The 2018 Winter Olympics venue is a spectacle for non-competitors,writes Khairul Ashraf Kammed
I AM standing at the gallery in Alpensia Stadium in the county of PyeongChang, about 2 ½ hours from Seoul, trying to digest as much as I can about the different kinds of winter sports and disciplines that will be featured in the Winter Olympics 2018.
Hosting the prestigious game for the first time, South Korea is offering two venues — this mountain resort of Alpensia for snow/outdoor sports and the coastal city of Gangneung for indoor sports.
The world will probably see Chew Kai Xiang, our national figure skater competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung but at the age of 17, time is still on his side. Fingers crossed, he will make it to the Beijing Games in 2022.
From the gallery, it is just a few steps away from the entrance to the pitch, so it will be foolish of me if I didn’t step into the heart of this multipurpose stadium which is now totally covered in snow.
I’ve always fancied snow and wouldn’t mind spending the rest of the day building snowcastles and snowmen here.
In the summer, when the pitch is green, this will be the home ground for Gangwon FC to host its opponents in the K-League Classic (Korean Football Premier League).
What makes this stadium, which can accommodate up to 11,000 seated fans, unique is that it has two towering ski jump ramps behind one of the goal posts.
For the winter Olympics next year, ski jumping and Nordic skiing will be held here.
ASCEND THE SKI JUMP TOWER
For a fee of 2000 won (RM8), the three-minute monorail ride seems a bit too long from the base which is level with the stadium and one of the lowest points throughout Daegwallyeong (700 m above sea level) to the top of the hill where the 160-metre ski jump tower entrance is located.
Nothing much can be seen on my way up but I have my eyes fixed on a snow plough on a hill below and the rocky terrain of the surrounding mountains.
After alighting the monorail, I walk under a sheltered walkway to the elevator on the tower’s ground floor which is less than 50 metres away.
The first stop is at level 2, where there is a bridge leading to the edge or starting gate where a ski jumper will begin his stunt using the Normal Hill ramp.
There is another ramp which is a bit higher known as the Large Hill next to it. It can only be accessed through the lift on a higher level.
For those with a fear of heights, it will take a while for them to get used to walking confidently on the broad bridge which is 27 metres from the ground.
On the top, they will be rewarded with an unobstructed view of the Alpensia Ski Resort on the right and also the beautiful panorama of Daegwallyeong.
The snow, trees, mountains, buildings and sky are like a painting with many specks of brown, beige or grey on a white canvas with a blue background. All my favourite colours and just like vanilla ice cream with nuts and chocolate drizzle.
Moving forward to the starting gate, I feel really privileged to be standing at the same spot where the Olympic ski jumpers will propel themselves.
Ski jumping is a form of Nordic skiing which requires the skier to glide down a 35-degree ramp at 90 km/h, where they will then jump and fly as far as they can before making a stable landing.
It is often dubbed “the flower of ski sports” because of the beauty of the downhill motion of the skier before going airborne.
The judges evaluate points based
on flying, landing and out-run style. There will be four events next year, namely, Men’s Normal Hill Individual, Ladies’ Normal Hill Individual, Men’s Large Hill Individual and Men’s Team.
The final part of the tour is going up to the observatory.
This is the section which looks like a flying saucer or an oyster mushroom.
There is also a small cafe here and this is the only place where visitors
can enjoy the 360-degree views.
ACTING LIKE A PRO
Back at Alpensia Holiday Inn Resort, my accommodation for this trip, I still have ample time to try skiing for the first time.
An adult ski session costs 22,000 Won, which includes skis, ski poles and boots.
I have to pay another 10,000 Won to rent
a proper ski suit. Goggles and gloves are sold separately.
The gondola or skylift to the intermediate level slope costs 50,000 Won.
If you are not up for skiing but still want to have fun in a ski resort, you can rent a snow sled for 20,000 Won for half a day.
Now, before you even start to ski, there are a few essentials that you have to know. You should learn how to dismount your boots from the skis by using the poles.
You can unlock and detach your boots by pressing the button on your ski at the end of your boots using the poles.
It is advisable to detach your skis and carry them using your hands if you want to walk up a hilly slope rather than waste your energy trying to ascend with your skis on.
But if you still insist on wearing your skis, then the trick is to move sideways. Raise your feet one at a time while making sure that the skis are perpendicular against the slope.
When skiing downhill, you have to master the art of falling. Always fall sideways and land on your buttocks to reduce injury.
To brake or slow down, form the shape the capital “A” with your skis.
I think I do well for a rookie as I fall fewer than five times while going down the intermediate slope and only because I need to avoid knocking into other skiers.
South Korea is ready to get the ball rolling for its first Winter Olympics in 2018. Promotional campaigns are being held all over the country, especially in Seoul. The high-speed rail which is set to be launched later this year will conveniently take visitors exactly 98 minutes from Incheon International Airport and 69 minutes from downtown Seoul to get to PyeongChang.