The Apolo Ohno Invitational is upon us!

It’s your lucky day, Salt Lake City, because if you missed the stars of short track speed skating at the ISU World Cup you have another chance! The inaugural Apolo Ohno Invitation is TONIGHT, Friday, November 21st at the Energy Solutions Arena.

This great spectator event has been made even greater with a powerful, in-venue experience complete with theatrical lighting and intense music throughout the competition. You will get to see elite athletes from the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and China racing in men’s and women’s 500m, 1000m, and team relays across 14 races.

This event is yet another opportunity to “invite the world back to Utah,” as Governor Gary R. Herbert put it and can only add to Utah’s Olympic legacy. So come on out tonight and support some of your favorite U.S. Speed Skating team members such as Jessica Smith and John-Henry Krueger as they go for gold!

Doors open at 6 PM with races starting at 7 PM and you can purchase tickets through Smith’s Tix or www.energysolutionarea.com, in person or at the Energy Solutions Box office or by phone at 801-355-SEAT. You can also catch this event streaming on NBCSN starting at 8 PM MST on Friday, November 21^st.

SEE YOU THERE!

Continuing the “Legacy of the Volunteer!”

It’s no secret that the 2002 Winter Olympics that were held right in our very own Salt Lake City were a huge success. Many factors contributed to this success including the enormous amount of fun and willing VOLUNTEERS that worked at the multiple ceremonies and events. That being said – let’s talk about the ongoing “Legacy of the Volunteer!

It began with a spark. From February 8^th through the 24^th, 2002, The Salt Lake Olympic Games ignited the passion of 2,300 athletes representing 77 delegations with an audience of more than 2 billion people watching from around the world – and behind all of this was 22,000 volunteers working day and night to make sure that their city and nation’s time in the lime-light was all that it should be.

This massive force became the face of the Games, recognized at first by their brightly colored coats and then for their never-ending smiles and warmth. During and after the Games, athletes and officials from around the world gave credit for the great success of Salt Lake 2002 to these extraordinary volunteers.

While the 2002 Games around are nearly 14 years behind us our venues are still home to some astounding world events. One such event is the upcoming Short Track Speed Skating World Cup that will be held November 7^th through the 9^th at the Utah Olympic Oval. We of course need help from volunteers like the ones described above! Now that you’re hooked here is some more info…

Volunteers are needed to work in the following capacities:
Doping Chaperones:                Escorting the athletes to their drug tests
Access Control:                           Providing security and control within the venue
Usher:                                             Assist the public with seating and questions
Check in:                                        Helping in the volunteer/staff area
Miscellaneous:                            TBD
*Arrivals/Departures:             Assisting with athletes at the airport

For more information and shift times please visit out volunteer page.

Public Climbing Wall: Can You Take the Plunge?

The Utah Olympic Park just finished hosting it’s 2nd Psicobloc Master Series.  Some of the best climbers from around the world showed up last week to compete in this deep-water soloing competition.  After seeing the fearless athletes climb the 50 foot wall, as a spectator, you can’t help but wonder what it would feel like to drop in from the Psicobloc wall.  Lucky for those who want to experience the thrill, the Utah Olympic Park has opened the climbing wall for the public to use!

Bring your swimsuit, or clothes that can get wet, because you will most certainly be making a plunge into the Aerials Pool.  You will also want to make sure to bring your own climbing shoes.  Once you have your shoes on and are ready to go, it’s time to get on the wall.  First thing you will want to do is traverse to the start of your climb.  As soon as you are set on your route, there is nowhere to go but up!  It is such a thrilling (and honestly a quite frightening) experience being on the wall without being harnessed into anything.  My advice, DON”T LOOK DOWN!  Just keep looking up for your next move.  Once you reach the top of the climb, it is time to drop.  You will be surprised by how long your body will grip onto the wall if you are scared to make the jump.  Really though, it will give you butterflies! It feels much higher when you are hanging from the top waiting to drop in.  As soon as you get the courage to make the plunge, you will feel a rush of energy as you drop down into the pool.  It is such a crazy feeling free falling off of a climbing wall!  It’s not something you will experience at your every day climbing gym.  And let me tell you something, after doing it once, you will be addicted.  Dry off those shoes and hop back on the wall.  The Olympic Park sells day passes, so you can stay as long as you like from 11am-6pm.  

