The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver/Whistler

[whomario]

Opening ceremony on Friday ! closing ceremony Sunday, 28th.

what events are you looking forward to ?

Me personally the ski jumping events, allways been a big fan of the sport for many years now.
Also love the Biathlon.

Played curling myself, so gotta watch that even though i realize it´s definitely not an entertaining event for the outsider :D

After being at both places for a couple days last spring i kind of feel connected to the games more than usually.

Glad i have a DVR since new years, coming in handy with the time difference and all. Only gotta avoid the internet on days after recorded events ...

[Samdari]

Played curling myself, so gotta watch that even though i realize it´s definitely not an entertaining event for the outsider :D

I look forward to the winter olympics primarily for curling.

Hockey is played 10 months a year, can see it nightly.

Figure skating makes tv for its big championships.

Winter X games is on every year.

The rest of the sports are pretty boring.

But curling and speed skating, you only get at the Olympics. This will be the first time I have a DVR during the Olympics, so I can pretty much fill my day with curling.

[Young Drachma]

I'm over curling. It's just cool at the Olympics because people who can't get into other events go watch.

Speedskating is too dramatic these days with the whole US team rift and the 1000x articles about how little money they make.

I'll watch, but it's not as interesting as it used to be.

[Kodos]

I find it hard to get excited about sports that I have no interest in regularly. Just because it is the Olympics doesn't mean that curling is any closer to being worth watching.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'm just bordering on amazed they still make this.

[MacroGuru]

I always watch the Olympics as best as possible.

Speed Skating, Biathlon, Ski jump, luge and Bobsledding I love.

I missed out on when they came to Utah and I lived there. Never went to any event, couldn't do it at the time.

So I hope to DVR what I miss.

[molson]

Just Ice Hockey.

I can't get into a sport where it looks like everyone's doing exactly the same thing, except one of them does it .00001 seconds faster than everyone else.

[DaddyTorgo]

do they have snow yet?

[Johnny93g]

I was 8 the last time Canada hosted the games. We didn't win a gold and the big heroes were Elizabeth Manley, who won bronze I think, and Brian Orser, who won silver. But i remember them as a huge deal, school projects, watching events in class....

I am pretty excited, I think we'll get 24 hour coverage on 4 channels here. Always something to watch, and alot of projections have Canada doing quite well. We may actually win a gold!!!

[Dr. Sak]

I can't wait to watch the hockey...the 21st will be a great day!

Sunday, February 21
3:00 pm RUSSIA vs. CZECH REPUBLIC
7:45 pm CANADA vs. USA
12:00 am SWEDEN vs. FINLAND

[MikeVic]

I look forward to the winter olympics primarily for curling.

Hockey is played 10 months a year, can see it nightly.

Figure skating makes tv for its big championships.

Winter X games is on every year.

The rest of the sports are pretty boring.

But curling and speed skating, you only get at the Olympics. This will be the first time I have a DVR during the Olympics, so I can pretty much fill my day with curling.

I'll disagree with this. Hockey is very cool (to me) at the Olympics since you get very different teams. And we get a ton of curling up here regularly. I've only started to watch curling this year (women's) when I noticed a couple of cute, young girls on one of the province teams.

[Samdari]

I'll disagree with this. Hockey is very cool (to me) at the Olympics since you get very different teams. And we get a ton of curling up here regularly. I've only started to watch curling this year (women's) when I noticed a couple of cute, young girls on one of the province teams.

We don't get any non-Olympic curling here. I am fascinated by it, and cannot wait to see it. I will probably skip the evening broadcast heavy with snowboarding and figure skating and watch DVR'ed curling.

[whomario]

do they have snow yet?

there´s plenty of snow in Whistler. Not so much on Cypress Mountain by Vancouver, but they have it covered with transports and artificial snow i guess.

[Kevin]

Despite all the hype up here about trying to win the most medals, I think most Canadians really only care about hockey gold and then curling. Other medals are nice to have but these four are far and away the big barometer of Olympic success.

I will never forget watching the 2002 men's gold medal hockey game in the Ottawa airport. We drank the bar dry of all their beer and any flights boarding during the third period left without several of their passengers who refused to leave sight of the televisions.

It was also so cool that kids in Newfoundland and Labrador got the day off school in 2006 for the mens' gold medal curling match.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I'm all about the curling. I think they showed a bunch of it on MSNBC or CNBC the last Winter Olympics. They showed several matches throughout the day. It was all kinds of awesome.

[Fidatelo]

I couldn't care less about the curling, since we are inundated with it up here and, for the most part, the competition in the various tournaments within Canada is stronger overall than what we'll see in the Oly's.

Ice Hockey, mens and womens, will be my big focus. Although I looked at the schedule and there isn't really a good game until the 20th or 21st. Seems like all the top teams are just playing against scrubs for their first couple games, which is pretty boring.

The aerials in skiing are fun to watch, but I won't go out of my way.

Everything else will only be watched if I happen to be sitting around and I can't think of anything else to watch or do.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I couldn't care less about the curling, since we are inundated with it up here and, for the most part, the competition in the various tournaments within Canada is stronger overall than what we'll see in the Oly's.

I smell Canuck elitism. Our curling stones are bigger than your curling stones.

[DaddyTorgo]

love the olympics. will probably dvr a ton of stuff. luge/bobsled aren't that exciting, nor is curling, but most everything else will get dvr'd.

not sure if i like summer or winter more. summer has some great sports - water polo anyone???

[DaddyTorgo]

I couldn't care less about the curling, since we are inundated with it up here and, for the most part, the competition in the various tournaments within Canada is stronger overall than what we'll see in the Oly's.


wtf are the Oly's??? Is that some of your crazy canadian slang???:D

[Samdari]

The aerials in skiing are fun to watch, but I won't go out of my way.


See, I think that stuff, and the snowboarding, is glorified figure skating. Besides being avaliable to watch every winter on ESPN.

I feel like we are inundated with that crap here.

[johnnyshaka]

Speaking of curling, the Canadian Men's team (Kevin Martin and friends) have been training at a local rink here in Edmonton...and it so happens my grandfather curls there as well. One morning a few weeks ago both my grandfather and Kevin Martin were doing their thing when my grandfather made a pretty nice double. Kevin and his crew cheered the great shot and acknowledged the old guys playing on the sheet next to them. Well, my grandfather (who's quite the character and never one to shy away from any opportunity to be a joker) hollers over to Martin, one of the best curlers in the world:

"Maybe if you keep at this game you might be able to make a shot like that someday!"

[DaddyTorgo]

Speaking of curling, the Canadian Men's team (Kevin Martin and friends) have been training at a local rink here in Edmonton...and it so happens my grandfather curls there as well. One morning a few weeks ago both my grandfather and Kevin Martin were doing their thing when my grandfather made a pretty nice double. Kevin and his crew cheered the great shot and acknowledged the old guys playing on the sheet next to them. Well, my grandfather (who's quite the character and never one to shy away from any opportunity to be a joker) hollers over to Martin, one of the best curlers in the world:

"Maybe if you keep at this game you might be able to make a shot like that someday!"

awwwww :D

your grandfather knew who it was he was talking to i assume?

[whomario]

not sure if i like summer or winter more. summer has some great sports - water polo anyone???

Water Polo is evil, most brutal sport i´ve ever played. My cousin´s cousins both allways played (1 of them actually played for the national team on a few ocasions and was one of the last cuts before the bejing olympics) and one birthday they got me to give in and i came with them to a practice of their clubs b-team. Most intense experience in my live, absolutely terrifying and unbelievably exhausting.
And i´m a pretty good swimmer, so it wasn´t like i was drowning by myself allready.

