I was invited to hop aboard the Alberta Train yesterday, a luxury rail coach from North Vancouver to Whistler with double-decker cars and domed panorama roofs. The train experience is courtesy of Travel Alberta to showcase their Rocky Mountaineer route to the Rockies. There was plenty to do in Whistler this week and aside from Olympic events they were also hosted TEDx Whistler with a focus on sustainability.

However, before we even arrived in the mountain village, we had quite the journey on the train. I’ve taken the Rocky Mountaineer before but in the winter, and on the Alberta Train, it’s a whole other experience. Coasting past snow-capped mountains peeking out from the other side of Howe Sound, it was a blissful trip. Aboard the train we were served beverages, breakfast, and enough information about visiting Alberta (and the Calgary Stampede) to make me start pulling out the map book to plot a road trip.

We received a few goodies along the way including an iPod Touch pre-loaded with Travel Alberta videos, images, contacts, notes, and web bookmarks. If the decadent travel accommodation and swag wasn’t enough already, they also handed out ticket to watch the Olympic Alpine event over in Creekside. This threw a wrench into my plans to head straight to Whistler Village but I’m not sure I could ever pass up a chance to attend an Olympic event.

It was amazing to see Lindsay Vonn of the USA do her first alpine run of the day and to mix and mingle with fans from across the globe out on the snowy spectator field. In the stands, flags of all colours flew proudly while cowbells rung and chants broke up spontaneously.

Finally heading toward Whistler Village we walked around soaking up the scenery. The flame burned brightly in a lonely cauldron inside the celebration site, a set of giant Olympic rings made for great photo opportunities, and street performers were in their prime.

Meandering through the cobblestone village thoroughfares you could really see a mix of locals (out walking with their ski-seasoned dogs) and international fans draped in flags or trading pins. We eventually made it over to the Garibaldi Lift Company where MuchMusic is filming their On Demand segment all day until the end of the Games.

With little time left to make it to back to the train we headed for the station only to realize that we were an hour early for the departure. Luckily there’s a small pub nearby so we lugged our bags over there for a pint before leaving the bubbling Olympic alpine mecca of Whistler. After a few minutes two ladies asked if they could join our table, which sat at least 6 but I was only there with John Biehler. We welcomed them to sit and we instantly got to talking.

“She’s an Olympian you know,” said Marj, a woman from Toronto, as she gestured to her friend. Fascinated, we inquired and indeed we were in the company of Eleanor McKenzie Miller who competed in the 100m and 200m races in the Helsinki Olympics in 1952. They were both beaming, “this is our second Olympics!” Here for the long haul and at least another week, these ladies were sure in a celebratory mood.

Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr

Eleanor was glowing, wearing an Olympic scarf given to her by the City of Vancouver. Past Canadian Olympians were invited to take part in a dress rehearsal of the Opening Ceremony, standing in for the current Olympians. After performing this honor Eleanor received the scarf and she wears it very proudly.

We didn’t have much time to stay and chat with the contagiously cheery BFF’s as we had to catch our train. Walking back to the train I knew I didn’t accomplish all I wanted to that day, or see all that I thought I could in Whistler. However, meeting Marge and Eleanor was an absolute highlight. This is huge part of what the Olympics are to me — meeting people. People with stories, with pride, and with an infectious spirit for the love of the Games.

Medal Count for Canada – February 18, 2010
Gold: 3
Silver: 3
Bronze: 1
View full medal count by country

As the sixth day of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games comes to a close I thought it would be best to publish my Olympic Daily tonight. I’ll be heading to Whistler first thing in the morning on the Alberta Train which means my day will be starting at 4:30am.

Today’s schedule was once again jam-packed but it included a few press conferences including one to celebrate Alberta Day and another for Canada’s latest gold medal winner, Maëlle Ricker.

Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr – Canadian gold medalist Kyle Shewfelt & me in my Alberta Day / Calgary Stampede hat

After my time at the Media Centre I met up with Keira to explore several more pavilions around town. First stop was Alberta House followed by a peek into Haida Gwaii House and then to LiveCity Downtown for the Canada Pavilion.

I rounded out the day by meeting up with some family members to check out the Olympic cauldron. As the sun set, casting a pink glow over the snow-capped mountains, the flickering flame was indeed a beautiful sight.

Medal Count for Canada – February 17, 2010
Gold: 2
Silver: 3
Bronze: 1
View full medal count by country

This is the first year in my lifetime that CBC has not been the official broadcaster of the Olympic Games in Canada. Although CTV is doing a fine job, it’s almost like watching Hockey Night in Canada without the original theme — something’s missing.

I walked around the CBC broadcast centre in Vancouver yesterday and got some thoughts from nightly news anchor, Ian Hanomansing.

Not being the official broadcaster of the Olympics comes with many restrictions. “The big thing is that when it comes to the footage of the actual events, what the Olympic Movement calls the field of play,” explained Hanomansing. CBC cannot use images without heavy restrictions such as a wait period of 24 hours before posting any footage from that field of play.

“It’s frustrating for us at the CBC because we’ve so often been the Olympics rights holder in the past but the thing now is that we’re in a position that many other broadcasters are in. CNN is in this position, Global is in this position and so we find a way to still cover the sports with still pictures and a little bit of footage after that 24 hour period is over.”

