Phase II End

Got an e-mail from VANOC yesterday stating that they'd be closing down Phase II Ticket Sales on Friday (July 31st). That means of course that they're going to be doing the Seat Assignment over the next month of so.

Surprisingly, I think my biggest worry is about having seats that are 'Too Good'. We splurged on a number of events, picking up 'A' level seating, especially Hockey games. My issue is that at hockey games I don't like being in probably the first 10 rows or so....you get no perspective on what is going on. Now, because those would be the really high-falutin' seats, hopefully thats where they're sticking they are putting the 'Olympic Family'.

Either way, I'm really hoping for a bit of luck on this one, hopefully we can get some pretty bitching seats.

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Olympic Curling Schedule

Yesterday VANOC published the Olympic Curling Schedule. Although not as bad as when the Hockey schedule was released, we still took a bit of a hit on it. As you might recall, we have tickets to three preliminary round games: Two Women's and One Men's. Unfortuneatly, Canada is on a bye during the Men's session that we have.

The draws that we currently have tickets to during the Preliminary Round are:


What I might want to do is sell off the CU021 session and pick up CU019 instead, where there is a CAN-USA matchup. I don't want to jump on that right away however, because I'm not 100% sure we'd actually be able to find a buyer for the CU021 session, and also I'm not sure how many tickets we'd need for the CU019 session. We'll worry about that at a later date.

Again, it kinda sucks that we won't get to see the Men's team in the Preliminary Round right now. There is a saving grace however....the fact that we have tickets to BOTH Gold Medal Games!!! So as long as Canada does what it *bleeping* should, we'll still get to see them.

The full Curling Draw is here:

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Order Up

Got our copy of the Olympic Poster yesterday, and I must say that its actually pretty cool 'in-person'. The online pictures don't really do the colours and size of it justice. We've got it framed and hanging on the wall of the condo right now!


Couple of other quick items:

- Linked the twitter sidebar application to my cell phone, so I can do mobile updates. Should be pretty useful when I'm away from a computer in Vancouver.

- I've been asked at work to come up with our promotional brochure for the Sochi 2014 Winter Games. Its neat to see all the work that IBI has done on not only the Vancouver Games, but on the Olympics in general.

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Order In

Ordered myself a copy of the Olympic Poster today. Should be here in about a week.

Probably going to frame it for now, but once the olympics are over, I think its gonna form the centrepeice of the big wall display I'm planning.

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Venue Preview: Richmond Olympic Oval

Name: Richmond Olympic Oval
Sports: Long-Track Speed-Skating
Sessions: SS012 (Team Pursuit Finals)
Days: Day 16
Location: 6111 River Road, Richmond, British Columbia
Capacity: 8,000
Opened: 2008
Costs: $178 million CAD

Of all the venues that we're going to see, the Richmond Olympic Oval is the one I'm looking forward to most on a pure 'I just want to see the Facility' level. During the Phase II ticketing sale, Pam and I were lucky enough to score the Team Pursuit Finals on Day 16. We have 'A Level' tickets for that event, but as you can see from the seating chart below, all that really means is that we won't be tucked way up into one of the corners.



The Oval itself is situated in Richmond on the Fraser River (WooHoo!), about a kilometre off the Canada Line from Lansdowne Station. Games-Time seating capacity will be about 8,000 people.

The primary architectural feature is of course the 'Wood Wave' roof, built from reclaimed BC wood. I'm sure that its an increadibly impressive sight when you keep in mind the shear size of the facility. I sometimes think of a Long-Track Speed-Skating facility as being fairly analogus to a hockey arena, when in fact...its like putting a roof over an outdoor 400m running track.

From where we're staying in Downtown Vancouver, I think its about a 20-30 minute ride along the new LRT Line, plus about 10 minutes in walking time. On the day that we're going to be there, we actually will have to leave pretty quickly after the event. The Team Pursuit Finals run 12:30 to 2:25 PM, with the Men's Gold Medal Curling Game following at 3:00. Hopefully those 35 minutes will be enough time to get over to the Vancouver Olympic Centre!!

Since we won't have much of a chance to linger at the facility, I'm hoping to get out there really early on Day 16 so that we have a good chance to tour the facility before event time. Judging from the pictures below, I'm gonna want as much time there as possible! Its too bad that we won't get a chance to see the facility at night, as it looks amazing lit-up.

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Venue Previews

Over the next little while, I'm going to be doing a series of previews for each of the Olympic venues. We're going to be lucky enough to see just about all of the venues during the games, with the only exceptions being the Whister Olympic Park (Nordic Sports).

I'm going to start off with what is being called the 'Crown Jewel' of the Games....the Richmond Olympic Oval.