[mckerney]

I am most looking forward to the Olympics being over so there will be new episodes of Chuck on again.

[Scoobz0202]

I am most looking forward to the Olympics being over so there will be new episodes of Chuck on again.

+1.

I don't know how I didn't already figure it would be like that but I was disappointed when at the end of the last episode it said it won't be back until the monday following the winter olympics.

[johnnyshaka]

awwwww :D

your grandfather knew who it was he was talking to i assume?

Every curler (and probably any Canadian who reads the sports section of their local newspaper) knows who Kevin Martin is...so, yes, he most certainly did.

Regarding the Olympics, I'm actually looking forward to seeing the Opening Ceremonies...hockey...curling...and speed skating. It will also be a very much needed break from the Oilers...I think that's what I'm looking forward to the most.

[Glengoyne]

I think I'll be DVRing some curling this time around as well. Last time, I didn't see much curling coverage in the evenings. Too damn much figure skating.

I think my wife is a bit curious as to why I have three curling apps for my iPod Touch.

[Samdari]

any Canadian who reads the sports section of their local newspaper

You guys still have newspapers? That is so 20th century.

[MikeVic]

You guys still have newspapers? That is so 20th century.

Racist.

[molson]

They should really move basketball to the winter olympics.

[Young Drachma]

They should really move basketball to the winter olympics.

Half a dozen jokes here. Half a dozen easily.

[molson]

Half a dozen jokes here. Half a dozen easily.

Are any of them knock-knock jokes? It's been a while since I've heard a good knock-knock joke.

[johnnyshaka]

You guys still have newspapers? That is so 20th century.

We have to do something with all the trees we removed to twin the highways in BC for the Olympics!!!

[Young Drachma]

Are any of them knock-knock jokes? It's been a while since I've heard a good knock-knock joke.

Hehe...no.

[Tasan]

I like just about all of it except for cross country skiing and downhill slalom. I can't wait for some curling and bobsledding/skeleton/luge. If anyone else has it, the Universal Sports station has been showing the World Cup events from the down-the-ice sports like bobsledding for the last few weeks.

I'm also geeked for ski jumping. There's just something about flying down a hill with nothing but skis and a prayer that is just cool.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I am most looking forward to the Olympics being over so there will be new episodes of Chuck on again.

When it returns I strongly suggest you nag everyone you know to return to watching it quickly.

It's basically considered a bubble show, on the renewal side at this point but if the return is slow and they drop down to something like 2.2 or less instead of their standard 2.4-2.5 then it could find itself on the wrong side of the bubble.

[JonInMiddleGA]

They should really move basketball to the winter olympics.

+1

[Lathum]

Chalk me up as another one who loves the curling, my wife doesn't get why. I'm not sure I do either.

[Ajaxab]

I think I'll be DVRing some curling this time around as well. Last time, I didn't see much curling coverage in the evenings. Too damn much figure skating.

I think my wife is a bit curious as to why I have three curling apps for my iPod Touch.

How's Age of Curling anyway? It actually looks like it could be interesting.

[Passacaglia]

Knock Knock.

Who's There?

Basketball.

Basketball who?

Basketball in the Winter Olympics.

[whomario]

actually also looking forward to the hockey tournament as i normally don´t follow the sport but really enjoy it every other year at the worl championchips or Olympics.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I can't wait for the hockey to start. I already have the schedule printed out and highlighted for each of the games. I'm a little torn about the whole thing, however.

On one hand, I'd like to see America win the gold, because, well, I'm American. On the other hand, I would like to see Canada win because Steve Yzerman is the GM and Mike Babcock is the head coach. Then you have the half dozen Red Wings on the Swedish team, though they won it last time so I am not overly concerned, and the Russian team should be a ton of fun to watch. I don't think Russia is quite as deep as Canada, but I don't think any team can really beat their top forwards: Ovechkin, Malkin, Kovalchuck, and Datsyuk.

[Dr. Sak]

On one hand, I'd like to see America win the gold, because, well, I'm American. On the other hand, I would like to see Canada win because Steve Yzerman is the GM and Mike Babcock is the head coach.

You forgot to add that your man crush Sidney Crosby is on that team too.

On a serious note, I'm also really excited for the hockey...but I am pulling for the USA 100%. It'll be the first time that all my friends and I can root for the same team...pretty much ever.

[ISiddiqui]

Woot! I love the Winter Olympics. I enjoy it far more than the Summer ones. Mostly for sports like curling, speed skating, luge, and the skiing, as well as interesting stuff like speed biking (or whatever its called).

[Big Fo]

They should really move basketball to the winter olympics.

The Summer Olympics are far more interesting, this would help close the gap.

[Honolulu_Blue]

The Summer Olympics are far more interesting, this would help close the gap.

Taking hockey out of the equation, I find the Summer and Winter games to be pretty much equal. But once you take olympic hockey into account, it's a no brainer.

The Winter Olympics is really just an awesome hockey tournament with a bunch of other stuff going on around the periphery.

Olympic basketball does nothing for me.

[Dr. Sak]

Jagr to carry the flag for Czech Republic
Ziggy Palffy to carry the flag for Slovakia
Peter Forsberg to carry the flag for Sweden
Alexei Morozov to carry the flag for Russia

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Jagr to carry the flag for Czech Republic
Ziggy Palffy to carry the flag for Slovakia
Peter Forsberg to carry the flag for Sweden
Alexei Morozov to carry the flag for Russia

Will the Flying Tomato be carrying the U.S. flag? :)

[DaddyTorgo]

Will the Flying Tomato be carrying the U.S. flag? :)

I'm sure you were joking, but if i had to guess (and i haven't looked...i'm sure the info is out there), I'd guess it'd be Apollo Ohno carrying the U.S. flag.

[DaddyTorgo]

well now i looked and i was wrong

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Back in 1984, Mark Grimmette was startled to find bulldozers ripping into the side of his favorite sledding hill.
Turns out, a luge track was being built. Grimmette went out and helped the crew finish the job.

That was the first step along a path that would bring him to five Olympics as a doubles luge competitor, plus the honor of being the U.S. flagbearer for Friday night's opening ceremony of the Vancouver Games.

[DaddyTorgo]

I love Shani Davis. A black speed-skater...who'd have thunk it!

[Samdari]

I'm sure you were joking, but if i had to guess (and i haven't looked...i'm sure the info is out there), I'd guess it'd be Apollo Ohno carrying the U.S. flag.

Lindsay Vonn?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

well now i looked and i was wrong

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Back in 1984, Mark Grimmette was startled to find bulldozers ripping into the side of his favorite sledding hill.
Turns out, a luge track was being built. Grimmette went out and helped the crew finish the job.

That was the first step along a path that would bring him to five Olympics as a doubles luge competitor, plus the honor of being the U.S. flagbearer for Friday night's opening ceremony of the Vancouver Games.

So is he the flying Grimmette?

[Lathum]

Sad story, a luger from the country of Georgia was killed in a training run this morning.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2011055745_apolyluglugecrash.html


VANCOUVER, British Columbia —

An Olympic official with direct knowledge of the situation says a men's luger from the former Soviet republic of Georgia has died after a crash during training. The official tells The Associated Press that the International Olympic Committee received confirmation of Nodar Kumaritashvili's death. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the 21-year-old luger's family hadn't been notified yet.

An official statement is to be released soon.