Hanomansing wasn’t completely disheartened however, he’s continued to tell stories, do interviews, and really capture what’s been going on in the city. “The other thing you do is you focus on the story outside of the field of play – so the story about the city, the story about the pavilions, about people trying to get tickets, today I’m doing a story about the cauldron,” he said. “So there are tons of things you can do especially when it’s in your hometown.”

Having covered five previous Olympic Games, starting with Atlanta in 1996 so I asked what was his favourite part of being a broadcaster is during these times, whether as an official rights holder or not. He immediately brought up the athletes.

“The Canadian Olympians are everything you would hope Canadian Olympians would be. They are almost without exception humble and just you know they have fascinating stories.” On his new nightly program The City he’s been able to interview past Olympians as well such as Daniel Igali and Ross Rebagliati. “They fit that stereotype perfectly. They’re just so interesting to talk to and so nice and yet they were at one time, the best in the world at what they do so that’s been the fascinating thing about the Olympics.”

I know many people are missing the CBC as the official broadcaster but rest assured, they’re hard at work bringing you even more stories, from the crowds and from the public side of the fences, continuing to tell our stories.

They’re broadcasting nightly from the corner of Georgia and Hamilton from the plaza as well as their street-side studio. Spectators are very welcome.

Yesterday Maëlle Ricker won Canada’s second gold medal of the Vancouver 2010 Games and just like with Alexandre Bilodeau, a press conference is being held in her honour.

Update: Not only has Maëlle brought home the second gold medal on Canadian soil, she’s also our first Canadian woman to do so, and first female snowboarder to have that honour as well.

“There was a lot of support, I felt the Canadian crowd and the friends and family in the crowd,” said Maëlle to open the conference.

A host from Cool FM asks if she has any lucky charms. Maëlle replies, “I have a lucky loonie. There’s one at the start of the boarder cross [route] and there’s one in my pocket.”

She was asked in French what the first thing was that went through her mind when she won the gold. Replying in French she said that she was just so proud to be Canadian and the first thing she did was to try and find her mom in the stands. She also says in French that she could feel the pride and admiration of Canadians throughout her run.

CBC asks if she’s had more sponsorship opportunities in reference to her being on Blenz Coffee cups.

John Biehler just got up and asked her how she feels about being in Vancouver right now and especially going into the hospitality houses (she was at Irish House last night). She said it’s just an amazing feeling and there’s so much going on in Vancouver it’s overwhelming.

“I’m just living in the moment right now,” she adds after another question. “I haven’t thought too far ahead,” she just wants to keep racing.

“You had to move like a cat out there,” she noted in reference to the course conditions. “As the day went on the snow definitely softened up and became slick. The course was enjoyable in the finals.”

As Bilodeau remarked as well, Ricker credits the Own the Podium program with a lot of support throughout her training and for all Canadian athletes. She also says it’s amazing to not only see her own family but the Canadian family “in red and white” all around.

Another question from the audience asks what she’ll do now to enjoy the rest of Vancouver 2010. “I’m going to watch my roommate Sarah Conrad,” as well as other athletes in downhill, speedskating and curling.

She credits her big brother for teaching her how to snowboard and she can’t believe she gets to snowboard for a living. She is positively glowing. “Growing up I looked up to Olympians,” she says with regards to being a role model. She still can’t believe she’s up in those ranks now. Ever-humble, just like a true Canadian Olympian. I’m thinking she fits in quite well. “Je suis sur la lune.”

Maëlle will receive her gold medal at the ceremony tonight but just mentioned she’ll be hanging out at the Canada Pavilion on Georgia before then.

Update February 19, 2010 Maëlle will be signing autographs this Sunday, February 21st, at the Canada Post on Georgia Street from 2:00pm until about 3:00pm.
Update February 20, 2010 Maëlle will have a public appearance today at 3:00pm over at the Bell Ice Cube.

Photo: tyfn on Flickr

In support of Team USA’s speedskaters Stephen Colbert, host of the popular Comedy Central show The Colbert Report has come to Vancouver.

This morning was the first of two tapings down near Science World and hundreds showed up to catch a glimpse of the man who coined the term “Canadian Iceholes”.

According to the Vancouver Sun, guests on Wednesday included Michael Bublé (Colbert called him “Celine Dion without the white jumpsuit”) and NBC’s Bob Costas.

I didn’t get down there to catch the action (although he’ll be back at it again tomorrow) but I’ve relied on the social media sphere for updates and a few mobile phone images as twitpics.

You can follow live updates from the crowd by searching “Colbert + Vancouver” on Twitter.

Twitpics:
From @halfgeek & @LaineyGossip

Flickr images:
From Mike Browne

Photo credit: Mike Browne on Flickr

Photo credit: Mike Browne on Flickr

From: Pisces Dreamer

Photo credit: Pisces Dreamer on Flickr

Twitter updates:
From @AlexThistlewood:
“Third guest NBC’s Bob Costas, crowd chanting ”ride the moose”.

From @LaineyGossip:
“Colbert rally is like a rock concert. They’re delayed.”

Colbert show tapings:
9:15am Wednesday February 17th (they’re still out there as of 11:50am)
1455 Quebec (Creekside Park next to Science World)

9:15am Thursday February 18th
1455 Quebec (Creekside Park next to Science World)

These episodes will begin airing Monday, February 22, 2010.