Whistler has a cool Olympic buzz all its own with lots of restaurants, bars and shops all directed at the mountain sport crowd, all done up specially for the Olympics. There are skis and snowboards everywhere and wasn’t uncommon to see diehard fans attired in ski gear, having come straight off the mountain to watch Canada play Germany in men’s hockey.  

I caught up with my cousin David MacDonald over lunch and checked out the Whistler version of the Canada Olympic House in the Public library. We arrived just in time for the big final of the ladies ski cross where Ashleigh McIvor kicked some butt and brought home yet another Canadian Gold medal. Later that night I sat with a couple dozen Olympians and friends as we watched Joannie Rochette skate beautifully in the ladies figure skating short program, only days after losing her Mother. There was not a dry eye in the house as Joannie finished her skate and succumbed to her emotions. Performing so well under such emotional strain makes her a true hero regardless of the final outcome.

The mountain, the track and the speed make for a wild at atmosphere at the Whistler Sliding Center

My first live bobsled event was truly amazing. I was pleasantly surprised with the great viewing options around the track, the freedom of fans to wander at will and the general festival like atmosphere. Heather and Kaillie were focused, professional and very, very fast from their first step. Much to the delight of all fans, but most especially Heather’s enormous cheering squad made up of her parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nephews, extended family, myself and let’s not forget, her high school physical education teacher Garth Turtle. Heather and Kaillie set the start record and track record in both the first two heats and now lead the field going into the final 2 heats.

Sharon and Cyril Moyse, proud parents of Heather Moyse

It’s been quite a journey for Heather since she first pushed a bobsled less than a year before the 2006 Olympics in Torino where she finished 4^th. Now a much more experienced Bobsled athlete, Heather has an Olympic Gold medal within reach. Like a true competitor, her focus is on process and her personal performance. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Heather and Kaillie have got what it takes to finish on top. All Islanders and all Canadians will be rooting for Heather and her partner Kaillie as they compete in the final heats of the Women’s bobsled at Canada’s Olympic Games.

Tags: 2010 Winter Olympics, Heather Moyse, The Guardian, Whistler Sliding Centre

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