Category Archives: Sochi 2014

Olympics, Recaps, Ski Jumping, Sochi 2014

Sochi Ski Jumping Recap – US Women Provide Hope For Future

Leave a comment

The US men have not really been a factor in the ski jumping competitions in the Olympics in a long time (just once since 1992 has the US had a top 25 finisher in an event). So with the debut of women’s ski jumping this year it was a chance to see the potential for that new event, and for the US that might be where the success comes from in the future. Two US competitors were in the top 15 and the one who didn’t, Sarah Hendrickson, was the World Champion last year at 18 but suffered a knee injury that hurt her Olympic chances.

Men’s Normal Hill

Ski Jumping - Mens Normal Hill

The US did advance three of their four jumpers to the first round on the normal hill but none were able to place higher than 34th there, missing out on the top 30 who advance to the final round. Nick Alexander was the best for the US in the event with a first round score of 116.0. Alexander’s 34th place finish was an improvement on his result from 2010 and the best for the US since 2002.

Ski Jumping - Mens Normal Hill Yearly Best

Continue reading Sochi Ski Jumping Recap – US Women Provide Hope For Future →

Olympics, Recaps, Skeleton, Sochi 2014

Sochi Skeleton Recap – Success Abounds as US Medals on Both Men’s and Women’s Side For First Time Since 2002

Leave a comment

Hard to not call the performance by the US skeleton team anything but a smashing success. The US had failed to medal in both men’s and women’s skeleton in Turin and Vancouver after winning both the men’s and women’s competitions when they debuted in Salt Lake City. They medaled in both events again this time around and were one unlucky problem on John Daly’s final run from having four top four finishers.

Men’s Skeleton

Mens Skeleton

It was a very strong men’s event for the US. They posted five top five times on individual runs and would have two top five finishers if John Daly’s sled hadn’t gotten caught in the ruts on the start of his final run. Matthew Antoine won bronze and the US would not have gotten a second medal even if Daly had topped Antoine. The medal was the first for the US since Salt Lake City and the fourth time the US has medaled in six Olympics with skeleton.

Mens Skeleton Yearly Best

Women’s Skeleton

Womens Skeleton

It was great to see Noelle Pikus-Pace take home a silver for the US but there was definite heartbreak in Katie Uhlaender coming up 0.04 seconds short of winning a medal of her own. The US double medaled on the women’s side in 2002 and nearly did it again in Sochi. It was the first medal for the US since Salt Lake City but you can see how experienced the team was this year with the top finisher for the US from both the Turin and Vancouver games competing again this year.

Womens Skeleton Yearly Best

Luge, Olympics, Recaps, Sochi 2014

Sochi Luge Recap – US Won First Singles Medal, but the Men Struggled

Leave a comment

The US had a strong women’s singles event with their best ever finish and first ever medal. It wasn’t so good on the men’s side as the best finish in the men’s singles category was their worst in 30 years and in men’s doubles was their worst in 26 years. There will be some heavy motivation over the next four years to try and improve and make a better showing at the next Olympics.

Men’s Singles

Mens Singles - 2014The US competitors were well off the pace in this year’s Olympics. The only top ten finishes in a single run came from Chris Mazdzer who had two runs (first and fourth) that were tenth best. Mazder’s 13th place finish was the first time in 22 years that the Americans didn’t have a top ten finisher. It was their worst finish since 1984. Certainly a low point they’ll look to rebound from in Peyongchang.

Mens Singles All Time Yearly Best

Continue reading Sochi Luge Recap – US Won First Singles Medal, but the Men Struggled →

Alpine Skiing, Olympics, Sochi 2014

Sochi 2014 – USA Gold Medal Winner #9 – Mikaela Shiffrin

Leave a comment

The last gold medal winner for the US in Sochi was also their youngest. 18-year old Mikaela Shiffrin became not only the youngest gold medalist in Sochi for the US but the youngest gold medalist ever in the slalom competition at the Olympics.

Shiffrin’s gold medal was not completely unexpected however. She’s also the reigning World Champion and won her first US National Championship at 16.  She won the 2012-13 World Cup’s Slalom discipline with four wins and two third place finishes. She placed fifth overall in the World Cup standings.

