Check out the Official Mobile Spectator Guide to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games right here (iTunes link). The app has now reached the #1 spot of free apps on all of itunes. Nice. CTV OLYMPICS iphone app click here. And for the data plan conscious travellers in Vancouver, get the Vancouver free wi-fi hotspots app right here.
Check out the sneak peak of this awesome new TV commercial expanding on the popular “I am Canadian” series. Molson’s Made from Canada Commercial puts a tear in the eye and gets the hair on your arms to stand up in pride…to officially launch on TV during the opening ceremonies.
Click to Enlarge
On February 11 and 12, 2010, the Olympic Flame will travel throughout Vancouver including the Downtown area. There will be rolling road closures of 10-20 minutes as the Olympic Torch travels through Vancouver so expect some delays. Download the PDF version of the torch relay route map and full list of celebration site.
BBC is well known for its creative Olympic animation commercials and how it incorporates many of the different sports into the short. Beijing 2008 got a lot of attention and over 2 million views, so far, this one on Vancouver 2010 just broke 100,000 views on youtube:
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2 countries begin their quest for Olympic Men’s Hockey Gold on Feb. 16 at Canada Hockey Place aka GM Place in Vancouver with the start of preliminary round play.
(CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE PDF VERSION OF HOCKEY SCHEDULE)
All three of Canada’s preliminary games will be played in the mid-afternoon local time 4:30pm. It faces Norway on Feb. 16th, Switzerland on Feb. 18 and the U.S. on Feb. 21. If Canada qualifies for quarter-finals they will play on Feb. 24th at 4:30 pm and semi’s on the 26th at 6:30 pm.
The USA mens team will play at noon on the 24th and 26th if they qualify for quarter’s then semi’s. The gold medal game will be played at 12:15 p.m. local time on Feb. 28 - the final day of the Olympics. A North American TV Network dream come true would see USA vs Canada.
The women’s team opens its tournament on Feb. 13 against Slovakia at Canada Hockey Place. The other two preliminary games – Feb. 15 against Switzerland and Feb. 17 against Sweden - will be played at UBC.
Hockey House Being Built
Tickets for Molson Hockey House are now selling fast. The Fan pass which sells for $99 allows in and out access from 11am-2am including meals will be hardest to come by during the Olympics. Currently Fan Passes for January 21,24,26,27,28 are sold out. With capacity in the Hockey House at the 3,000 range it is not surprising, especially considering that the location of the Hockey House is right beside the 17,000 seat arena. The VIP passes which include priority seating and open bar are in the $500 range but it is fully expected for these to sell out very soon as well. You can follow on twitter @Hockey_House
A new slogan has been quickly gaining traction in Vancouver over the last couple of months from creator and independant snowboard shop owner Mike Jackson. To go along with the “CANADA KICKS ICE” statement Jackson has launched a new line of clothing and accessories specifically for the Canadian fans coming to Vancouver to cheer on our own. His uniquely branded line will be worn by the Canadian Bobsleigh Team and $1 from each sale goes to helping further develop the Olympic Program. To check out the gear and get your own you can visit online or go directly to Mike’s shop aka “Thriller” located at 3467 Main Street (@19th Ave) in Vancouver!
There has been significant movement on the betting odds for which country will win the Olympic Men’s Hockey Gold Medal since a month ago (read here) Team Russia having gone from 2.26:1 up to 2.75:1 meaning putting up $100 will give back your bet plus an additional $275. Canada is still hands the favourite at slightly better than even money but with the format of this 2 week tournament (read here) it may be wiser to play the home town spoiler bets of Sweden or USA as well. Note Slovakia has gone from over 69:1 down to 44:1 and could be the darkhorse worth watching.
Olympic Winter Games Men |
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| Fri 2/12 | Will Canada Win the Gold Medal? | |
| 09:00 AM | 101 Yes | +118 |
| 102 No | -138 | |
| Fri 2/12 | Odds to Win The Gold Medal ( All in ) | |
| 09:00 AM | 4501 Canada | +118 |
| 4502 Russia | +275 | |
| 4503 Sweden | +691 | |
| 4504 USA | +994 | |
| 4505 Czech Republic | +1488 | |
| 4506 Finland | +1896 | |
| 4507 Slovakia | +4368 | |
| 4508 Field | +18037 | |
Washington Capitals are in town to face the Canucks on Friday night, very classy move by Alex Ovechkin to build some hype around the upcoming Olympics.
This Thursday, December 17th
The Olympic Superstore at The Bay Downtown, Vancouver
5:00 pm–7:00 pm
Take advantage of this opportunity starting tomorrow, Tuesday, December 15 by visiting The Olympic Superstore at The Bay Downtown to pre-purchase your item to guarantee your chance to meet Ovechkin.
One of the following items must be purchased at The Olympic Superstore at The Bay Downtown in order meet Ovechkin and have it autographed in person:
• 2010 Signature Series hockey poster
• 2010 Signature Series puck
• Signature Series hockey stick
• Team Russia jersey
• Ovechkin Team Russia matted photo
Prices start at $98.
Items available for autographs from Ovechkin are limited to the first 400 Signature Series purchases. Quantities by product are limited.
Party Palace Under Construction
Construction is fast underway to build the best party tent ever in Vancouver, Molson Hockey House. Here’s how it works so far as we know it. Depending on day of the hockey tournament day passes range from $450 a day up to $950 for the Men’s Gold Medal Game. Price includes unlimited food and beer, plus in and out privileges, concerts, and entertainment. We have heard of an evening only ticket from 10pm – 2am in the $150 range but have yet to see anything official. Although scarcity of tickets is being marketed by Molson’s, apparently corporate have bought up packages but still many day passes available. We would definitely be open to trading tickets for Hockey House, this place is going to be at the heart of the action during the Olympics and in particular the Hockey….Check out the virtual tour inside Molson Hockey House:
Inside Molson Hockey House
