British Bobsleigh Association
The long, long, long Road to Turin...
10 February 2006
Day 7: Friday 10th February
4 hour delays on the motorway, an emotional experience for the Team and a "strange" day for those left behind...
(Daily Reports courtesy of The Winter Sports Agency)
The Team left for the Opening Ceremony in Turin at about 8am.
The journey was going well and they were on schedule to get there for about 1300 until about 100km outside Turin they were diverted off the motorway.
3 hours later and they had covered 10km. After a few "short cuts", arriving at the wrong car park and "doing the tourist thing of jumping in", they eventually arrived at the Olympic village with 45 minutes to spare.
All the teams met outside and were put on buses with a police escort to the stadium. It was a great opportunity to catch up with some friends both old and new.
When the names of the countries were announced the crowd cheered and cameras flashed everywhere. The GB contingent marched in and flags were waving and people screaming - "it was amazing."
The Team walked around the stadium until they eventually reached the area where they were to be seated for the evening. There was a staggering amount of activity going on. The press and athletes were all taking photos and video footage of the event. Shiner thought "it was absolutely great" and the Royal Marines will have loads of pictures from their 3 athletes in the bobsleigh team! It was a fantastic night even though they couldn't see some things because of where they were sitting - all were rather glad that folks back home had recorded it for them.
For Nic and Jackie who were prepared with duvets and pillows the 4 hour journey home was perfectly tolerable. For the drivers it was 4am before they turned in - tired but exhilarated.
Meanwhile Jenny Pacey had "a strange day". After a much appreciated lie-in and a late breakfast she took the cable car up the mountain with the coaches Paul and Dean and General Manager Jo. Covered in blankets they enjoyed a few drinks and some interesting conversation in a cafe, surrounded by skiers and snow-boarders.
Some hours later and with the temperature dropping to minus 16 they returned for dinner and to watch the opening ceremony on tv.
It was really good to see other members of the team - her friends - taking part. But being the only athlete not there was difficult and watching was pretty emotional. Now even more inspired she is determined to be there next time "wearing a funny hat!"
It had been a long road to Turin. For Jenny her sights are already on Vancouver.
The Team left for the Opening Ceremony in Turin at about 8am.
The journey was going well and they were on schedule to get there for about 1300 until about 100km outside Turin they were diverted off the motorway.
3 hours later and they had covered 10km. After a few "short cuts", arriving at the wrong car park and "doing the tourist thing of jumping in", they eventually arrived at the Olympic village with 45 minutes to spare.
All the teams met outside and were put on buses with a police escort to the stadium. It was a great opportunity to catch up with some friends both old and new.
When the names of the countries were announced the crowd cheered and cameras flashed everywhere. The GB contingent marched in and flags were waving and people screaming - "it was amazing."
The Team walked around the stadium until they eventually reached the area where they were to be seated for the evening. There was a staggering amount of activity going on. The press and athletes were all taking photos and video footage of the event. Shiner thought "it was absolutely great" and the Royal Marines will have loads of pictures from their 3 athletes in the bobsleigh team! It was a fantastic night even though they couldn't see some things because of where they were sitting - all were rather glad that folks back home had recorded it for them.
For Nic and Jackie who were prepared with duvets and pillows the 4 hour journey home was perfectly tolerable. For the drivers it was 4am before they turned in - tired but exhilarated.
Meanwhile Jenny Pacey had "a strange day". After a much appreciated lie-in and a late breakfast she took the cable car up the mountain with the coaches Paul and Dean and General Manager Jo. Covered in blankets they enjoyed a few drinks and some interesting conversation in a cafe, surrounded by skiers and snow-boarders.
Some hours later and with the temperature dropping to minus 16 they returned for dinner and to watch the opening ceremony on tv.
It was really good to see other members of the team - her friends - taking part. But being the only athlete not there was difficult and watching was pretty emotional. Now even more inspired she is determined to be there next time "wearing a funny hat!"
It had been a long road to Turin. For Jenny her sights are already on Vancouver.