Battling the elements in Whistler

It's proving to be a struggle to run the speed events at our venue in Whistler. Unseasonable warm weather mixed with precipitation is causing delays in the schedule as course crews work around the clock to keep the course race ready. Just when it looks like we'll be getting a break with colder temperatures the fog rolls into the mid-mountain making it too dangerous to send racers. However, the weather forcast is looking favorable and I think we will start handing out Alpine Medals soon. Early in the morning we head up the lifts to the top of the mountain where it is a different world. The snow is light and deep and the views are amazing.

As we descend and enter the race courses we see legions of "Whistler Weasel Workers" battling to remove the accumulation of snow with any means available. The dedication and effort is inspiring. These volunteers will not give up!

Down in the finish area photographers are hoping to get glimpses of racers skiing through so they can at least get some images to send out to thier agencies that day. Canon and Nikon both have camera repair and service centers set up at the media center here in Whistler and I think they are getting a lot of work drying out cameras and lenses!

With the events on hold we have time to open up boxes in the media center and see what's in them. Here I'm putting up some signs that we found in the finish area. Attention to detail is what we as Olympic Alpine Photography Management are most proud of.

We might be a bit behind schedule but Whistler is bursting at the seams. The world is here and they are shopping.

With any luck we'll get a Ladies' Downhill Training run off tomorrow and Monday we will have the Mens' race.

Stay tuned!!!!