The sun came out today...for a bit a least.
OK, so I'm realizing that doing a day-to-day thing may be a little overzealous of me. The past few days have been getting off to an early start, hopping in the car by 7am to get up to the Nordic site and ready for action by 8am. With the first event looming in everyones' mind - it's important for Salomon to be onsight and present in the days few days leading up to the event in case of last minute equipment tweeks.
What consists of equipment tweeks? Everything from binding installation on new skis, binding upgrade from old skis, replacement of broken bindings, installation of the SNS Wedge and preparation of podium skis (skis to be displayed by top 3 winners on the podium).
Fischer came to us this morning to mount their Podium skis with the new SNS Propulse...At least they got part of it right!
Mornings are the busiest as this is when most of the teams are testing equipment, trying to mimic the upcoming race start. Techs are busy waxing and testing skis, athletes are focused on testing their race (or potential) race skis and our job is to assist them in whatever they need...For example, yesterday afternoon we tested 8 pairs of skating skis, all prepared the same, except for the grind. Based on our glide out/feel tests, one grind in particular came out ahead - We passed on this pair to an Australian skier (Ben Simm) to test against his current 'best' skis. It surpassed all of his skis and he ended up racing on it today - placing 44th - A good result.
With minutes to spare before the race start, we bundle up with warm (and waterproof) clothes, lock up the cabin and head out on course. Bertrand and Anthony's job is to cover the start/finish areas for last minute support or emergency. If a boot breaks, if snow is caught in the sole, then they are there to help the athletes.
As only one 'service' team member is allowed on the start line, I get to go on course and watch the action! Not a bad deal...
Spectators walking back from the biathlon stadium, on route to the Nordic stadium
Immediately following the race, Bertrand and Anthony are once again on standby, but this time to give athletes some 'podium' skis for their media interviews. With the O-Games being held in our backyard, the media is all over our Canadian athletes - and as most rely on Salomon products, we have to be ready to make sure everyone looks pretty for the cameras!
Babikov getting interviewed following the race, 'podium' skis in hand!With minutes to spare before the race start, we bundle up with warm (and waterproof) clothes, lock up the cabin and head out on course. Bertrand and Anthony's job is to cover the start/finish areas for last minute support or emergency. If a boot breaks, if snow is caught in the sole, then they are there to help the athletes.
As only one 'service' team member is allowed on the start line, I get to go on course and watch the action! Not a bad deal...
Spectators walking back from the biathlon stadium, on route to the Nordic stadiumImmediately following the race, Bertrand and Anthony are once again on standby, but this time to give athletes some 'podium' skis for their media interviews. With the O-Games being held in our backyard, the media is all over our Canadian athletes - and as most rely on Salomon products, we have to be ready to make sure everyone looks pretty for the cameras!
Tomorrow is another busy day...Hope you are all enjoying the show...but it's time for me to go to bed!
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