Category Archives: Daily Olympic Reviews

Bobsleigh, Cross-Country Skiing, Daily Olympic Reviews, Olympics, Sochi 2014

February 23rd – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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The US wrapped up the Olympics on Sunday morning with a couple of events. The US wasn’t able to grab a final gold in Sochi but they did grab one last medal in their final moment of competition.

Bobsleigh

Events:

  • Four-man Heat 3
  • *Four-man Heat 4

In the third heat the first US team of Steven Holcomb, Steven Langton, Curtis Tomasevicz, and Christopher Fogt was fourth fastest at 55.30, and fell to 0.45 seconds off the lead in third place. The second team of Nick Cunningham, Johnny Quinn, Justin Olsen, and Dallas Robinson was just 17th with a time of 55.97, and fell to 12th, 1.85 seconds off the lead.

In heat two Cunningham, Quinn, Olsen, and Robinson were 11th in the heat at 55.64, 0.43 seconds behind the fastest, and they finished in 12th, 2.10 seconds behind the winner. Holcomb, Langton, Tomasevicz, and Fogt were fourth fastest in the final heat at 55.33, 0.12 seconds behind the best. They won bronze as they finished in third with a total time of 3:40.99. They finished 0.30 seconds behind silver and 0.39 seconds behind gold.

Results Summarized:

  • Nick Cunningham, Johnny Quinn, Justin Olsen, and Dallas Robinson – Finished 12th in 3:42.70 and was 2.10 seconds behind the winner. In heat three was 17th fastest with a 55.97. In heat four was 11th fastest with a 55.64.
  • Steven Holcomb, Steven Langton, Curtis Tomasevicz, and Christopher Fogt  – Finished 3rd and won bronze in 3:40.99 and was 0.39 seconds behind the winner. In heat three was 4th fastest with a 55.30. In heat four was 4th fastest with a 55.33.

Cross-Country Skiing

Events:

  • *Men’s 50km free mass start

The best skier for the US on Sunday was Noah Hoffman who finished in 26th place in a time of 1:48:04.3, 1:09.1 behind the winner. Brian Gregg was 51st in 1:55:02.3, 8:07.1 behind the leader, and Kris Freeman finished 57th in 1:59:46.7, 12:51.5 behind the winner. Torin Koos was scheduled to start for the US but did not.

Results Summarized:

  • Torin Koos – Was scheduled to start but did not.
  • Kris Freeman – Finished 57th in 1:59:46.7, 12:51.5 behind the winner.
  • Brian Gregg – Finished 57th in 1:55:02.3, 8:07.1 behind the winner.
  • Noah Hoffman – Finished 26th in 1:48:04.3, 1:09.1 behind the winner.
Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Cross-Country Skiing, Daily Olympic Reviews, Ice Hockey, Olympics, Snowboarding, Sochi 2014, Speed Skating

February 22nd – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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On Monday the US grabbed their first gold since Thursday and had a couple of historic firsts. Several events got canceled due to the weather and the US hockey team won a medal, we just won’t know which one until Thursday.

Alpine Skiing

Events:

  • Men’s Slalom Run 1
  • *Men’s Slalom Run 2

Ted Ligety was the first to go for the US in the first run and his 47.56 placed him sixth and left him in medal contention for round two. David Chodounsky was the next to go for the US but he took a DNF. The final American was Nolan Kasper who finished in 48.70 to find himself 18th after the first run.

In run two Kasper finished in 55.52, the tenth best time of the run, and his total time of 1:44.22 placed him 13th overall. Ligety had a good chance to medal but his hopes were dashed when he got off track and took a DNF.

Results Summarized:

  • David Chodounsky – Received a DNF on his first run.
  • Ted Ligety – Received a DNF on his second run. On his first run he finished in 47.56, 6th fastest, and 0.86 seconds behind the leader.
  • Nolan Kasper – Finished 13th overall in 1:44.22, 2.38 seconds behind the winner. On second run he was 10th best with a 55.52, 1.58 seconds behind the leader. On his first run he finished in 48.70, 18th fastest, and 2.00 seconds behind the leader.

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Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Daily Olympic Reviews, Ice Hockey, Olympics, Short Track Speed Skating, Sochi 2014, Speed Skating

February 21st – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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Five days. Five gold medals. It’s been an amazing week for the US in Sochi.

