The results achieved by our athletes, along with the presentation and accommodation provided by Vancouver during this

Short and Long Track Speed Skating Crash Pads

Crash Pads systems were a vital part of ensuring athlete safety as speed skaters achieved record breaking speeds during the 2010 Winter Games.

Building on our experience from fabricating the crash pads for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, we perfected the design with the help of new research and technology developed by scientists from Mount Royal College and the University of Calgary. Using a computerized impact system to collect data, different kinds and combinations of foam were tested, and new design criteria were developed that minimized the force of impact and controlled deceleration. The pads not only protected the fallen athlete from the initial fall, but from the bounce back effect as well so the fallen skater wouldn’t end up the path of oncoming skaters.

There are two options to control deceleration: pad movement and pad compression. To achieve the desired results, each set of pads were fabricated with a combination of foams with different densities to absorb the impact of long track athletes skating at speeds exceed 60 km/hr and short track skaters averaging 45 km/hr who are also more likely to fall in groups. Minimizing peak deceleration in pad design was critical to the safety of the athletes.

Based on our extensive experience working with a variety of foam and fabric components, in combination with our manufacturing capabilities, Norseman was able to secure the contracts for the manufacture and supply of both the Long and Short Track Speed Skating Crash Pad Systems used in the Richmond Oval and Pacific Coliseum venues respectively.
Long track athletes are less likely to fall in a group; however they tend to be larger athletes who achieve higher speeds, which generate forceful crashes. The Richmond Olympic Oval had a rail cam which encircled the rink, which meant the crash pads were unable to move. With all of these factors considered, the long track pads were fabricated by layering different foams with different densities to slow the athletes instead of using very large, soft pads to absorb the impact.

The short track pads did have the ability to shift because the events took place on international-size hockey rinks with the boards removed. However, short track athletes are more likely to have multiple crashes due to the larger number of athletes competing in any one event. The awkward and multiple crashes that happen while other skaters are still making their laps required the pads to have a higher degree of compression to minimize the bounce back effect. As you might have witnessed during the games, there were indeed many crashes in both the long and short track events and we are proud to say our pad systems protected each and every one of the skaters.

Figure Skating Crash Pads

The figure skating events were also held at the Pacific Coliseum where the Short Track Speed Skating events took place and the short track pads were used during the figure skating events. The only change made was the configuration of the graphics. For all four figure skating events, the pads displayed images of figure skaters, replacing the images of speed skaters seen during the speed skating events.

The outstanding abilities of our sewing production staff are to be attributed to the flawless continuous pattern seen across the padding systems for all 3 padding systems including the duplicate pads created with different event graphics.

Birks Torch Boxes

Birks officially gained the right to be the official jewelry supplier to the Vancouver Olympics back in 2007. One of the unique products they proposed was to create a keepsake replica of the Olympic Torch. This is only the second time in the history of the Olympics a torch replica has been available (the first being the Beijing Olympics in 2008).

In February of 2009, Birks located Norseman through our website and began inquiring about foam inserts for their torch box. Recognizing that this was a project we had the expertise to complete, we contacted them immediately and arranged to send them various samples. Birks was impressed not only with the speed of our response, but also with the quality of our samples. Although the initial project only required us to provide the foam inserts for the torch boxes, Norseman ended up partnering with Birks to handle all aspects of the sourcing, assembly and logistics required. Details of the project included:

• Custom made wood boxes, sourced in B.C. and produced from Canadian Alder.
• Foam inserts designed specifically for the contents of the torch box.
• Kit assembly including installation of the outer metal fascia plate and interior map/graphics card (supplied by Birks)
• Installation of the torch base and pin (supplied by Birks)
• Set up of a secure production line and storage environment including fencing and video surveillance to handle management of customer supplied inventory
• Protective packaging for master pack shipments
• Warehousing and logistics including direct shipment to west coast retailers

The final product was sold in Birks stores across Canada as well as through VANOC and HBC. To purchase one of you own, visit the Birks website using the following link, Birks Olympic Torch and keep the spirit of the 2010 Olympic Game alive.

Snowboards

As a result of the competencies demonstrated in our work in the film industry, VANOC requested Norseman to produce 1200 snowboard props to be used in the closing ceremonies. They were looking for a lightweight version of a snowboard that could be securely gripped by performers, but still allow for freedom of movement. In addition, the snowboard needed to be made from materials that could not hurt surrounding performers.

To accomplish this, Norseman developed a closed cell foam board that was die-cut into the shape of a snowboard with 2 cut out handles. The closed cell foam satisfied the lightweight requirement and the edges were all rounded and smooth so as not to accidentally injure any of the performers using them. Two separate graphics for the 'top' and 'bottom' of the snowboards were provided by VANOC and printed onto Sintra PVC boards which were also die cut into the snowboard shapes. This particular die-cut was made smaller than the original foam die cut so there would be an inch of foam sticking out around all the edges of the PVC board to protect the performers if they accidentally got hit. The PVC boards were then glued onto either side of the die cut foam pieces to make the final product!

1200 boards were distributed to the performers in the closing ceremonies as they celebrated Canada and our unique culture in a colourful choreographed display for a world audience on the final day of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.