The four-man bobsleigh heat three and medal heat four at the Whistler Sliding Center was quite the experience and venue. I have never been to a NASCAR race before but I imagine the atmosphere was similar. It sounded like a thundering roar from a giant beast each time a bobsled went into the final turn of Whistler Sliding Center. As each bobsleigh made that turn it would be accompanied by the cheering of fans from all nations, regardless of what nation was zipping down the track. Of course, you could always tell when the home team was coming toward you. When a Canadian sleigh was going down it would be exceptionally loud, but regardless, there was no booing at this event.
There were concessions and plenty of beer for the spectators who stood all along the track but with the majority in the circle at the bottom of turn 16 standing trying to take a picture as the bobsleigh zoomed by or sitting on the banks in the snow or just watching on the big screen.
There were crazy fans too numerous to name, but ill give you a few. A trio of English people who, to quote Forgetting Sarah Marshall, “sounded like they’re from London,” dressed out in nothing but British flags. A pair of Canadians wore buffalo antlers while another Canadian had a jumbotron on his head. There were two Swiss horn blowers that looked like something right out of a Ricola commercial. But most amazing sighting was 1964 Canadian bobsleigh gold medalist John Emery wearing his vintage 1964 Olympic jacket. Mr. Emery was nice enough to answer a couple questions for me about bobsleigh in general and these games.
What do you think are the main differences between bobsleigh back in 1964 at Innsbruck compared to today?
“I think the main difference is that the sleds are faster and articulated. They are safer because of a cowling that wraps around over the top of it so the runners they stay in the sled when the crash back in our days we used to fly out of the sled. And that’s about it. The outfits are a little more sleek and things like that but everything else pretty much the same.”
Was the training the same?
“Oh no, no, no, it is much more intense now it’s a year-round event. When we did it we did all kinds of other sports and practiced a few weeks here and there when we could.”
What was the thrill of getting a gold medal like?
“Well it’s always a thrill to get a gold medal. It was easily one of the greatest days of my life.”
What is the highlight of the Vancouver games, do you think?
“Definitely the enthusiasm of the crowd.”
The enthusiasm was indeed something to be admired. It was an atmosphere with no negativity just pure positive Olympic spirit. USA 1 and driver Steven Holcomb’s “Night Train” Bobsleigh took the gold very comfortably. Germany 1 came in second, finishing only a hundredth of a second faster than Lyndon Rush and Canada 1, which took the bronze.
It was clear that the experience and atmosphere of the event far outweighed the results. No matter who won, the fans would have cheered hard and had a great time. There is no doubt that the Olympic spirit was alive and well at the Whistler Sliding Center on Saturday.
Sunday, however, emotions ran high at the men’s hockey finale that pitted the undefeated United States against the hosting Canadians. USA forced overtime, but Sidney Crosby beat American goalie Ryan Miller and won it for Team Canada, getting the country’s first gold medal on home ice in the sport it adores. I’ll tell you more about the craziness surrounding that thrilling victory tomorrow. Right now, I’m going to get back out there and experience it for myself.
