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GANGNEUNG, South Korea — In order to make the greatest ice on earth, it helps to be from a state known for the “greatest snow on earth.”
Shane Truskolaski and Dan Berry work at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns and are in South Korea helping make world-class ice for the Winter Games.
“No disrespect to anybody else, but we think we do it the best in the world,” Berry said.
Truskolaski says their ice is the fastest on earth, where athletes break all world records.
Four different venues at the Winter Games have ice surfaces, and a lot of science goes into making the perfect ice for different sports.
Whether it’s thin, grippy ice for short track speedskating, or a thicker surface for figure skating, Berry said “it’s all about friction.”
“We require certain ambient temperatures and certain ice temperatures to get it,” he said. “We don’t give that information out. That’s our secret.”
The pair has even gotten their fair share of compliments from coaches and skaters.
“We’ve had officials ask, ‘Why is your ice so fast?’ I say, ‘if I told you, I’d have to kill you,’” Berry said.
For the past three weeks, Berry and Truskolaski have put in a lot of work to keep the ice at the 2018 Winter Olympics in top-level condition, often working 12-hour shifts.
But they said even with the long days, there is nothing like seeing the best athletes in the world compete on the ice they helped make.
“You can see that smile on their face, and their coach, and they high five when they come by,” Berry said. “That’s making it all worth it and fun.”
For more Olympic coverage, visit the KSL TV website.
