Day 5: (1) Make it nice for TV, and (2) Happy Birthday Manny

Tomorrow is "dry run" for men's downhill, then athletes have training runs planned for Feb 10, 11, 12, raceday is Feb 13. Just about all our work today was to make things look good for TV: a bunch of B-Nets we put up the last few days, all exactly as instructed, had to be moved because they partially obscured TV camera views, or did not look so good when seen on camera. Also, extra precautions made for safety, so more Willy-bags to install. Finally, they needed to check out downhill start, so I got to pose as a racer in the men's Downhill start gate (I am not sure I am allowed to send you any pictures that give away what things look like, so don't tell on me). They did not really need a pic, but I thought it would neat photo op.

I also got invited to Manny Osborne-Paradis's birthday party, see pics of him with Jan Hudec. Actually, the Whistler Weasels, the local group of volunteers that does the work putting on many events here, have a "hospitality tent" each time, this year's a huge tent that could put on a large scale wedding. Hospitality tent is a euphimism, it is really called the "beer tent". And it really does flow. Local athletes often come by, their way of saying thanks for organizers who put in so much time and effort.

7:15 AM waiting for gondola to open so we can upload.

Note reflective material on Olympic rings on back of our jackets.

Climbing the TV tower to install Willy-Bags

View looking down Weasel as we work on A-Nets. Note quadruple

B-Net and white air mattress as protection from TV tower
in case racers fall after the greenish colored gate on left.

10 seconds ... racer ready ... GO! (Yes that is me in start gate.)

Climbing up support post for A-net to tighten them up pre-race. Nice view too! (No that is not me up there!)

Jan, Manny, then Manny and Birthday Cake. I wonder what he is wishing for Feb 13!