Are the margins always so tight in Winter Games? A number of the sports are separated by less than a second from Gold through Bronze!
I was watching a program on Dutch TV about our bobsled team. They teamed up with DSM to develop a faster sled by making it lighter, stiffer, and smoother to gain up to a few thousands of a second.
I am heading for Lake Tahoe a week from Saturday. Mary and I skied in Whistler a number of years back before we did a sailing seminar at Jericho in Vancouver. Nice mountain, what we could see of it. It was totally foggy the whole time. Not very steep, however. And no powder -- I became a powder-hound after living in Vail for ten years. Rick
Just to rub it in, I'm flying out to sort out some personal problems that my sister is having and, fortunately, she lives in Chamonix! I should be able to squeeze in 4-5 days of skiing between meetings!!!!
Sorry!
I hope you get better quicker than you currently anticipate and good luck with the scan. BTW did I mention I'm going skiing?
So is your video more impressive than the one on this thread?
Sadly, that reminds me of me getting off a chair lift...
Mike
we do not have it on video I am afraid. one of the other racers described it as follows...
1, caught edge 2, flew thru air a few meters 3, landed on shoulder / elbow and then got big air - shoulder went out at this point. 4, span in a corkscrew about 2m of the ground about 5 times - across the slope so head-feet across and spinning on my head-foot axis high enough that my ski's were not hitting the slope. 5, started to come down; skis came off and landed about 5m away; I tumbled a further few meters; in a bit of pain.
Never again will I EVER use straps. Guaranteed to rip your thumbs. I'd rather take a few minutes to walk uphill after a lost pole than 6 months with a ripped thumb. No straps!
Never again will I EVER use straps. Guaranteed to rip your thumbs. I'd rather take a few minutes to walk uphill after a lost pole than 6 months with a ripped thumb. No straps!
I am heading for Lake Tahoe a week from Saturday. Mary and I skied in Whistler a number of years back before we did a sailing seminar at Jericho in Vancouver. Nice mountain, what we could see of it. It was totally foggy the whole time. Not very steep, however. And no powder -- I became a powder-hound after living in Vail for ten years. Rick
I'm heading to Utah March 3rd. My first shot at white gold powder. I've been an East Coast (ice and rocks and fast grass) skier all my life so I am looking forward to falling and having to hunt in the powder for my ski! Wanna join us Rick?
I was shocked to see all of those girls that *exploded* falling on the downhill course ABLE to get up the nerve to try it again in the Combined. Very courageous. These aren't powder puffs these girls. They are tough. Nice to see the comraderie too. When Vonn fell the first thing her competitor wanted to know was "Are you alright?". Class Acts.
Just to rub it in, I'm flying out to sort out some personal problems that my sister is having and, fortunately, she lives in Chamonix! I should be able to squeeze in 4-5 days of skiing between meetings!!!!
Sorry!
I hope you get better quicker than you currently anticipate and good luck with the scan. BTW did I mention I'm going skiing?
Have fun in Cham; it's awesome and loads of OP potential.....
I've resigned myself to long recovery; no ski racing this year; prob not the year after... was hoping to try and do a proper GS at some point; but thats now prob 2 years away as I'll be a year down on all training and really want to try (and afford) to do my next level BASI course and then hopefully work towards ISIA which is a LOT of work; just need to win the lottoery to fund it all.
Sailing is going to be gentle this year; might even be spectating at the ECPR; but will be there even If I do not rig the boat!!!
Need to get results of the MRI and work out what I've done to the knee.
How many figure skating events have you quit cause you got the crap beat out of you. By the conditions, I mean. Not JUST because you were a figure skater.
Greg, I envy you. Utah is great. Our family used to ski Alta every year way back when. Awesome. Started out skiing on the wall of the Cuyahoga River near Cleveland, moved UP to Ellicottville, NY, Moved even UPPer to Boyne Mtn, MI, the way UP to Vermont's Mt Snow, Jay Peak, and Stow, Then WAY WAY UP to the ALPS, and finally alit at Alta. At last I found perfection. Can't beat the Rockies.
