The Weasel House, a local tradition of the whistler course crew workers is a special beer tent allowing access only to course crew workers. It was the medicine required as woodsy and I met there after work tonight.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Yardsales and Stuff!
Beadraich - It happened right at the start of the Dave Murray Downhill with about 20 people watching while sideslipping down to run some b-fencing I fell, popped out of one ski and bruised only my pride. Embarrassing yes, but if not for this blog, no one would know it was me as we are all wearing blue. So if you are watching the mens downhill on TV tomorrow, you can say you know someone who fell just to the viewers left of the start gate.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
My day
Woodsy - This morning I got to sleep in. 8 am at mid station tent. So, really this means get up at 6:40, get dressed, get the bus, check in, have breakfast, grab my skiis and board the gondola all by 8 am. This morning at check in there were Valentine's Day stickers, candies and lots of smiles. The ladies at check in really start your day with a smile! I spent my morning at "Bear Cat Flats", which has the best view of the downhill. Lots of people come before the race to scope out the best view. It is fun to talk with everyone to see where they are from. Lots of people are very appreciative of how far the volunteers have travelled from. I spent this after at "Men's Start". It was even better than the morning because it was very busy-checking accreditation etc. At one point I even got a smooch from a "race course crew", named Beadraich. :). It is Valentine Day afterall!
I met Beadraich at the Weasel House again (is it becoming a habit? Lol). We went to Southside Diner for dinner. I had read how good their macaroni and cheese was. Since Beadraich loves mac and cheese it is a great idea for Valentine's Day.
Our big day is tomorrow-Men's Downhill. Hope everyone will be watching it streaming at their computers at work.
Here is my "office" for the next couple of weeks and my skiis this am in the powder.
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Hello out there?
Woodsy - Beadraich and I are having an amazing time during our adventure. However, we are wondering if there is anyone out there...please post comments. We love to get them and we look everyday hoping to see what you have to say.
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Saturday, February 13, 2010
My Day - so far!
Beadraich - With my first day of work out of the way, I now have an even bigger respect for everyone who works tirelessly to put on any ski race. Whether it's the people at Osler Bluff or Chicopee, or the Weasels and Sled Dogs putting on World Cup calibre races the work is exhausting.
I started today with my alarm clock going off at 3:20am, so I could be at Creekside, checked in and ready for breakfast at 4:00am. I arrived a few minutes early and had breakfast, coffee, and watched the news broadcasts of yesterdays tragedy and opening ceremonies.
We heard early on that the Men's Downhill was postponed and we would be working on a new schedule, but no one knew exactly what that schedule was. Rob, my Crew Chief found me and informed me that we would be "Loading" at 6:30. So, I waited and eventually saddled up the gondola and we made our way up, and then skied down to the Garbanzo chair in the dark. Night skiing at Whistler is a little different than Chicopee as the only lights are security lights for the Olympics.
Bootpacking, sideslipping, B-Fencing, bootpacking and more bootpacking made up my first day before we worked our way down and eventually to Chickpee. Chickpee is the crew replenishment station positioned near the start of the Dave Murray Downhill Course, and is a welcome refuge from the cold and wind. (they also have really good soup)
Now for some descriptions, B-Fencing is the first fence that a skier will encounter in a crash and is designed to give way and gently slow the skier while absorbing some energy. This is different than A-Fencing that is in place and under high tension to spring a skier back towards the course, should they make it past the B-Fencing. Bootpacking is a tireless stomping up and down of ones skis and usually done in groups to pack a portion of the race course. Sideslipping is the only method of travel on the race course. It is a sideways slipping of the skis in order to not create ruts or in anyway damage the race course. It's also what you may see on TV in between racers to smooth out corners and ruts on the race course.
Woodsy and I may visit the Weasel House tonight.
I started today with my alarm clock going off at 3:20am, so I could be at Creekside, checked in and ready for breakfast at 4:00am. I arrived a few minutes early and had breakfast, coffee, and watched the news broadcasts of yesterdays tragedy and opening ceremonies.
We heard early on that the Men's Downhill was postponed and we would be working on a new schedule, but no one knew exactly what that schedule was. Rob, my Crew Chief found me and informed me that we would be "Loading" at 6:30. So, I waited and eventually saddled up the gondola and we made our way up, and then skied down to the Garbanzo chair in the dark. Night skiing at Whistler is a little different than Chicopee as the only lights are security lights for the Olympics.
Bootpacking, sideslipping, B-Fencing, bootpacking and more bootpacking made up my first day before we worked our way down and eventually to Chickpee. Chickpee is the crew replenishment station positioned near the start of the Dave Murray Downhill Course, and is a welcome refuge from the cold and wind. (they also have really good soup)
Now for some descriptions, B-Fencing is the first fence that a skier will encounter in a crash and is designed to give way and gently slow the skier while absorbing some energy. This is different than A-Fencing that is in place and under high tension to spring a skier back towards the course, should they make it past the B-Fencing. Bootpacking is a tireless stomping up and down of ones skis and usually done in groups to pack a portion of the race course. Sideslipping is the only method of travel on the race course. It is a sideways slipping of the skis in order to not create ruts or in anyway damage the race course. It's also what you may see on TV in between racers to smooth out corners and ruts on the race course.
Woodsy and I may visit the Weasel House tonight.
Random Photos of Whistler
Beadraich Photos - This is the "Blimp" that is tethered over Whistler Village and is rumoured to be full of hi-tech security and surveillance devices..jpg)
One of two stages that provide live entertainment at various times during the games. There is also a large "medals plaza" which will be home to some very big name acts.
.jpg)
The CTV broadcast centre where you will discover that the mountains in the background that you see on TV are in fact, a photograph backdrop.
.jpg)
The fog that has settled partway up the mountian is part of the reason for a postponed mens downhill race today.
.jpg)
.jpg)
One of two stages that provide live entertainment at various times during the games. There is also a large "medals plaza" which will be home to some very big name acts.
.jpg)
The CTV broadcast centre where you will discover that the mountains in the background that you see on TV are in fact, a photograph backdrop.
.jpg)
The fog that has settled partway up the mountian is part of the reason for a postponed mens downhill race today.
.jpg)
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