British Columbia Canada Blog

LifeSciences, British Columbia supports and represents the biopharmaceutical, medical device, bioproducts & bioenergy, and greater life sciences community of British Columbia through leadership, advocacy and promotion of our world-class science and industry. This year they are hosting their annual Salmon BBQ on: Wednesday, June 09, 2010 from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (PST) at  Cecil Green Park House located:

6251 Cecil Green Park Road
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia

Held each June at the scenic Cecil Green House, LifeSciences British Columbia’s Annual Salmon Barbeque offers members of  life sciences community the chance to come out and enjoy a great meal in the company of peers in a breathtaking setting - and without the formality of a sit-down banquet. The tickets are priced at $65-$130/person.

For more information, visit: 14th Annual Lifesciences British Columbia Salmon BBQ

To know more about what’s happening in British Columbia, subscribe to British Columbia Tours.

Yesterday, I was in front of the TV set way before the start of downhillskiing event with high hopes on 5 Canadian athletes participating in the event.  The weather was great and Whistler creekside looked fantastic. It surely was a wonderful day for:

Switzerland’s Didier Defago who took gold by clocking 1:54.31. Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal, last year’s overall World Cup winner, took silver with a time of 1:54.38 and American extrovert Bode Miller was third in 1:54.40. 

Alas! No medal for Canada in Men’s downhill skiing inspite of several predictions claiming that Manuel Osborne will do Canada proud. Manuel Osborne grew up racing for the Whistler Mountain Ski Club. His first World Cup podium came in November 2006 at the Bombardier Winterstart men’s downhill in Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. His first victory was at the Downhill of Kvitfjell in March 2009. He currently has three World Cup wins in 2009, recently winning the downhill in Val Gardena, Italy.

Well, all we can say to our downhill skiers is better luck next time.

Related articles:

Vancouver 2010: Medal predictions

Winter Olympics 2010: Men’s downhill skiing

Okanagan Athletes in Vancouver 2010
 

With one of the most talented group of Winter Olympians ever assembled in Canadian history, Team Canada is expected to have one its most prolific medal counts at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver BC.  Today we are going to break down which winter Olympic events we predict Canadians capturing medals in.

• Alpine Skiing - Manuel Osborne-Paradis
• Curling - Men & Women
• Men’s Figure Skating - Patrick Chan
• Women’s Figure Skating - Joannie Rochette
• Dance - Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir
• Men’s Skicross - Chris Del Bosco
• Women’s Moguls - Jennifer Heil
• Women’s Skicross - Ashleigh McIvor & Kelsey Serwa
• Hockey - Men & Women
• Men’s Skeleton - Jon Montgomery
• Women’s Skeleton - Mellisa Hollingsworth
• Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom - Jasey-Jay Anderson
• Women’s Snowboardcross - Maelle Ricker
• Long Track Speedskating (Men’s 1000 Meters) - Denny Morrison
• Long Track Speedskating (Men’s 1500 Meters) - Denny Morrison
• Long Track Speedskating (Women’s 1000 Meters)- Christine Nesbitt
• Long Track Speedskating (Women’s 1500 Meters)- Christine Nesbitt & Kristina Groves
• Long Track Speedskating (Women’s 3000 Meters) - Kristina Groves
• Long Track Speedskating Team Pursuit -Women
• Short Track Speedskating (Men’s 500 Meters) - Charles Hamelin
• Short Track Speedskating (Men’s 1000 Meters) - Charles Hamelin
• Short Track Speedskating (Women’s 500 Meters) - Kalyna Roberge
• Short Track Speedskating (3,000 Meter Relay) - Women

British Columbia Tours - Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Coverage

Winter Olympics 2010: Men’s Downhill Skiing
Olympic Athletes training in Okanagan
Okanagan Athletes in Vancouver Olympics 2010
Transportation during Vancouver Olympics 2010
Meet Vancouver Olympics 2010 Athletes
Vancouver 2010 Opening ceremony

I have been glued to TV since morning watching fascinationg Winter Olympics 2010. I was hoping to watch Men’s Downhill Skiing today but turns out that it has been postponed till Monday (Feb, 15th 2010). Why? Well, the weather in Whistler hasn’t been great. The successive days of warm weather and rain have created slushy conditions on the course at Whistler Creekside.