Alpine Skiing

Events:

  • Women’s Slalom Run 1
  • *Women’s Slalom Run 2

In the women’s slalom first run Mikaela Shiffrin went sixth overall and put up a mark that would stand with a 52.62. She held a 0.49 second lead after the first run. Resi Stiegler finished in 56.81, 4.19 off the lead in 20th. Megan McJames was unable to complete the run and received a DNF. Julia Ford went 58.88, 6.26 off the lead and in 30th.

In run two Ford finished in 53.99, 24th best. She ended up 24th overall with a time of 1:52.87, 8.33 seconds behind the winner. Stiegler straddled a gate near the end of her run and took a DNF. Finally Shiffrin went last in the run and had a big lead on the top time at that point. She made a major mistake in the middle of her run but recovered to still have the sixth best time with a 51.92 in the run. Her overall time of 1:44.54 was the best by 0.53 seconds as she won a gold medal.

Results Summarized:

  • Megan McJames – Was unable to finish the first run and received a DNF.
  • Resi Stiegler – In the second run she straddled a gate and took a DNF. Finished the first run in 56.81, 20th place.
  • Julia Ford – Placed 24th with a total time of 1:52.87. In the second run she finished in 53.99, 24th best. Finished the first run in 58.88, 30th place.
  • Mikaela Shiffrin – Placed 1st with a total time of 1:44.54. In the second run she finished in 51.92, 6th best. Finished the first run in 52.62, 1st place.

Continue reading February 21st – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review →

Daily Olympic Reviews, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Ice Hockey, Nordic Combined, Olympics, Sochi 2014

February 20th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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The US women came oh so close to gold against Canada but it didn’t mean the US didn’t win gold on Thursday. They did win gold for the fourth straight day. The last time that happened? I’m not sure if it ever did but certainly not in 2006 or 2010!

Figure Skating

Events:

  • Ladies’ free program

All three US ladies had good short programs but the top skaters were all a significant amount better. That meant the US ladies needed strong routines but also some help from other skaters. Polina Edmunds, was first to go and put up a solid but not spectacular 122.21. She was ninth best in the free skate and finished ninth overall with a 183.25. Gracie Gold was next and skated fairly well. Still there were flaws and her 136.90 was only fifth best in the free skate. She finished fourth with a 205.53. Ashley Wagner was unable to capture the magic either. Her routine looked okay but had a lot of technical problems and she scored a 127.99, seventh best, and finished in seventh with a total of 193.20.

Third place came in at 216.73 so even with really really good programs that would have been a hard score for the US ladies to match. The US leaves Sochi with just two medals but a lot of young talents on the ladies’ side especially.

  • Polina Edmunds –  Finished 9th with a score of 183.25. In the free program scored a 122.21, 9th best.
  • Gracie Gold – Finished 4th with a score of 205.53. In the free program scored a 136.90, 5th best.
  • Ashley Wagner – Finished 7th with a score of 193.20. In the free program scored a 127.99, 7th best.

Continue reading February 20th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review →

Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Cross-Country Skiing, Daily Olympic Reviews, Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, Olympics, Snowboarding, Sochi 2014, Speed Skating

February 19th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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The US won gold on Monday. The US won gold on Tuesday. The US won gold AGAIN on Thursday! It’s been a nice start to the final week of the Olympics for the US.

Alpine Skiing

Events:

  • *Men’s Giant Slalom Run 1
  • *Men’s Giant Slalom Run 2

Ted Ligety was the first American to go in the first run and made his mark with a 1:21.08 that would stand as the best run and was nearly a full second faster than anyone else. Bode Miller went next but couldn’t come close to matching Ligety’s time with a 1:23.64 that placed him just 26th. Tim Jitloff was the second best American with a 21st place, 1:23.23 run. Jared Goldberg was the final American and he placed 27th in 1:23.66.

In run two Goldberg went first for the US and put up a fantastic time of 1:23.82. That ended up being the sixth fastest second run and he finished 19th in a time of 2:47.48. Miller was next for the US and wasn’t as quick as his 1:24.18 was only 13th fastest in the second runs. Miller finished in 20th for the US with a total time of 2:47.82.  Jitloff had a really nice run as well with a eight place second run of 1:23.90 that moved him into 15th overall with a 2:47.13.

