VANOC completes operational testing at ice sledge hockey sport event. Spectators captivated by dynamic sport that’s rapidly growing in popularity

Vancouver, BC – The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) successfully completed its operational testing today of the ice sledge hockey sport event at the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Thunderbird Arena. A new element on the field-of-play to ease players’ movement on and off the ice was successfully tested and feedback on the facilities and sport was unanimously positive.

The 2009 Hockey Canada Cup ice sledge hockey competition, which ran from February 24 to March 1, was the first international event to take place at the arena, built on the scenic UBC campus for the 2010 Winter Games. Approximately 60 athletes from Canada, Germany, Japan, and the United States took to the ice on their bladed sleds, with razor-sharp sticks in hand, to shoot for glory at the same venue where athletes will compete for Paralympic gold in just over a year from now. Tickets for the X Paralympic Games go on sale May 6, 2009 at www.vancouver2010.com

VANOC tested for the first time ever in ice sledge hockey competition history the creation of ice in the players’ and penalty boxes, in order to create a smoother transition from bench box to ice for the athletes. This initiative was met with positive reviews from athletes and officials. Also tested for the first time in an ice sledge hockey competition, were Plexiglas inserts in the rink boards to allow photography and video at ice level. Further details on field-of-play testing are included below.

“Our team has never competed at an event with ice in the benches,” says Billy Bridges, one of Canada’s alternate captains. “The ice has allowed for smooth transition for the players from bench to ice surface and then back again. We definitely notice a difference of how quickly we can get on the ice for a change. VANOC has done a great job with this facility.”

Over the course of the tournament, an enthusiastic crowd of dedicated ice sledge hockey spectators, including more than 1,000 school children from the Metro Vancouver area, cheered on the athletes who endured powerful body checks and shooting pucks at 113 kilometres an hour (70 miles per hour). Sunday’s final between Canada and the United States drew a crowd of approximately 1,800, with many traditional hockey fans impressed at the athleticism and physicality involved in ice sledge hockey.

“Our staff and volunteer workforce thoroughly enjoyed working at this beautiful new venue,” said Denis Hainault, VANOC director of ice sports. “What’s been most enjoyable has been to see the faces of the workforce and spectators, who have been completely captivated as they’ve discovered this exciting sport.  It has also been incredibly rewarding to receive such positive and gracious feedback from the athletes, coaches and officials who have been expressing their appreciation all week.”

“VANOC’s team of staff and volunteers have done a great job in testing the operations in preparation for next year,” said Greg Lagacé, chair, IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Sport Technical Committee. “We have complete confidence that VANOC is going to put on a stellar sledge hockey tournament in 2010.”

During the event, VANOC focused its operational testing on ice maintenance and quality, the arena’s board system and venue accessibility.

Field of Play

Ice maintenance and quality were examined, as well as the dasher board system (the board system containing the ice), the Olympia ice resurfacing machine operation and the conversion of the board system from ice hockey to Paralympic field-of-play standards.

Ice sledge hockey players are seated only a few centimetres off the ice; to view the play from within the bench, and consistent with all ice sledge hockey competitions, a clear Plexiglas system has been installed in front of the players’ and penalty boxes.

VANOC examined the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) and dehumidification system.  This tested the venue’s capacity to adjust the temperature, relative humidity and air flow in reaction to external weather conditions in order to maintain the best quality of ice for the athletes. The ideal humidity for optimal ice conditions is between 40 and 44 per cent. Though not required for this event, the testing conducted confirmed VANOC’s ability to reduce the humidity to as low as 27 per cent if necessary.

Head Ice Meister for Hockey Canada Cup Ice Sledge Hockey, Dan Craig, who is also the NHL facilities operations manager, successfully utilized the system to create a high-quality ice surface for the athletes. 

The movement of athletes was smooth between Father David Bauer Ice Rink – which is attached to the venue and will be the ice sledge hockey training facility at Games time – and UBC Thunderbird Arena. Minor adjustments will be made in scheduling to enhance the transition procedure for Games time.

Venue Operations

VANOC tested general venue operations, including spectator services, workforce and athlete flows and athlete seating, media work areas, as well as overall spectator accessibility. 

Accessible team buses were used to test the athlete transportation system, and modifications will be made to buses at Games time to accommodate and secure more wheelchairs.  The athlete entrance successfully mirrored Paralympic Games-time standards to test flow and equipment transport.

Workforce
More than 2,600 workforce shifts took place over the course of the eight days the venue was operational. VANOC and UBC collaborated to integrate existing UBC venue staff with VANOC workforce, successfully creating a strong team environment.  In keeping with previous sport events, VANOC also successfully tested press operations, timing, scoring and results, medical services and sport production functions. 

This summer, along with Canada Hockey Place, UBC Thunderbird Arena will host the women’s hockey sport event from August 31 to September 6, 2009.

For more information on the remaining sport events taking place from March to September, including how to purchase tickets, please visit vancouver2010.com.

Remaining sport events taking place from March to September 2009 include:

IPC Cross-Country Skiing and Biathlon World Cup Final
Date: March 4-7, 2009
Location: Whistler Paralympic Park, Whistler

World Junior Curling Championships
Date: March 5-15, 2009
Location: Vancouver Olympic Centre, Vancouver

IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals
Date: March 9-14, 2009
Location: Whistler Creekside, Whistler

IBU Biathlon World Cup
Date: March 11-15, 2009
Location: Whistler Olympic Park

ISU World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships
Date: March 12-15, 2009
Location: Richmond Olympic Oval, Richmond

Hockey Canada Cup – Women’s Hockey
Date: August 31-September 6, 2009

Location: UBC Thunderbird Arena and Canada Hockey Place, Vancouver

About VANOC

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Contact
VANOC Communications
mediarelations@vancouver2010.com