So.. more on the radar

Having just returned from dinner with the team, I had a chance to talk to the Skunk about the radar data.  

It is too bad that the speed data was NOT presented to viewers.  What you would have seen is all the speed variances at each racer.  This was due to the wind just slightly above me.  While it seemed to be that the wind was blowing down the pitch, on the top of the pitch, it was blowing into their faces slowing them down.  

By the end of the race, the sun had started to come out and wind died.  You do the math.

CBC sucks

Apparently they are not using our Radar Speed graphics.

Surprise to us.

So, unfortunately, you at home didn't get to see speeds.  I'm not sure if you got a verbal or not, and won't be able to tell until I get home next week.

This was a boring DH from my perspective.  There wasn't much of a change in the first 30.  Peter Fill raced a great race.  If your going to watch this, and haven't already, it doesn't get exciting until the end until the sun started to come out.

It was pretty warm by Lake Louise standards (-6C at the start I think), but it was absolutely freezing where I was 1/3 of the way down the course.  With no sun, and a wind it just chilled me to the bone.

Tomorrow is the Super G.  We moved the start down the mountain (to the top of Tickety Chutes -- just above where I was standing).  Again, timing was the last off the mountain as we had to wire in all 5 channels of data we use to our equipment (for you timing propeller heads, that is:

1. Primary Start 
2. Backup Start
3. Headset for starter
4. Headset for backup hand timing
5. Data - This is for the display board that we run at the start

This means we have to pull the cables out of the trees and then splice in our lines.  Not hard work, but still an hour's worth of splicing at cold temps.  And, we have to wait till all the other crews have moved their equipment in place (like put the tent up, install the start posts, medial has to put up the pretty looking face that you see on TV, etc).  

So, after that is done, we skied down in the almost dark.  It is work next Saturday as it all runs late and we ski down in total darkness.

Now, some of the nicer things about the Chateau Lake Louise.  Last night, while trying to find a package that was couriered to me from Toronto last Sunday, I found out that Canada Post does NOT deliver to the Chateau.  But, it isn't in Lake Louise either. Canada Posts web page says it is in Edmonton, but apparently parts of Canada Post are on strike.  If I'm lucky, I will get it before I leave for home a week ago.  The staff here did all they could to find it.  No joy yet.

Part 2 was that one of the staff at the desk offered to help me out with my laundry by taking it to a wash and fold in Banff today.  20 minutes later, we find out that there is no wash and fold.  Damn, that means I might have to do my own laundry on Monday.  But, wait one...  They offer to throw my laundry (not much) into theirs and have it delivered to my room later today.  When I got back, there it was.. all folded and clean.  Excellent. 

Today is race day

I'm writing this from my blackberry just in case I come up with some funny words.

-6C and a little breezy at the top. Track is in excellent shape, but the rest of the resort is a lot this. It hasn't snowed since I've been here.

Should be a good race. Watch for the 2 speed traps. We are using radar instead of the normal 'eyes'.

Speed 1 (where I'm standing) is about 34 seconds into the race. It should be the fastest reading - about 130kph.

Speed 2 is at the bottom of Gun Barrel and the speeds should be a little less.

Enjoy the show.

Day one training race

After meeting for breakfast at 6:30am (that means getting up at 6), we head off to LL and crawl up to the timing hut (in the dark).  

Today, was the first training day.  It went really well for us and we really got to test out the new radar equipment which was a solid success.  This technology, which we are pioneering, makes getting speeds much more reliable.  We are using 2 of them on the race course, both of which you should be able to see on the live show on CBC on Saturday.  

In the 2  pictures I have attached, one looks a little dark, and that is on purpose.  What it is really showing is that our very sensitive timing finish eye is having to look right at the Sun.  Amazingly, it worked fine, but nothing I would recommend to anyone.  

Bodie Millar won the training run (not that that is really anything to call home about).

I got back to the Chateau a little later than usual, only to meet up with the boys in one of the rooms.  Coop is attempting to fly his little Walkera 4#3B helicopter with some success.  It seems with the more rum he has, the better he is at it.  Not that there hasn't been a few crashes (including him dumping the ice bucket).  Now, this is a bad thing, as the humidity in the rooms is about 1% (maybe I'm exaggerating)... but it is very very dry.  The ice/water on the carpet can only help.

(As for the pictures, I will upload them in the morning when we get some reasonable internet back... at this time of the evening, it is just not usuable).

Tuesday (yes, it is only Tuesday)

I'm finding out that the internet here is just not what we are used to back home.  Then again, I guess I should be just enjoying the wonderful outside world!

So, moving on, yesterday and today was all about getting all the timing toys hooked up.  It does take a significant amount of effort to ensure that all the start devices, display boards, headset lines and even the finish line set just right.  

We had not been able to get to the start until this morning (we usually get up there on day one).  It just wasn't worth the trip to the top and then to have to ski down some trails that don't have the best snow cover on them.  From what I hear, other than the race track, which looks pretty good, there is only one other trail to ski to get back to the bottom.  

Today, we had the pleasure of getting the finish line hooked up and adjusted in the dark.  The sun had long set and we were just working with headlamps to get it done.  

Tomorrow is the first training run.  We are all set to go with the exception of hooking up one display board in coaches corner.  

The funniest part of the day?  Have a look at this video (ok, most of us do have a warped sense of humour).  To the best of our knowledge, no squirrels were hurt in the filming of this video.

Hotel Internet

This is starting to sound like a broken record, but how is it we can get free HIGH speed internet in a Motel 6, but not the same here in the Chateau.  Hence, the reason for no updates.  All the 'kids' arrived last night and totally swapped the hotel internet.  

It might be time for our secret weapon and pipe our own high speed from across the valley.  

More to come...

If this is November, it must be Lake Louise Alberta

Hi all

It has been some time since I've updated my racing/timing blog.  The same team is at it again and we travelled from points all over the world to meet here in Lake Louise Alberta.  Clearly one of the nice stops on the World Cup circuit.  We are here for 16 days of sun and some of the coldest weather that these racers race in.

Our digs for this trip is the Chateau Lake Louise.  Just one of the best views in the world.  

Our team comes from all over.  Ted and Andy from Montreal (Andy leaving in the middle of a bathroom renovation and he did confirm he did get the one and only toilet working before he left his pregnant wife).  James from Hawaii (you can read his R Rated blog--don't say I didn't warn you).  Dick, James, Mark and Coop all do the drive from Calgary, while Jim does his battles with Canada customs coming in from the Detroit area.

As I write this, I'm watching Canada's weather network, and I'm seeing the video from Ontario with all the snow they've received in the last week.  They are even skiing on the mountains of Mount St. Louis plus a host of other resorts.  Got to love those snow squalls.

Now, how is the snow here?  Check out the web cam for Lake Louise.  At least the ground is covered, but Coop was able to pull the trailer with almost a Ton (yes a Ton) of timing equipment up to the timing shack.  There is likely another Ton of Video equipment in the trailer as well.  The FIS did pass the track under their snow control program -- not that that is saying much, as we have seen snow control pass even with lawn mowers on the track.

Today, we get to head up and do some actual skiing.  We will start to ring out some of the wires, do some testing to ensure that the wires are OK.  The goal is for a training run on Wednesday.