What’s on tap today? Nine disciplines and competition in 11 events with eight gold medals awarded. Figure skating returns for the individual events now that the team event is done.
All times below are ET.
Biathlon
Events: Tuesday is the women’s 10 km pursuit event at 10 AM. The 60-woman field will chase the leader over the course with four rounds of shooting. Each missed shot is a 150 meter penalty loop. The field is staggered by the amount they finished behind the leader in the sprint event on Sunday. Three Americans will compete: Susan Dunklee, who might have medaled if she didn’t miss a target in the sprint event, starts in 14th starting 42 seconds after the leader, Sara Studebaker is 44th and starts 1:53 behind the leader, and finally Annelies Cook starts 2:17 behind the leader in 53rd.
Lifelong role models and lovers of anything ski related… Enjoying a moment with my parents post race yesterday http://t.co/yu0ZmUBAvx
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 biathlon will be included in NBC’s latenight coverage from 12-1 AM ET Wednesday morning.
Today was the first day of full competition at the Olympics that didn’t feature a US gold. The US took home only a bronze but there was only five events awarding medals so not a ton of opportunities for the US. Curling got underway on both the men’s and women’s side while the US women’s hockey team played their second of three group stage matches.
Alpine Skiing
Events:
Women’s super combined – downhill
Women’s super combined – slalom
Monday was the women’s super combined event. The first half was the downhill portion with 39 athletes and four Americans in the field. The first one down the hill was Laurenne Ross but she did not finish the downhill as her shoe broke and she went down on the course. Next up was Julia Mancuso who started off great and kept it up all the way down the course leading to the best time of the event at 1:42.68. Mancuso would carry a 0.47 second lead to the slalom half. Leanne Smith finished in 1:45.06, 20th best in the downhill portion, while Stacey Cook did not finish the downhill as well.
Julia Mancuso was trying to become only the third American to medal in three straight Winter Olympics.
In the slalom half Smith wasn’t able to complete the course and got a DNF. That left Mancuso as the last American who could try to finish both events. Mancuso went last among the leaders and knew what she needed to take gold. She made a couple of mistakes however on the course and while she quickly recovered it wasn’t enough as she ended up third place by 0.53 seconds with a time of 2:35.15. Mancuso was thrilled with getting a bronze medal.
Humbled to be 1 of 3 American Winter Olympians to ever medal in 3 straight Olympics. With Bonnie Blair and @ApoloOhno !! Dreams come true:)
Laurenne Ross – Did not finish the downhill portion.
Stacey Cook – Did not finish the downhill portion.
Leanne Smith – Finished the downhill in 20th with a time of 1:45.06. Did not finish the slalom portion.
Julia Mancuso – Finished the downhill in 1st with a time of 1:42.68. Finished the slalom 13th fastest with a time of 52.47. Total time of 2:35.15 was third best, won bronze medal.
This week is the Qatar Total Open in Doha, Qatar. This event is part of the Premier 5 on the WTA tour and the winner will get 900 ranking points.
Sloane Stephens is the only American in the field who is seeded (#14). The other Americans are Venus Williams (same half as Stephens), Varvara Lepchenko (other half of the draw) and Bethanie Mattek-Sands (same quarter as Lepchenko).
The Draws
This is the route for each American to the final if the higher seeds hold out. Green means the American on the left would be the higher ranked player, red means they would be lower ranked. Bold on an athlete indicates that match has been completed. Click to expand.
What’s on tap today? Eight disciplines and competition in ten events, but just five gold medals will be awarded.
All times below are ET.
Alpine Skiing
Events: Monday the women begin their alpine skiing events with the super combined. This event is one half downhill and one half slalom. The downhill portion is at 2 AM with four Americans in the 39-woman field. Laurenne Ross will be the first American to go but goes 14th overall. Julia Mancuso goes 22nd, Leanne Smith goes 27th, and Stacey Cook goes 30th. After completing the downhill portion the athletes will compete in the slalom portion at 6 AM. The best total time wins.
Family made it to Sochi! Tomorrow is my first event. Super Combined. Lets see if I can pull it out of the hat like in Vancouver! #FastDreams
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 Olympic coverage, 8-11:30 PM ET.
We knew that inexperience would be an issue for the US against Italy but the hope was that the higher ranked American players would at least be able to hold their own on home soil. Well the inexperience won out as the Americans struggled to a 3-1 home loss to World #1 Italy.
Italy’s Karin Knapp dispatched Christina McHale 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the first rubber on Saturday. That wasn’t a huge surprise as Knapp is the higher ranked player. What was a surprise was how soundly Madison Keys was beaten by Camila Giorgi: 6-2, 6-1. That resounding thumping meant the US had to win all three rubbers on Sunday. Keys has struggled at times in big moments, we saw it a few times at the Australian Open, and the 18-year old may have just been in over her head a bit in this one. Plenty of time for her to mature and become a major part of the US team.
