Didn’t have WiFi connection last night at my guest house, so this entry was delayed. But now, at 8:35 a.m. local time Wednesday, I’m pecking away at my son’s Toshiba Satellite laptop in the Netcafe at the vast hall where info booths are set up, people pick up their packets and declare for events.  (WiFi is free here: Connect to WMA-Netcafe; username is Internet, with no password.)  Day 1 was gorgeous!  Very little wind with temps in the high 60s or low 70s. Partly cloudy in morning and overcast in the afternoon as decas and heps concluded Day 1. Taking huge leads were Germany’s Rolf Geese in the M65 (with a 63-second 400), Australia’s Marie Kay in W45 (with her 4003-point total setting her up to smash her own world record) and America’s Bill Murray, winning probably every M55 event in sight. Lahti results are here.

As usual, decathletes have logistical hurdles to overcome as well as real ones — at least in the M55 group. On Day 1, three dozen entrants were told they would compete in two flights – Groups 1 and 2, after being told earlier that they would be in Groups A and B.

But decadudes weren’t told which group they were in. And athletes awoke this morning not sure if their 100 hurdles start was 9:05 a.m. or 9:50 a.m.  Yesterday’s 100s saw Dr. Richard Watson of Arizona introduced as Bill Murray at the starting line. Or vice versa.

But Richard wasn’t credited with Bill’s time, thank goodness. Or vice versa.

The Finnish announcer had some interesting pronunciations. He called USA’s James Barr as “Parr.” and some of M40 Barr’s rivals joked that he was “James Bond.”  Jim was sensatioonal in the high jump, though, clearing 1.72.

Another James — Jim Flanik — was helping Lahti officials on Day 1, mostly observing and giving quiet advice. Flanik, a major officiating guru in the USA, was enjoying himself at trackside much of the day. (Later update: In fact, Flanik served as head track referee.) At some point, he noticed a lack of water stations for athletes. So he spent some time scurrying around to make sure water was available for the multi-eventers on the field. It never came.

But since the weather was very mild and most decathletes bring their own special liquids, toting big coolers on wheels, it wasn’t a major problem. But if future days are warmer, hydration on the track will be an issue. So bravo for Jim. He’s a good guy.

I was in photog heaven. I had field access and finally met fellow shooters Tom Phillips and Lesley Richardson, both toting honking telephoto lenses. Tom and Lesley, both of the UK, are also sprinters. But Lesley is injured, so she won’t compete here. Tom is a good bet to make the M55 finals in the 100 and 200. He bemoaned the fact that he ran a 400 recently in 59.9 — because his clubmates in England’s Southern League might expect him to run 4×4 relays.

Tom and Lesley noted that I lacked a 7-28-09 pass, which was supposed to accompany my media credential, hung around my neckl. But Finnish officials have been laid back. They let uncredentialed wives of decathletes on the field to take pictures. At least one decaDad sat with his 10-year-old (or so) son on the high jump apron.  No problems.

(This might change in later days as more heats and field-event flights crowd the track.)

The deca and hep high jumps were contested on three pits in a row, beneath the looming trio of ski jumps north of the stadium. And during the last couple deca events, a couple dozen ski jumpers were using the facilities — their downhill whooshes heard everywhere in the stadium. Saw no crashes, just breathtaking landings. Didn’t see anyone use the jump that ended in a pool.

Walking home last night from the stadium, I got lost in the forest (full of wide, soft trails) that I’d used as a shortcut from my guest house to the track. Took me 60 minutes to evenually find an exit and then a grocery store, where a clerk called a “taksi” for me. Paid 14 Euros to get home. Oh well. Live and learn.

Day 2 events are starting! Gotta boogie.