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Thought Experiment

I’ve always felt that here in Canada we get a little screwed in the way that the Winter Olympics are set up. Our primier sports are generally considered to be Curling and Hockey….in which we’re limited to one entry. By contrast, sports the eurpoean countries are best at like bobsled and skiing, they are allowed 3-5 entries into each event. Take the Germans, they’re great skiers and rack up tonnes of medals on the slopes because a) there are four skiing disciplines (Downhill, Slalom, Giant slalom, Super-G) and b) because they can have multiplie entries in each of those events.

I’ve always been a little cheesed that the best we can do is 2 medals in hockey, whereas other countries could get say 24 medals if their top event is skiing.

So, as a fun exercise, I wanted to see what Canada’s ‘Second’ Hockey team would look like, and whether it would be able to challenge for a medal. But first, I’ll block out who I think would be on my ‘Canada 1’:

Forwards
Crosby-Getzlaf-Iginla
Gagne- Lecavalier-Nash
Richards-Toews-Carter
Perry-E. Staal-Doan
Thornton

Defence
Pronger-Neidermayer
Bouwmeester-Weber
Regehr-Phaneuf
Greeen

Goalies
Broduer
Luongo
Ward

You can pick and choose around the edges of that roster, but in general that would leave something like this:

Forwards
Heatley-Marleau-St.Louis
Lucic-J.Staal-Morrow
Roy-Savard-Sharp
Smyth-Spezza-Cleary
McDonald

Defence
Boyle-Keith
Beauchamin-Burns
Doughty-Seabrook
Hamhuis

Goal
Fleury
Mason
Osgood

Again, mix-and-match how you see fit. But right there is a team that I think could very well win a medal. They’re probably not up to the task of handling the Russians, but could they knock off the Swedes/States/Czechs in Bronze Medal Game…I’d say so. We’re especially solid on D and in Net with that squad.

Guess I just consider it a rip that we get so shortchanged when it comes to the puck. Its even worse in Curling, where I think literally the Top 5 teams on both the Men’s and Women’s teams in the world are Canadian. The ‘Roar of the Rings’ is probably going to be tougher to win than the Olympics themselves.

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2010 Team Canada Orientation Camp Invites

The list just dropped today for the Team Canada Orientation Camp that happens in August:

Goal
Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Marc-André Fleury, Steve Mason, Cam Ward

Defence
Jay Bouwmeester, Dan Boyle, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Robyn Regehr, Dion Phaneuf, Marc Staal, Shea Weber, François Beauchemin, Brent Burns, Drew Doughty, Stéphane Robidas, Mike Green, Dan Hamhuis, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook

Forwards
Sidney Crosby, Shane Doan, Simon Gagné, Dany Heatley, Jarome Iginla, Rick Nash, Joe Sakic, Martin St-Louis, Eric Staal, Joe Thornton, Vincent Lecavalier, Jeff Carter, Ryan Getzlaf, Milan Lucic, Patrick Marleau, Andy McDonald, Brenden Morrow, Corey Perry, Michael Richards, Derek Roy, Patrick Sharp, Ryan Smyth, Jordan Staal, Jonathan Toews, Dan Cleary


Some notable players left off here are Chris Osgood, Jason Spezza and Stamkos. I like Osgood, but really he's not one of the Top 3 Canadian goalies and was probably a long-shot to make it at best. Stamkos I like as well, its just his age and the depth at centre that is a factor here. I probably would have liked to have seen him at the camp however, maybe over someone like Dan Cleary or Andy McDonald, just because he has the chance to light the league on fire coming out of training camp.

In terms of Spezza, I'd say I'm a little surprised that he didn't get an invite to the camp at least. Even though I'm surprised...lets not confuse that for dissapointment...as I wan't him nowhere near my 2010 team!

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Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day! I can't wait to see if this will be the year we have a new 'Canadian Moment'. If Canada were to win the Men's Gold in Vancouver, especially in dramatic fashion, would that moment be bigger than the '72 Henderson Goal?

Methinks so....

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2010 Official Poster

On Monday, VANOC unveiled the official poster for the games. My thoughts on it are pretty much the same as for the ticket designs....it could be alot worse. I think they've done a really good job with the designs in general, considering I'm still a little biased in regards to the colour palette. I'd still prefer a Red-White-Black mix...but if you're gonna go for Blue-Green, this isn't bad

Official 2010 Poster (VANOC Website)

There is lots of white space, which when you look really closely is actually white-painted wood. I'd probably like it if this vast white space was filled a little more, but then again there is something to be said for the KISS principal.

Overall though, could be worse. I'll be picking one up at some point, that's for sure. Once this trip is all said and done, I'd like to create a big (like couch-sized) wall display of the various mementos I'll have from this trip...display my tickets, pictures, even a jersey or something. The official poster would make a nice centrepiece perhaps!

