Wednesday 17 February
Pre race excitement!
Had an email last night from Mark Tilston saying that he would be
happy to give pre race quotes for the race today if I made it up to
the slope for the end of inspection. Early starts are never my
forte but for you Bloggers I was there! Listen to
what he said on here.
Women's Downhill bought the best result for the 2006 Olympic ski
team as Chemmy took 11th back then. Today she goes 2 so what chances
of her getting a better result? Well the course is fast and smooth
according to my contacts on the slope with NBC (yes those pariahs of
society from America). Not seen anyone from the British version the
IBC but am told by the twitters sorry Tweeter bbcsport_ollie that
they will have something, sorry someone up here and will broadcast
an interview with her in the coming days... Ah yes quick off the
mark again BBC!
Well the cowbells are coming up and the "ever so nice" but Canadian
Volunteer is telling "seated to the right and standing to the
left.... He says the same words each time, same tone, same
words.zzzzzzz
Wow I have just had my first BOA email about the skiing! Quick bring
me water! Sliders and skiers prepare for action. Sorry to tell the
guys at mission control but the skiers have been trying to get into
action for almost a week! Well something is better than nothing!
Was sitting typing this up and the Who's Who of past racers in the
press centre just keeps getting longer: Frank Woerndl (Slalom World
Champion in the 80's and now Eurosport German commentator), Kjetil
Andre Aamodt (multiple medal winner at Olympic and Worlds, and then
Libby Ludlow sits down opposite me...."Do you recognise me?" she
asks when I summon up the courage to ask her what it is like being
this side of the fence? Having been up the lift with her in Bormio
back in 2005, she obviously does not remember me, am a broken man!
We talk about Chemmy's chances and how the course is and she relaxes
revealing that she and Chemmy were on the lift earlier this week and
she thinks that Chemmy is going to do well...."but finish after two
Americans." This is where we have to disagree.....! (Am always
hopeful.....)
"Morning everyone, welcome to Creekside......."
More later from after the race/....20 minutes to start so time to
sit back and get the jacket on and get out there.....
Go Chemmy!
Post race - I believe I can fly!
That was some gnarly race and those girls have balls. Sorry for the
political correctness of it all but that was some big air being
flown by these girls and their skis, Some landed, some did not and
some just beat themselves up badly. Happily it seems that all are
OK. Ski racing is a dangerous sport and this is what appeals to both
fan and racer. The fan comes to watch great skiing and a few falls
while the race seeks the thrill of the high speed.
Maybe Emily Brydon was right in volunteering Anja Paerson for the
Combined prize after her 65+m flight through the air and a great
run. While Lizzi Goergl must consider herself very lucky in taking
the bronze, she was in tears after Paerson had crashed as she hoped
she had not injured herself. They are a close knit community these
speed girls. One of the own came back to see them all today as Libby
Ludlow headed to the media centre to work: Ludlow is a great friend
of Alcott and Chemmy told me today that she is one of the few ex
racers that still skis four days a week - jealous? Of course I am!
Oh to have the time...
The Olympics pull people from all over the world and it was great to
catch up with an old University buddy this evening. Jamie has come
over from the UK to see as much as he can in 8 days. Ice hockey,
skiing and very little partying - are we all getting older? He has
another pal he was telling me that is working as a volunteer at
Cypress and that pal had been looking to go out for a few beers:
Jamie was too tired from sports watching last night to go drinking!
Now that is a sign of commitment to watching some of the best
sporting action live!
Have been inundated with emails, quotes and stories from the BOA and
their various helpers today, maybe my rant and exchange of emails
did do some good last night!
10 days of sport still to go and another race in the morning. Am
told by my colleagues with the Austrian media that the weather will
hold now for about a week - it needs to!
Watch out, watch out there are some ski races about! (Seems that
Snowsport England have forgotten how to send results tho......)
