Photographer: Aaron Selbig, Homer News Homer athletes Ian Frame (left) and Amber Loop will represent Alaska in the 2009 World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho.

The state representatives were chosen from gold-medal winners in Alaska's winter games in March 2008.

"It's pretty amazing that out of five athletes from Alaska, two are from Homer," said Carol Schuler, Homer area director for Special Olympics Alaska.

Prior to coming to Alaska, Frame participated in Special Olympics in Colorado. He has been involved in Special Olympics Alaska for seven years. Committed to staying in shape, he trains and competes in Alpine skiing, swimming, basketball, bowling and golf, as well as cross country skiing, which he enjoys with his family. This is his first trip to the World Winter Games as a member of Team USA's cross country skiing team.

"I'm excited," Frame told the Homer News, adding that all his training has prepared him for the challenge ahead.

"I'm pretty good," he said of his readiness.

Schuler agreed with Frame's self-assessment.

"Ian has been doing a lot of different things to cross-train. He walks, runs, rides his bike, swims, snowshoes, skis and works out on workout machines. He's been doing a wide variety of things," Schuler said.

In addition to his role as a world-class athlete, Frame said he is looking forward to the trip and the opportunity to meet athletes from around the world.

"He's so excited about this," said Frame's mother, Karey Sutherland.

"It gives him a real sense of accomplishment when he can go out and compete and try to do his best. Plus, he gets to travel and meet new people."

Although not traveling with the team, Frame's parents will be in Boise for the games.

Loop has been involved with Special Olympics Alaska for five years. In addition to snowshoeing, she trains and competes in bowling, basketball, cross country skiing and swimming.

This will be Loop's first opportunity to participate in the World Winter Games.

"Amber's been doing a lot of snowshoeing with family members and friends, plus the practices we're doing right now," Schuler said of Loop's training for the games.

"She's also been working out on workout machines."

Traveling with Loop and Frame and filming the adventure is Frame's sister, April Frame of Anchorage.

She will fly with the Alaska team to Salt Lake City and then travel with them by bus to Boise.

"She's making a short film to show at the World Games, but also working on a documentary," Schuler said.

Frame and Loop are not the first Homer athletes to participate at the world level. Larry Bonfiglio represented Alaska in the 2003 Special Olympics in Dublin, Ireland.

In the 2001 games held in Anchorage, several local athletes participated.

For a schedule of events for the 2009 Winter Games, visit the Web at www.2009worldgames.org.

"Special Olympics World Winter Games provide a global stage for our athletes to showcase their talents and we invite the world to join our world of welcome -- a world of inclusion and mutual respect, without bias or prejudice," Timothy Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics Board, said in a message posted on the games' site.

Of Frame and Loop, Schuler said, "I'm really proud. I know they'll represent Homer and Alaska really well. We wish them the best."

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.