Kumaritashvili lost control of his sled near the finish Friday, went over the track wall and struck an unpadded steel pole near the finish line at Whistler Sliding Center.

[whomario]

why´d that asshole speak about it at all if the family hasn´t been notified yet? Anonimity my ass ...

Propably not exactly the important aspect here, but i felt like pointing it out...

Just this morning there had been a a quote by a german luger in the paper saying that the speed of the tracks has "definitely reached a critical point" ...

he was going at over 140 KPH, just to give an idea what extremes we are talking about...

[RainMaker]

Yeah, the course seems way too fast based on what everyone is saying and I'm not sure why those poles weren't padded.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Yeah, the course seems way too fast based on what everyone is saying and I'm not sure why those poles weren't padded.

At 70+ MPH, I'm not sure that taking a header into a padded pole is going to make much difference. Sad situation.

[rowech]

There had already been comments about the luge track and there are many skiers from what I understand complaining about the speed of their courses. Sounds like some dangerous situations for a lot of people.

[RainMaker]

The other problem from reading the articles is that the Canadians restricted the use of the tracks prior to the games for everyone but their own team. So people just don't have a lot of experience on it.

[Senator]

I saw this; and the least they could do was put some nets or something there. Those poles are 3 foot off the course and when he hit it; it was like throwing someone against a wall.

[MikeVic]

Great start to the Olympics.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I saw this; and the least they could do was put some nets or something there. Those poles are 3 foot off the course

Okay, that's just "duh".

[Toddzilla]

Reading about the ex-luger, it seems the guy wasn't very good, was a far cry from being competitive, had crashed on this track before, and it could be argued that he had no place competing on a wolrd-class and very dangerous course.

That, and nets would have helped, too.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Reading about the ex-luger, it seems the guy wasn't very good, was a far cry from being competitive, had crashed on this track before, and it could be argued that he had no place competing on a wolrd-class and very dangerous course.

The gold-medal favorite crashed on the same course today, could have just as easily been him.

[thesloppy]

Reading about the ex-luger, it seems the guy wasn't very good, was a far cry from being competitive, had crashed on this track before, and it could be argued that he had no place competing on a wolrd-class and very dangerous course.

YES, HE DESERVED TO DIE, AND I HOPE HE BURNS IN HELL!!

[Senator]

http://www.nypost.com/rw/nypost/2010/02/12/sports/photos_galleries/vancouver_luge_accident/cropped/OLY-2010-LUGE144605--500x380.jpg

[Toddzilla]

First of all, I didn't say the guy deserved to die, you asshat.

Secondly, I just watched the video and there is really no excuse for not having some kind of protective barrier between 80mph lugers and 0mph steel I-beams. That's a colossal design flaw.

[thesloppy]

Three feet? Those things look like they're three inches off the course.

[Rizon]

And ... there are a lot of those poles ...

[DanGarion]

Great start to the Olympics.

They hadn't started yet...

[DanGarion]

Reading about the ex-luger, it seems the guy wasn't very good, was a far cry from being competitive, had crashed on this track before, and it could be argued that he had no place competing on a wolrd-class and very dangerous course.

Stay classy FOFC...

[Senator]

Three feet? Those things look like they're three inches off the course.

Better idea of the short distance.

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100212/capt.5045188c6c8542a98e5a410423864353.vancouver_olympics_lugers_death_oly113.jpg

[thesloppy]

I can only speak for myself, and say that this is the first time I've ever paid attention to pole-distance-from-luge-course, so far all I know this is the standard set-up, based on some sort of structural necessity.


....but man, that sure does look like an obviously bad idea.

[Senator]

I think the minimum should be higher walls.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

OK, after seeing the pictures, I recant my previous statement. Those are a lot closer to the course than the original story I read seemed to indicate.

[bhlloy]

I can only speak for myself, and say that this is the first time I've ever paid attention to pole-distance-from-luge-course, so far all I know this is the standard set-up, based on some sort of structural necessity.


....but man, that sure does look like an obviously bad idea.

+1. I know nothing about this but at first glance looks like the kind of thing any health and safety department would take one look at and shut the entire operation down. Could be that it's just the most tragic fluke accident in the history of sport, they did everything right and just didn't think it was possible for somebody to hit it like that, but it just looks really bad right now.

[rowech]

I think the minimum should be higher walls.

Someone asked that and they said they don't have higher walls because then the spectators can't see.

[JonInMiddleGA]

+1. I know nothing about this but at first glance looks like the kind of thing any health and safety department would take one look at and shut the entire operation down.


Kind of what crossed my mind. Seeing those pictures, I wondered about the legal liability and what waivers the athletes are required to sign.

[Senator]

Someone asked that and they said they don't have higher walls because then the spectators can't see.

I am a simple man, but Plexiglas is see through.

[Galaxy]

The other problem from reading the articles is that the Canadians restricted the use of the tracks prior to the games for everyone but their own team. So people just don't have a lot of experience on it.

That bothers me for a variety of reasons.

[rowech]

I am a simple man, but Plexiglas is see through.

That or nets. Like someone said earlier, it takes a death a lot of times before people ask whether something could be done a lot better than it is.

[Ryan S]

Surely death is an occupational hazard with something as crazy as luge?

[MikeVic]

That bothers me for a variety of reasons.

I don't know what's normally done, but I'd think this is just how Olympics function? Kind of like a home-field advantage?

[DaddyTorgo]

I don't know what's normally done, but I'd think this is just how Olympics function? Kind of like a home-field advantage?

not sure, but i'd think not. it's not supposed to be about "home field advantage" it's supposed to be about "even playing field"

[sovereignstar]

how many more viewers will luge be getting this year now?

[sovereignstar]

look at the natives getting down to bryan adams and nellie furtado. :cool:

[kingfc22]

All I have to say is that I hope NBC never does the olympics again. How do I live in the same freaking time zone as the games and yet I'm stuck watching tape delayed coverage. This is 2010!!! People have this cool "new" invention called DVR's. Maybe NBC hasn't heard of them yet. Show the games live and if people want to watch it they can or they can record it.

[EagleFan]

All I have to say is that I hope NBC never does the olympics again. How do I live in the same freaking time zone as the games and yet I'm stuck watching tape delayed coverage. This is 2010!!! People have this cool "new" invention called DVR's. Maybe NBC hasn't heard of them yet. Show the games live and if people want to watch it they can or they can record it.

So it started at 8 Specific Time?

[JonInMiddleGA]

All I have to say is that I hope NBC never does the olympics again.

You won't see much difference regardless of the network.

People have this cool "new" invention called DVR's.

Currently present in roughly 30% of US TV households. And of the top 10 most prevalent (San Diego leads at 37.7%) only three are top ten market size (DAL, LA, SF).

Show the games live and if people want to watch it they can or they can record it.

As the Wall Street Journal explains, Tape delay is a product of a dilemma facing NBC Universal, whose parent General Electric Co. says it expects to lose about $250 million on the Winter Olympics. It must maximize its audience in the evenings on NBC, without alienating it."
...
Many West Coast fans were livid when NBC delayed its West Coast feeds in 2008 for Beijing's Summer Games. But the network says West Coast cities posted better ratings than average, even with a delay. NBC figures that airing the games on a delay again will attract more viewers than if they aired when no one is home.

Alan Wurtzel, head of research at NBC Universal, says internal research shows that viewers would rather watch the Olympics on a time delay than have them air at an inconvenient hour. He says the "vast majority" of the Olympics will be aired live in prime time. Nielsen Co. says over three quarters of U.S. viewers live in the East Coast and Central time zones.

