The winter Olympics – from our Bird at the Games #Van2010
Yesterday for you, but today (still) for me, I saw the women’s 3000m speed skating.
Now I wouldn’t say I dislike sport, but I have very little interest in it. I can ski and I can skate (roller and ice, am significantly better at rollerblading over ice skating) and I used to be reasonable at the usual track and field events, but watching it? no, it’s not my thing.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I knew I was going to be watching the speedskating finals. For a start I knew zip about any of the finalists and I had no idea how the actual scoring took place, so I was expecting to attend with one eye on the clock and the other on the skaters. I wasn’t wrong.
Once Kev (my hubby) had explained that we were in an excellent position, on the bend with a view of the finish line and how the scoring worked, I thought OK, let’s see what happens.
The skaters skated in pairs and the laps are timed, the coaches hold up cards showing the lap times and the skaters are focused on the ice and building their speed. The first one set a time of 4m 20 secs, the subsequent skaters are compared to that time, so the next pair are shown as faster or slower than that laptime, so my eye was constantly on the clock!
The skaters are really focused. They have such intense concentration, they are oblivious to everything other than beating the clock.They have a grace and fluidity that I have never seen before in athletes and at times, the pairs were in complete unison as they flowed across the ice. Simply put, they made it look effortless.
Sablikova was a joy to watch, her physique’s different from the other skaters, she is tall and slender. The others have slim ankles and thighs that would crack walnuts – their legs are amazing. Give Sablikova a few years and hers will be the same.
She was intensely focused on achieving a certain time, 31 seconds for the lap. Again, her grace and fluidity were a joy to watch and as she sped round the last 2 laps as she passed we were on our feet clapping her and I doubt she heard a sound. When she flew across the line the stadium erupted in cheers and thunderous applause, her coach was thrilled and she slowly skated around the track and came back to reality. The Czech fans in the audience were going wild, the Dutch had many finalists (speed skating originated from people skating across frozen Dutch canels) also applauded her.
She was in first place and watching the next competing skaters rise up and down the ranks in comparison was nailbiting, I wanted this young girl to win, and she had some stiff competition. More Canadians and Dutch had qualified including the inspiring Cindy Klassen who had triumphed over her knee injuries to win a place in the finals. The last pair was a German Stephanie Berkert and Canada’s own Kristina Groves. Watching them speed around the track was mindblowing, at one point on the scoreboard they were in first and second place, but at the next bend it all change again and Sablikova was still at the top. Bekert was one of the favourites to win and she put on a fantastic performance, in the Olympics a few seconds makes all the difference, a difference between gold medal glory and 4th place. Canada got another but not the gold they were longing for, they got that elsewhere, but the speedskaters gave it their all and it showed. From the glamorous Japanese skaters to enthusiastic, orange clad Dutch skaters, it truly was a sight to behold.
Tomorrow (today as you read this) I will be ascending Grouse mountain to see the world from a different view point and then it’s off to figure skating 
About Sarah ArrowSarah Arrow is the managing editor of Birds on the Blog, in real life she is the communications director of a same day courier service. She is an enthusiastic UK based pro-blogger and co- author of the soon to be published Zero to Blogger
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25 Responses to The winter Olympics – from our Bird at the Games #Van2010
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wow envious
wow envious
Glad you’re enjoying yourself, Boss!
At times like this it’s good to remember that even those who miss out on a medal are giving of their own very best that they can on the day – and they’re still amongst the very best in the entire world…
!
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
there isn’t a doubt in my mind Linda that these women were not giving it their best shot
Glad you’re enjoying yourself, Boss!
At times like this it’s good to remember that even those who miss out on a medal are giving of their own very best that they can on the day – and they’re still amongst the very best in the entire world…
!
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
there isn’t a doubt in my mind Linda that these women were not giving it their best shot
Sounds fantastic!
The speedskating is one of my faves, particularly the sprint events. Could never have done it myself; couldn’t cope with thighs that size:/
Have another great day:)
yes I agree Elaine, never being able to wear a mini skirt would put me off of skating as well
, I also hear that the thighs make it almost impossible to wear trousers too!
Sounds fantastic!
The speedskating is one of my faves, particularly the sprint events. Could never have done it myself; couldn’t cope with thighs that size:/
Have another great day:)
yes I agree Elaine, never being able to wear a mini skirt would put me off of skating as well
, I also hear that the thighs make it almost impossible to wear trousers too!
Sounds like you are having an amazing time.
I was never any good at anything requiring balance…or mini skirts
Are you going to do a blog on the figure skating?
Sounds like you are having an amazing time.
I was never any good at anything requiring balance…or mini skirts
Are you going to do a blog on the figure skating?
Sounds like a fab time! Wish I could be there to see the figure skating – looking forward to the blog about that!
Twitter: nikkipilkington
Sounds like a fab time! Wish I could be there to see the figure skating – looking forward to the blog about that!
Twitter: nikkipilkington
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Sounds like good fun to me Sarah. Did you see any of the cross country seeing? that is something I would love to see live one day
Twitter: ethnicsupplies
No I didnt see that Ida
the winners were sublime.
I have since seen the figure skating pairs final – they are so graceful
Also seen the Ice Hockey and Ladies Downhill Moguls.
It was pretty spectacular and the athletes – omg, they are so dedicated and committed.
Sounds like good fun to me Sarah. Did you see any of the cross country seeing? that is something I would love to see live one day
Twitter: ethnicsupplies
No I didnt see that Ida
the winners were sublime.
I have since seen the figure skating pairs final – they are so graceful
Also seen the Ice Hockey and Ladies Downhill Moguls.
It was pretty spectacular and the athletes – omg, they are so dedicated and committed.
I love watching speed skating, whether it’s the girls or Apolo Ohno. The sheer elegance in motion is a joy to watch.
Here in the US, the NBC coverage has been spoiled by constant showing of the poor luge man who died tragically in practice so I haven’t watched much
My favourite is downhill skiing and super slalom, which I gather have been delayed due to lack of snow.
By the way, the restaurants in Whistler were pretty good when I was there a while ago, would love to hear about the food!
Twitter: maverickny
I love watching speed skating, whether it’s the girls or Apolo Ohno. The sheer elegance in motion is a joy to watch.
Here in the US, the NBC coverage has been spoiled by constant showing of the poor luge man who died tragically in practice so I haven’t watched much
My favourite is downhill skiing and super slalom, which I gather have been delayed due to lack of snow.
By the way, the restaurants in Whistler were pretty good when I was there a while ago, would love to hear about the food!
Twitter: maverickny
Sounds like you are having a great time. Can’t wait for your next post.
It’s been fabulous, am planning my next post to be about the Olympic spirit
Sounds like you are having a great time. Can’t wait for your next post.
It’s been fabulous, am planning my next post to be about the Olympic spirit