Winter Olympics Thread: Vancouver 2010

[CameronBornAndBred]

CURLING ACTION on right now. The US men's squad is kind of getting pounded by Germany right now. They have another match vs. medal contender Norway tonight...not looking great.

Yipppee...I'm at work.

[wilson]

According to our arena analysts, the U.S. women curlers are a strong medal contender, having vaulted from a #81 finish in the 2008 world rankings to #5 in 2009. They open against Japan later this afternoon. I will watch this.

[Lavabe]

I'll watch US Women's curling only if Marge Simpson is sweeping.

[Miles]

Bummer Jacobsen didn't win. Figure skating is still bullshit and I want a steak!

[Lavabe]

Bummer Jacobsen didn't win. Figure skating is still bullshit and I want a steak!

Yes... a real bummer about Jacobellis.

Get the feeling that they already have determined who will win the men's? I mean, short of Plushenko falling twice in the free skate, is there any way they are NOT awarding it to him?

What a crock!

Day 1 of the Vonn Olympics. She's scheduled to ski sometime between 215 and 315 Eastern Time. All of America is waiting...

[wilson]

Tons of good stuff on today. U.S. women's curling vs. Germany this afternoon, Kikkan Randall (the best American cross-country skier ever) after that, then Shani Davis, Lindsey Vonn and Shaun White tonight. It's lucky that Duke has the early game tonight, as we should all have a good chance to see Davis, Vonn, and White do their thang.

[CameronBornAndBred]

The women choked nicely against Japan in curling yesterday.

[wilson]

U.S. women's curling trails Germany very late. Medal hopes are dwindling quickly.

[wilson]

U.S. women's curling trails Germany very late. Medal hopes are dwindling quickly.

And it's over. U.S. falls, 6-5.

[wilson]

Men's curling getting smoked (again) now, too. 4-0 Switzerland after just 3 ends. Looks like the 2010 American curling effort is going to go flat.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Men's curling getting smoked (again) now, too. 4-0 Switzerland after just 3 ends. Looks like the 2010 American curling effort is going to go flat.

Not flat....straight.

[colchar]

Men's curling getting smoked (again) now, too. 4-0 Switzerland after just 3 ends. Looks like the 2010 American curling effort is going to go flat.

The US is currently ranked 4th (men) and 6th (women) in the world so these early struggles are a bit of a surprise. I didn't expect much more than a bronze from either of the teams but I am surprised by how poorly they are doing.

[wilson]

Well, after the curlers' inauspicious start to the day, USA really kicked ass today. It's been a lot of fun to watch.
Six medals, including three golds...one from Lindsey Vonn, showing Bode a thing or two about living up to the hype, a second from Shani Davis doing more of the same, and the capper, a masterful prime-time performance from Shaun White. His ebullience is really entertaining to me, and his athleticism should be celebrated.

[Lavabe]

To pick up on wilson's comments, besides the Shaun White celebration, here are my favorite moments from last night:
1) Lindsey Vonn: not only was the actual run down the hill VERY well photographed, the coverage of her meeting her husband/coach was really touching. With all the buildup and coverage she received, you could just see how much she has had to deal with while delivering a great performance. You could also feel her shudder at each of the crashes that took place after her run. GREAT coverage of her last night. I wish they could have shown more of the skiing. Hard to have aa whole country trace your every step. A compelling event. Now about her mascara... ;)
2) Shani Davis: According to some press stories, he is known as one of the more individual/aloof people in speedskating, but the last lap of his race was just AMAZING. The guy epitomizes grace. And frankly, based on the interview after his gold, I very much like him and wish more athletes were like him.
3) Bode Miller: Well, not from last night, but he has really turned himself around, matured, and VERY likeable, despite his antics at the last Olympics. He pulled out a bronze in the downhill the other day.

[cl15876]

To pick up on wilson's comments, besides the Shaun White celebration, here are my favorite moments from last night:
1) Lindsey Vonn: not only was the actual run down the hill VERY well photographed, the coverage of her meeting her husband/coach was really touching. With all the buildup and coverage she received, you could just see how much she has had to deal with while delivering a great performance. You could also feel her shudder at each of the crashes that took place after her run. GREAT coverage of her last night. I wish they could have shown more of the skiing. Hard to have aa whole country trace your every step. A compelling event. Now about her mascara... ;)
2) Shani Davis: According to some press stories, he is known as one of the more individual/aloof people in speedskating, but the last lap of his race was just AMAZING. The guy epitomizes grace. And frankly, based on the interview after his gold, I very much like him and wish more athletes were like him.
3) Bode Miller: Well, not from last night, but he has really turned himself around, matured, and VERY likeable, despite his antics at the last Olympics. He pulled out a bronze in the downhill the other day.

Good summary, commentary! I wish I would have seen her race! BTW, I didn't realize she was married.... SHE or the TV has downplayed that aspect of her life (I thought she was single from a small country town), but glad it was pointed out... guess that will kill all the LW (Lindsey Whore) followers/groupies thinking they have a chance, because she was trying to keep something so obvious a secret to all the people for whatever her motivation (who supposedly know) for the benefit of availability, exposure and popularity!.... I don't think it really matters, if you have it then you have it and it accentuates her character of a TRUE WOMAN and ATHLETE!!!!

[ArkieDukie]

Bummer Jacobsen didn't win. Figure skating is still bullshit and I want a steak!

Yes... a real bummer about Jacobellis.

Get the feeling that they already have determined who will win the men's? I mean, short of Plushenko falling twice in the free skate, is there any way they are NOT awarding it to him?

What a crock!

Day 1 of the Vonn Olympics. She's scheduled to ski sometime between 215 and 315 Eastern Time. All of America is waiting...

ITA. I thought that Daisuke Takahashi and Evan Lysacek both out-skated Plushenko. Will be interesting to see how the long program plays out tonight.

[CameronBornAndBred]

[colchar]

If only...

[CathyCA]

Evan Lysacek. WOW!

[Lavabe]

Let the controversy begin:
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/vancou ... &type=lgns
Elvis Stojko thinks Plushenko was robbed of a gold.

Maybe it IS time for figure skating to go on hiatus (and watch the Olympics ratings drop).

I don't know... I thought Lysacek was robbed in the prelim, and Elvis thinks Plushenko was robbed in the long program.

Here's a novel idea: give them a third round where they have to trace figures in the ice, and whoever gets the figures closest to the ideal shape wins the competition. Yeah, and make it worth like 50% or more of their score. ;)

Nope. Not going back to the future.