Day 6: Men's DH Timed Training

Today was the first day of scheduled timed training run's for the men's downhill.  In order to run a downhill race, all competitors must have completed at least one training run on the course.  Things started off well, with good visibility, and the training progress just fine up to racer 42 of 87.  Then the cloud/fog moved in and, after keeping everyone around waiting from about noon until 3:00 pm, they called off the rest of the training runs.  So, we still have to get at least one complete training run done prior to holding the downhill race.  The photo on the left shows the scene behind the start hut, as the racers await their turn to shoot out of the gate onto the Dave Murray Downhill.  Our Canadian Cowboys did well, with Robbie Dixon placing 2nd, Manny Osborne-Paradis 6th and Erik Guay 14th.

I was working on three final set-up tasks on the women's course today, so my partner, Brett and I got those done and came off the mountain early again.  I previously posted some photos of our work to prepare starts, so here are a few showing the Super-Combined slalom start as it looks when nearly ready for competition - start hut in place and timing wire terminal boxes set in place.

Clearing security took no time at all this morning, now that our checkpoint is open 24 hours.  Many of the men's course workers went through at 4:00 am, so when we got there at 6:30, the coast was clear.


Some of the folks on our crew had a very long day of standing around waiting for the decision on whether the race could resume.  The had their bag lunches, but were not able to leave their positions at all, in case the fog cleared.  But, that's what has to be done to try to get a full training day in.