 Poster: A snowHead
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Reuters report this morning that armed soliders are preparing security for the Turin Winter Olympics (10-26 February) in dramatic form:
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| Skiers in Sestriere, site of the Alpine skiing competition, feel like extras in a James Bond movie as armed soldiers in camouflage glide past on the pistes. |
Here is the Reuters article.
With the ever-present fear of terrorism, extensive policing and protection is being deployed by the Italian authorities. However, the greatest threat is likely to come from the people of the Val di Susa (near the Olympic sites) where there have been major demonstrations against a high-speed international rail link.
If you've been overtaken by an armed Italian soldier on skis, please describe the experience.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Having on a couple of occasions watched how the Italian army introduce their new recruits to skiing - basically take them to the top, fit them with a heavy rucksack, and then give them a push and see what happens - I'd be surprised if they overtake anybody!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I go in 2 weeks, should be an interesting sight. 
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Pete1909,be prepared for fun at Turin Airport,it's absolute chaos there!
Building work,broken luggage belts,loads of delays and lots of Italians running around not sure what they are suposed to be doing!
All rushing to get the airport ship-shape for the Olympics,my monies on them failing!!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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What's the Olympic record for a luggage belt?
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LIAMJ - Turin airport is *ALWAYS* like that!
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Must admit,thought at the time,i wouldn't fancy going to Turin again if that was the norm!,but having an Italian wife i really should be used to Italian efficiency by now,but always can't help thinking "lovely people,but how on earth did they ever organise an empire.....!"
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I was in Sestriere at Christmas, and shared the very limited pistes with what seemed like the whole Italian army. Although they seemed to be officially "Alpini", they were nearly all beginners, and I spoke to a pair who were from Naples. They were all very well behaved and gentlemanly. I didn't see any weapons.
The worst thing about Turin Airport was that it was very cold ! I think, because of the building works, parts of it were only separated from the outdoors by sheets of polythene.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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LIAMJ, brendangibson, - never had a problem at Turin, flown in many times for sliding action but always been on DIY trips getting in there either on sunday eve or during the week.............this year i'ts Sunday morning, i'm prepared for chaos but then everywhere is during the sliding season 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Italian army soldiers are always skiing around the Milky Way as they train there - they certainly have been over the past few years when i've been there.
Iwonder is this activity olympics related or are Reuters just having a slow January...........
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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This is nothing new. I have stood next to armed soldiers in Sauze whilst watching skiercross and other events - they seem to be the "hired help" for policing events and lugging equipment about the mountain.
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And who are they intending to shoot at these popular sporting events?
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You know it makes sense.
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And who are they intending to shoot at these popular sporting events?
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No idea - but they do a very good line in Italian swearwords when their favourites crash
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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They where training there while we where on holiday last year they were not i repeat NOT impressed when we assumed they where practicing running away into France. One ex RM and one ex para should not be allowed to make international relations after gallons of vodka  highly embarrased by it now but it was funny at the time
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I imagine the Italians are pretty worried about the prospects of an attack - it's their 'turn' after London and Madrid. Italy has an elections in April and troops in Iraq until at least the end of the year, so the prospect of trying to influence the election may seem appealing to anyone in the country with the capability of targeting the Olympics.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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There were all still there last week in Sestriere.................not sure i ever saw one of them smile 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Dan - Were you as frustrated as me by the lack of runs and general facilities in Sestriere last week. It was a building site and all they cared about was the Olympics.
At least all that snow at the end of the week made the last couple of days fun.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Used Turin airport last year and I have to say God help them when they have the pressure of the olympics.
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Some friends from Lausanne have gone down to work there for the Olympics they have been told to expect days off once it is all over.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Hmmm......Italian soldiers skiing? Were'nt going backwards were they??
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Not sure about soldiers, but Gendarmes rugby tackling skiers for using the road, shouting "zis is not zee piste" put the fear of god into me. Granted one shouldn't be lazy, but when your boots are killing you it's hard to obey rules like that.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Super Eagle, they are still rebuilding most of it!
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FAQ
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- fortunately there did have the intelligence to leave the odd chair empty so we could upload!
)............i wish they'd said this before i tried to go over telling my mates, there's bound to be more over there, everwhere is covered with snow cannons and they look after their snow much better.
