Aimee Procyk's journey to the Canada Winter Games has been two years in the making.

That's how long she and the rest of her fellow biathlon athletes on Team Saskatchewan have been preparing for the Games, which takes place in New Brunswick from Feb. 22 to March 8.

Procyk, who hails from Fillmore, started in training camps two years ago, competing against several other girls for a spot on the team and doing rigorous physical training every week. Finally, she was told not too long ago that she was one of the final candidates for the team.

"I've been looking forward to trying to make the team since the last time the Games were on in 1999," said Procyk.

"This is kind of like Canada's mini-Olympics. It doesn't get much bigger than this, unless you go outside the country."

Biathlon is a sport that combines shooting and cross-country skiing. It's a fringe sport - Procyk admits that most people probably don't even know what it is - but it's almost a religion for those who are in it.

Aimee has been involved in biathlon for several years, and her two younger sisters also participate in the sport. The fact that all three girls are involved in biathlon is a testament to the "addictive" quality of the sport.

"It's like addicting, because you can't wait to back to the next season, just because it's something different," said Procyk.

Procyk's accomplishments in biathlon have been nothing small: in 2001, she won a gold medal at the Cadet Biathlon Nationals, and competed in the 1998 and 2002 Saskatchewan Winter Games, of which the latter landed her a silver medal.

But the Canada Winter Games is the biggest challenge she has faced so far. At the last Games, Saskatchewan placed fifth overall in the women's category, but Procyk has reason to believe this year's team can do better.

"The preparation that's gone into the team this time around has been more thorough," she said.

Procyk will compete both individually and as a member of a team in the relay event. Individually, she hopes to place in the top 15 competitors, but her hopes for a medal lay mostly in the relay.

"We're kind of on the bubble for a medal there, so if we all have a really great race, we could be in the medals," she said.

"But I'm just looking forward to going and just having a great time. (I've been) working hard for a couple of years and I just want to enjoy it," she added, attributing the dedication and support of her parents for some of her success.

Procyk leaves for New Brunswick on Saturday, March 1. She and the rest of Team Saskatchewan will compete in the second week of the games.