Nordic World Ski Championships in Seefeld - Day 1

Clicca qui per la versione italiana I arrive at the shuttle parking lot at about 11.30: there are only 2-3 cars. A moment of panic: I do not see the shuttles. Then I see a coach pass and I find out that they leave from a lot immediately behind. I go up, and I'm alone, soon after two more will go up. The shuttle arrives at the railway station: from there, going calmly, I arrive at the stadium in about twenty minutes, a little more than I expected, because I find out that the stadium is not where the slopes usually start, but a little further . At the entrance I show the ticket (a single one until Sunday), but they remind me that it is useless: today it is free admission.

I take a seat in the A tribune (my ticket is for the B), which is almost completely empty: there is a group of Greek fans (some presumably team members ) and some other lone spectators. The first race is the women's 5 km, qualifying for the 10 km. They don't give the list of starters, so only when the starts end I find out that they are 26, and do not even say how many qualify, or if they say I do not understand (the speaker is not heard very well): I will discover in the afternoon that pass in 10. I am surprised to see a Chinese among the qualifiers, and infact she wins, with only two athletes (a Brazilian and an Australian) who finish less than one minute behind. A Thai trudges, and at times seems of my level, especially in lane changes: she closes last,9'53 "from the first, but it still means a time around 25 ', which I dreamed about, even when I was young and healthy.

When the last one arrives, I leave, but I discover that they make a "flower ceremony", inclusive of anthem, like a real competition. In the interval between the two races I meet two girls with a flag that is usually not seen at a winter sports event, and from a coat of arms on their jacket I find out that it is Madagascar. They are also interviewed by a TV, I believe from Northern Europe. I ask them what they have to do with Madagascar, also considering that they do not look like Africans: they explain to me that they came to cheer for their friend, a Malagasy who lives in Norway since the age of 6.

When I returned to the stands for the men's race, I find that the A tribune is reserved for credited peoèle. I therefore have to sit in the B: from there you can see the starts a little worse, but the finishes much better. This time they give the list of starters: they are 58. The first to start is a Mexican of 55 years: it's nice to see that someone till older than me is still competing! The Malagasy starts with n. 7: many eovertake him, but he also overtakes someone, and eventually closes 50th out of 56.

 Strong gaps between the first starters: the Danish started with n. 17 is the third to arrive, but will still remain out of the 10. There are two laps of 5 km, and a little before the arrival of each lap there is another passage in the stadium. Exciting race, with many changes of lead. At one point a Thai goes in the head, so I think I'll hear the Thai anthem in a ski race, but he's second: a Belgian wins. A Lithuanian concludes with one ski.

After a few hours around Seefeld, I arrive at the Medal Plaza, which is just before the stadium, around 5.30, and I find it already full (the opening ceremony starts at 6 pm). Behind me a group of Italians. The ceremony begins with an exhibition of acrobats, with vintage images in the background. Then there are the politicians' speeches, with the mayor of Seefeld who speaks perfect English. Then, it comesto the parade of the 62 teams, according to the order of the English name. Some, like Sweden and Norway, show a symbolic representation, others, such as Germany, Slovenia or even Italy, other than the hosts, present almost the full team.

I am really tired, so when an Austrian pop duo arrives (which must be very popular, judging by how many sing their song) I leave. Anyway, it was sthe last show on the program, before the fireworks. On the way back, the coach is a bit fuller than when I came, but still not very full. Tomorrow it will be another story.