Plus, the proliferation of digital recording devices that has led to wide-spread "time shifting" hasn't yet reached the Olympics and other large-scale televised events, says Lisa Quan, director of audience analysis at Interpublic Group's media agency Magna. "It's still this shared experience that you know people are going to be talking about the next day."

[sterlingice]

This is all leading up to an 80' Wayne Gretzky, right?

SI

[sterlingice]

This is all leading up to an 80' Wayne Gretzky, right?

SI

Or rather a 99' tall Wayne Gretzky

SI

[sterlingice]

I have "Wayne Gretzky wearing Celine Dion's skin as a pelt" in the Olympic torch pool

SI

[Galaxy]

Wow....

[sterlingice]

Whoops. Oh well. These things happen.

SI

[Tigercat]

Great one looked none too pleased to be left hanging on the mechanical difficulty.

[Tigercat]

Dola, ah, that's why, Gretzky had shit to do, has to light two cauldrons in one night.

[EagleFan]

Nice ceremony until the opera singer and then the lighting of the torch setback.

[sterlingice]

Yeah, Gretzky looked the most uncomfortable. I imagine he's a bit of a perfectionist.

Steve Nash looked like "Sweet! I get to light the Olympic torch!" with a giant smile on his face.

SI

[Thomkal]

ah that's too bad they had the problem at the end. Thought it was a so-so Opening Ceremony. Really liked the computer generated floor stuff like the kid running through the prairies, but thought some stuff like the fiddling/tap dancing went on too long.

[Galaxy]

Nice ceremony until the opera singer and then the lighting of the torch setback.


It still looks good, even if it is missing the fourth piece.

Do they light that thing indoors the whole Olympic period?

[JonInMiddleGA]

The look on Gretzky's face was priceless, and Nash looked like he was about to dissolve in laughter at the wholething.

[EagleFan]

It still looks good, even if it is missing the fourth piece.

Do they light that thing indoors the whole Olympic period?

Which of the four got screwed over and didn't get to light it?

[EagleFan]

The look on Gretzky's face was priceless, and Nash looked like he was about to dissolve in laughter at the wholething.

Yeah. If you based your opinion of someone based on just that clip I would say that Nash comes off as a guy you would like to have a beer with and Gretzky comes off as the guy you would screen phone calls from so you wouldn't have to talk to him.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Yeah. If you based your opinion of someone based on just that clip I would say that Nash comes off as a guy you would like to have a beer with and Gretzky comes off as the guy you would screen phone calls from so you wouldn't have to talk to him.

I dunno, I wasn't really put off by Gretzky's reaction. It seemed more like a combo of WTF? & OMG! & You gotta be shittin' me, followed by "WTH am I supposed to do" ... which is pretty close to what I would have been thinking I imagine.

[sterlingice]

He looks a lot happier lighting that torch

SI

[Galaxy]

I dunno, I wasn't really put off by Gretzky's reaction. It seemed more like a combo of WTF? & OMG! & You gotta be shittin' me, followed by "WTH am I supposed to do" ... which is pretty close to what I would have been thinking I imagine.

I got the same reaction.

[Tigercat]

The coolest part is like in most Olympics they seemed to keep the cauldron details secret, so people randomly ran after Gretzky holding the torch and got to see the outdoor lighting ceremony by chance. Lots of looks of "Holy shit, I was just getting a beer and I got to see this!"

[EagleFan]

The coolest part is like in most Olympics they seemed to keep the cauldron details secret, so people randomly ran after Gretzky holding the torch and got to see the outdoor lighting ceremony by chance. Lots of looks of "Holy shit, I was just getting a beer and I got to see this!"

Based on the numbers that were at the torch I wouldn't say it was completely secret.

[RainMaker]

Thought the beginning of it was really good. They slowed it down too much at the end and that one guy's speech was far too long.

Sucks that they had the mechanical glitch. Nodar Kumaritashvili's ghost will haunt these games.

[Galaxy]

So where exactly is the outdoor torch?

[Tigercat]

Based on the numbers that were at the torch I wouldn't say it was completely secret.

I got the opposite impression, it didn't look like many people at all, based on how many people at all to me based on what was going on. Looked like the number of people that would be hanging in the city for the event but obviously couldn't get in, and following the crowds running after the truck exiting the big event.

[RainMaker]

You guys don't think the giant metal torch thing sitting in a park on the night of the opening ceremony rang a bell to some?

[EagleFan]

I got the opposite impression, it didn't look like many people at all, based on how many people at all to me based on what was going on. Looked like the number of people that would be hanging in the city for the event but obviously couldn't get in, and following the crowds running after the truck exiting the big event.

Not thinking that it was widely known, just that it seemed that some had found out.

The look of it makes it a little easier to hide a you may not immediately think olympic torch if you see it.

[EagleFan]

Okay, I am really sick of seeing that luge accident. How many times do we have to see this guy get killed?

Sorry, it was the lead in for the news about the olympics on the news after the ceremony.

[thesloppy]

I wish I had two more hands, so I could give the 'Canadian Olympic Poetry Slam' four thumbs down.

[MrBug708]

Awful stuff. I can't understand how the media is allowed to show a death like that on syndicated tv

[chrisj]

You guys don't think the giant metal torch thing sitting in a park on the night of the opening ceremony rang a bell to some?

Actually - it was covered up - no one knew what is was until minutes before he got there (of course, some people took a guess that the object covered up on the night of the opening ceremony had something to do with it..).

[Karlifornia]

Man....this luge death has really cast a pall over these games so far. Who knows if the mood will lighten? What was the mood like during Munich games after the execution of the Israeli team? Anyone who was around that can answer my question would find me indebted.

[Lathum]

Okay, I am really sick of seeing that luge accident. How many times do we have to see this guy get killed?

Sorry, it was the lead in for the news about the olympics on the news after the ceremony.

Agreed. They also showed a close up of the guy getting mouth to mouth and blood everywhere. Just total hack joyrnalism IMO and a total lack or respect for that poor kid

[Lathum]

Dola. Can someone sum up for me what happened with the tourch. I was on a plane and didn't see any of the ceremonies.

[DanGarion]

Can anyone find the video of the torch lighting, I'm looking on the NBC Olympics site and they don't seem to actually have it...

[DanGarion]

Fucking stupid NBC.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Man....this luge death has really cast a pall over these games so far. Who knows if the mood will lighten? What was the mood like during Munich games after the execution of the Israeli team? Anyone who was around that can answer my question would find me indebted.

I was only 5 years old at the time, so although I remember watching the events unfold, the recollections are pretty scattered. Nearly 40 years later I'd be hard pressed to swear what I "remember" and what is a collage of memory & years of seeing the footage.

A Time article (http://www.time.com/time/europe/magazine/2002/0902/munich/index.html) a few years ago has a pretty good description of it I think

[i]Following indignant words from the paladins of the Olympic movement, after a little mournful Beethoven, the Games of Munich went on. It's an article of faith that The Games Must Go On. For the 30 years since, the Olympics — indeed, all sports events of any great scale — have carried on, even if permanently altered by the awareness that terrorists could again strike. ... Willi Daume, president of the Munich organizing committee, at first wanted the remainder of the Games called off, but Brundage and others prevailed. "I too questioned the decision to continue," says former mayor Vogel, "but over time I came to believe that we couldn't let the Olympics come to a halt from the hand of terrorism."

So, after a memorial service on Sept. 6, the Carefree Games resumed. Many of the 80,000 people who filled the Olympic Stadium for West Germany's soccer match with Hungary carried noisemakers and waved flags, while authorities did nothing to intervene in the name of decorum. Yet when several spectators unfurled a banner reading 17 dead, already forgotten? security officers seized the sign and expelled the offenders from the grounds.

