The best laid plans…

You can plan all you want, but there are forces outside your control that can throw a wrench into those plans.  We use an expression often as it relates to Ironman preparation…”take the day for what it gives you”.   I suspect that has become the mantra for Olympic organizers, athletes, and spectators over the past couple of days as Mother Nature leaves her mark…with rain!

First, we had a great trip into Vancouver.  Some low cloud but when we touched down…beautiful weather.  In fact, we had lunch outside at Granville Island with the seagulls close-by waiting for a morsel or two to fall.   A quick trip out to Speed Theory in Kitslano for some new gear (time to replace the helmet Mark cracked when he crashed at IMC last year), and after a stop for some yummy, sticky cinnamon buns, we got checked into the hotel.

Last night we saw Sweden play Slovakia in women’s hockey.  What a great game.   While it was a blow-out game when Slovakia played Canada on the weekend, this one was a better match-up with Sweden being the stronger, faster team…but the Slovakia goal-tender was amazing!  This is the first time Slovakia has had a women’s Olympic hockey team. I can’t even begin to imagine their excitement about being in Vancouver representing their country.

Our hotel is situated right on the water and the fireworks seen from our window before heading off to bed were spectacular.  Vancouver Olympic Committee has done an incredible job…but alas, the rain.

General admission tickets for spectators to Men’s Snowboard Cross yesterday and Women’s Snowboard Cross today have been cancelled and will be refunded.  Keeping fingers crossed that conditions are ‘good enough’ for the athletes to have a good day.

…and, several hours later, it was OBVIOUSLY a good day…Canada’s Maelle Ricker won GOLD! 

A shot of the Olympic Flame…