Sad start to the Games

In a training run on February 11th a young Georgian luger died after a horrific crash near the Finish.  Memorials were soon set up on the track where he fell, and among the Olympic rings in the village.  Soon after, a permanent memorial was built near the Olympic rings.  Everyone sends their condolences to his family, friends and coaches.

Let the Games begin!

The Olympic rings in Whistler.

On February 10th Games volunteers were invited to attend the Opening Ceremonies rehearsal in Vancouver.  Audience excitement was impressive, as was the sincere and passionate appreciation expressed by CEO John Furlong.  We were all sworn to secrecy so the Opening Ceremonies on February 12th could be a surprise.....If you can't be there to watch in person you can still watch the full coverage on CTV.  If you miss the live coverage you can still find a link on the internet and watch it anytime after February 12th.

Here is Al in his Olympic blue uniform, heading off to the bus for a day of set-up. 

His role during the Games is to lead a timing team.  They set up all the connections for 12 different Starts as well as the single Finish for all the races, and manage manual back-up timing.  

Toria on TV

President's Choice has just released a short video and an article featuring their support of athletes with Alpine Canada.  In this photo you will see Toria on the left, enjoying a President's Choice Blue Menu (healthy choice) pie. 

Here is a link to the article:
http://www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOnline/liveArticles.jsp?type=details&articleId=lcloa22015

The video is shown on the big screens all over Whistler this month, so we can still see Toria DH skiing during the Olympics even though she is really spending her days with her physio and at the gym! 

Below is a link to the video.  It features Toria DH skiing (in white helmet) and pouring juice (in white fleece top with long, blond hair).

http://www.presidentschoice.ca/LCLOnline/video_landing_page.jsp

Olympic Torch arrives in Whistler!

Here is Toria carrying the Olympic flame along a road in the Callaghan valley.....

Passing the flame to the next person in the relay.

And, celebrating this exciting moment with an exuberant hug after passing the flame.

Even though she would rather be competing here in 2010, she is getting to experience many aspects of the Olympics which will prepare her for competing at the next Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Pre-Games Evacuation?

Where have all the skiers gone? 

Note the Emerald Express line-up, or lack of? 

The ski resort is very quiet this week!  

Around 2,000 skiers/riders on Whistler and about 3,000 on Blackcomb....

Lack of parking, fear of Olympic crowds...?

Oh well, I had great skiing on empty runs!

Olympic commuting

The Whistler public transport system is now operating at  "Olympic proportions".  On  February 1 the bus fleet went from around 35 to around 135.   We now have 24-hour service, and a bus passing by our home every 7 minutes from 5am to midnight. 

Bus drivers have been imported from all over and are just now learning their new routes, often taking a wrong turn or arriving several at a time at the same bus stop.  Hopefully they will find their way and enjoy their Olympic adventure!
 
Parking is going to be very limited this month but our volunteer accreditation gives us free, unlimited bus travel.  Hopefully many of us will develop better routines about using public transport rather than private vehicles.

Welcome to a new learning phase:  today my ride home from the ski hill involved three buses, rather than the usual one. For your entertainment....

1st  ~ I took the "village shuttle"  from the bus exchange at base of the mountain because our neighbourhood bus route has been changed for the Olympics and doesn't come to the main bus loop anymore.  Instead, my "Alpine" bus  now stops a fair distance away, further than I wanted to walk in (and wear down) my ski boots.  However, the "village shuttle" route has also changed for GamesTime so instead of a quick circuit around the village to my new bus stop, I enjoyed a long, scenic tour of the Benchlands before I got out at another "usual" stop on Lorimer Road.

2cd ~ I found out my "Alpine" bus route has been changed too and no longer passes by the "usual" stop on Lorimer Road.  To avoid a long walk to the new correct stop I jumped on a passing "Emerald" bus, which I knew would take me closer to home and a guaranteed Alpine  stop.   As it turns out the "Emerald" bus driver had taken a wrong turn (he is just learning his route) and should not have come by the stop where I was waiting.... His mistake was my gain. 

3rd ~ I got off the Emerald  bus at the Rec Centre just as the Alpine  bus pulled in, jumped on my 3rd bus and enjoyed the ride home!  

Getting tickets

Tickets are still available for many of the events at this kiosk by the Awards Presentation Plaza.

We have tickets for five of the local Awards Presentations, but not for any of the events.  Instead of "spectating", we will be fully occupied with our Olympic "volunteering".  

Al will be involved with Timing at the Alpine Ski venues every day, setting up timing connections prior to each race, then working with his manual timing team at the Finish line during races.

I will be involved with the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS),  on the move between sport venues and inside areas which are restricted to public and spectators. 

We will both gain some interesting experiences as part of the team putting on the event, rather than as spectators.  However, we plan to use our tickets to evening events at the Awards Presentation Plaza, and enjoy entertainment in the village as we pass through each day.