[Galaxy]

Excite - Sports News (http://sports.excite.com/news/02132010/v1721.html)

[sterlingice]

Dola. Can someone sum up for me what happened with the tourch. I was on a plane and didn't see any of the ceremonies.
Basically, there were four pillars so the four final torchbearers could light the flame at the same time (Bob Costas noted that the concept was "quite Canadian" to spread around the glory of lighting the torch with more than just one person). Unfortunately, only three of the four pillars rose out of the ground and Wayne Gretzky was left standing there confused. Then they raised the three fully to make the big torch and they were lit by the other three torch bearers.

SI

[sovereignstar]

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4540/38770660.jpg

[sovereignstar]

The Huffington Post says that Catriona LeMay Doan is the one that was left standing. Who is wrong here?

Vancouver Olympics Torch Mishap: Opening Ceremony Pillar FAILS (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/13/vancouver-olympics-torch_n_461158.html?page=2)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Here's a short piece from SI about Gretzky's dash through the streets
Luke Winn at the Winter Olympics – SI.com » Posts The Great Gretzky Chase « (http://winterolympics.si.com/2010/02/13/the-great-gretzky-chase/)

[JonInMiddleGA]

WHISTLER, British Columbia (AP) -International luge officials are moving the start of the men's Olympic luge competition farther down the track. It was a decision made with the "emotional component" of athletes in mind following the death of a Georgian competitor.

Men's training on Saturday morning, as well as all four runs of the men's competition that begins later, will take place from the women's start ramp.

The move means speeds will be a bit lower at the Whistler Sliding Track. It likely also means the course will be a bit easier to navigate.

[bbor]

I wish I had two more hands, so I could give the 'Canadian Olympic Poetry Slam' four thumbs down.

That was actually one of my favorite parts.

[thesloppy]

That was actually one of my favorite parts.

Admittedly, I have 'Poetry Slam' issues.

[bbor]

Admittedly, I have 'Poetry Slam' issues.

LOL

[Glengoyne]

The luge track adjustment seems prudent.

Earlier someone asked me about age of curling for the iPhone/iPod touch. It is very cool . You can setup tournaments. I really have no idea of the 'simulation' value, meaning a comparison of the relative strength of teams. The play is more strategic than the more arcady style games. I have to add that sweeping is less a part of this game, or it is modeled to a level that I do not currently comprehend. Bottom line. It is the one of three curling games that I'm playing.

[sterlingice]

The Huffington Post says that Catriona LeMay Doan is the one that was left standing. Who is wrong here?

Vancouver Olympics Torch Mishap: Opening Ceremony Pillar FAILS (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/13/vancouver-olympics-torch_n_461158.html?page=2)

Probably me. I was getting tired so maybe I had it wrong.

SI

[RainMaker]

Reading about the ex-luger, it seems the guy wasn't very good, was a far cry from being competitive, had crashed on this track before, and it could be argued that he had no place competing on a wolrd-class and very dangerous course.

That, and nets would have helped, too.
He was ranked 44th in the world. Not top of the class, but also not a guy who is brand new to this. The top people also had a lot of problems with the track.

[bhlloy]

Not sure which commentator it is (prob vasgersian) but can somebody please explain there is no country called "Slovania". You would have thought he could at least get the competing nations right - there is only about 10 of them

[MIJB#19]

Not sure which commentator it is (prob vasgersian) but can somebody please explain there is no country called "Slovania". You would have thought he could at least get the competing nations right - there is only about 10 of themDidn't you get the latest news? Slovakia and Slovenia are so tired of being confused and decided to compete together.

[SirFozzie]

US short-track Skater disqualified for bumping a skater and knocking them over. That's why Short-Track would be great TV if they loosened those rules.. "Son, rubbin is racin"...

[rowech]

US short-track Skater disqualified for bumping a skater and knocking them over. That's why Short-Track would be great TV if they loosened those rules.. "Son, rubbin is racin"...

Questionable at best in my opinion since the guy behind the US guy bumped him first and US guy was hoping for balance more than anything. Lord knows I don't know the rules though.

[Eaglesfan27]

Impressive first race by Apollo.

[sterlingice]

That was just impressive. No other race or racer looked anything like that so far in the prelims.

SI

[JonInMiddleGA]

US short-track Skater disqualified for bumping a skater and knocking them over.

Saw this while we were out for dinner. Didn't bother to stick around for the decision as there wasn't any doubt in my mind that since a US skater was involved he'd be DQ'ed.

That's why Short-Track would be great TV if they loosened those rules.. "Son, rubbin is racin"...

Also used the "Daytona-without-safety-equipment" analogy while watching it. My wife said it was more roller derby'esque to her but we stuck with NASCAR.

[sterlingice]

Ooh. The Moguls. My favorite skiing event :D

SI

[sterlingice]

Dang- she is fast (Heil)

SI

[SirFozzie]

anyone see the picture of that USA moguls skiier? I thought it was a joke pic!

[sterlingice]

She shouldn't have been third. I think the first Canadian had a better run both in speed and tricks (I love that there are both components to the mogul)



SI

[SirFozzie]

BTW,filed under "What goes around, comes around"...

Slovakia, which destroyed Bulgaria in Olympic Women's Hockey qualifying, 82-0, is getting killified by Canada, 7-0 after one period.

[sterlingice]

It's 12-0 now. Oof

SI

[SirFozzie]

man.. what's with all the Ohno yawning?

[sterlingice]

Maybe he's trying to get that horrible facial hair off his chin

SI

[SirFozzie]

I thought they were going to dump him there. whew.

[Abe Sargent]

I like how the announcers say "Hold on, this is graphic AS they are showing it, not say 15 seconds ahead of time which might give you a chance to chaneg th channel or avert your gaze.

[Eaglesfan27]

I like how the announcers say "Hold on, this is graphic AS they are showing it, not say 15 seconds ahead of time which might give you a chance to chaneg th channel or avert your gaze.

Yep. Glad to see him get into the finals after working his way back.

[Big Fo]

Jeez, that other American (Celski? Chelski?) almost gave away his place in the finals easing up then. Great semifinal for him other than that.

[SirFozzie]

Um.. think you've quoted the wrong post there, EF :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Um.. think you've quoted the wrong post there, EF :)

No, I thought he was talking about Celski's (sp?) nasty cut on his leg that required 60 stitches.

[Abe Sargent]

I was, and I'm glad to see the kid do well here!

[rowech]

Jeez, that other American (Celski? Chelski?) almost gave away his place in the finals easing up then. Great semifinal for him other than that.

I couldn't help but wonder if he thought the top 3 went on....he really did almost blow that.

[Fidatelo]

The other problem from reading the articles is that the Canadians restricted the use of the tracks prior to the games for everyone but their own team. So people just don't have a lot of experience on it.

I was bothered by this as well, until I read that this is pretty much the norm. The way it was explained in the opinion column I read was that people are just shocked that Canada is doing it, because we are generally just expected to be nice all the time.

If you read this NY Times article (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/21/sports/21olympics.html?_r=1) from September, the claim is made that we have allowed more access than any previous host:

Canadian officials said that they had provided more access than any previous host country, largely because their sites were completed early. But the officials acknowledge that they are also driven to succeed at these Olympics, perhaps more than any previous host country.

