Welding is a versatile skill that is usually used to build practical things, but it is also used to combine both form and function. This ability to meld beauty with usefulness made welding an important part of the Winter Olympics preparation in Vancouver, BC.
Ski Ramps: The ski jump used for the Olympics was built by Dynamic Structures, a welding and design business located in BC. The two ramps were 138 and 104 yards long. They had to be assembled on location — on an isolated mountainside in this case. The International Ski Federation has strict requirements that had to be followed. Dynamic Structures pulled it off with ease and the ramps were ready and waiting when the first skier was ready to jump.
Bobsleds: Welding had a place not only in the sports structures used in the Games, but in the sports equipment as well. Bobsleds require many different types of metals to be welded together securely. Bobsled building has to follow rigid regulations and specifications. The specs are not only for the size of the bobsled but also how much it weighs, how aerodynamic it is, how much rough treatment it can take, and how safe it is. Bobsledding is not a gentle sport and, for the safety of the athletes, the bobsled has to be built with failsafe precision.
Athlete's Village Art: So much of the Olympics is the atmosphere created by the host city. One of the many ways the 2010 planning committee created atmosphere was by commissioning Rick Wittrig to weld one of his beautiful fire pits out of recycled materials. Wittrig started making fire pits as a hobby at first, but he has since had enough interest to form a business. He was surprised and honoured when the 2010 Olympic Games got in touch with him about building a fire pit for the Athlete's Village in Vancouver. His final welded piece was a 200 pound steel globe that was flown to Vancouver and will remain on location after the Games end.
Written by Brian Chalmers
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