Initial Impressions - Vancouver - Ehhh….
So, my initial impressions of Vancouver 2010 can be summed up in one word - underwhelmed.
From the death of the Georgian Luger (and the horrible PR that followed), to the torch lighting malfunction, the problems associated with Vancouver’s weather, the fact that it’s Canada, the complete screw up of the long track speed skating, and now even more weather delays - I am left completely underwhelmed by the first few days of the event.
The competition, on the otherhand, has been exciting and fun to watch - I can’t even find a way to blame Canada for that one!
Day 2.5 - A Historic One at that….
So, Day 2 was a pretty big one - so big I couldn’t even put it into words until now - so, really, it’s not news anymore - but Team USA finally won a medal in Nordic Combined. I know, Nordic Combined, right? WTF? Such an interesting combination of skills. First, you do flying jump off a K95 hill. That jump sets up your order for a cross country chase. First one to cross the finish line wins gold. Fun stuff, right. Well, the US has NEVER one a medal in this crazy combination of winter events - until Johnny Spillane (I swear, I couldn’t make this up if I tried) took the silver. The US also had the 4th place finish, and I believe another top 10er. Not bad for team USA. Now, the only winter event that we have not won a medal in is biathlon (and we missed out this year as well!)
But the bigger news from Day 2 was the first Canadian home gold medal - won a freestyle skier - men’s moguls. Fun stuff. Yay, Canada!
The other big event was the first of three nights in a row of figure skating. Last night was the pairs short program and tonight is the pairs free skate - and the first figure skating medals. I will say this right off the bat - I STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND THE NEW SKATING SCORING. Not to say that I didn’t think something needed to change - but OMG, seriously. I don’t get it anymore. Now, having said that, the one thing I really liked about the short program was being able to see basically the same 6-8 things done by each of the pairs. It made it easier to compare, in my opinion, of course.
I was really impressed by the comeback of Zhao and Shen, and have to root for the old guys! But, I have to admit, my favorite performance of the night was the over-the-top clown makeup of the Germans Savchenko and Szolkowy. I thought it was just a beautiful performance and I was mesmerized!!!
Tonight is the finals and it will be interesting to see if Zhao and Shen can hold on to the top spot! Stay tuned!
Great First Day for the Americans!
Disappointment, again, for the Canadians…
As previously noted, Canada holds the distinction of being one of the only host nations to not win gold during their prior hosting games - and the entire country has been on a mission to see that change. On day one of the Vancouver games, Canadians were supposed to have at least 3 great opportunities to end that drought. First was Men’s Downhill - postponed due to weather at the top of the mountain. Next up was short track speed skating. See below for a detailed explanation - but tonight’s short track medals were handed to the Americans by the South Koreans, and the Canadians were far behind. Finally, and some say, the best chance for the Canadians in the entire games - women’s moguls. Canada boasted the defending women’s gold medalist, Jen Heil - and a team of Americans who want nothing better than to continue the Canadian gold medal drought. So…without further ado…
Ladies Moguls. Canada’s best chance at a gold medal on home turf. Jen Heil, Canadian, was the defending olympic gold medalist from Torino. Coming out of the qualifiers, Jen would go second to last in the medal round; American Hannah Kearney would go last. Prior to these two, there was American Shannon Bahrke, who went 6th to last - and posted the best score for the final 5. (Shannon was the Torino silver medalist). After Jen went down the mountain, did her big airs and turns, she scored just higher than Bahrke, keeping the Canadian hopes alive. There was only 1 more skier to go - Kearney. It looked like a Torino redux - and the first home Canadian gold. Until, that is, Hannah Kearney took over. The American who placed 22nd in Torino, blew Jen Heil off the top spot of the podium and gave the Americans a 1 - 3 finish, sandwiching the Canadian into the silver position. Kearney was the first American gold of the Vancouver games.
Short Track Speed Skating. This was the night that Apolo Ohno (when did he drop the Anton?) could tie Bonnie Blair as the most decorated US winter olympian - and he did not disappoint. Tonight was the men’s 1500m - the event that Apolo Anton Ohno took gold in Salt Lake, but failed to make it out of the semi’s in Torino. Also in the finals - JR Celski. An incredible story of recovery - and he’s the up-and-coming American short track hopeful. Well, as the race unfolded and we got to the bell lap, it looked like Apolo and JR were getting schooled by their rivals - the South Koreans. Going into the final turn, the Koreans were 1-2-3 - but a stupid mistake on behalf of one of the Koreans caused one to take out another - and Apolo and JR skated into the silver and bronze slots. Apolo gets his 6th Olympic medal and ties Bonnie Blair. He still has a few more events and could easily over take her here.
Speed Skating. Men’s long track speed skating also got started today with the men’s 5000. Sven Kramer, the Danish speedskating king had a nation’s honor on his shoulder’s. He was here to seek revenge on his silver medal finish in Torino to American (and hottie) Chad Hedrick. Chad had a disappointing 12th place finish in Vancouver. American Shani Davis also skated to an 11th place finish. This was considered more of a warm up event for both Davis and Hedrick. They are better middle distance skaters - and look for them in the 1000m and 1500m. Look for Sven to come back and take the 10000m gold as well.
Ski Jumping. The first medal of the games were awarded in Ski Jumping - the K90 Normal hill. Not exactly sure what it means - but it’s a shorter hill than the large hill. Excitingly enough - the gold medalist from Salt Lake - a Harry Potter look alike, Simon Ammann, made a great sports come back, and won gold again in Vancouver - giving Switzerland the first gold medal of the games.
Men’s Luge. Finally, the men’s luge event went off today. Somewhat somber. The other Georgian luger has pulled out of the competition. Can you blame him? First two runs down. Two more tomorrow to determine gold.
Oh, Canada - there are other opportunities for gold - hockey, hockey, hockey!!!!
Upcoming on day 2 - pairs figure skating, men’s moguls and nordic combined. I can’t wait.
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