Thanks for all the support! Not how we wanted it to go but we fought and we’ll be back 🙂 #FedCup#lovemyteam
Another day, another gold medal winning snowboarder for the US. Saturday was Sage Kotsenburg’s turn and Sunday was Jamie Anderson’s turn to jump into the spotlight.
While Kotsenburg was a major surprise, Anderson’s gold medal triumph was a bit easier to see coming. Anderson has been a dominant snowboard slopestyle competitor for the last eight years. Here is her X Games results dating back to 2006: Bronze, gold, gold, did not compete, silver, bronze, gold, gold, silver.
Only with the love and support from the most amazing family, friends, community and sponsors! So much gratitude. pic.twitter.com/v4QSITCFhq
Second day of medals awarded and two more medals for the US, another gold and another bronze. Some disappointments as well though for the US today.
Alpine Skiing
Events:
Men’s downhill
In the men’s downhill event Bode Miller was the most likely medal contender while three other Americans were part of the field. Steven Nyman was the first down the slopes, both for the US and for the entire competition. Nyman nearly wiped out a couple of times but made some spectacular saves to keep his footing. He finished with a time of 2:09.15 to lead the way. That lead didn’t last long though and the second man down topped it and after five had gone he was out of medal contention.
Next up for the US was Travis Ganong. Ganong skied an aggressive race and despite some parts not perfect he just edged into first with a time of 2:06.64, 0.07 seconds better than anyone else at that point. Ganong was immediately bumped from the gold medal by the next skier but it took 11 men after him before he was bumped from the medals.
One of those 11 men was Bode Miller. Miller made mistakes in several parts of the course including catching way too much of the flag. It cost him as he was sixth after his run with a time of 2:06.75. The final American was Marco Sullivan who was the 25th man to go. Sullivan just wasn’t nearly fast enough and his time of 2:10.10 placed him 30th in the end. When it was all said and done Nyman was 25th, Miller eighth, and Ganong was in fifth, just 0.31 seconds behind bronze.
5th place in the Olympic Downhill today!!!! Fired up that was fun and oh so close to a medal!!!!!… http://t.co/ZgimekFdWO — Travis Ganong (@TravisGanong) February 9, 2014
Results Summarized:
Marco Sullivan – Finished in 30th with a time of 2:10.10
Steven Nyman – Finished in 27th with a time of 2:09.15
Bode Miller – Finished in 8th with a time of 2:06.75
Travis Ganong – Finished in 5th with a time of 2:06.64
Bode Miller finished 8th for the US in the men’s downhill on Sunday.
Here’s what’s on tap for today… how about eight different disciplines? How about the first alpine skiing event in Sochi? How about eight more gold medals on the line?
All times below are ET.
Alpine Skiing
Events: The men’s downhill event will take place on Sunday. The event features 50 competitors including four Americans. Everyone will get one and only run on the course. The fastest time wins. The first man off the top will actually be American Steven Nyman setting the mark to beat for everyone. Travis Ganong goes seventh, Bode Miller is 15th, and Marco Sullivan is the last American at 25th.
Bode Miller will compete for the US in the men’s downhill on Sunday.
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 Olympic coverage, 7-11 PM ET.
Biathlon
Events: Sunday is the women’s 7.5 km sprint competition. Each athlete will start 30 seconds apart with each missed target during the shooting portions resulting in a 150m penalty loop. The fastest time is the winner, but that probably won’t be the first woman across the finish line due to the staggered start.
Four Americans are in the 84-woman field. Susan Dunklee is the first to go for the US at 9:35:30 AM, Annelies Cook will start at 9:58:30 AM, Hannah Dreissigacker starts at 10:01:30 AM, and Sara Studebaker goes at 10:07 AM.
First race is tomorrow- the 7.5 km sprint. I will be wearing number 11
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 biathlon will be included in NBC’s daytime coverage from 2-6 PM ET
Cross-Country Skiing
Events: Sunday is the men’s skiathlon. This is a race of 15 km in the classic style, a switch of equipment, and then 15 km in the freestyle. This is a mass start event so the first one across the finish line wins.
Four Americans are in the field of 68: Noah Hoffman, Kris Freeman, Brian Gregg, and Erik Bjornsen.
Below is some video featuring Brian Gregg and giving you an idea what it’d be like to stand near a cross-country skiing race going by. Pretty intense!
When:
Men’s 30 km Skiathlon (15 km classic + 15 km free) – 5 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: Cross-country skiing will be shown LIVE on NBCSN during their programming from 5:30 AM – 8:30 AM ET. It will also be included in NBC’s daytime coverage from 2-6 PM ET
Figure Skating
Events: The team event wraps up on Sunday with three last rounds: men’s free skate (10 AM), ladies’ free skate (11:05 AM), and ice dance free dance (12:10 PM). The US is currently in third place with a score of 34. Silver and gold appear to be out of reach but hopefully the US can hold off Italy (31 points) and Japan (34 points) for the bronze.
