Australian athletes won’t have to worry about support over the next few days, with hundreds of Australians, both visitors and those who call it a seasonal home, waving the green and gold.

In case you missed the live Channel Nine coverage from Whistler live last night, it was Australia-ama. Crossing to the site during the Opening Ceremony, viewers could see Australians in coloured face paint, holding placards to mum and dad; there was even a cork hat and a boxing kangaroo.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. At the other two Whistler live sites, which are the epicentres for entertainment over the next 15 days, the distinct Aussie accent can be heard.

Even on the slopes, a chairlift bore the sign ‘Go Aussies Go’ and a masked man in an Australian flag cape tore turns in powder snow.

The Australians have the distinct advantage in that, outside of Australia, this is the one of few resorts boasting a significant Australian population. Whistler Blackcomb has always been an Antipodean hot spot, riders lured by the immense terrain and non stop night life.

In 2010 many are here as workers just for the chance to be part of the Olympics, some are now long time locals and others just lucked in to be here at the right time.

Tara Handyside, from Brisbane, moved earth and water to get here. Having applied during a Whistler Blackcomb hiring freeze, she went to work at Banff, but persisted and scored with a job with VANOC at the Whistler media centre a month before the Games.

For Handyside, who is aiming for a job in events, the experience is invaluable.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, see how things work, like the Press Conferences,” Handyside said.

Referring to Australia as the “8th state of Canada” due to the amount of Australians here, she will be out to support Emma Lincoln Smith in the women’s Skeleton.

 Angie Baardman swapped the sunny climes of the Gold Coast for Whistler, a move she’s been planning since January 2009 to coincide with the Olympics. She hopes to see Torah Bright ride and says, “There will be loads of support for the Aussie athletes, Whistler is 90% Australian.”

A slight Canadian absence was explained by Elly Downing, worker at Evolution snowboard store. According to Downing, while most residents who had come around to the Olympic spirit after accepting disturbances to their prized village, other locals had deliberately left to Mexico or Costa Rica. “Which is fine, it’s better if the people who aren’t really into it take their vibes somewhere else”.  

Rod Schalkwyk, from Queensland, working at the IGA, said it’s been the best time to ride the mountain as everyone is busy watching the action, either live or on TV.

Not that he is immune to the buzz and supports his local team. “There has been big hype about it, everyone is talking about it. There should be heaps of support for our Aussies competing; they’ve definitely got loads of back up here in Whistler.”

Flip Byrnes
AOC Whistler