A race that offers some of Alpine skiing’s biggest names — including Didier Cuche of Switzerland and Bode Miller of the United States — was moved from the opening weekend lineup by Vancouver Olympic organizers and the International Ski Federation early Saturday morning, more than 7 hours before its scheduled start of 11:45 a.m. local time. The officials had already postponed the first women’s event, the super-combined.

The lowest temperature overnight Friday and through Saturday was expected to be 36 degrees. Unseasonably warm weather at Whistler and Cypress Mountain has prevented the Games from gaining much early momentum. Training schedules have been limited at Cypress, site of freestyle skiing and snowboarding events, and Whistler, where Lindsey Vonn’s pursuit of three or more gold medals is stuck in the slush.

I am praying for heavy snowfall tonight!

Do you know that the German and Swedish teams that trained at Silver Star Ski resort in British Columbia won 12 medals during the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics? Many Olympic teams in the hopes of getting the same results are using the Okanagan  again to do their final pre-Games tune-ups on local cross-country ski trails.

Some of the participating athletes are from the nordic event teams of Norway, the Czech Republic, Russia and Switzerland. In all, eight Olympic teams totalling 100 competitors are training locally, injecting money into the economy and Olympic buzz into the region. One of the most popular venues is the Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre in the North Okanagan. The Norwegian biathlon team has been training there and at nearby Silver Star Mountain Resort for the past two weeks.

The region has been a popular training ground for nordic competitors for years. Most teams are staying at Silver Star for 10 to 16 days, resulting in $125,000 in total revenue for the resort. So, next time you ski in BC consider yourself lucky because you might be using the same trails which helped train Olympic athletes.

Other Vancouver 2010 Posts:

Transportation During Olympics 2010

Opening Ceremony Olympics 2010

Meet Vancouver Olympics 2010 Athletes

Some of the best Canadian athletes are competing in Vancouver Olympics 2010 and I am proud to say that many of them are from British Columbia. Watch out for these Okanagan athletes that have bright chances of winning medals in upcoming Vancouver Olympics 2010:

1. Women’s Curling team : Kelly Scott, Jeanna Schraeder and Sasha Carter. This is Kelly’s first experience participating in Olympics. However, she has won World Junior and World Women’s Curling Championship.
2. Para- Alpine: Josh Dueck and Nick Brush
3. Wheelchair Curling: Ina Forrest and Sonja Gaudet
4. Freestyle Skiing Aerials: Steve Omischl Steve Omischl has been ranked no.1 in the world in freestyle skiing aerials since past 4 years.
5. Freestyle Ski-cross: Kelsey SerwaDid you know Kelsey’s grandfather Cliff Serwa founded Big White Ski resort?
6. Bobsleigh: Justin Kripps
7. Luge: Brandon Hauptman
8. Cross-Country skiing: Alysson Cummings
9. Freestyle Skiing Moguls: Kristi Richards These athletes grew up practicing at local ski resorts like Big White, Silver Star Sun Peaks etc. Although Whistler is no different, the challenging part is that their competitors are equally good and win or lose in Olympics is based on fraction of seconds. Nevertheless, our best wishes with these athletes.

Related Vancouver 2010 posts:

Transportation during Vancouver Olympics 2010

Meet Vancouver Olympics 2010 Athletes

Vancouver 2010 Opening ceremony

The 21st Winter Olympics will begin this weekend and Okanagan’s role in these games cannot be ignored. See how Okanagan impacts Vancouver Olympic Games:

1. Kelowna International Airport is one of four 2010 portals along with Calgary, Victoria and Abbotsford.

2. Kelowna RCMP have deployed 18 officers as part of emergency response teams at Whistler and Vancouver. These officers will also take part in red Serge duties at the opening cermonies and medal presentations.