On straps, when I was living in Vail I was an Apres Ski Entertainer. At the time I was doing a solo. On the way down the mountain to go to work I caught an edge, put my hands out to help break the fall, and whap, there went the thumb. The left thumb.., the one used on the frets of the guitar. Taped it up, took lots of pain pills, but couldn't stop tears running down my cheeks, So, spent the hours singing sad folk music. It seemed to work. Everyone thought I was really emotional. ha ha Rick
It might be more valuable after he kicks the bucket. Don't get any ideas about hastening the process ,Mary. We'd like to keep him around awhile longer.
We are going up to Whistler for Spring Break in April. Hope they let us ski the Downhill Course at Creekside. But, by then, the lower runs will probably be closed, with lack of snow. Upper runs should be OK.
We are going up to Whistler for Spring Break in April. Hope they let us ski the Downhill Course at Creekside. But, by then, the lower runs will probably be closed, with lack of snow. Upper runs should be OK.
Of course you'll be able to ski the RUN they use (assuing enough snow).
I've skied loads of runs that are used for the downhill; the Ollies hill in Val D'isare (Face) is truly scary at speed....
We are going up to Whistler for Spring Break in April. Hope they let us ski the Downhill Course at Creekside. But, by then, the lower runs will probably be closed, with lack of snow. Upper runs should be OK.
Of course you'll be able to ski the RUN they use (assuing enough snow).
I've skied loads of runs that are used for the downhill; the Ollies hill in Val D'isare (Face) is truly scary at speed....
In Europe they only close the downhills and slalom areas off if there is forth coming event ie in the next week or so. Best time is just after an event when it is still groomed and every nutter on the hill is trying to emulate the racers. Been on a number of trips where the party piece is to put a small GPS into someones pocket for the day and see who has the fastest speed of the week, best I've seen on a friends 10 second average of 142kph. Met an old acquantance from Scotland who had taken up speed ski ing as a thing to do, had broken the 110mph barrier and was well chuffed with himself, now that sort of speed sounds scarry.
As to poles and thumbs, as Simon would tell you either no straps or fit the strap properly with the strap coming up into the palm of the hand rather than over as most people think. Get it wrong and it will dislocate the thumb every time.
We are going up to Whistler for Spring Break in April. Hope they let us ski the Downhill Course at Creekside. But, by then, the lower runs will probably be closed, with lack of snow. Upper runs should be OK.
Of course you'll be able to ski the RUN they use (assuing enough snow).
I've skied loads of runs that are used for the downhill; the Ollies hill in Val D'isare (Face) is truly scary at speed....
In Europe they only close the downhills and slalom areas off if there is forth coming event ie in the next week or so. Best time is just after an event when it is still groomed and every nutter on the hill is trying to emulate the racers. Been on a number of trips where the party piece is to put a small GPS into someones pocket for the day and see who has the fastest speed of the week, best I've seen on a friends 10 second average of 142kph. Met an old acquantance from Scotland who had taken up speed ski ing as a thing to do, had broken the 110mph barrier and was well chuffed with himself, now that sort of speed sounds scarry.
As to poles and thumbs, as Simon would tell you either no straps or fit the strap properly with the strap coming up into the palm of the hand rather than over as most people think. Get it wrong and it will dislocate the thumb every time.
I've a plot showing speeds over 70MPH; next step is 80,90 and then the magic 100MPH.
I quess I'm a ol' fart now .... I perfer to ski smooth w/ style just carving nice turns ... fast but smooth!!!
I skied the downhill run at Whiteface the year after the Olympics where there ..... a tight, twisty run w/ lots of trees and rocks ... it was served at the time by a rickety old lift w/ a hand carved wooden sign .... EXPERTS ONLY: THERE ARE NO EASY WAYS DOWN!!!!
I managed to ski it safely ... slowly but safely ... they have since widened the run and put in a new quad lift ... nicer but it's lost that rustic feeling.