What seems to be causing the kerfuffle is that we have terminated access that traditionally we have allowed, mostly due to pressure to succeed on home turf. So people are getting their noses out of joint because we used to let them train in our facilities, but now we are not. But that's a different thing than us gaining some kind of advantage that no other host has previously had.

[sterlingice]

Wow. Jean made the finals.

SI

[Abe Sargent]

Koreans screwed themselves, wow

[sterlingice]

Wow! What a race. Lots of bumping, Korea had all 3 medals but they knock each other out and the two Americans take 2nd and 3rd. If only Jean could have gotten one.

SI

[Fidatelo]

Further to the "denying access" thing, this article is more clear in showing that Italy and yes, the USA, played similar games during the previous two winter olympics: News from the 2010 Winter Olympics - All Sports - CTV Olympics (http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=8935.html)

[jbergey22]

I wouldnt want to have to explain that move when I go back to Korea. Lucky break for the Americans. I still think Ohno got shoved where they could have DQ'd someone.

[sterlingice]

Um, no she doesn't have an ACL tear, announcers, or she would not be on skiis

SI

[sterlingice]

I wouldnt want to have to explain that move when I go back to Korea. Lucky break for the Americans. I still think Ohno got shoved where they could have DQ'd someone.

At least they're not from North Korea, otherwise, we might never see them again. If internet stereotypes are to be believed, in South Korea they'll just be relegated to the work farms where they farm gold in World of Warcraft for 20 hours a day, right?

SI

[Big Fo]

I wouldnt want to have to explain that move when I go back to Korea. Lucky break for the Americans. I still think Ohno got shoved where they could have DQ'd someone.

No kidding. Good for the US medal count though :)

I don't know the rules since I only see this sport once every four years, but I get the feeling it's okay to nudge if you're the only slightly in front maybe? It looked like the dude to touched Ohno was even with him or just slightly ahead during the middle of his pass.

[sterlingice]

She easily takes the lead after that run. Great air, really tight legs, and fastest time. Has to be #1 after this (the 18yo Canadian)

SI

[DaddyTorgo]

She easily takes the lead after that run. Great air, really tight legs, and fastest time. Has to be #1 after this (the 18yo Canadian)

SI

seriously. that was a hell of a fucking run!

[sterlingice]

Oh man, brutal. A go big or go home routine and she just caught that edge :(

SI

[DaddyTorgo]

good run by this chick...yeah

[sterlingice]

Super fast but I still liked the Canadians run better (tho her air scores were lower than I thought they should have been).

SI

[sterlingice]

Man, oil and coal are hitting hard with the ads so far. I guess they're gearing up for the potential cap and trade fight.

SI

[DaddyTorgo]

oooh - if she hadn't wiped, mcphee might have had a medal there

[sterlingice]

Two straight going so dang fast but just couldn't control it.

SI

[sterlingice]

That might be your new leader. So close

SI

[DaddyTorgo]

by .26? that seems like a lot given that the air packages were worth the same and she was .01 slower...not sure her form was appreciably better (but then again i'm no judge)

[sterlingice]

Dang, sorry Canada. I think that was it.

SI

[RendeR]

That should be enough for Gold I think , wow, fast run.

[DaddyTorgo]

27.86? wow...if she doesn't get the gold for that run that's ridiculous...her form and air were just as good as Heil

[sterlingice]

I would have split between the 2nd and 3rd place runs. I'm not sure who was better. But pigtails there easily had the best run both times out.

SI

[Celeval]

Nice win. Ahh... missed the Olympics.

[RendeR]

Knocks out the Japanese skier, which, watching the way the Japanese Judge kept lowballing every non japanese skier seems a bit poetic, to give the US Gold and Bronze. Nice.

[sterlingice]

Secretly, I had hoped we got 2 and 3 but Heil had gotten 1. I just want the Canadians to break their jynx. I was kindof hoping Heil or Jean would take the gold in one of the two events tonight

SI

[Big Fo]

One more day the announcers will to go on about "oh no Canada's never won gold on their own soil" is the only downside to that sweet winning run at the end. It's getting as annoying as announcing mentioning Britain's lack of tennis Grand Slam wins when Andy Murray plays.

[Big Fo]

Most of my time watching sports is spent on soccer games that take two hours each, basketball games that take two and a half hours, and baseball/football games that take three hours, and all of these have long seasons of many games to determine a champion. It's quite a change to watch a sport where the whole thing is decided in three rounds that take under two minutes (or even half a minute like the moguls), not to mention the added intensity since competitors only get a chance to win the big prize every four years instead of every year. It makes watching this stuff intense even though I'm not familiar with the vast majority of the athletes or all of the rules/subtleties/scoring methods.

[sterlingice]

Wow. Amazing that he managed to finish that run.

SI

[Galaxy]

BTW,filed under "What goes around, comes around"...

Slovakia, which destroyed Bulgaria in Olympic Women's Hockey qualifying, 82-0, is getting killified by Canada, 7-0 after one period.

82-0? In hockey?

[jbergey22]

Most of my time watching sports is spend on soccer games that take two hours each, basketball games that take two and a half hours, and baseball/football games that take three hours, and all of these have long seasons of many games to determine a champion. It's quite a change to watch a sport where the whole thing is decided in three rounds that take under two minutes (or even half a minute like the moguls), not to mention the added intensity since competitors only get a chance to win the big prize every four years instead of every year. It makes watching this stuff intense even though I'm not familiar with the vast majority of the athletes or all of the rules/subtleties/scoring methods.

+1

The competition in the Olympics is so tight it makes it an incredible event. The fact that I know nothing about the athletes or in some cases the sports isnt a big thing to me as I just love the nature of the competition.

And for as much as NBC gets bashed about the coverage they do manage to make it interesting by giving us storylines to cheer for athough very USA biased.

Is the coverage the same throughout the world I was wondering? I cant imagine the Chinese getting too big of a thrill watching all of the USA coverage.

[henry296]

+1



Is the coverage the same throughout the world I was wondering? I cant imagine the Chinese getting too big of a thrill watching all of the USA coverage.

No, every country does their own coverage.

[Celeval]

I'm actually watching streamed Canadian coverage.

[SirFozzie]

82-0? In hockey?

82-0 in hockey.

Bulgaria gives up 139 shots on goal in 82-0 women's hockey loss - Olympics - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=3577150)

The goalie did make 57 saves, however :)

[lighthousekeeper]

+1

The competition in the Olympics is so tight it makes it an incredible event.

Except women's hockey, apparently. Scores like in today's Canada match would suggest that the competition level isn't high enough worldwide to warrant this being an Olympic sport.

Plus, it makes no sense to have a womens sport where the women's bodies are completely covered (since all women's sports are spectator sports). Women's hockey needs to take a page from the beach volleyball folks.

[Big Fo]

Plus, it makes no sense to have a womens sport where the women's bodies are completely covered, since all women's sports are spectator sports.

In before "maybe the WNBA should consider this to boost attendance/ratings."

[lighthousekeeper]

Koreans screwed themselves, wow

one of the rare times when the phrase 'epic fail' is appropriate.

[EagleFan]

Is it just me, or do the medals looks kind of ugly? Looks like a collectable plate that you would order from Franklin Mint with a ribbon on it.

[bhlloy]

That will be a fun team flight back to Korea... inches away from taking all 3 of them out. That would have been truly epic.

[Peregrine]

I really love the Winter Olympics - despite the yearly network attempts to ruin things with their endless repetition of pre-canned "themes" this is one sporting event where there are just so many legitimate stories and so many unpredictable twists and turns it's just great to watch. Love the speed skating - short track stuff is always great, and watching Sven Kramer coolly and calmly eviscerate the competition in long-track 5000 yesterday (with a new Olympic record) was nice.

