The traditional Olympic sendoff from the community that has more Winter Olympians than any other in America literally closed down Steamboat Springs. The town's main street, Lincoln Avenue, was closed with a huge stage, big screen TV and trampoline show.
The hour-long festivity was followed by a downtown stroll where Olympians signed autographs in local businesses. Huge lines formed for World Champions Johnny Spillane (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) and Billy Demong (Vermontville, N.Y.) and Brett Camerota (Park City, Utah) at Vectra Bank. Four-time Olympic moguls skier and World Champion Ann Battelle signed in High Country Sotheby's, while nordic combined skiers Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, Colo.), Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) and Olympic Coach Dave Jarrett were in the Smokehouse. Olympic bronze medalist Nelson Carmichael signed in Off the Beaten Path Bookstore while Steamboat's own Billy Kidd was in Steamboat Ski and Sport.
Steamboat Springs has a roster of around 75 Olympians from the popular Colorado mountain town.
"This is a source of great pride to our community of Steamboat Springs," said Steamboat Ski Corp. Vice President of Sales and Marketing Andy Wirth. "It means a lot to have all of these great Olympians join us for a sendoff to Vancouver."
"The Steamboat community has welcomed us with open arms. Our patriotic uniforms make us stand out in a crowd, encouraging people to offer their wishes of good luck and take their photo with us," reigning World Champion Hannah Kearney, of Norwich, Vt., said. "I have enjoyed skiing the Steamboat course that has been altered since the Olympic Trials, to closer resemble the Olympic course."
Moguls squad reports successful pre-Olympic camp
"The camp is going great here in Steamboat. It is like a breath of fresh air after the tense Olympic qualifying World Cups," 2002 Olympic silver medalist Shannon Bahrke (Tahoe City, Calif.) said of last week's final preparations. "I am able to focus on what I want to do in Vancouver and not worry about anything else. I only have one job to do now!"
Tearing up the Voo Doo run before they crossed the Canadian border on Sunday, U.S. Moguls Coach Scott Rawles said training at Steamboat Springs was the perfect way to send off the athletes.
Steamboat completely rebuilt its moguls run in order to help prepare the Moguls athletes for what the course at Cypress Mountain will be.
"Steamboat has done an excellent job preparing the course for us, building the jumps so they will be similar to the ones that will be up in Vancouver," Bahrke said. "We've also been so encouraged by all of the people in Steamboat. Everyone is very excited to see us and wishing us the best of luck! It is a very cool energy here and I'm thankful we got the chance to train here."
Athletes are now arriving in Vancouver, with the men's downhill in Whistler Creekside and women's moguls at Cypress Mountain kicking off the Olympics this Saturday. The highly-touted nordic combined squad gets its first medal opportunity on Sunday.
