Category Archives: Sochi 2014

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

February 17th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview

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What’s on tap today? Eight disciplines and competition in nine events with six gold medals up for grabs. In today: Freestyle skiing and ski jumping. Out today: Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and speed skating.

All times below are ET.

Biathlon

Events: The men’s 15km mass-start will begin at 1 AM. The 30-man field will include only two Americans, Lowell Bailey and Tim Burke as they have the final chance to earn an individual medal for the US men in Sochi.

The women’s 12.5km mass start at 10 AM also features 30 in the field. The only American is Susan Dunklee.

When:

  • *Men’s 15km mass start – 1 AM
  • Women’s mass-start 12.5 km – 10 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 men’s biathlon will be included in coverage on NBCSN from 3-7 AM ET and in NBC’s daytime coverage from 3-5 PM ET. The women’s biathlon will be included in coverage on NBCSN from 1:30-3 PM ET.

Continue reading February 17th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview →

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

February 16th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview

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What’s on tap today? Nine disciplines and competition in ten events with five gold medals up for grabs. In today: Biathlon, bobsleigh (making its Sochi debut) figure skating, and snowboarding. Out today: Short track, skeleton (finished for Sochi), and ski jumping.

All times below are ET.

Alpine Skiing

Events: Four American men are in the 63-man field for the Super-G are Americans at 1 AM. After seeing the women fail to complete the course in large number it will be interesting to see how aggressive they are. Ted Ligety goes first for the US, ninth overall with Bode Miller soon behind him in 13th. The final two Americans are Travis Ganong who goes 25th and Andrew Weibrecht who goes 29th.

When:

  • *Men’s Super-G – 1 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 PM ET.

Continue reading February 16th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview →

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

February 15th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview

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What’s on tap today? Eight disciplines and competition in nine events with seven gold medals up for grabs. In today: Ice hockey, short track, and speed skating. Out today: Biathlon, figure skating, and freestyle skiing.

All times below are ET.

Alpine Skiing

Events: Four women in the 50-woman field for the Super-G are Americans. This single run event begins at 2 AM and it won’t take long before the first American is underway. Leanne Smith will be the second down the mountain. Laurenne Ross goes seventh, Julia Mancuso bids for a second medal in Sochi while starting 14th, and Stacey Cook goes 29th.

When:

  • *Women’s Super-G – 2 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 8-11:30 PM ET.

Continue reading February 15th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview →

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

February 14th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview

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What’s on tap today? Just eight disciplines and competition in 10 events with six gold medals up for grabs. In today: Alpine skiing and ski jumping. Out today: Ice hockey, luge, short track, and speed skating.

All times below are ET.

Alpine Skiing

Events: Alpine skiing returns with the men’s super combined on Friday. The 50-man field starts the downhill portion at 1 AM. Four Americans are in the field and they will take to the course in a tight grouping. Ted Ligety will start 22nd, Andrew Weibrecht 23rd, Bode Miller 24th, and Jared Goldberg 28th. The slalom begins at 6:30 AM and will start in the reverse-order of the times from the downhill portion.

When:

  • Men’s Super Combined – Downhill – 1 AM
  • *Men’s Super Combined – Slalom – 6:30 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 8-11:30 PM ET.

Continue reading February 14th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview →

Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Curling, Daily Olympic Reviews, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Ice Hockey, Luge, Olympics, Short Track Speed Skating, Skeleton, Sochi 2014, Speed Skating

February 13th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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If you were waiting for the US to break out and make a move in the medal count then perhaps Thursday was your day… or perhaps a single event on Thursday was your event. The men’s ski slopestyle cross took the US from nine medals to 12 as the US swept the medals and headlined a good day for the US.

Biathlon

Events:

  • Men’s individual 20 km

Thursday was the men’s 20 km individual event at 9 AM. The first American to start was Tim Burke. Burke got off to a good start as he was 17th after 8 km and a round of shooting. He took a big hit with two missed targets in round two and fell into the 40s. He recovered his position some before two more missed targets in the final round left him with a 44th place finish. Next up was Lowell Bailey. Bailey combined a strong skiing performance with just one missed target to consistently be in the top 20 at checkpoints and eventually move into the top ten and finish 8th, the best ever finish by a US man. Leif Nordgren was in the top 40 through 12 km but a disastrous third round of shooting where he missed all five targets left him well behind the pack and he finished 83rd. Finally Russell Currier missed two targets on each of the first two rounds of shooting as he plummeted to 85th out of 88. He roared back however and didn’t miss another target as he ended up in 50th place.

Results Summarized:

  • Leif Nordgren – Finished 83rd in 58:47.6, 9:15.9 behind the leader. Missed six targets.
  • Russell Currier – Finished 50th in 55:07.5, 5:35.8 behind the leader. Missed four targets.
  • Tim Burke – Finished 44th in 54:21.2, 4:49.5 behind the leader. Missed four targets.
  • Lowell Bailey – Finished 8th in 50:57.4, 1:25.7 behind the leader. Missed one target.

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Freestyle Skiing, Olympics, Sochi 2014

Sochi 2014 – USA Gold Medal Winner #4 – Joss Christensen

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Well yesterday when Kaitlyn Farrington won gold I showed you a screenshot of her wikipedia page to show how unknown she was. I’m going to do something similar today. I’ll show you Joss Christensen’s wikipedia page a week ago.

Joss ChristensenIT DIDN’T EXIST. It was made three days ago. That’s how much of an after thought he was coming into these games. He was the 4th American nominated to the slopestyle team, named to the team less than three weeks before the start of the games when the US knew they’d have a quota spot in the event for him.

His profile on TeamUSA.org doesn’t have a win listed in his career highlights, the best stuff is a 3rd place finish in slopestyle at Mammoth Mountain in 2012 and six world cup starts and one podium.

The story of Joss Christensen is best told by others, but it’s a story of tragedy, perseverance, and finally triumph today in Sochi.

Joss Christensen came to Sochi an unknown, he leaves a gold medalist. He will always be known as Olympic gold medal winner Joss Christensen when it comes to his sporting achievements. Amazing what a difference a week can make.