To Utah Bound: Where you going???? They're all great "hills" in Utah: Solitude, Brighton, Snowbird, Alta( for steep go to the top left) Canyons, Park City, Deer Valley(try Stein's Run and the Turkey Chili) .... but if you want Aspens and powder .... go where the locals go .... Powder Mtn ... and if conditions are good, ride the bus(the locals will explain "the bus" ... it's a hoot!!!)
For a great dinner find the "Loco Lizard" in Kinball Junction or Salt Lake (two locations)!!!!!
I've skied lots of hills, almost all of Vermont, New Hampshire(love the steam engine at Loon), Upstate New York, Lake Tahoe, Jackson Hole/Grand Targue, Copper/Breckenridge/A-Basin .... but since I've been to Utah I haven't gone anywhere else ... also, sign up for the morning "Guide" services at Deer Valley or Powder Mtn(either free or a small fee, but well worth it!!!!)
Agree with the Utah, Harry. Reason I moved to Vail was I was in entertainment, and they rolled up the sidewalks at dark in Utah. My first gig in Vail was the Holiday Inn. The manager there also owned a restaurant on the other side of the highway called the Iron Works. He hired me to play there for the season, and after that I was glued to Vail. Lots of other gigs after that. It was at the Iron Works that Tanya Tucker's friend Didi Kahn (sp?) came to see me play with the thought of going on tour with her, Tanya and Johnny Cash. Dang! Never happened though. Still, it was great -- ski all day, work from 5-7 and play all night. It was a tough life, but someone had to do it.
Neat part, when we got fresh snow my ski buddies and I were able to get in about 30,000 vertical of untracked snow per day. Just had to know the route. Had to get out of the back bowl after two runs or you would be stuck there for an hour wait in line.
Wow! That was fun. Looking forward to this week, despite it not being powder skiing. Rick
the Ollies hill in Val D'isare (Face) is truly scary at speed....
The Face is scary even doing slow speeds An insane slope to say the least. L'épaule du Charvet is impressive as well, but the worse is the Tunnel with its stupid narrow start: if you miss the first turn you are in for a really really long tumble down. Don't ask how I know!
My favorite slope there is the vallon de la Sachette, you start at 2800m and go down to 1550m in one go without hitting a groomed or marked slope for most of the way. Don't do it in the fog though, even with a guide, there is no way out. Don't ask me how I know
the Ollies hill in Val D'isare (Face) is truly scary at speed....
The Face is scary even doing slow speeds An insane slope to say the least. L'épaule du Charvet is impressive as well, but the worse is the Tunnel with its stupid narrow start: if you miss the first turn you are in for a really really long tumble down. Don't ask how I know!
My favorite slope there is the vallon de la Sachette, you start at 2800m and go down to 1550m in one go without hitting a groomed or marked slope for most of the way. Don't do it in the fog though, even with a guide, there is no way out. Don't ask me how I know
Opps.....
Face is ace; but scary. Did you hike up to the start hut? That's proper steep! Don;t ask me how I know.....
You'll like Lake Tahoe ... it's nice "sliding"!!!! I stayed at "The Ridge at Lake Tahoe" ... it's on the back side.
For a good cheap dinner go to the "All-You-Can-Eat Buffet" at the casinoes .... they'll fill you up!!!!
On a sunny clear day go to the top!!!!! The view of the snow covered mountains w/ the green Pondarosa Pines and the blue Lake Tahoe is just spectacular!!!!
Oh, while driving, if it is snowing stay far, far away from any car w/ California tags .... it's a good bet they have NO clue how to drive in the snow!!!!! I watched a guy w/ a Jeep Cherokee w/ chains get stuck in a flat parking lot!!!! Unbelievable!!!! They also like to STOP at the bottoms of hills first before they start up ..... AHhhhhhhhhhh
A huge Dutch tragedy just now when our national speedskating hero Sven Kramer (superstar in Holland) misses the gold medal after his coach wrongfully gives him the instruction to switch lanes. He only had a few laps to go and was 100% sure of winning the gold medal since he had a big lead over #2.
