This morning I woke up in Whistler Creekside and headed up to the Para-Alpine venue for Day 7 of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. The morning’s events included Para-Alpine downhill in the sitting, standing, and visually-impaired categories.
As a photo of a hockey puck sitting in Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame got more face time than Lauren Woolstencroft on the front cover of the Globe and Mail today, as she raced her way to her third gold medal of the Games. With three prosthetic limbs, she won gold in the giant slalom (standing) yesterday with a remarkable 7 second lead over the next competitor.
It was a great day for Canada on the slopes, even if it wasn’t on the ice as our men’s hockey team got bumped to the bronze medal round. Viviane Forest won gold in the downhill (visually impaired) while Josh Dueck placed fifth in downhill (sitting). Both Forest and Dueck each won silver medals earlier this week in the slalom.
The strength of these athletes is astounding, not only were they blazing down the mountain but they were doing it without use of either limbs or sight. The crowd in the grandstand blasted out several rounds of “O! Canada” while cowbells rung out in celebration. Japan, Germany, Russia, Slovakia, America and Canada were just a few of the nations I saw represented with flags, face-paint, jackets and cheers.
Over in the Callaghan Valley Brian McKeever also picked up his second gold today in 10-kilometre classic cross-country, giving him 9 Paralympic medals in his career. I was told that as McKeever and his guide skied down the final stretch, the announcer proclaimed to the enthusiastic crowd at Whistler Paralympic Park that they were witnessing the greatest cross-country skier of all time.
Canada currently has 4 gold medals, 3 silver and 3 bronze as we head into the last few days of the Paralympics. You may view a full schedule of upcoming events over on the official website and you still have a few more days to check out some of the pavilions and attractions around town.
The last stop on our Sunshine Coast weekend adventure was in Sechelt.
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We had lunch at the Lighthouse Pub then walked over to WestCoast Air for a scenic flight of the peninsula.
It was really neat to fly right over the parts of the area we explored by boat just the day before. It was John’s first time in a float plane, which in itself is also an experience.
The ferry terminal, our resort, and even a few coastal mansions really stood out from above.
It was a cloudy, rainy day so we couldn’t see all the way over to the glacier on Vancouver Island but the view we did have was good enough for me.
WestCoast Air offers scheduled flights from Sechelt to Nanaimo, Jervis Inlet, and Richmond/YVR. I’ve also done a scenic tour above Vancouver with them before. Our flight was complimentary but you can book a one-way ticket from Sechelt to Nanaimo for about $67.
You may view the rest of the posts in the Sunshine Coast series here or browse all of my photos or John’s on Flickr.
I know I’ve said it in the other posts as well but it’s amazing to think we did all of this in just a weekend and not once did we feel rushed. As Wendy from Libre Tea once told me, the Sunshine Coast is the “lost corner of the 604” but hopefully after this profile series it won’t be so lost anymore.
The following guest post was written & contributed by Jane Victoria King exclusively for Miss604.com
A ‘Kiss of Oak’ but no spot of tea! The Fairmont Empress Victoria is bringing sexy back.
Photo credit: Fairmont Empress.
Left to right: Takashi Ito, Kevin Brauch, Matthew Batey
Take the lively and witty celebrity, Kevin Brauch, Host of Iron Chef America/The Thirsty Traveller, the ballroom of The Fairmont Empress Victoria, a fabulous Okanagan winery, the Mission Hill Family Estate and two passionate about food chefs; Matthew Batey, Winery Chef, Mission Hill Family Estate, and Takashi Ito, Executive Chef, The Fairmont Empress Victoria; add a panel of judges from both the US and Canada and you have it… the first, the inaugural Mission Emp-ossible – Battle of the Chefs.
What started out as an idea for a small wine tasting with a “ha ha ha, jokingly we should do battle†conversation between the two chefs, turned into a sold-out five course meal for 130 lucky people, myself included.
Photo credit: Fairmont Empress. Host, Kevin Brauch
Host Kevin Brauch kept us amused by uncorking the night blindfolded with his Olympic red mitts. Then, it was Mission Hill leading the charge with their Legacy Series, the wine was poured and the food followed. While noses sniffed and tongues tasted, Chief Winemaker, John Simes spoke about the process and love that went into the making of each bottle. Then we’d hear from the chefs. While each plate was shared between the two, the battle was on for each tang on the tongue.
I would admire each presentation, sniff the wine, then eat and savour each mouthful. At times, amongst my table, I would hear someone say euphoria. Heads would nod, and then moments later there was this, “With that pairing of wine and food – POP!â€
It was no doubt an explosion of taste buds that got along.
We’d reminisce after each course, which sampling did it? Was there one bite that stood out from all the rest? For me it was hard to judge. Although Chef Ito’s grilled prosciutto, mushroom duxelles, lychee nut compote, herb brioche paired with the 2006 Quatrain had my eyes rolling to the back of my head. When I asked the head table of judges which experience highlighted their evening, I didn’t get a complete consensus.
However, after dessert was served the announcement was made that the judges favoured Chef Ito’s creations with Mission Hill’s Legacy Series.
Photo credit:
Jane Victoria King on Flickr
Left to right: John Simes, Takashi Ito, Terry David Mulligan, Matthew Batey
But the evening didn’t end there. Our culinary host, Kevin directed everyone to the balcony of the hotel where he said, the boat lights were turned on.
If I picture is worth a thousand words, I’ll have to paint this one for you with my words. A full tummy delighted in an exclusive culinary experience, each course an interesting journey. A beautiful evening outside with hints of spring. Sweet smells of blossoms touch the air. Romance is in the darkness with flickering candlelight, red tablecloths and comfy outdoor chairs with the aroma of coffee and cognac. You sit amongst the unique archway of stone of The Fairmont Empress Victoria which frames the view of Victoria’s inner harbour.
Now that’s an evening one soon won’t forget.
About Jane: Based in Victoria, BC, Jane Victoria King is an award winning TV producer, photojournalist, mariner, mother, and lover of all things cycling. You can follow her on Twitter @Jane_Victoria.
After leaving FibreWorks, John and I made our way to Egmont, on the Eastern side of the Sechelt peninsula as we continued to explore the Sunshine Coast last weekend.
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From there we met with Bryce Christie of Sunshine Coast Tours out on the dock by the Backeddy Pub. We piled into the B-Line and plotted a course to the Skookumchuck Narrows.
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After a lazy Saturday morning sipping coffee we made in our room we got in the car and headed North on Highway 101 toward our afternoon appointment in Egmont, continuing our Sunshine Coast adventure. We were given the names of some galleries, cafes, and pubs to check out along the way should we have enough time to stop in – luckily we did.
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Just a few quick turns from the resort we spotted the yurts that make up Yvonne Stowell’s FibreWorks Studio & Gallery and turned down the gravel driveway.
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