February 17, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Richmond, Professional & Spectator Sports
After checking out the women's 500m speed skating on Tuesday, it became obvious that the sport is much bigger in the rest of the world than it is here in Vancouver.
Most of the fans in the beautiful and new Richmond Olympic Oval were cheering for Canada, but I was still blown away by how many fans there were from the other competing countries. The two biggest and most passionate groups of spectators had to be the Dutch and the Japanese.
It was obvious after just a few minutes in the oval that the Dutch LOVE speed skating. All decked out in orange they were the most passionate and loudest fans in attendance. It was really sad to see one of their best skaters, Annette Gerritsen, fall during her first race. Hopefully she can come back strong in the 1000m and the 1500m.
The Japanese fans did not disappoint either, waving flags, holding up signs and making a ton of noise. Their skaters seemed to really appreciate the support, waving and smiling at their fans on a number of occasions during the event.
Unfortunately, neither the Dutch or the Japanese made the podium, and neither did the Canadians, with Christine Nesbitt the finishing a Canadian best 10th place.
The day belonged to Sang-Hwa Lee of South Korea, who won the gold. Silver went to Jenny Wolf of Germany and bronze to Beixing Wang of China.
In all the event was great fun and hopefully the new Richmond Olympic Oval can help to increase the popularity of speed skating in Vancouver and generate a greater interest in the sport.
What do you think the lasting legacy will be of the Olympic Oval? Post your thoughts in the comments, or if you're a BC student consider submitting them to the 2010 Learning Legacies Competition!
February 16, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Art Galleries & Artists
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Granville Island is pretty much Vancouver’s art capital, packed with galleries, pottery, gold and silversmith studios and even the prestigious Emily Carr University. Can it get much artier?
Thanks to a 2010 Winter Games exhibit, Portraits in the Street, yes it can. I’m in the bohemian Railspur Alley, gawping in wonder at a painting of hockey superstar Wayne Gretsky by none other than pop art maestro, ANDY WARHOL.
Twenty four framed photos and paintings of Canadian Olympians and Paralympians line a brick wall, making for a perfect sunny afternoon stroll. Others include a relaxed black & white shot of Canada’s most decorated ski racer, Nancy Greene Raine (now Director of Skiing at Sun Peaks resort).
Scary but impressive, is a masked close-up of legendary hockey player, Cassie Campbell, taken by Bryan Adams. Yes, musician BRYAN ADAMS.
February 16, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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Having moved to British Columbia from the UK, I’ve still never been to the East Coast – but am seriously keen to visit, after checking out the Atlantic Canada House (an Olympic Games pavilion). Held three times daily at the Revue Stage on Granville Island, Come On In! is an awesome, foot-stomping musical tour of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador.
With cinematic backdrops, musicians from each of these provinces gave us glimpses into their personal lives, families, homes and breathtaking views of sandy beaches, and rolling Anne of Green Gables-style countryside. (Author LM Montgomery came from Prince Edward Island).
Long-haired Newfie, Daniel Payne had everyone clapping and whooping along to his square dance tunes on the accordion, while New Brunswick singer Monique Poirier showed audience members how to play musical spoons and recreated a proper Atlantic Kitchen Party, with fiddle, guitars and hearty singing and even tap dancing.
This much fun – and all before booze o’clock! I now get why ‘Acadians’ call soft drinks “mixers”!
February 16, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Culinary Tours & Schools
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It’s Nova Scotia Day at Vancouver's Winter Olympics so I took the chance to sample seafood at the Atlantic Canada House on Granville Island. Otherwise known as the Backstage Lounge, it’s sandwiched between the Public Market and Inukshuk Gallery.
Waiting in line, I chatted to the Mills family from Salisbury, UK who had tickets to multiple Olympic events, including speed skating and curling at Richmond’s Oval. “Today we’re taking a day off for the arty, cultural stuff,” admitted Mr Mills.
Once in, we were served piping hot mussels and everywhere I looked were trays piled with gourmet Nova Scotian fare. I loved the salmon with apple cream cheese, blueberry and maple shakes – and scallops with delicate yam crisps. Just as I was ready to roll out, another tray appeared, full of mini-lamb burgers topped with berry relish. Delicious.
All the food tasting got me in thinking about lunch, so I popped into the Public Market for farm-fresh veggies, sweet grape bread from Terra Breads and Vancouver’s best chocolate (I think) – Thomas Haas – from the Edible British Columbia stall.
February 16, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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After watching coverage of Alexandre Bilodeau receiving his mogels gold medal, it was time to get out and celebrate Canada's first gold at a winter Olympics. I headed down to Livecity Yaletown for the Matisyahu concert.
Unbelievably the queues to get in were even longer than Saturday's Wilco lines – and we were still waiting as the opening tracks rang out. Luckily we got a decent view through the fence.
Cutting a striking figure in his black baseball cap, and skater jeans, Matisyahu was on fire, bounding around the stage and building his mix of rock, hip hop and reggae to blinding sonic heights. A Hasidic Jew from New York he seamlessly blends culture, religion and politics in his lyrics – and does a kicking human beatbox number to boot.
