Hello all!
So here we are at the Beijing Winter Paralympics 2022, a time when Tiff and are are hoping to enjoy lots more winter sports whilst attempting to finish off the dragons we started during last year's Summer Paralympics.
I'm in a more fortunate position than Tiff - she started 12 dragons and, I believe, hasn't worked on them since, whereas I started 10 (I didn't like the other two) and have been quietly stitching on them over the past few months, reaching a point for each one where they should require only one more thread length. Well, that's the theory anyway!
The TV schedule in the UK is nowhere near as extensive as for the Winter Olympics, and is basically from 1am-9am with a 30 minute highlights programme in the evening. Thank goodness for being able to record and watch at my pleasure (and skip through the events (and numerous adverts) I'm not so bothered about!)
Here goes 10 days of sports then. As previously, we will be one day ahead of the Paralympics as we count the opening ceremony as day one.
Day 1 - Friday 4th March
Well, what to say about the opening ceremony? Simply perfect again. More is less, and the show proved that you don't need hundreds of people to make it memorable, just lots of children and lights! I'm glad they kept to the same format as the previous opening ceremony, with each country's name on a snowflake which then tessellated to make one giant snowflake; unity through sport.
Finish of the day:
Dragon 9 by StitchItPicasso
Stitched on 16ct Rhododendron over dyed aida with ThreadworX 1089 Bleeding Hearts
Started - 24th August 2021
Finished - 4th March 2022
Total stitching time - 10 hours
Day 2 - Saturday 5th March
Today's main events to watch were the downhill skiing races. In Paralympic skiing there are three categories - visually impaired, standing and sitting - with each athlete being awarded a factored time to take into account their level of impairment. For example, the clock for an athlete in the standing category who has one leg missing will run slightly slower than for someone who is missing just one hand. This should, in theory, level out the playing field.
As with their able-bodied compatriots, all of these skiers must know no fear! If you can imagine hurtling down a ski slope at over 60mph when able-bodied and fully-sighted as being terrifying, imagine trying to do it at even half that speed whilst being partially sighted and relying on a guide to tell you where to go! I'm so glad the guides get recognition for their work. The UK commentators have been telling us the reasons behind most of the para athletes' disabilities, which has been curiously interesting, but does prove that the right mindset (and presumably enough money and supportive families) can overcome any adversity.
Finish of the day:
Stitched on 16ct Puddle over dyed aida with ThreadworX 10551 Indian Turquoise
Started - 25th August 2021
Finished - 5th March 2022
Total stitching time - 7 hours 10 minutes
Day 3 - Sunday 6th March
I tried to concentrate on the para cross-country today. I really enjoyed the able-bodied cross country during the Winter Olympics and think this must be the event where each and every athlete pushes themselves way beyond any limit they have, irrespective of disability, as nearly all collapse absolutely exhausted at the end.
Finish of the day:
Stitched on 16ct Cloud Lilac over dyed aida with ThreadworX 1158 Grape Shades
Started - 26th August 2021
Finished - 6th March 2022
Total stitching time - 9 hours 15 minutes
Day 4 - Monday 7th March
The main focus of today was the super combined slalom, where the skiers need to complete both the giant slalom and slalom to be in with a chance of a medal. It's surprising how many skiers went out on one of the two courses, but no more than their able-bodied compatriots. Skiing is a risky sport, although perhaps the artificial snow did not help.
The snowboard cross also ran today, which was just as intense and interesting as the able-bodied snowboard cross. No visually impaired category in this event, but categories for upper-limb impairment and two for lower-limb impairment (the women had only one lower-limb category). Lots of thrills and spills, with some races being won by the tiniest of margins or after some controversial moves. Heart-racing action from beginning to end!
Finish of the day:
Stitched on 16ct Stormy Sea over dyed aida with ThreadworX 1020 Cloudy Skies
Started - 27th August 2021
Finished - 7th March 2022
Total stitching time - 7 hours 45 minutes
Day 5 - Tuesday 8th March
Today was another day of cross-country skiing with various biathlon distances in all three categories being contested. Because the visually impaired athletes can't clearly see the targets, they use laser guns which emit a higher pitch frequency when they are on target. All kudos to the guides for the visually impaired athletes in these events as they look even more exhausted than the competitors! Thankfully, as in all visually impaired events, they are recognised as being part of the team and awarded the medals too.
Finish of the day:
Stitched on 16ct Peach over dyed aida with ThreadworX 1077 Pottery
Started - 28th August 2021
Finished - 8th March 2022
Total stitching time - 10 hours
As you can see, I've so far been able to keep up with one finish each day, and each day I think that that dragon is my favourite! Once I finish all ten I'll then make a decision.
So that's five days down and five finishes achieved; five more days and finishes to go!
Take care,
Rachel x
4 comments:
Ohhh I love them of course.
These dragons are gorgeous! I'm glad that you included the stitching time. That will help me when I come to each one! I think doing them in one variegated thread is a lot quicker than using the charted colours.
Just out of interest, are all the disabilities physical? No athletes with learning disabilities?
Congratulations! Five days and five finishes. They all look great.
Look at you, being all clever and prepared for your finishing spree - well done so far! Love your commentary on all the different events, it's very interesting how they make the sports accessible for differently-abled athletes.
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