Nov. 10, 2009

Landing our sponsor and seeing the Big Apple.

All we can say is “Wow!” and “Thank You!” to the Mall of America for joining us on our journey to Vancouver! It was very exciting to hear that MOA would be helping us out this year! After hearing the news we set out right way to get embroidery and screen printing done to get the MOA logo on our uniforms! You hear it all the time but I can tell you that we couldn’t make it without great sponsors and contributors like them!!! Thank you…thank you!

On the heels of our sponsor announcement was our trip to New York City for the Today Show and “100 days out” Olympic Festival on NBC! A whirlwind 24 hour trip that would have our team, the ladies team and the Paralympic team all staying at the downtown Hilton right near Rockefeller Plaza. The night of our arrival was a hosted cocktail party where all of the winter sports were represented by athletes, National Governing Bodies and Sponsors. It was there that we all got to meet many athletes from the present and the past. Not the least of which was, Jim Craig of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” Hockey Team! What a thrill for all of us. It is finally starting to sink in…..WE ARE OLYMPIANS! The next morning was a crazy blitz of media, autograph sessions and a special ceremony honoring all three curling teams as the first athletes selected to Team USA for Vancouver 2010! It was very special to be wearing the USA gear and to be recognized in this way. Unfortunately due to factors beyond our control, the segment never aired on the Today Show! Thanks to everyone who changed plans to try to watch! Despite that fact, it was still a great trip that none of us will ever forget!