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USA Hockey

The USA announced their development camp roster today, which is noteworth on two fronts from my point of view. First off, we have tickets to all three of the USA's Preliminary Round Games (v. Switzerland v. Norway, v. Canada) so it's interesting to see the potential players.

Secondly, because I think/fear that the USA is the real darkhorse of thise tourney. I think that at the top its a two horse race between Canada and the USA, but after that it gets pretty wide open. But of those teams, I think the USA is the one with the best chance to really surprise. There is alot of exciting, young talent on this list:

Goaltenders: Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick, Tim Thomas

Defencemen: Tom Gilbert, Tim Gleason, Ron Hainsey, Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Mike Komisarek, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Brian Rafalski, Rob Scuderi, Ryan Suter, Ryan Whitney

Forwards: David Backes, David Booth, Dustin Brown, Dustin Byfuglien, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Phil Kessel, Jamie Langenbrunner, Ryan Malone, Mike Modano, Kyle Okposo, T.J. Oshie, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Bobby Ryan, Paul Stastny.

Of course, Sweden are the reigning champs, so they can never be counted out either.

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2010 Team Canada Coaching Staff

Last week Team Canada announced the coaching staff that will behind the bench in February. In what was a very predictable move, they've put Mike Babcock in charge of what will probably be the biggest event ever to take place in this country.

Sexy Bunch...

I was a little surprised at the announcement of Ruff, Hitchcock and Lemaire as the assistants. Not because I don't think any of them don't belong, they're all very accomplished coaches, but rather because of the reputation that they have. They're typically all known as being very defensive coaches, and are certainly not known for their creativity. When you're coaching the best players in the world, you don't need guys who preach slow down-trapping hockey.

On the flip side, you're also going to be playing against the best players in the world on the other teams...so maybe having a defensive focus isn't that bad..

What do I know anyways...

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From The East To The West....

Out in Nova Scotia this past week doing work on the Toll Facility on the Trans-Canada Highway. One of the neat aspects of the job is that between this trip, and the upcoming trip to Vancouver, I’m going to have a chance to have been to both coasts of the country. Halifax now, Vancouver in February!

So…speaking of the west coast…I’ve been asked by IBI to move to Seattle! How crazy is that?! If it all goes through, I’ll probably end up cancelling the YYZ-YVR flight for myself and end up taking the previously mentioned train up from Seattle. I’m a little disappointed that I won’t have a chance to be on that flight, those 5 hours and all the excitement involved was something I was actually really looking forward to. I’m sure the train ride up will still be really cool, but it will also be predominately Americans I’m sure.

With Beth and I moving out to Seattle, I might look at getting her up to Vancouver for a weekend during the games or something. That 5th ticket to the CAN-SVK game might just have her name on it.

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What I Think I'm Most Excited About

So put aside the obvious awesomeness of getting things like the Gold Medal Women's Hockey game.

I think one of the things I'm most excited about now is the opportunity to see Canada win a medal, and maybe even sweep a podium.

As you probably don't recall, way back in December 2008 I talked about how I'd like to see the Team-Pursuit Long-Track Speed Skating. I think it'll be awesome to get a chance to go to the Richmond Oval, as it looks amazing, but the biggest reason I'm pumped for it is because I think that both the Canadian Men and Women have to be pretty much locks for medals.

Bitchin' Building!

Before Phase II, we had a few pretty cool events like Women's Canada Hockey and Short Track Speed skating. However, with the Phase II stuff added...I think we're almost guaranteed to see a Canadian Gold. We have the chance with the Curling Medal Games, the Women's Medal Game, Long-Track Speed Skating, Short-Track Speed Skating or the Men's Moguls.

One of those has to hit!

Perhaps the most likely to generate a Canadian Gold is the Men's Moguls, where twice last World Cup season Canada swept the medals. I think aside from a Canadian Men's Hockey Gold, a podium sweep would be the most amazing thing that could happen during these games...and to actually have been there for it...well...would be incredible.

Its probably a long shot, but it's totally a possibility.

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The Resale Market - Part II

On top of those tickets I listed below for the events we're going to, we also have a fairly decent collection of 'extra' tickets now. Some of these we picked up on purpose, in order to sell off or because we thought we might know others who want to go. For the others, we've now picked up better events during that time period, so we'll sell off the crappier event.

We may end up using some of these ourselves, like Mrs. Kauks ‘3rd’ IH002 ticket and the USA Men’s Hockey Games. In terms of legit-face value we have just over $3k worth to turn back, split 4 ways.

Thats alot of money!

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Ticketing Recap

With Phase II over, we're probably now about 95% done all of the planning for this shin-dig. We have the tickets, we have the hotels, we have the flights....we're pretty much good to go!

