81 Days to Sochi: The coastal cluster

Consisting of two competition tracks, the 8,000-capacity Adler Arena was constructed to allow for a quick teardown.

Over the weekend, we took a look at Sochi’s “Mountain Cluster”, where sliding sports, cross-country alpine skiing, and the new slopestyle events will be held. About an hour’s drive west, hugging the shores of the Black Sea, is the large Olympic village known as the Coastal Cluster. This is where many of the “marquee” and indoor events will take place: hockey, figure skating, curling. Here’s a breakdown of the venues in this section of Sochi:

Speed Skating

Adler Arena: Consisting of two competition tracks, the 8,000-capacity arena was constructed to allow for a quick teardown, meaning Russian officials will have the option of keeping the venue in its existing spot or moving it after the Games wrap. Some short track events, it should be noted, will be located in the Iceberg skating palace.

Curling

Ice Cube Curling Centre: Like the Adler, the Ice Cube is considered a “moveable venue” capable of quick-and-easy disassembly, which is likely to occur so that this innovative building can be relocated elsewhere in the country. For the duration of the Olympics, however, the 3,000-seat venue will remain on the Coastal Cluster’s west side.

Figure Skating and Short-Track Speed Skating

Iceberg Skating Palace: Home of all figure skating events — including the all new Team competition — and short-track speed skating, the Palace holds an impressive 12,000.

Hockey

Bolshoy Ice Dome: With an estimated cost of $180 million, this 12,000-seater will host the men’s hockey tournament, as well as the medal round of the women’s side. It is named for Russia’s famed Bolshoi Ballet company and theatre.

Shayba Arena: Smaller than the Bolshoy, at 7,000 seats, it is yet another moveable venue and is expected to be reassembled in another location in Russia after the Games wrap. This will be home for the majority of the women’s hockey events.

Ceremonial

Fisht Olympic Stadium: Holding a whopping 40,000 spectators, the stadium that shares a name with a nearby mountain will be the site of the opening and closing ceremonies. After the Olympics, the stadium will remain a major entertainment centre and will be the showcase venue of the 2018 World Cup of Soccer, to be held in Russia.

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