When it came time for Ligety’s final run he knew he wouldn’t even need to be nearly the best as his margin gave him some breathing room. When he got to the finish he was only 14th fastest in the second runs but the 1:24.21 was fast enough as his overall time of 2:45.29 gave him the gold by a 0.48 second margin.

Results Summarized:

  • Bode Miller – Finished 20th with a time of 2:47.82. Was 26th in the first run with a 1:23.64 and 13th fastest in the second run with a 1:24.18.
  • Jared Goldberg – Finished 19th with a time of 2:45.29. Was 27th in the first run with a 1:23.66 and 6th fastest in the second run with a 1:23.82.
  • Tim Jitloff – Finished 15th with a time of 2:47.13. Was 21st in the first run with a 1:23.23 and 8th fastest in the second run with a 1:23.90.
  • Ted Ligety – Won the gold medal with a time of 2:45.29. Was fastest in the first run with a 1:21.08 and 14th fastest in the second run with a 1:24.21.


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Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Daily Olympic Reviews, Freestyle Skiing, Nordic Combined, Olympics, Short Track Speed Skating, Snowboarding, Sochi 2014, Speed Skating

February 18th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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Tuesday saw another gold medal for the US as the US had a number of really good performances. Disciplines are wrapping up as we head into the final few days of the Olympics and people make their final appearance in Sochi.

Alpine Skiing

Events:

  • Women’s Giant Slalom Run 1
  • *Women’s Giant Slalom Run 2

The first competitor up for the US was Mikaela Shiffrin and she put up a great run of 1:18.79 that was only fourth best at the time. It would have staying power though and ended up fifth best in run one. Julia Mancuso was next and after chasing the pace in the first half of the hill she got off course and missed a gate to take a DNF. Later on Megan McJames finished in 1:22.77, 32nd, and Resi Stiegler finished in 1:22.69, 31st. 

The second run began with the first 30 in reverse order so Shiffrin was the first one to go for the US after 25 skiers. Shiffirn put up a good 1:18.58 run, sixth best of the second runs, and stayed in fifth with a 2:37.37, half a second off the lead. After the top 30 had gone McJames finished in 1:21.60, 30th best of the second heats, and her total time of 2:44.37 was 30th best. Stiegler went 29th best in run two with a 1:21.38 and she finished 29th overall with a 2:44.07.

Results Summarized:

  • Julia Mancuso – DNF on run one.
  • Megan McJames – Finished 30th with a time of 2:44.37. Was 32nd in run one with a 1:22.77 and 30th in run two with a 1:21.60.
  • Resi Stiegler – Finished 29th with a time of 2:44.07. Was 31st in run one with a 1:22.69 and 29th in run two with a 1:21.38.
  • Mikaela Shiffrin – Finished 5th with a time of 2:37.37. Was 5th in run one with a 1:18.79 and 6th in run two with a 1:18.58.

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Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Curling, Daily Olympic Reviews, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Ice Hockey, Olympics, Ski Jumping, Snowboarding, Sochi 2014

February 17th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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On Monday the US grabbed their first gold since Thursday and had a couple of historic firsts. Several events got canceled due to the weather and the US hockey team won a medal, we just won’t know which one until Thursday.

Biathlon

Events:

  • *Men’s mass start 15 km
  • *Women’s mass start 12.5 km

The men’s 15km mass-start was supposed to be Sunday. Then it got postponed until Monday. Then it was rescheduled, and now it’s been postponed again… to Tuesday. Fog in the area was just too dense to hold the event. Hopefully things will work better on Tuesday at 5:30 AM ET.

The women’s 12.5km mass start did happen with the only American in the field, Susan Dunklee. Dunklee had a great start and was in sixth heading into the second round of shooting but missed one target in each of the final three rounds of shooting. Despite a great effort in the skiing she couldn’t overcome the shooting woes and finished 12th in 36:57.9, 1:32.3 behind the winner.

Results Summarized:

  • Susan Dunklee – She finished in 12th with a time of 36:57.9, 1:32.3 behind the winner, after missing 3 targets.

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Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Cross-Country Skiing, Curling, Daily Olympic Reviews, Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, Olympics, Snowboarding, Sochi 2014, Speed Skating

February 16th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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The US grabbed just two medals on Sunday but it was what they did to set themselves up for medal wins later on that was huge in bobsleigh, figure skating, and ice hockey.

