Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games chief Ice Maker Leif Oehman is in no doubt that he will prepare a perfect ice rink for the curling at the Pinerolo Palaghiacco.

Oehman, 61, has been an ice maker since 1980 and must meet thorough standards for Olympic curlers. During the flooding process, he uses sensors connected to two laptops whilst workers are applying fresh layers of water to the rink.

The ice originally has a cloudy sheen, but then on 4 February the 2.5 cm thick ice was painted white. After more flooding, Oehman and his team added the Olympic rings and lane markings for the four sheets.

More water was added until recently when the ice became 3.5 cm thick and perfectly level.

Oehman is extremely pleased with the facilities at Pinerolo Palaghiacco, historically a hockey rink.

Structurally using a hockey rink was a big advantage. However, Oehman said, “Hockey rinks don’t want fog. Curing rinks don’t want frost. There’s a big difference”

Frost can appear on a curling sheet due to a build up of humidity usually caused by spectators bringing moisture into the arena from outside rain or snow.

Frost can cause shot direction.

Oehman has had a dehumidifier installed that he will turn on at the first signs of trouble with the ice. Once play begins, Oehman and his deputy, Theo Frans, will study their laptops like hawks. The air temperature is constantly recorded at 10 metres, five metres and 1.5 metres above ice level. If the body heat from a sell-out crowd moves to quickly towards ice level, Oehman can adjust their air conditioning.

Spectators may find discomfort for the cold, but the curlers come first.

The 10 men’s and 10 women’s teams had their first training on the Olympic ice today and on 13 February (day 3) competition begins.

Tom Read/AOC
Torino