“Hey Vancouver, thanks for coming together in the rain tonight – PEACE!” he yelled to sodden fans. We were treated to hits like King Without a Crown, the lilting Jerusalem and my fave, the epic One Day off his latest album Light.
February 15, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Art Galleries & Artists
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In downtown Vancouver for some shopping at The Bay, and Pacific Centre mall, I took a stroll along Granville Street to see the Cultural Olympiad’s LunarFest. Different installations all link Canada culturally with Taiwan, starting off with the Lantern Forest. Steel trees support thousands of brightly-coloured lanterns that are designed by schoolchildren from both countries. At night they’re all lit up like big fireflies.
Next to the lanterns are sculptures called Love, Life and Light. Again these are transformed into neon brilliance at dusk. Brue Voyce’s mythical creation, ‘Confusion Fusion’ is made from recycled materials like pop bottles. And artist lu Ping-Cheng has built an elaborate umbilical cord, symbolically connecting Taiwan and Canada.
Further down the street, people are posing for photos inside sculptural cut-out shapes of Olympic skiers, skaters and boarders. I can’t resist.
February 15, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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“QUAAAAATCHIIII!!!! SUUUUUUMIIIIII!!!! MIIIIIIGAAAA!!!!!” Hysterical fans of 2010’s cuddly Olympic mascots were screeching their heads off just for a chance to pet or hug the giant furry creatures. I thought I might be the only big kid at Robson Square’s GE Plaza in Vancouver but no, ‘kids’ of all ages crammed around the ice rink to meet their idols. You’d have thought Madonna or Brad Pitt was in town – such was the level of excitement.
The ice rink had been transformed into an enchanted forest and other skaters in leafy green outfits twirled in formation around the stars. A commentator gave us the lowdown on the Winter Games Mascots: Miga (black and white) is a sea bear, which in First Nations mythology is part Orca whale and part Kermode bear. A snowboarding fanatic, she normally lives in surf capital, Tofino. Quatchi (huge and fluffy with blue ear muffs) is a Canadian sasquatch from the Great White North – and he loves ice hockey.
Mascot to the Paralympic Games, green Sumi loves skiing. He wears the hat of an Orca, flies with Thunderbird wings and skates on furry bear legs. Their sidekick marmot, Muk Muk was absent, maybe marmots just don’t skate?
At the end, we all did get our moment with the mascots as they glided around for big hugs, and putting wide grins on little faces. And afterwards it was time to put on skates (rentals are $3) and make the most of the free ice rink.
February 14, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Richmond, Sightseeing Tours
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Complementing the myriad of shows, installations and games at Richmond’s Olympic OZone complex is BC Street. I took a stroll along its collection of stalls showcasing British Columbia’s diverse communities, from log cabins in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast to alpine peaks in the Kootenay Rockies. All offered competitions to win awesome holidays in the province.
At the Comox Valley tent, I delved back into pioneer history on a virtual heritage walk. Exhibits at the Vancouver Coast & Mountains stall included guest ranching, scuba diving and winery touring. I made the most of their free samples of local honey and cheese.
Vancouver Island’s Sooke demoed its ‘Wild by Nature’ side, with a killer whale replica and mock marina, complete with lighthouse. Also coastal and wild, Tofino’s booth proved a real hit, taking photos of visitors on green screens, then superimposing them onto surfing or salmon fishing scenes. My husband can now boast he caught the Tyee (the “big one” in Aboriginal parance).
February 14, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Richmond, Festivals & Events
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Catching the sleek new Canada Line Skytrain to Richmond’s OZone for more Olympic fun, I got through the gates just in time to see crowds massing around the Main Stage for the Chinese New Year celebrations: the Double Dragon Dance.
Everything about today seemed to be super or super-size; from the sunshine, the sheer size of the OZone complex – to the 100-metre long Chinese dragon, held up by hundreds of volunteers. Along with its partner dragon and a couple of lions, the fiery creature swirled, ducked and circled spectators, sending whoops of delight among us all, before bowing in respect to Richmond’s mayor and councilors on the stage.
A mass Tai Chi performance followed, creating a flowing red sea of bodies around the dragons – truly graceful.
Aside from bands and shows, the Ozone is packed with activities. I got a chance to try the outdoor skating rink (perfect on a sunny Sunday afternoon), learn about the Richmond Oval legacy which promotes sports for youth, and take a virtual bobsleigh ride in the 2010 Games Dome.
On the way out I took in the Ice Gate - a colourful, jagged ice sculpture by BC artist Gordon Halloran. It reminded me of Vancouver’s mountainous skyline at sunset – something I had a great view of on the way back to the Skytrain.
February 14, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Richmond, Wineries & Vineyards
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While in Richmond to see the O Zone and BC Street, I visited the Inniskillin ice wine booth for a 3 flight tasting ($10). Mmmmm.
To go with the ice wine theme, there were enormous ice scupltures and ice bowls (shown in the picture).
The ice wine I liked best happened to be the one of the three that was from BC. The Okanagan Riesling was the sweetest... and I have a sweet tooth :)