Prolyte at Asian Winter Games

The Asian Winter Games were recently held in Astana and Almaty, Kazakhstan, and hosted more than 1,500 athletes representing 45 National Olympic Committees of Asia. The best athletes from 27 Asian countries competed for a record 69 sets of medals. ARG, a Moscow-based contractor, was awarded the contract for the opening ceremony on January 30, calling in The Prolyte Group to supply a number of elements.

The ceremony, at the newly built 30,000-seat Astana Arena, began with much fanfare and jubilant activity. The entertainment comprised a cultural extravaganza depicting the history of Kazakhstan, aided by a virtual eagle's-eye view of the country's vast plains. The ceremony included dance, song, distinctive musical instruments, and props that came to life. The centerpiece of the production was a waterfall that cascaded from the top of the set with lighting transforming the stage into a rough sea on which a boat rocked on its search for new lands.

The show ended with a giant snowball fight where audience members took their lead from a band of tiny-tot performers and proceeded to pelt anyone and everyone in sight with sponge "snowballs."

ARG provided a full production service. In addition to Prolyte, the company commissioned companies including PRG, LMP, Visual Act, Live Sound Agency, Lightmaster, and Big Screen Service.

. Prolyte Group supplied a range of trussing from the ProlyteStructures range and ProLyft hoists for the event. A substantial quantity of trussing was required to cover the arena roof structure. Over 2, 296.5' of B100 truss, 2,526' of S66R truss and more than 8,530' of H40V truss were installed.

< Furthermore, over three hundred ten 2,204.5lb ProLyft hoists, andthirty-four 4,409lb hoists, fitted with 118-131' of chain, were used to lift the structures.

Aigars Dimza, of ARS, commented: "With the massive loads applied to the main grid, many of them being dynamic loads -- resulting from al the moving props in the show -- the grid had to be 100% reliable. Prolyte provided the best solution, the excellent support from the Prolyte team, represented by account manager Henry Schuil, gave us complete confidence."

To see the event, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS2Wn9Bgg5A&feature=related.