Sunshine, thats how the day started with lots of sunshine! For the first time since we've been here the sun was out and I new it was going to be agreat day. I was hoping that we would be seeing the first Canadian gold medal performance at the 3000 metre long track. We headed out at just before noon decked out in our red and white. Cindy Klassen, Clara Hughes and Kristina Groves - what a Canadian line-up. Our seats were great second row. With both flags waving and screaming like there is no tomorrow we watched as Cindy was the first Canadian to skate. She had a great start but she couldn't hold on. Watching her lap time slowly decrease you could see she was in trouble. Clara was next she had a great race and sat in a medal position for a short time. This kept our heart rate up. It was so exciting. Kristina was next to go I figured out how to take some pictures while waving the flag and screaming all at the same time:) The leads in the race went back and forth back and forth. She seemed to have it going into the home stretch then the German Stephanie Beckert had a little bit of steam left and passed Kristina at the line. She won by .02 seconds. The last pairings were expected to finish one two. This would knock Kristina off the podium. I was watching on the edge of my seat but I couldn't cheer them on until Michelle said MOM cheer! So I did but not too loud. As the last lap came the two were sitting in 1,2. My heart was no longer racing I think it had stopped!! My eyes were watching the clock and the number 4 came up on the screen and I jumped from my seat, my heart was racing again, and WE did it!! Kristina won the bronze. Michelle and I jumped, screamed, high fived everyone around and all the way back to Judy's. It was fun when people stopped us and asked if we were there. Then we would all woo hoo and high five!!! Too much fun!
When we got back the mens snowboarding was on and the three of us stood watching the tv. Again yelling and screaming. It was golden. Alexandre Bilodeau - history in the making. The city street were alive and everyone was a friend. Canadian, American, German, everyone! Tears of joy three days in a row.
Later that night the three of us headed downtown the the ballet. I was looking forward to seeing The National Ballet dance with The Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Well I hate to say it but I could have had a nap when the National Ballet danced the opening. Judy did and so did many around us! It looked like they put together and didn't rehearse very much. Michelle was very upset during the first intermission. "That wasn't even Ballet" she said. I was wondering how I was going to make it through the second dance. This time the two companies danced together and it was much better. The Winnipeg dancers were great in it. The final dance was excellent. This ballet really made TRWB stand out.
After the show (10:30pm) we were going to go to the Olympic Superstore at The Bay. It was open until midnight and Judy wanted to get a Canada scarf and shopping, when do we ever say no to shopping? Well we did when we saw the line up to get in!!! It was like going to an event! Homeward bound it was.
Until the next post...GO Canada GO
Our Medal Count
1 Bronze
Trace
Michelle is standing in front of a Nuu-chah-nulth installation that was created by Port Alberni artists Rod Sayers and Tim Paul among others. The wood and glass tower and obelisk are called 'Hupakwanum' and they represent the riches of the chiefs from the 14 Nations of the Nuu-chah-nulth (territory which covers a wise portion of the West Coast of Vancouver Island).
ReplyDeleteHupakwanum will stay in front of the Richmond Olympic Oval when the Olympics are over, and will become the property of the City of Richmond. The artwork was created in Port Alberni.
There's your history lesson for the week!
Susie Q.
Oops, I meant WIDE portion of Vancouver Island!
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