I thought given the addition of the Phase II tickets, I'd recap what we've got so far in terms of tickets. This list is only for Pam and I as Ben and Andrea have a slightly different lineup. How much does Day 10 Rock:

Day 1 - Nothing (Arrive, Opening Ceremonies)

Day 2 - Women's Hockey - Canada v. Slovakia - Lower Bowl

Day 3 - Men's Moguls - B Level

Day 4 - Men's Snowboard Cross - B Level

Day 5 - Men's Hockey - USA v. Switzerland - Upper Bowl
Day 5 - Men's Hockey - Canada v. Norway - Upper Bowl

Day 6 - Women's Hockey - Canada v. Sweden - Upper Bowl

Day 7 - Men's Hockey - USA v. Norway - Upper Bowl
Day 7 - Men's Hockey - Canada v. Switzerland - Lower Bowl

Day 8 - Women's Curling - A Level

Day 9 - Short Track Speed Skating - W 1500m/M 1000m - Lower Bowl

Day 10 - Men's Hockey - Russia v. Czech R. - Lower Bowl
Day 10 - Men's Hockey - Canada v. USA - Lower Bowl
Day 10 - Vancouver Victory Ceremony

Day 11 - Men's Curling - A Level
Day 11 - Women's Curling - A Level

Day 12 - Women's Bobseld - B Level

Day 13 - Nothing

Day 14 - Women's Hockey - GOLD MEDAL GAME - Upper Bowl

Day 15 - Women's Curling - GOLD MEDAL GAME - A Level

Day 16 - Men's Curling - GOLD MEDAL GAME - A Level
Day 16 - Long Track Speed Skating - Team Pursuit

Day 17 - Nothing (Men's Gold Medal Hockey Game)

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Phase II Tickets - Holy Crap

Well the Phase II ticket sale was on Saturday....and holy crap did we make out like bandits!!

Going in, I'd really hoped for just one or two new events, just to fill out the schedule a little bit.

Somehow we were able to get all 3 accounts (Ben, Scott, Pam) signed in within about the first 15 minutes. Ben got in almost right away, not even being put into the Virtual Waiting Room. I was able to get in about 5 minutes into the process, and once Ben was done getting his tickets, he was able to get in with Pam's account too. I've heard of people waiting up to an hour to get in, so the fact we got in 3 times in the first 15 minutes is insane!

As a result, we went waaaayyyy over what I'd been expecting to spend. I'd estimated that we'd drop about $500 each MAX. However, when it was all said and done, we were up to $4162.

Well what did we get for all that money? Check it out:

Boo-YA!

A careful read of that list will show that not only did we get a crapload of tickets, but the ones we got were 'effin amazing:

- Men's Halfpipe for Ben and Andrea?....CHECK!
- Women's GOLD MEDAL HOCKEY for Pam and I?...CHECK
- BOTH Gold Medal Curling Games?.....CHECK!
- All 3 Canada Men's Prelim Hockey Games?....CHECK!

Effing Eh!

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Phase II Tickets - Final Prep

Tickets go on sale tomorrow. Yesterday VANOC announced that they had come up with about 50,000 more tickets, bringing the total to about 200,000. I think things are gonna be really busy tomorrow, so I'm still thinking that getting tickets to even 2 more events would be a HUGE win.

As a result of discussions with the crew, and the fact that Ben and Andrea are now occupied on Day 2, I've revised our plan of attack. I'm still waiting to hear from Pam on what she'd want to do re: the Men's Gold Medal Game if by some miracle its there (Cause I'm Torn) but otherwise, this is the list we'll be using tomorrow:

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More Tickets! Again!

Again, we just keep adding to the total. One of the teachers from my mother's school is no longer going to the games (she only got tickets to one event), so we're going to be taking those tickets off her hands!

Of course, it doesnt hurt that she has 3 B-Level tickets to the Canada-Slovakia Women's Hockey Game (IH002).

Pam and I already had tickets to this one, but now Ben and Andrea will get a chance to tag along. We're paying face-value, so its only going to ring us up for $150 total.

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First Ticket Designs

Yesterday VANOC unveiled the first round of ticket designs. They've only published four so far: Opening Ceremonies, Hockey, Curling and X-Country Skiing, but I must say that they're growing on me.

Could Be Worse!

I'd have to say so far I've been actually pretty OK with the designs of everything VANOC has come up with. That might sound like a backhanded insult, but considering how often corporations screw stuff up when it comes to logos/branding, the fact that I don't totally hate things is pretty impressive. I think the only thing that is keeping me from really like them is the palette. I still don't 100% love the Green-Blue, even if I do understand the link to Sea-to-Sky. I'd still like to see a little red/white palette for 'Canada's Games' I guess.

Kinda like the one I'm using on the blog....

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