More spectators than Lake Louise

Last night was the qualifying runs. It is the evening that TV gets to work out its bugs (as does timing and data). Alphasports TV has to perform. We get to pull out all the equipment that we have begged, borrowed or stole (ok, borrowed... Many thanks to Precision Sports Timing as well).

Radar is one of the technologies that should be so simple, but often isn't. It is still a black art. The particular radar gun we use now 'should' send out only the data we want (the max peak speed). However, it doesn't work correctly. After talking to the vendor, they claimed that it 'sort of' works. No kidding. Many thanks to Ken Smith in North Bay, ON who created a magic box that captures the radar data and cleans it up. Without that happening, the radar graphic on TV would be a mess.

On the CBC show tonight, you might get to see some of the trial runs. It now looks like it doesn't come on until 12:40 AM (Sunday morning - Saturday night). You can watch it live on the internet (streaming) on CBC Sports or on CBC 4 (there is a CBC 4??). That may also be known as CBC Bold. Something I am sure you have to pay for if you don't have it already.

Tonight is an elimination night. Every goes in fours. You will see different bib colours on each racer and fastest to the bottom wins. Watch for the Austrian with the coloured Red mustache.

New pictures have been uploaded to my web site.

Almost Winter and the training starts

Friday dawned with a training run at 7am. The first trip out at 6am proved that it was much colder than I thought. Back to the room. Gortex rain pants, Sypder Shell and the North Face jacket. Glad I did that as standing on the start ramp right by the Chateau Frontenac was about the same as standing at the start at Lake Louise. (Ok, not THAT bad, but you get the idea). The wind was howling off the river from the east. Still above zero, but not warm like the other days.

Training was entertaining, if you were a spectator. Many did not make it 20 feet before sliding down on their butts. Others crashed hard into the right turn near the bottom. That is the very steep part that has a 'compression' at the bottom followed by an immediate right turn. Many hit the wall very very hard. Also, it looked like that wall took some damage, as I saw the crews rebuilding it and strengthening it.

The attached video is from the start of the media race earlier today. There are 2 small jumps on the ramp down. That seems to do in about 1/2 the people. If you don't make it over those jumps, you don't make it up the ramp at the bottom. A fair number of media types did spend a bit of time figuring how to climb up that hill.

I did keep looking or Rick Mercer to be in this. Haven't seen him yet.

Just like any sports event, more and more people start to show up who apparently know more about everything. This event is no different.

Yesterday, we got most of the core items in place. Today, my goal was to spend the morning working on the start. I had hoped to get the start eyes connected as well as seeing the start gates. As I jumped over the security gate, I immediately got stopped by security. Fortunately, Richard spoke English and explained we were not allowed on the ice at all. Well, there goes my morning. Hopefully tonight.

I have uploaded some pictures (just click here for those of you internet challenged). Keep that link handy as I will add photos as the days go on.

Tonight will be the crash test dummy test (about 8pm). Tomorrow is training runs and then on Saturday morning will be the time trials.

Crashed Ice - Quebec City

So, another escape from my full time job. The boys in RFID land have allowed me the pleasure to head to Quebec City for the Red Bull Crashed Ice bonanza. Or, maybe they didn't notice as they are on a cruise in the Caribbean. You can watch the short video for an idea on the insanity. 100,000 people show up to watch this. I didn't know you could fit that many people in old Quebec.

I'm going to find out what happened to this class action law suit. One guy doesn't like it as it takes 5 weeks to set up and a few weeks to take down. However, it does bring over $11M to the city. That is hard to ignore. If Quebec City didn't want it, then there are many other cities that would love it. Montreal included. Maybe we could do it in Toronto off the Bloor viaduct!

Many thanks to CBC for the image. It is to be aired at 11:40pm on Saturday night.

Jimmy and I are there, working for Alphasports TV (aka: Andy). As timing gigs go, it is pretty simple (compared to a World Cup downhill race).

Today was a civilized travel day. My sister picks me up and drives me over to the train station in Oshawa. Arrive 30 minutes early, pick up your ticket, get back in the car for a trip to Tim's and back 10 minutes before the train arrives. No security check. I don't need to worry that my bottle of contact lens cleaner is greater than 100ml. You get the picture.

And, you get internet. However, it is best you bring your own. You can plug in your laptop as soon as you sit down, stretch out your legs and plug in your HSBA Telus air card. Now, I have as much internet as I have at home. Very nice.