The Olympic Village in Whistler is home to a giant, all-day buffet that presents a constant temptation to the athletes. "You can eat all the time, and it's all good," said Anchorage skier James Southam. "If you're not careful, you could put on 30 pounds here."
A meat lover, Southam said he usually heads straight for the steak and lamb. But he's found something else he can't resist: a quick bread called bannock, which has been around more than a century as a staple among indigenous people in Canada and other northern countries. "It's this whole wheat, pancakey, English muffin like thing," Southam said. "It's definitely my new find."
Holly Brooks, another cross-country skier from Anchorage, said there's probably too much food at the athletes village, especially considering many athletes actually train less than normal during a long competition like the Olympics.
"We're training about half of what we're normally doing and then all of a sudden there's food everywhere and it's all really pretty good, so you have to watch out. This is not a good time to put on the freshman 15," she said, likening the experience to the first year of college when almost everyone gains weighs. "Here it's the Olympics 15."
Alaskans at the Olympics
(all times AST)
Today
Men's biathlon, 15-kilometer mass start, 10 a.m. (Jeremy Teela; Jay Hakkinen is not racing)
Men's skicross, 8:15 a.m. qualifying, 11:15 a.m. medal round (Dave Duncan, former UAA skier)
Monday
Women's cross country, team sprint, 9:45 a.m. prelims, 11 a.m. final (Kikkan Randall)
Women's hockey, U.S. vs. Sweden, semifinals, 11 a.m.
Tuesday
No Alaskans competing
Wednesday
Men's cross-country, relay, 10:15 a.m. (James Southam, pending coaches' decision)
Thursday
Women's cross-country, relay, 10 a.m (Randall, Holly Brooks, pending coaches' decision)
Women's hockey, bronze-medal game, 10 a.m.; gold-medal game, 2:30 p.m.
Headed to the Olympics?
Here's a list of must-have items for anyone headed to Whistler, as compiled by Alaska Pacific coach/Olympic skier Holly Brooks on her blog (it was 52 degrees Saturday for at least the second day in a row):
1) Rain boots -- or, if you're an Alaskan, your X-tra Tuffs!
2) If you plan on doing any nordic skiing down here, bring FISH SCALES! I would not want to be out here classic waxing. Skate skis or running shoes will do the trick too.
3) Bring your patience for the security lines and the buses.
4) Your smile -- the volunteers and everyone involved in the Olympics is super happy and nice -- don't be the odd one out!
5) USA costumes and swag -- the Norwegians have us totally outdone with national pride on the side of the ski trails... be loud, be colorful, and if you're Alaskan, don't forget your flag!
6) Last but certainly not least -- bring your camera to capture the moment (I got a new water proof one for the occasion.)
Vancouver Olympics 411
Simple mathematics explains the lopsided-ness of Canada's 18-0 win over Slovakia in women's hockey. According to Rene Fasel, president of the International Ice Hockey Federation, 80,000 girls play hockey in Canada. In Slovakia, 267 girls play the game. Here in the United States, about 60,000 girls play hockey.
Dispatch Alaska
Anchorage cross-country skier James Southam, after drawing his bib number for Saturday's pursuit race:
"Bib 49 tomorrow... Alaska, may I represent you well."
-- Tweet from James Southam on nbcolympics.com
Compiled by Daily News sports editor Beth Bragg. Daily News wire services contributed to this report.
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