Vancouver, BC — Wednesday, February 17, 2010
After Tuesday’s rains it was something of a relief to greet Wednesday with crystal clear blue skies. What did we get with those nice blue skies? Spring-like temperatures which lasted the remainder of the week. Totally crazy … the Winter Olympics are supposed to be snowy and cold!
A group of French fans posing in front of the Olympic Rings in downtown Whistler.
Atmosphere: Bright and early it was off to Whistler for Men’s Doubles Luge. Our bus trip up the Sea-to-Sky Highway took us past some of the most beautiful scenery on the west coast of North America. We passed Bowen and Gambier Islands rising up out of the waters of Horseshoe Bay, before the road curved inland affording us breathtaking views of the distant snow-capped mountains of the Canadian Rockies. What had been advertised as a 3-hour trip took us barely two — it seemed faster.
We had plenty of time to wander around bustling Whistler, a true winter resort town transformed into a mini-Vancouver with all the usual Olympic trappings. Residents walking their dogs melded seamlessly with the eclectic mix of Olympic visitors crowding the narrow streets and small plazas of town. A group of French fans fancifully togged out in Gallic finery, some with horned helmets and blond pigtailed wigs, were an instant hit. Everyone (including me!) wanted a picture of them.
The Whistler Olympic City postmark on a combo postcard to the US. The 1988 Calgary 43-cent stamp and 2010 Vancouver 57-cent gold medalist stamp pay the exact $1 postage.
Philately: The Whistler post office was located adjacent to the Medals Plaza. As at Vancouver, the staff were prepared for those who wished to obtain the special Olympic event cancels. Contrary to published information, there were only 8 available cancels — the Whistler Olympic Village postmark was omitted. When asked, a senior postal clerk said they never received it because “this wasn’t the Olympic Village.” Well, I doubt that was the reason, but it didn’t change the fact that it wasn’t there. No matter. It was quick and easy to get all the cancels. As at Vancouver Main, an Olympic City cancel for Whistler could be used in tandem with the event cancels.
Coming into the final turn, the Canadian luge team of Chris & Mike Moffat finish 7th in the doubles luge.
Sports: Now down to the real reason for our visit: some seriously dangerous sliding. Following the tragic death of the Georgian luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili, the start line for the event was moved forward in an effort to slow the track down. To my eye watching these two-man teams flying down that icy chute, it didn’t seem particularly safe.
Sliding experts proclaimed the Whistler Sliding Centre as having the fastest course in the world. While that may certainly be true, it wasn’t a course particularly well-suited to spectators. I remember watching the bobsled events at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games. There, the track was laid out in such a way that a spectator standing in the middle of the complex could view many curves of the track at one time. This wasn’t true at Whistler as spectators jostled with photographers along the perimeter for a view. Watching the sliders going some 90 m.p.h. through turn 16 to the finish line left no doubt that this would NOT be something I’d want to try. But I sure admire these daredevils for giving it a shot.
Until tomorrow … Tschüss (“bye” in German)