[Fidatelo]

Except women's hockey, apparently. Scores like in today's Canada match would suggest that the competition level isn't high enough worldwide to warrant this being an Olympic sport.

Plus, it makes no sense to have a womens sport where the women's bodies are completely covered (since all women's sports are spectator sports). Women's hockey needs to take a page from the beach volleyball folks.

Women's hockey is incredible... when it is Canada vs USA. The rest of the world is still way behind, but the hope is that with exposure at the Olympics and other events they will eventually close that gap. A graph I saw yesterday showed the number of registered female hockey players per country. It went like this (my numbers are by memory but should be close):

Canada: 77000
USA: 59000
Sweden: 3000
Finland: 3000
China: 283
Russia: 257

Obviously its going to be hard for Russia to compete when they are clearly not encouraging women to play. There is no excuse for that in a country so passionate about hockey.

Anyways, I encourage you to watch if (when) Canada and the US meet up (likely the final). It will be every bit as interesting as most of the mens hockey matches. Those women can play!

[sterlingice]

The ski jump portion of the Nordic combined to start out today's coverage on NBC

SI

[sterlingice]

Oh, c'mon. If there's anything we should be more proficient than the rest of the world in, it's guns. How do we miss on the biathlon (besides the horrible difficulty of what they're doing and all...)

I mean, I get why we lose to, say, Norway or Canada, at the skiing. They ski to work, right? And the only people in the USA who do that live in, I dunno, Minnesota or Utah. But we should be better at shooting stuff- no excuses ;)

SI

[Peregrine]

Biathlon just amazes me - you take something that is all about utter calm and precision, and then combine it with tough athletic exertion - and if they miss even one shot it's a heavy penalty.

[Big Fo]

USA are beating China 9-0 in women's hockey. They'll probably reach double digits in goals before China hits double digits in shots.

I found some footage of that 82-0 Slovakia win over Bulgaria on youtube, after a few goals I couldn't even watch because I felt so bad for the Bulgarians.

[illinifan999]

I found some footage of that 82-0 Slovakia win over Bulgaria on youtube, after a few goals I couldn't even watch because I felt so bad for the Bulgarians.


What does the coach say in the locker room after a game like that. At least we didn't give up 100?

[whomario]

Biathlon just amazes me - you take something that is all about utter calm and precision, and then combine it with tough athletic exertion - and if they miss even one shot it's a heavy penalty.

nordic combination is insane as well, first ski jumping which in itself where it is incredibly tough to balance athletic ability and weight and then a cross country race afterwards which is about athletic ability all the way, both sports need an incredible amount of practice time and to combine them is just incredibly tough.

[sterlingice]

Dang. I just got back about 15 minutes ago so I missed the end of the Nordic Combined :(

SI

[sterlingice]

What I wouldn't give for a non-figure skating channel tonight. I'm going to get screwed out of a ton of final luge runs and men's moguls and instead be forced to ignore Scott Hamilton and his whiny annoying voice and partner.

SI

[k0ruptr]

Isn't there something streaming online that would work?

[k0ruptr]

Might be luge here :

hxxp://www.vip--tv.com/londoner.php

yep, Moguls now, luge later tonight

[Peregrine]

What I wouldn't give for a non-figure skating channel tonight. I'm going to get screwed out of a ton of final luge runs and men's moguls and instead be forced to ignore Scott Hamilton and his whiny annoying voice and partner.

SI

I was thinking the same thing. Man is Loch tearing up the track in luge or what?

[sterlingice]

Oh, hell. Just give the Chinese the gold. Looked pretty much flawless and Lord knows they are the sympathetic favorites. Hand it over and let us check out the final 5 lugers (as that's where they're at now).

SI

[sterlingice]

Yep, one skating pair and it's the highest score ever in any International competition. Get your coverage to the luge.

SI

[sterlingice]

It just was no contest with as good as Loch has been on all 4 runs.

SI

[JonInMiddleGA]

Get your coverage to the luge.

Why on earth would they shift coverage away from the far & away most watched event of the entire Winter games?

I'd personally rather watch hockey practice than figure skating but reality is that I'm in the minority on that one.

[sterlingice]

With the men's moguls going on. I just have to say "thankfully, there's Justintv" even if it's consistent

SI

[sterlingice]

And holy crap is the moguls getting dramatic (the live feed, not the tape delay on right now)

SI

[sterlingice]

Moguls were awesome!


* Canada was running 1-2 for quite a while until only 6 to go.

* Then Dale Begg-Smith who won for them in 2006 but is dual Canadian/Australian and skiing for Australia this time (he's some internet spammer who left for business reasons) puts up a huge score, almost 1 point ahead of everyone.

*An American knocks the Canadians to 3/4 with only 2 skiers to go

*The final Canadian hits a pair of really big jumps and barely edges out Begg-Smith in score to take the lead.

*The final French skier screams down the hill, with the fastest run of the day. However, it wasn't as clean so you had to wait to see the judges scores.

*The guy from France gets 6th and Canadia gets their gold!

SI

[sterlingice]

(added some more details to the spoiler above but probably best to not read as they're showing it now)

SI

[Eaglesfan27]

Ridiculous that the Russian couple scored that high with the fall and the rest of their program not being that much better than the other couples.

However, that Russian skater is gorgeous.

[DaddyTorgo]

figure skating judging still ruins the enjoyment of watching it

[sterlingice]

figure skating judging still ruins the enjoyment of watching it

Ayup

SI

[johnnyshaka]

Took three Olympics but we finally did it...THANK GOD!!!!

[Thomkal]

Ridiculous that the Russian couple scored that high with the fall and the rest of their program not being that much better than the other couples.

However, that Russian skater is gorgeous.

It was still too high, but had they hit their jumps, they would have been right up there with the Chinese team and now the other Russian team, because the rest of their elements were close to them in the eyes of the judges. With this scoring system, they only have so many (dictated by rule) points they can take away or add to the total for a missed element.

[RainMaker]

Would almost be better if they just did this for show and not scores. I mean the whole thing seems rigged anyway.

[DaddyTorgo]

Would almost be better if they just did this for show and not scores. I mean the whole thing seems rigged anyway.

exactly

[sterlingice]

That did not help the feeling that this is rigged

SI

[chrisj]

* Then Dale Begg-Smith who won for them in 2006 but is dual Canadian/Australian and skiing for Australia this time (he's some internet spammer who left for business reasons)

Minor note - but Dale Begg-Smith never won gold for Canada, he did it for Australia in 06 as well.

He left Canada when he was 14. Not sure what happened - but he seems very bitter towards Canada. He has even refused to do any media interview.

[dervack]

Minor note - but Dale Begg-Smith never won gold for Canada, he did it for Australia in 06 as well.

He left Canada when he was 14. Not sure what happened - but he seems very bitter towards Canada. He has even refused to do any media interview.
I thought they mentioned something about his side business gave the Canadian coaches a feeling that he wasn't taking it seriously and he felt slighted.

[sterlingice]

Yeah- I misunderstood what they said. My bad.

SI

[path12]

I usually just loathe the TV coverage, but have to say I've been pretty pleased with the ratio of actual competition/features so far this Olympics.

[sterlingice]

I seem to remember saying that about 2008, too. I think they're getting better about stupid fluff stories.

SI

[Karlifornia]

Could you imagine the Russian or Chinese mafia being behind these figure-skating riggings?

