tripatlas.com/new’s Olympic correspondent, Chris Kinasz, blogs from the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games with the latest updates, news, and going-ons from the Winter Olympic Games taking place in Vancouver, British Columbia.
VANCOUVER- It was another day of beautiful weather in Vancouver with plenty of sunshine. Today was the first day since my arrival that snow-capped mountains were visible all around from anywhere in Richmond or Vancouver. Today’s goal was to watch the men’s halfpipe competition being held at Cypress Mountain – even though there was no chance that Shaun White would not win gold.
The first two rounds of the competition were viewed at restaurants or at one of the many houses. There are all kinds of different houses around Richmond and Vancouver like the Irish House, Alberta House, Holland Heineken House, Molson Canadian Hockey House, and Bell Ice Cube. All houses have great atmospheres and are excellent places to watch events. On Granville Street, at a bar that had just undergone an expensive renovation called The Forum, they were sold out of nearly every type of beer.
Of course, Shaun White won gold in the halfpipe. His level of halfpipe riding was far superior to that of all the other riders. Justin Lamoureux was the top Canadian finishing seventh.
Day 6 saw another medal for Canada as Marianne St-Gelais won silver in the women’s 500-metre short-track speed skating event. At B.C. Place, thousands of fans were in attendance as hometown hero Maelle Ricker received her gold medal, one day after winning the women’s snowboard cross at Cypress Mountain.
Prices around Vancouver are surprisingly reasonable. It does not seem like there is very much gouging happening, even on official Olympic merchandise at official venues. I suppose since Vancouver is such a large city, merchants have to keep their prices competitive because consumers have so many options. People holding tickets to events are allowed to ride public transit for free on the day of their event. These Games are reasonably priced, which is just another one of the positive things about these great Olympics in Vancouver.
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