Gregory Strong

Canada's Hans Wuthrich thought he had seen it all during his long ice-making career.

Delivering four top-quality curling sheets at the Beijing Games in a venue originally built for aquatic sports has been a unique challenge.

"Having to set up humidifiers instead of dehumidifiers to (avoid) losing your ice is quite unheard of," Wuthrich said Wednesday.

The venue — first called the Water Cube — was used for competitions like swimming and diving at the 2008 Beijing Summer Games. The 50-metre pool was drained and transformed into a curling facility — now dubbed the Ice Cube — in 2019.

The general view of the Water Cube at the FINA Swimming World Cup in 2018, prior to being converted to the Ice Cube.

1056411218

Wuthrich said the high-roofed, shoebox-style building is challenging since it wasn't built with the big air-handling units and large ducts traditionally used at ice event venues.

"The refrigeration system is fantastic," he said. "It's just the rest of the building is a real problem."

Chinese athletes take part in a curling test event for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games at the Ice Cube in April.

1232064788

Wuthrich said 20 humidifier units were needed this week to get the air moisture level where he wanted. He also had to fill a whirlpool in the building with hot water on Tuesday to create a "spa effect."

Beijing venues unfamiliar to some Canadian Olympians due to COVID-19

Canada's Olympic champion Justin Kripps is a big fan of the bobsled track at the Yanqing National Sliding Centre in China, particularly the 360-degree spiral corner that drops about 20 metres and shoots him out after what feels like "a couple of minutes."

Canadian bobsledder Justin Kripps says the Olympic track at the Yanqing National Sliding Centre favours experienced drivers. "I really like that because it gives you a chance to build a lot of speed down the track, and lots of places to make mistakes ..." says the reigning Games champion in the two-man event.

yanqing-sliding-centre-220202-1180

Canadian bobsledder Justin Kripps says the Olympic track at the Yanqing National Sliding Centre favours experienced drivers. 'I really like that because it gives you a chance to build a lot of speed down the track, and lots of places to make mistakes ...,' says the reigning Olympic champion in the two-man event.

Canadians Homan, Morris have tough path ahead in Olympic mixed doubles tourney

Team Canada's start in the Olympic mixed doubles curling event could go a long way in determining where they finish. The Canadian duo of Rachel Homan and John Morris face challenging tests in their first three games – Great Britain, Norway and Switzerland await Canada to begin the event.

Curing Canada announced Rachel Homan and John Morris, seen above, as the country's mixed doubles team for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

homan-morris-mixed-curling-doubles-beijing

Canada's Rachel Homan, left, and John Morris, right, had vastly different experiences at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, but will both look to defend Canada's mixed doubles title in Beijing.

The ice quality drew rave reviews from curlers who practised Wednesday afternoon ahead of the mixed doubles round robin opener in the evening.

Canada's Michele Gower is serving as deputy chief umpire at the curling venue during the Games. Competition continues through Feb. 20.

Head ice technician Hans Wuthrich, from Gimli, Man., stands beside the curling sheets at the Ice Cube Wednesday at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

From Water Cube to Ice Cube: Canadian icemaker deals with unique challenges at Games

More Stories Like This