"We crush you---with a triple salchow"

[Lathum]

Chalk me up as another one who just doesn't get the judging fit figure skating. How does a pair have a fall and still finish way ahead of a pair that had a clean routine? I find it hard to believe that the US routines are so dumbed down that even though another couple falls it still has a better routine.

[cuervo72]

I usually just loathe the TV coverage, but have to say I've been pretty pleased with the ratio of actual competition/features so far this Olympics.

I could be wrong, but it seemed like NBC was laying off the fluff stories during events like luge and combined, but ramped them up for pairs skating - when more women might be tuned in.

[rowech]

Figure skating, gymnastics, etc...

It makes so much more sent to me to have every person do the same routine. After that, bump it up to a higher level and have everyone do the routine again. Bump it up to the higher level and have everyone do the routine again. Keep going up however many levels you want to whittle the field down and make sure that the final round is extremely challenging but that at least everyone is doing the same routine.

As it is...it's just a stupid waste of time.

[Samdari]

Figure skating, gymnastics, etc...

It makes so much more sent to me to have every person do the same routine. After that, bump it up to a higher level and have everyone do the routine again. Bump it up to the higher level and have everyone do the routine again. Keep going up however many levels you want to whittle the field down and make sure that the final round is extremely challenging but that at least everyone is doing the same routine.

As it is...it's just a stupid waste of time.

Everyone doing the same routine would KILL tv ratings. They are WAY more important than the purity of competition.

And I've been to gymnastics competitions where everyone did the same routine. I can assure you that makes it no less a waste of time.

[sterlingice]

Chalk me up as another one who just doesn't get the judging fit figure skating. How does a pair have a fall and still finish way ahead of a pair that had a clean routine? I find it hard to believe that the US routines are so dumbed down that even though another couple falls it still has a better routine.

What I'd love is to see the stats before the routine. I know, Scott, in your whiny voice you can tell us all you want about how so-and-so's routine is better but show me. I'm not a dope and I imagine this isn't too hard to figure out. I suspect they don't do it because they'd be showing just how much easier it was to rig these things.

Then again, if we can't get OBP and SLG on baseball broadcasts, much less something like wOBA or ISO, then it's probably a lost cause.

SI

[Peregrine]

The main problem with figure skating IMHO is the new scoring system in use since 2004. Basically with the new system, it limits expression and creativity by forcing everyone into a fixed series of elements that the skaters must adhere to. I thought Frank Deford had a good commentary on this a while back:

Figure Skating: The Olympics' Broken Sport : NPR (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123529251)

[Thomkal]

You see I much prefer the new skating scoring system to the old. In the old system, the Chinese team that skated first, would not have finished first. The judges would have saved their higher scores in case they liked a skater better in the later performances.

The current system takes a lot of the judges indivuality away-each element is rated by a technical specialist who does not score the routine. I agree that the current system takes away too much individuality and creativity, but I would rather them to be more fairly judged on their elements then leaving it to the judges opinions and biases on their expression and creativity.

The one thing they need to do is to open up the music choices much more like they do in the free program for ice dancers. Right now they are choosing the same music over and over again because the judges like that music, and I'm getting real bored with it. You get to use music with vocals in the free dance, and I find that to be much more interesting than I used to.

[Young Drachma]

Minor note - but Dale Begg-Smith never won gold for Canada, he did it for Australia in 06 as well.

He left Canada when he was 14. Not sure what happened - but he seems very bitter towards Canada. He has even refused to do any media interview.

At 13, he began dabbling in internet business and soon had two employees. At 14, he quit school and Canada's ski system, saying it was not flexible enough to allow for his other interests. At 16, he and four-years-older brother Jason decided to go to Australia, a move endorsed by his family.

Begg-Smith stood out of international skiing for two years to become eligible to represent Australia. He lived in South Melbourne, but skied and trained in the Snowys.

Meantime, his business grew until it was reported to be worth $40 million, with 100 employees and an office in New York. He was and remains vague about its nature. "It's complicated," he said. "We make the technology for companies to monitor their online advertising campaigns."

Golden boy of the slopes - Sport - theage.com.au (http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/golden-boy-of-the-slopes/2006/02/16/1140064207497.html?page=2)

[Young Drachma]

In other news, I'm going to say I'm boycotting the Winter Olympics until women's ski jumping is allowed. It's not true, but..if someone asks I'm going to say that. Truth is, I'm just not interested this year for some reason or another. I don't know if it's the way coverage is spread out, their declining relevance or what.

But, meh.

[Peregrine]

I love how the media seems to love giving Begg-Smith the cold shoulder because he won't answer their questions. But all I have to say is this - if you can find time to be one of the best skiiers in the world AND run a multi-million dollar company, do you really have to answer to anyone at that point?

[cartman]

Holy crap! What a competitive men's downhill!

Bode Miller wins Bronze in the Men's downhill. He was only .09 seconds behind the gold medal winner, .02 behind the silver medal. Unbelievable how close the top level competitors are.

[Fidatelo]

I have two problems with the downhill skiing:

- the course warmed up/degraded after the first 20 or so skiers, which meant that the guys after that could have the run of their lives and still have no shot. Kind of dumb.

- because of the above, the whole thing was super boring for the second half. Just dude after dude skiing down the hill that everyone knew had no chance. Why even continue? You may has well have thrown skiis on some bystanders and let them have at the hill for an hour and give us something interesting to watch.

[sterlingice]

It looks like they'll be showing the downhill on tape delay tonight

SI

[whomario]

Holy crap! What a competitive men's downhill!

Bode Miller wins Bronze in the Men's downhill. He was only .09 seconds behind the gold medal winner, .02 behind the silver medal. Unbelievable how close the top level competitors are.

kinda unspectacular course though, well relatively speaking of course.
And only until you saw slow-motion, holy shit :eek: I mean, the power you need in your legs to stay low on those curves and how freaking un-smooth the course looks from up close, what seems like smooth sailing from away is just one bump after the other.

German expert totally called Defago as the winner btw and even predicted why and when he´d gain the time compared to the others.
Still, huge surprise definitely. Glad for Miller, good way to go out.

Up until when do you guys need spoilers btw ?

I have two problems with the downhill skiing:

- the course warmed up/degraded after the first 20 or so skiers, which meant that the guys after that could have the run of their lives and still have no shot. Kind of dumb.

- because of the above, the whole thing was super boring for the second half. Just dude after dude skiing down the hill that everyone knew had no chance. Why even continue? You may has well have thrown skiis on some bystanders and let them have at the hill for an hour and give us something interesting to watch.

allways like that in the olympics. In other disciplines you start with the worst athletes built it up until the best come along, but for the reason you named (course wearing down) you can´t do that in the downhill and super G because you can´t fix the track in between.

That reason is also why the slalom and Giant Slalom are so fun though, first round the best athletes get early numbers but in the 2nd leg the best placed (mostly the ones that started early in the first leg) start last and have to deal with a seriously fucked up track.

[sterlingice]

I think the general rule with tape delayed stuff like this is until when it's being shown on the tape delay for most of the US (west coast is screwed in this, I think).

SI

[cartman]

Turns out that Begg-Smith's Internet company is one of the main sources of spyware.

Spyware Confidential mobile edition (http://blogs.zdnet.com/Spyware/?p=786)

[DaddyTorgo]

Turns out that Begg-Smith's Internet company is one of the main sources of spyware.

Spyware Confidential mobile edition (http://blogs.zdnet.com/Spyware/?p=786)

heh

[TargetPractice6]

Anyone know if there will be an internet stream of tomorrow curling match that I can watch at work?