.: Ski XCOttawa.ca :: Skiing in Ottawa and Gatineau Park

Pre-Olympic Groomer's Report #1
By:  Claudia Van Wijk   (2009/01/11)

RSS

Our first full-day in Whistler. Dirk’s alarm buzzed at 3am – an early rise for groomers…that will only get earlier as we close in on this pre-Olympic competition for the Nordic events that are being held here in the Callaghan Valley just 20 kms south of Whistler Village. Dirk stopped at the Husky Station for his early morning Kicking Horse coffee enroute to meeting the grooming crew. As chief of course preparations, his responsibilities are daunting with the zero degree temperatures and new snow still falling. 30cms have accumulated overnight and it’s still snowing. In grooming language this snow is called elephant dung – hated, as it is super slick and bungs up the machines all at the same time.

I head up to the Whistler Nordic Centre midday to be greeted by a charming parking attendant asking skiers to park near the ski jumping area and ski in today as they were preparing for the World Cup events. A brand new Day Lodge greet me, where I purchase my $20 day pass for the 100 km of groomed ski trails. It is buzzing with young families pulling little tots in baby gliders, older grey haired skiers looking slick in their knicker-bockers and the usual lycra-clad speedsters – interacting, sharing stories, eating healthy café lunch and taking in the Demo Day. Tents are set up for Fischer, Atomic, Madshus, Soloman as well as well as the new Nordic Shop in Whistler Village started by former Quebec ski rep Savio.

I ski the 5km skate (blue) race trail, then catch my breath in search of easier terrain – down the Inner Passage to the more rolling recreational trails. Around 3pm I’m totally content and find a cozy spot infront of the fire in the Day Lodge waiting to connect with Dirk. He is still getting the low-down on the grooming specifics for the big race days:

All three Nordic events are holding their pre-Olympic competitions over the next 10 days.

wop_combined.jpg

Nordic Combined World Cup, January 16—17

This exhilarating event combines cross-country skiing with ski jumping.

Location: Whistler Olympic Park
Price: Free 


Thursday, January 15, 2009

Official Training

Friday, January 16, 2009

Trial Round HS 140 (Ski Jump)
Competition HS 140 (Ski Jump)
10 km (Cross Country)

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Trial Round Hill Size 140 (Ski Jump)
Competition HS140 (Ski Jump)
10 km (Cross Country)

 

wop_combined.jpg

Cross-Country World Cup, January 16—18

Watch the athletes go for World Cup gold on the Olympic trails.

Location: Whistler Olympic Park
Price: Free


Friday, January 16, 2009

Individual Sprint Men/Women

Saturday, January 17, 2009

15 km Pursuit Men
7.5 km Pursuit Women

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Team Sprint Finals Men/Women FIS Ski Jumping World Cup

 

wop_combined.jpg

Ski Jumping World Cup, January 24—25

It’s hard to put into words the thrill of watching competitive ski jumping. Big jumps, big air and big talent.

Location: Whistler Olympic Park
Price: Free


Friday, January 23, 2009

Training (2 rounds)
Qualification

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Trial Round
HS 140 Competition Round #1
HS 140 Competition Round #2

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Qualification
HS 140 Competition Round #1
HS 140 Competition Round #2

 

 
Interesting Reading. . .
Interested in supporting XC Ottawa or advertising on our site? Email: info@xcottawa.ca.
© Copyright 2001-2006, www.xcottawa.ca. All Rights Reserved. Contact us before re-publishing anything seen here.