Ski City USA!

The Junior Olympics are here and I am so excited!  Makes me wish I was 18 again, almost.

There has been such a long lead up to this event, with planning meetings over the past several years, practice events, trail and stadium construction, and everyone crossing their fingers for good weather.  And now March is suddenly upon us.  It has been so impressive to see all the effort that has gone into this event on the part of the City of Lakes Ski Foundation and the JO Organizing Committee.  The weather, for one, has been most cooperative, surpassing all March ski conditions of recent memory.  I wish I could say I played a larger role, but alas, the only things I can take partial credit for are helping create the event signage as part of the Signage Subcommittee of the Communications Committee, and also helping erect the snow fencing in the stadium.

I did, however, have the honor and privilege yesterday, along with Sara Morse, to escort the Far West team from the airport to the hotel via the light rail.  See David Owen's (as always) awesome photo set of New England's arrival.  If this operation was any indication of the level of preparedness and organization of these JO's, I'd say we've got an outstanding event on our hands.  Everything was smoothly orchestrated, from the greeting at the baggage claim, to getting the luggage to the Hoigaards truck for transport, and then boarding the light rail downtown and walking just a few blocks to the hotel.

So fun to see the athlete village at the Marriott.  This will likely be a JO's to remember for most of these kids.  Get a couple hundred teenagers together in one hotel, and who knows what kind of shenanigans will ensue...

Can't wait to see some racing, GO MIDWEST!

-Your #1 JO Groupie