I've decided that I'm going to take up the Skeleton

Nuff Said!?

Nah, ok, so it was a really long day. Left the house at 9:30 and got back at 1AM! But damn it was awesome. Today was Womens and Mens skeleton runs 1 and 2. It was a beautiful day, 12C and sunny leaving Vancouver, and about 0-4C at the sliding center. We were early as usual and decided on having lunch in Whistler Village before heading up to the sliding center.

We got to the track a few hours early as usual and took up our great viewing spot in corner 11. However, today they had moved the barrier up the corner about 50 feet, so it wasn't quite as good for pictures. It made it difficult as there was much less time to spot them coming into the corner. I pulled out the therma rest and took up my waiting position.

Today we had an american and Mexican waiting with us. Interesting conversations. The American had some tickets to the mens Combined Ski that he was trying to get ride of for less than face value. Unfortunatly since it was delayed, he wasn't going to be able to see it as he had to leave. I wanted them, but didn't have the cash on me and no where to get it. He also had no cell or email access?! Oh well.

As we waited I decided to hike up to the start of the track to see what things were like up there. Damn what a hike. It took probably 20-30 min to get there. I was down to my t-shirt by the time I got to the top. Both men and women were going to be starting from the top today, and the skeleton has a very exciting start, so I was hoping for a good viewing spot. Anyway, I was only scoping it out for now, so back down I went.

After a long wait the women were ready to get on the track. The Canadian, Melissa Hollingsworth, the number one ranked in the word is suppose to do really well. A little side note - we meet her grandparents on the bus ride up - kinda cool.

Blink! Holly crap those girls go by fast! They are doing somewhere around 120-130 km/hr - head first! It's amazing to watch. There is no stearing like the luge, a little toe drag helps, but that's it. Now something I didn't know... they are not riding on blades. I always thought it was like skate blade, but the rails are rounded steel, no sharpness at all. After the first ladies run we started up the track towards the start for some different views.

We started the mens runs in the stands at the start line. This was one of my favorite spots because the skeleton start is so unique. I think it lends well to my track background.... since i'm now going to take it up :)

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD! As I'm typing this up the Canadian just won Gold in the mens skeleton! Woo hoo!

Sweet! I got to see his first two runs! So for the second of the mens runs we started down the track. Watched at the finish line, but you really don't see anything there. We finished at the last corner where the speeds are reaching 145 km/hr!

Awesome day! It was off back down the hill and back to Vancouver. By the time we got in it was nearing 1 am. My knee is now killing me. Man the Olympics are so much fun!