Go try it out!  Climbing the Psicobloc wall is such a unique and exciting thrill.  The wall will be up until August 24th and is open daily.  

Psicobloc Comp

The Psicocomp Master Series is back at the Utah Olympic Park this week to put on a show for adrenaline junkies, thrill seekers, or anyone who just wants to see something awesome. Psicocomp is a deep water soloing competition.  This climbing competition brings together elite climbers from across the country to compete head to head to see who can climb the furthest without dropping into the pool.  Athletes such as Chris Sharma, Sasha DiGiulian, Jimmy Webb, Delaney Miller, and many more will be attending. Watching athletes train on the 50 foot wall this afternoon, it was clear that these climbers are fearless and as talented as they come.

Qualifiers start this afternoon at Momentum Climbing Gym in Millcreek.  Climbers who make it past qualifying round will compete at the Utah Olympic Park tomorrow night at 7pm in the seeding round.  Most exciting of all are the finals, which will start at 7pm at the Utah Olympic Park.  This is one of the most unique and exciting climbing competitions you can attend.  It’s not one that you want to miss out on!  Make sure to get your tickets now because they are going fast.

After the competition is over, the fun continues up at the Utah Olympic Park.  The 50 foot climbing wall will remain up until August 24th.  Anyone is welcome to climb the wall from 11am to 6pm.  Adults climb for $20 and youth climb for $15.

Cross-training with Ted Ligety and our very own Derek Parra!

Last week we posted photos of Ted Ligety, the gold medalist alpine skier, cross-training with Derek Parra here at the Utah Olympic Oval and today we’ve decided to create a blog post with a little more information on what the two were really up to!

It all started when Ted contacted Derek about his interest in trying out some speed skating exercises in attempt to do some off-season cross-training. Derek obliged but under one condition – Ted had to give Derek an hour of off-ice time before the speed skates hit the ice!

This off-ice hour consisted of “dry-land imitations” which are helpful in imitating and getting accustomed to the speed skating motion. While Ted does play hockey the range of motion that is required for speed skating is significantly different and takes time getting used to. Below are images of Ted and Derek using the slide boards. The slide boards are used with nylon stockings on the feet to imitate push sequences and get used to the feeling of a full speed skating stroke.

Ted and Derek getting acquainted with the slide board.

Ted and friends on the slide boards.

There were also resistance bands involved!

After the off-ice time it was time to strap on the speed skates and hit the ice! The dry-land imitations were no longer just imitations but real, strategic movements on-ice. It didn’t take long for Ted to warm up to the movements and then he was off on his own!

Ted on-ice

As a final side note, we all know that Ted is without a doubt a world-class athlete but according to Derek Ted’s hips were “lit up” after the work out!

 

Here are the details on the new solar array at the Utah Olympic Oval!

Last week the Utah Olympic Oval announced plans to move towards a more sustainable Olympic venue. In collaboration with several high-profile public and private business partners the Olympic Oval broke ground on a new, large-scale solar array right here in the parking lot.

These are some details regarding the electric bill that the Oval currently runs up:

The Utah Olympic Oval is open year-round, 363 days a year, with 100 tons of refrigeration capacity and 5.44 acres of conditioned clear span space. That being said, the building consumes approximately six million kilowatt house (kWh) annually and on average the electrical utility costs exceed $750,000.

Here are some project facts:

• The Rocky Mountain Power grant of $564,000, paid over five years, is the largest contribution through their Utah Solar Incentive Program.
• The 791 kW Solar Array, consisting of 3,108 solar modules, will be mounted on parking canopy shade structures in the parking lot south and adjacent to the Utah Olympic Oval.
• The solar energy system will generate over one million kWh annuals. This will reduce the building’s need for market-rate power by approximately 20% resulting in an average energy cost savings of approximately $100,000 annually.
• While many solar projects have long term (15 to 20 years) return on investment projections, the Olympic Oval solar project is forecasted to pay for itself in less than five years through the support of community grants and tax credits.
• Capturing clean energy through a large solar array allows the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation to achieve the goal of reducing known long-term energy consumption costs in a meaningful and fiscally sound way.

The Utah Olympic Oval has already earned its place in Olympic history and with continued collaboration efforts, the Oval is prepared to continue its attempt to reduce costs so more money can be used to train the next generation of Olympic athletes.