She’ll turn 19 next month and already has a World Championship, seven World Cup wins, and now an Olympic Gold Medal on her resume. The sky is the limit for Shiffrin. She is already tied with Julia Mancuso for fourth most World Cup wins and looks a good bet to become only the second American to ever win more than 18 times in the World Cup after Lindsey Vonn.

I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot from Shiffrin over the next few years and she will likely be one of the biggest names and brightest stars that NBC focuses on during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Give Shiffrin a follow on Twitter @MikaelaShiffrin.

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

February 23rd – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

Leave a comment

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.
Bobsleigh, Cross-Country Skiing, Daily Previews, Olympics, Sochi 2014

February 23rd – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview

Leave a comment

What’s on tap today? The end of the Olympics as we have competition in the remaining two disciplines for the US.Two events with two gold medals up for grabs.

Out today: five disciplines that are finished for Sochi, alpine skiing, biathlon, ice hockey, snowboarding, and speed skating.

All times below are ET.

Bobsleigh

Events: The margins were tight on Saturday in the bobsleigh and now the US team of Steven Holcomb, Steven Langton, Curtis Tomasevicz, and Christopher Fogt has it all to go for on Sunday. They are in fourth but just 0.17 seconds out of the lead and will go fourth in the 4:30 AM third heat . The second team of Nick Cunningham, Johnny Quinn, Justin Olsen, and Dallas Robinson was o.90 seconds off the lead in 11th, and that’s where they will start on Sunday. Heat four is at 6 AM and will feature the top competitors in reverse order of their standings.

When:

  • Four-man Heat 3 – 4:30 AM
  • Four-man Heat 4 – 6 AM

Live Streaming: A live stream will be available on the NBC Olympics website and on the NBC Sports Live Extra app. You will probably have to authenticate a cable subscription to watch the live streams of the Olympics.

TV Coverage: The bobsleigh will be covered LIVE on NBCSN’s from 4-7 AM ET and included in NBC’s daytime coverage from 2-6 PM ET.

Continue reading February 23rd – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview →

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

February 22nd – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

Leave a comment

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.

Continue reading February 22nd – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review →

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

February 22nd – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview

Leave a comment

What’s on tap today? Seven disciplines but competition in eight events with six gold medals up for grabs.

In today: Bobsleigh and snowboarding. Out today: Short Track (done in Sochi).

All times below are ET.

Alpine Skiing

Events: Three American men are in the field of 117 for the slalom at 7:45 AM. Ted Ligety goes first for the US, 16th overall with David Chodounsky going 20th. The final American is Nolan Kasper who goes 31st. The field will have a second run at 11:15 AM.

When:

  • Men’s Slalom Run 1 – 7:45 AM
  • *Men’s Slalom Run 2 – 11:15 AM

Live Streaming: A live stream will be available on the NBC Olympics website and on the NBC Sports Live Extra app. You will probably have to authenticate a cable subscription to watch the live streams of the Olympics.

TV Coverage: The alpine skiing will be included in NBC’s evening coverage from 8-11:05 PM ET.

Continue reading February 22nd – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview →

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

February 21st – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

Leave a comment

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 →

Freestyle Skiing, Olympics, Sochi 2014

Sochi 2014 – USA Gold Medal Winner #8 – Maddie Bowman

Leave a comment

If it feels like most of the US medals are coming in the same event over and over again it’s because they kind of have. Four slopestyle events in Sochi: three gold medals. And now four halfpipe events in Sochi: three gold medals.

Maddie Bowman is the latest winner for the US as she took home the gold in the inaugural women’s ski halfpipe event in Sochi. Bowman is just 20-years old (turning 20 just a month ago) with a very bright future in front of her. She’s already the two-time defending champion in the SuperPipe in the X-Games and now she’ll be the defending champion in the Olympics at a young age. With a few days left to wrap things up she’s the youngest gold medalist in Sochi for the US.

Bowman hails from South Lake Tahoe, California. Despite the X-Games golds she’s been fairly unknown to most of the population. She’s even under 4,000 twitter followers still. That attention deficit will change a bit now that she’s an Olympic gold medalist and come four years from now there will be expectations. If we learned anything last night though it’s that Bowman doesn’t shy away from big moments at all.