee injury she suffered on Dec. 18.

“It was amazing. It was a lot of fun. This tournament is really for fun. Yeah, sure, we’re very competitive but if you have fun, that’s it, man.”

The last round of games went well for Clarke.

“I won two and lost one, so it’s not bad for having that knee that doesn’t fully extend.”

Clarke said she definitely improved compared to the last tournament.

“Last year, it was just like, ‘I have no idea what I was doing.’ At least now, I know what I’m doing. Unfortunately my knee is not 100 per cent, but I’m having fun. That’s the main thing.”

Clarke wasn’t concerned about where she finished in the placement round.

“I really don’t care. I’m not here to win. I’m just so happy that I’m not on crutches. I’m able to walk. That’s a win for me.”

Clarke finished first in her placement group.

Mike Baker finished first overall, winning all three games in the top placement group.

“It was just a lot of fun. Everyone was here to participate and to have fun.”

Baker said he was very tired.

“It was the first time playing in a tournament, so just trying to have fun each time and not take it too seriously, but try your best. It felt pretty good.”

Baker said he has started to play more often with the YPA.

“Just trying to stay active.”

This is Baker’s second year playing pickleball.

“I played tennis as a kid, but I haven’t picked up a racket in a lot of time.”

Baker said pickleball is “good for where I am today. I like this. Everyone’s very friendly. Everyone’s here to have fun and support each other.”

Armil Ramos finished second in the top group.

“It was awesome. This is my second year playing with the tournament. It’s always well-organized and it’s always fun.”

Ramos said the placement games were “pretty intense. Mike is always a good player. And same as Gisela.”

Ramos said he improved, but wasn’t alone.

“Everybody is in the same boat. Everybody improved as well.”

Ramos added Baker has “improved lots. Definitely. I think I started ahead of him, but he’s been pretty good.”

YSA president Jim Gilpin said he thought the day was a “big success.

“We had full registration within 24 hours. Fortunately we had a wait list of several people because we ultimately ended up relying on several. We had about six cancellations in the last 48 hours but we were able to fill all those gaps, which is imperative, because we need to have a full slate for this to work, so it worked just fine.

“They had a good time and nobody got injured. I’m sure there’s some sore people here right now.”

Gilpin said the Open category also went well.

“Everyone had a good time.”

Gord Clark took top spot in the Open tournament, with Doug Harris finishing second.

“They played very, very well,” related Gilpin.

The Novice tournament at Elijah Smith Elementary School turned out to be a real family event.

Here are the results:

1) Kirk Gale
2) Tristen Sparks (son)
3) Mike Sparks (father)
4) Angela Gale (Kirk's spouse)