Expected Completion is October of 2014.

The solar array is officially under construction!

A digital rendering of the finished product.

The Comet Bobsled Ride: Are you up for the thrill?

While watching the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, many of us sat at home admiring the talented Olympic athletes wondering what it might be like to be in their shoes.  What it might be like to be the most graceful figure skater, to be the furthest ski jumper, or to be the fastest bobsledder. If you were one of those people wondering, then the Utah Olympic Park has an Olympic bobsled ride that will give you that thrill.  The Utah Olympic Park has one of the two luge tracks that are in the United States and opens it to the public to experience both in the summer and winter.

The Summer Comet Bobsled ride at the Utah Olympic Park is an experience for all the thrill seekers out there.  As the shuttle takes you up to the top of the track you see riders screaming down in the Comet Bobsled so fast that you start to get butterflies in your stomach knowing that in just moments that will be you.  At the top, you are given a helmet and a few tips on how to make the ride a little smoother for yourself (listen carefully).  As you wait for your turn to ride down the track, you will see other riders pushing bobsleds at the starting line.  Volunteer to help!  Because let’s be honest, if you want to get the full experience, you need to push a bobsled.  One of the best parts about waiting at the top is seeing the faces of riders that have just returned from the bottom of the track.  Grinning from ear to ear, they will tell you about the amazing thrill of racing down the track (and sometimes you will see them try to sneak in another ride).  Once it is your turn, you pick your spot in the sled. In second seat, directly behind your professional driver, you will have the smoothest ride, while in fourth seat, the back of the sled, you will feel the most force.  Reaching speeds of 70 MPH, this is a ride for the adrenaline junkies out there.  As you fight to keep your body in the correct upright position through the bank turns, you can’t help but be amazed by the athletes that practice running through the track multiple times a day. The G-Force is so strong, just going down the track once is exhausting.  When you get out of your sled, you hear the fastest speed you reached on the track and your race time.  Get some heavy people in your sled and you might have a shot of being the fastest time of the day!  As you return with your sled to the top of the track you can’t help but be envious of the people that are waiting for their turn to go down the track.  

If you are looking for a unique and exciting experience to try out this summer, come to the Utah Olympic Park and try the Comet Bobsled ride.  You will be overcome by Olympic spirit again, and maybe even find your inner drive to become an Olympic bobsledder.

Cool off at the Oval at the 2nd Annual Frozen 5K +10K!!

Step out of the sizzling July heat and into the cool Utah Olympic Oval for your next personal record at the 2^nd annual Frozen 5K + 10K indoor race this upcoming Saturday, July 19^th!

Not only will you be racing in an official U.S. Olympic Training Site surrounding the “Fastest Ice on Earth,” but you will also be running in a LEED-certified, climate-controlled arena with temperatures that range between 63 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, which sounds awfully n-ICE compared to Saturday’s forecasted temperature of 97 degrees! The track surrounding the ice is considered the fastest track surface in the industry, manufactured by Mondo USA. The Mondo Super X Performance track has a patented biochemical design that offers runners a consistent feel and maximum energy absorption and return.

 Here is a list of event schedule and times:

-Both the 5K and 10K will begin at 9am, with packet pickup being the morning of the race.

-Packet pickup will be from 7:00-8:30am for those that are already registered. Your race packet will include your Transponder, race number, your race t-shirt, along with coupons.

-Early registration ends on July 13. After that, late and day of registration prices will increase in price.

-Day of registration will only be from 7:00-8am. It is highly recommended that you register prior to race day, however.

-Awards will be given to top finishers.

-We will be using the MYLAPS transponder system, which will allow you to see your overall time as well as lap time. We will also be using FinishLynx Photo-Finish system for ultimate timing accuracy.

 Lastly, check out some pictures from last year’s race!

Derek Parra doing his thing!

Looks like a winner!

Ready, set, go!

Run, run, run!

 

 

Mission Statement

“The Utah Athletic Foundation is a non-profit organization that owns and operates both the Utah Olympic Park and Utah Olympic Oval. The Utah Athletic Foundation shall endeavor to effectively manage and maintain our world-class Olympic legacy facilities and provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to participate, educate, and excel in winter sports.“