Winter Olympics 2014.

[rickjames]

Useless Sweden

 

As a Londoner we have a few rinks but they can't half be a bugger to get to.

[BassTech]

Quite a lot of winter sports stuff in the west mids - Ice skaing rinks and a snowdome where you can ski/snowboard

[Griff]

I have been ice skating for about 6 weeks now...there is a rink in MK (MKICE) which is kind of temporary while they rebuild the old one. I am really enjoying it well until I fall over but 6 weeks in and I still suck its one of those you have to really work at I think...but it is already improving my fitness. There are also about 4 recreational ice hockey teams in MK including a ladies team which is pretty awesome. Since the Olympics the rink has been packed on the public skate nights, maybe we will see some more rinks popping up over the UK as I hear UK Sport are going to inject some cash into winter sports.....great Olympics loved every minute of it

[VeryPC]

We're dead lucky in Sheffield because the city is home to some fantastic venues like the English Institute of Sport, Ponds Forge International swimming pool and Ice Sheffield which have professional level facilities and play host to both national and world championships in various sports, including ice based events. All these venues are run by a body called Sheffield International Venues that used to be part of the council and the public can use the facilities at very reasonable rates (think local leisure centre prices). It's great being able to run on an International class track or play badminton on a court that has been on the telly. I might have to try out a bit of skating myself, but I think I'll let the "ice-fever" die down first and go in a few weeks time. I found out that Sheffield hosted the World Short Track Speed Skating Championships in 2011 - definitely gonna go watch that if it comes back soon.

 

Back to the Winter Games. Which have been your top events to watch over the past fortnight? Here's my top 5:

 

1. Ski/board cross - just so exciting!
   
2. Short track speed skating - basically I love the side by side racing
   
3. Curling - tactics, pressure, skill. Nailbiting.
   
4. Slopestyle/halfpipe - awesome tricks.
   
5. Sliding events (skeleton, bob etc..) - the way the result develops over 4 runs is really gripping
   

Which were your faves?

 

Al

Edited February 24, 2014 by VeryPC

[TechSupp]

Sheffield used to have a dry ski slope as well!

[featured_spectre]

Lets hope this doesn't happen to the olympic grounds

 

http://d24w6bsrhbeh9d.cloudfront.net/photo/aM1Pg6R_700b.jpg

[VeryPC]

Sheffield used to have a dry ski slope as well!

"Used to" being the operative words:

 

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/72771000/jpg/_72771576_skicentretipping.jpghttp://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/02/18/article-2561918-1B99DA1000000578-703_636x382.jpg

 

Such a shame - nurtured some of Team GB's medal hopefuls over the years too. Saw a rerun of an interview with James 'Woodsy' Woods on the BBC last week where they revisited Sheffield Ski Village and it was all rather sad really:

 

From about 3.20 onward for Ski Village footage: http://mpora.com/videos/AAdklo04ohjk

Al

Edited February 24, 2014 by VeryPC

[Griff]

My top 5:

 

1. ice hockey

2. snowboard cross

3. ski halfpipe

4. curling

5. ski downhill