3. Four local firefighters will also take up shifts at Olympic park in Whistler.

4. Do you know who is the official supplier of wine for Olympics 2010? Sumac Ridge Estate winery, one of the leading BC wineries in Summerland is the official supplier of wine to all venues where accredited media will be allowed. Other participating BC wineries include: Jackson Triggs of Oliver, See-Ya-Later Ranch in Okanagan falls, Inniskillin from Oliver and N’Kimp Cellars in Osoyoos.

5. S.W. Audio Visual of Kelowna is providing big screens, stages, lighting and sound equipment to two Olympic fan venues, Canada Hockey Place and the UBC arena.

6. Last but not the least, ASPENWARE of Lumby which is the only manufacturer of wooden cutlery in North America will be featured at media centers and Vancouver Convention center during upcoming Winter Olympics 2010.

Related Vancouver Olympics 2010 posts:

Transportation during Vancouver Olympics 2010

Opening Ceremony Vancouver 2010

Any successful event requires a lot of planning and if it is something much awaited like Vancouver Olympics 2010 then the planning is followed by a lot of training, special changes and follow up to make sure things are moving along smoothly as planned. Vancouver is also gearing up for some changes to ensure that no one is disappointed in Vancouver as the host city for Winter Olympics 2010. After all, we want Olympics to be held here again and again.

Let’s look at some changes that Vancouver/ Vancouverites and neighboring areas will be going through during Winter Olympics 2010:

1. Early Spring Vacation has been announced for school children in Whistler and Squamish with schools closing from Feb 19th to March 1, 2010.

2. The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) is closing for the entire Games from Feb 12th to 28th 2010 allowing for almost 3,000 parking spaces to be used as part of the Olympic Bus Network’s park-and-ride.

3. Vancouver will literally be converted into a partyzone. There will be live broadcast sites with giant screens in Vancouver’s downtown and Yaletown community. Robson Square will be a hub of activity around the outdoor ice rink. The city’s popular Granville Island market will be taken over with a celebration of Francophone culture.

4. Also, there will be parties in Richmond, near the Olympic oval, and in Surrey where the city is planning a $3 million, 13-day celebration with music and live broadcasts.

5. Another major change is the fact that the jury trials have been delayed between Feb. 6th and March 1 2010. The provincial courts will be processing day-to-day criminal matters, but because many police officers across the province will be deployed for Olympic security, they won’t be available to testify at any criminal trials province-wide.

6. Marine security in Vancouver’s False Creek will be restricting access to boats or escorting boats in and out of their slips near the athlete’s village.

7. If you are flying into Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet via float plane or helicopter, you will be subjected to added passenger and luggage screening, and new restrictions are being placed on carry-on baggage.

8. Think twice before planning to drive during Vancouver Olympics because there will be lot of transportation restrictions. Checkpoints will also be set up north of Squamish on the Sea to Sky Highway stopping unnecessary vehicle traffic from getting through to Whistler.

Despite all these changes most of us are still very excited about Winter Olympics 2010. Let’s hope to have a great time.

Other Related Links:

Transportation during Vancouver Olympics 2010

Meet Canadian Vancouver Olympics 2010 Athletes

Opening Ceremony of Vancouver Olympics 2010

Trust Translink when it comes to transportation during Vancouver Olympics 2010.