Well, I am now living in Vancouver since beginning of January and experiencing my first ever winter Olympics host-city (was in Montreal during the '76 summer games).
Pretty awesome weather so far...nobody can believe it's actually winter.
Off to my first event tomorrow...Women's 2-man/person bobsled.
I'll be trying to get a spot for my boat at Jericho soon.
How about that Canadian Women's Hockey team? Did you see their game last night? Should be a realy good game tonight vs. USA but I think the Canadian girls are going to be very tough to beat if they play like they did last night. I have not yet seen the US team play, I hear they are good too, I hope they can keep up and make a game of it.
A huge Dutch tragedy just now when our national speedskating hero Sven Kramer (superstar in Holland) misses the gold medal after his coach wrongfully gives him the instruction to switch lanes. He only had a few laps to go and was 100% sure of winning the gold medal since he had a big lead over #2.
Agree with the Utah, Harry. Reason I moved to Vail was I was in entertainment, and they rolled up the sidewalks at dark in Utah. My first gig in Vail was the Holiday Inn. The manager there also owned a restaurant on the other side of the highway called the Iron Works. He hired me to play there for the season, and after that I was glued to Vail. Lots of other gigs after that. It was at the Iron Works that Tanya Tucker's friend Didi Kahn (sp?) came to see me play with the thought of going on tour with her, Tanya and Johnny Cash. Dang! Never happened though. Still, it was great -- ski all day, work from 5-7 and play all night. It was a tough life, but someone had to do it.
Neat part, when we got fresh snow my ski buddies and I were able to get in about 30,000 vertical of untracked snow per day. Just had to know the route. Had to get out of the back bowl after two runs or you would be stuck there for an hour wait in line.
Wow! That was fun. Looking forward to this week, despite it not being powder skiing. Rick
Next week, Alta and Snowbird. Never been before but really looking forward to it. For Harry, I will ski today at Loon. We picked up about 9 -10 inches last night and its still snowing. Another storm on its way for tomorrow but this one looks like rain.
Did you see the poor girl in Downhill who came out of the gate, poled twice and fell over? 4 years of training for THAT! I think she came back for a silver in Combined but I'm not positive. Remember the old Wide World of Sports line...... The agony of defeat?
The speed skater had already won gold prior to this debacle though hadn't he? He is a moose! Huge! Look at the quads on these guys. Even the girls except that one girl who was 5-7 and 130 lbs. And I think she won too.
At Lillihammer it was the Gold Medalist Cross Country skier who waited for the last place finisher, from a African country at the finish-line ... refusing interviews ... and would not leave but stayed to help the gentleman from Africa remove his skies and hug him to honor him for his determination and spirit
Last night it was Joanie Rochette ....
Who skated the performace of a lifetime w/ what must be a broken heart ..... for her mother ....
With or without a medal .... she is a CHAMPION !!!!
That sucks, 4 years of training to have your coach screw it up for you. That coach better change his name and move. [/quote]
Bob Costas suggested last night on NBC that the coach better enter the Dutch Witness Protection Program..he might be right, the passion for the sport in the Netherlands is equivalent to Football and Baseball combined!
That sucks, 4 years of training to have your coach screw it up for you. That coach better change his name and move.
Bob Costas suggested last night on NBC that the coach better enter the Dutch Witness Protection Program..he might be right, the passion for the sport in the Netherlands is equivalent to Football and Baseball combined!
7m viewer last night, on a population of 16m pretty much sums up the popularity of speedskating. The coach is giving a press-conference in half an hour, should be interesting.
The jokes started almost immediately after the mistake:
At Lillihammer it was the Gold Medalist Cross Country skier who waited for the last place finisher, from a African country at the finish-line ... refusing interviews ... and would not leave but stayed to help the gentleman from Africa remove his skies and hug him to honor him for his determination and spirit
Last night it was Joanie Rochette ....
Who skated the performace of a lifetime w/ what must be a broken heart ..... for her mother ....
With or without a medal .... she is a CHAMPION !!!!