There is No Such Thing as Luck - Only Opportunities

The first corner of the banked track and road course in Cali. The setup is almost identical to the one last year at Anyang, South Korea.

I finally figured it out: luck has nothing to do with it. At first, I thought we were lucky to be going to Colombia, then unlucky because we had engine trouble with the plane (and sat on the runway for over an hour and a half), then lucky because we didn’t miss our next flight despite landing just minutes before it left, then unlucky because our luggage did not make it … And now on Day 3 and still NO clothes, I am not sure what to think. (Sigh) ... The only thing the airline tells us is IF the baggage arrives, it will come on the 10:30 p.m. flight (that is always late). When the baggage does arrive, they will be sure and call us right away. Even if it is 2 a.m. Oh, boy!

So today we had to go shopping again. This time it was for clothes. Did you know that the Colombians are built MUCH different than we are? Trust me, it's true.

I know that Brittany Bowe has been down this road many times herself and I would have asked her for her opinion, but I have not seen Team USA since I arrived. In fact, as far as I know, Ananda and I are the only two Americans that have arrived! (Just kidding parents, your children are fine ... I think.) After spending many hours in two shopping malls, we had enough clothes for the next two days. We then traveled to the track for the first time since we have been here.

The Colombians have outdone last year’s host of the World Championship, South Korea. The year's venue has far more seating, bigger buildings, a great facility for the media and press, and nicer seats for those who wanted to pay for them. For $60-100, you get an assigned seat for all the racing. It's a good idea to get an assigned seat. Last times the World Championships were in Colombia (2000), the number of spectators reached 20,000 and some people were turned away.

As for the track, it's wider than the one in Colorado Springs. From what I can tell, it is not as tall (or maybe as aggressive in the corners) as the Colorado track. But the hump is another thing. It appears to be higher and longer than ours. This shrinks the straightaway, which appears to be relatively short in length.
Tonight I watched Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico practice. When they pushed the pace, they stayed so low in the corners that they hit the blue paint and would slip and stop skating. I am not sure why they are skating so low, it could be any number of reasons, including equipment, lack of skill and technique, or a poor surface. We will have to wait and see!

The Colombian Federation, organizer of the event, does everything on a grand scale and Cali is no different. But they have not finished work on some buildings and walkways. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if they finished by tomorrow. I am not sure what the parking situation is like. It looks like many of the spaces close to teh venue are filled with work vehicles. That may change tomorrow with opening ceremonies (which start at 5 p.m.)

Tonight, Ananda and I collected our media badges, so we can now use the wi-fi and computers set up for the press. I wonder where the 400 media representatives will sit? I have posted more photos and will continue to update my own “flickr account” at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58909696@N00/sets/


Keep stopping by for interviews with the skaters, racing photos and even a QuickTime video or two.


Linda Wood