Translink operates the SeaBuses that navigate the Burrard Inlet, the city buses, the West Coast Express commuter train and the automated rapid transit system commonly known as the SkyTrain. Part of the City of Vancouver’s Host City Transportation Concept Plan includes an additional fleet of buses dedicated solely to transporting spectator to and from Olympic venues. Other Game-time improvements will include 48 new SkyTrain cars, a third SeaBus and 85 additional buses joining the 115 that were recently added.I am sure one of these methods of transportation will come to your rescue during Winter Olympics 2010:

1. The newly expanded SkyTrain features the Canada Line, a 16-stop, 25-minute connector (You read it right- It takes only 25 minutes) between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and the City Centre so save yourself from getting stuck into crazy Vancouver traffic.
2. If you’re coming via Vancouver Island or any of the smaller Gulf Islands take advantage of the BC Ferry fleet. You’ll love our new, impressive Super Ferries.
3. Translink’s commuter buses alone provide an ideal form of transportation with countless routes, frequent service and multiple stops.
4. The West Coast Express will add half a dozen more weekday trips and 16 more weekend trips for an 80% capacity increase during the Games.
5. The newly expanded Sea to Sky Highway that connects Whistler with Vancouver will get you to your destination in no time.
6. Whistler and Valley Express (WAVE) transit system will include buses with low floors, ramps and wheelchair/scooter access. The BC Transit fleet that services the Pemberton-Whistler-Squamish area will expand from 39 buses to 135 and have five times the existing service hours running 24-7 once the Games come to town. Yes, we love the fact that expanded 24-hour bus routes will connect Whistler to the neighbouring communities of Squamish and Pemberton.

Also, some 180 more buses and 30 more HandyDART vehicles will join the Metro Vancouver fleet. SeaBus and SkyTrain schedules will implement extended hours.

Some other tips for Travellers to Vancouver Olympics 2010:

1. Carry an umbrella or a Raincoat. You never know with Vancouver Weather.
2. If possible, stay away from rental cars (you won’t find parking) and taxis (The money you spend on taxi bill could have been used for meals for the entire week)
3. Take advantage of Public transit.

How many of us really know about Swiss Guest Centre and social hub open to public during Vancouver Olympics 2010 called House of Switzerland Canada 2010 ? Well, I surely didn’t know about it until a few days ago. It surely is a great concept.

In Vancouver, the House of Switzerland will be situated in the highly popular “Bridges” restaurant on Granville Island. In Whistler, the House of Switzerland will be set up in the trendy “Mountain Club”, centrally located in Whistler Town Plaza.

As the official guest centre of Switzerland, open to the public at large, the House of Switzerland Canada 2010 will offer its guests and partners the chance to taste, see, and feel a true sense of Switzerland, and to generally feel at home. From 5 – 28 February 2010 the House of Switzerland will be a place for people to get together to watch live coverage of the Games. It can also be used for receptions, client entertainment, media conferences, and medal celebrations

The XXI Winter Olympic Games will take place from February 12 – 28, 2010 in Canada’s Vancouver and Whistler.  The unique Swiss guest centres will be set up in the heart of both of the sporting venues: Vancouver and Whistler.

The House of Switzerland Canada 2010 will open its doors in both cities a full week before the Olympic Games get underway – on 5 February 2010 – so as to make its mark as a key Olympic hotspot during the lead up to the Games themselves.

For more information, check out: House of Switzerland Canada 2010 

Some of the exciting events being hosted by House of Switzerland Canada 2010 that we are looking forward to include:

1. Grand Opening of the House of Switzerland in Vancouver for Olympics 2010 on Feb 5th 2010 – Come in for some delicious chocolate and cheese.

2. Opening Party in Whistler on Feb 6th 2010- Join celebrations with chocolate and cheese tasting, surprise acts and much more.

3. Swiss Day in Vancouver on Feb 6th 2010 with entertainment by Swiss Clubs with Swiss traditional music in the morning and evening and assist the recording of the famous Swiss national radio show “Persönlich” with special guests and live audience.

4. Globi day for children at the House of Switzerland in Vancouver on Feb 10th 2010- Become friends with Globi, the famous Swiss cartoon character who will read short stories from his first book in English: “Globi’s trip through Switzerland”. All children are welcome and will get a surprise present by DAR-VIDA. Timing: 10-11.30 a.m. and 2-3.30 p.m.

See you at the House of Switzerland 2010!