Alpine Skiing

Events:

  • *Men’s Super-G

The first American to go was Ted Ligety who had a time of 1:19.48 and finished 14th. Bode Miller was next to go and after a very aggressive and quick run he’d head to the top for a while with a 1:18.67. The next few skiers came within a tenth of a second before Miller was eventually passed and tied. He would wind up with a bronze medal when he tied for third. Travis Ganong was the next American to go and he finished in 1:20.02 and was 23rd. The final chance for the US was Andrew Weibrecht who put together a great run of 1:18.44 and won the silver medal! A 2-3 finish for the US!

Results Summarized:

  • Travis Ganong – Finished 23rd with a time of 1:20.02.
  • Ted Ligety – Finished 14th with a time of 1:19.48.
  • Bode Miller – Finished tied for 3rd with a time of 1:18.67 and won a bronze medal.
  • Andrew Weibrecht – Finished 2nd with a time of 1:18.44 and won the silver medal.

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Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Curling, Daily Olympic Reviews, Ice Hockey, Olympics, Short Track Speed Skating, Skeleton, Ski Jumping, Sochi 2014, Speed Skating

February 15th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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Another disappointing day as the US only managed to pick up one medal and wasn’t real close in most of the events. The highlight of the day though was an amazing hockey game between the US and Russia.

Alpine Skiing

Events:

  • *Women’s Super-G

There were 50 women scheduled to start the women’s super-G and only 31 completed the course. That’s how difficult the course was this morning. Leanne Smith was the first to go for the US and the only of the first eight skiers to finish the course. She finished in 1:28.38 and was 18th. Laurenne Ross was next to go for the US and while she made it through the early tough portion where many skiers succumbed she did have problems near the end and got too wide and lost the race line taking a DNF. Julia Mancuso was able to finish the course without too many difficulties but she finished 8th in 1:27.04. The final American was Stacey Cook and her run didn’t last long as she DNF’d in the treacherous early steep section.

Results Summarized:

  • Laurenne Ross – Made it through much of the course but missed a gate near the end and was a DNF.
  • Stacey Cook – Missed a gate in the earl portion and was a DNF.
  • Leanne Smith – Finished 18th with a time of 1:28.38.
  • Julia Mancuso – Finished 8th with a time of 1:27.04.

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Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Curling, Daily Olympic Reviews, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Olympics, Skeleton, Ski Jumping, Sochi 2014

February 14th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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Friday was not great for the US. Both curling teams suffered crucial losses and the US picked up only one medal while struggling to compete for medals in most of the traditional events conducted.

Alpine Skiing

Events:

  • Men’s Super Combined – Downhill
  • *Men’s Super Combined – Slalom

The Americans hoped to get out to good starts in the downhill portion of the event. That wouldn’t exactly happen. Ted Ligety was the first to go and his time of 1:55.17 left him in 18th, 1.93 seconds off the lead. Andrew Weibrecht went next and his time of 1:55.33 was only 20th best, 2.09 seconds behind the leader. The best American was Bode Miller who finished 12th in the downhill in 1:54.67 but was still 1.43 seconds off pace. Finally Jared Goldberg finished 15th in 1:54.90 and was 1.66 seconds behind the lead.

In the slalom portion Weibrecht took a spill halfway down after straddling a pole and took a DNF. Ligety put up a 52.22 that wasn’t enough (8th fastest) and he finished 12th in 2:47.39, Goldberg couldn’t keep pace either and his 52.39 was only 10th best in the slalom and he finished 11th in 2:47.39, Miller failed to make his mark as well as his 51.93 was 6th best and he finished 7th in 2:46.60.

Results Summarized:

  • Andrew Weibrecht – In the downhill he was 20th in a time of 1:55.33, 2.09 seconds behind first. In the slalom he fell after straddling a pole and took a DNF.
  • Ted Ligety – Finished 12th overall with a time of 2:47.39. In the downhill he was 18th in a time of 1:55.17, 1.93 seconds behind first. In the slalom he was 8th with a time of 52.22.
  • Jared Goldberg – Finished 11th overall with a time of 2:47.29. In the downhill he was 15th in a time of 1:54.90, 1.66 seconds behind first. In the slalom he was 10th with a time of 52.39.
  • Bode Miller – Finished 6th overall with a time of 2:46.60. In the downhill he was 12th in a time of 1:54.67, 1.43 seconds behind first. In the slalom he was 7th with a time of 51.93.

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