▲ The varnisher of the German snowboard team is waxing a snowboard with all his heart.

Three days before the competition started, I went to Youngpyoung ski resort as a volunteer. A volunteer manager gave volunteers work and, my part was in the waxing room with two other volunteers. The waxing room is the place to wax snowboards to go fast and smoothly. The waxiers looked interesting in this boring place. The waxiers melted wax drippings and covered it on the Bottom of the Snowboard. After the wax drippings were smoothed on the board by an iron only used for snowboard waxing, they scraped the smoothed wax drippings with a tool like a plastic ruler.

It looked simple but, the ways of waxing were different depending on the condition of the board. The waxiers put their whole mind to iron, peel and check boards. They were like master artisans. As I was lost in waxing, an old western man moved quickly like he was looking for something. I thought he needed help so, I asked "May I help you?" to him but, I could not understand his language. I guessed his word may be German so, I called a volunteer who could speak German. Finally I could give him a saw which he was looking for. Since I had given a saw to him, he drew on me for help when he needed something. This man from Munich in Germany was a waxier for the German snowboard team. One day, he offered me to wax. The work was removing wax dripping dust on the board. However, the removing drill was too heavy and, it was also hard to push the drill to the right direction as I wanted. Even though he waxed over 10 boards all day. I asked him that "Isn't this work hard?". He answered the question with smile "I originally worked with electricity. When I helped my friend who waxes snowboards, I felt an interest in snowboard waxing. After that I have waxed snowboards for 28 years and I still enjoy this work."

The tournament was finished with Austria's victory both in the men's and ladies' competitions. Unfortunately, the Korean team and German team could not win in the competition. The man might be upset because the snowboard which he waxed did not win but, he heartily congratulated the Austrian riders and couches. Before he left, I gave hot packs to him who is sensitive to cold and then he gave me some chocolate which is his favorite thing. So, I said "danke" which means thank you in German.

There were many events and the Championship finished successfully. The spot light shines only on the winner in the sports world but, there are many people behind winners who work hard with all their heart to support winners. Like the passion of waxiers in snowboards, I want to give applause to the people who worked in the invisible place for the competition.