There is no start list out for these events yet and it’s not officially known who will skate in them for the US. The US could change two of their three choices from the first round but there is no way that Meryl Davis and Charlie White don’t go in the ice dance. After a poor performance by Jeremy Abbott in the short program I expect Jason Brown to get the free skate nod, but it’s unknown if that will happen. Ashley Wagner was good on Saturday in the short program so I imagine she’ll be going again.
Ashley Wagner competed for the US in the team event on Saturday.
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 figure skating will be shown LIVE on NBCSN from 10 AM – 1 PM ET. It was also be included in NBC’s daytime coverage from 2-6 PM ET and NBC’s evening Olympic coverage, 7-11 PM ET.
Luge
Events: The men’s singles event wraps up on Sunday. Three Americans are in the field of 39 but all seem to be out of medal contention. The start order is the same order as the standings. Christopher Mazdzer is 13th and will go 13th. Tucker West goes 23rd and Aidan Kelly goes 26th. I would imagine that run four will have the quickest athletes so far going last, but I’ve been surprised in other events so who knows…
Thanks to my family, and friends and luge family for coming out to support me!!! You guys were the loudest cheering crowd there! #TeamUSA
Live Streaming: A live stream will be available on the NBC Olympics website or 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 luge will be shown LIVE on NBCSN in their coverage from 8:30-10 AM ET. It will also be included in NBC’s late night coverage, 11:30 PM-12:30 AM ET.
Ski Jumping
Events: The men’s normal hill event wraps up on Sunday with the first round and the final round. In the first round 50 competitors will be competing for 40 spots in the final event. The US has three competitors in the field. Nicholas Alexander will be the first competitor to go, Anders Johnson is going 5th, and Peter Frenette goes 10th. If any make it through to the final that’s where they will take one more jump. The final standings are determined by the total of the two jumps.
Qualified for the small hill comp tomorrow! Now to try and pull the miracle on ice pt. 2
Men’s individual normal hill – First round – 12:30 PM
Men’s individual normal hill – Final round – 1:35 PM
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 ski jumping will be shown LIVE on NBCSN as part of their coverage from 1-2 PM ET. It will also be included in NBC’s evening coverage from 7-11 PM ET.
Snowboarding
Events: After grabbing a gold in the inaugural men’s slopestyle on Saturday the US hopes to do the same in the women’s event on Sunday. Two Americans (Jamie Anderson and Karly Shorr) are already into the final while two others are looking to get into it from the semifinal. In the semifinal 15 competitors are vying for the final four spots in the final. Each athlete will take two runs with the best run counting. Top four scores go to the final. Ty Walker is scheduled to be the first to compete while Jessika Jenson is scheduled to go ninth. In the final each athlete gets two runs with the best score again counting.
Below is Anderson’s silver medal winning run at the X Games a couple weeks ago.
When:
Women’s slopestyle semifinal – 1:30 AM
Women’s slopestyle final – 4:15 AM
Live Streaming: A live stream will be available on the NBC Olympics website or 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 snowboarding will be included in NBC’s evening Olympic coverage, 7-11 PM ET.
Speed Skating
Events: The women’s 5000m event is on Sunday. This event has athletes going two at a time with the times ranked for the final standings. Two Americans are in the 28-woman field. Anna Ringsred will be in the second pair while Jilleanne Rookard is in the tenth pair.
End of a great day in Sochi. Time for some rest. Going to try, somehow, to get some sleep before tomorrow. #BigRaceDay#Olympics
Live Streaming: A live stream will be available on the NBC Olympics website or 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: Speed skating will be shown LIVE on NBCSN during their programming from 5:30 AM – 8:30 AM ET. It will also be included in NBC’s daytime coverage from 2-6 PM ET
After going 0-2-1 on the first day of the New Zealand Sevens the USA was looking at a matchup with France in the bowl quarterfinals. It was one of those games where the US could take a big step forward, but instead it was another heartbreaker for the US.
Madison Hughes made another start for the US, his emergence this weekend was awesome to see, and the US had a good first half. Danny Barrett scored a try 4:12 in and Hughes got a conversion through for the US to make it 7-0. France did answer with a try and conversion but the US answered back, again with Danny Barrett. Barrett’s try after the clock had stopped for the US gave them a 12-7 halftime lead. The second half was a defensive struggle with all seven minute ticking off the clock without a single point. France had one last chance though and were able to get the try and conversion after time had expired to turn it around and beat the US 14-12. The loss sent the US into a shield semifinal against Portugal. France went on to lose to Kenya 24-7 in the bowl semifinal.
In the game directly preceding the shield semifinal against Portugal the US saw Spain beat Tonga to reach the shield final. That meant the US had to win the shield themselves or else they’d give up some of their six point lead over Spain for the final spot on next year’s tour. The US came out and played fantastic against Portugal (they have done really well against the bottom teams lately). Madison Hughes was involved in a major way for the US in the first half as he scored their first and third trys and had a conversion on the later. Ryne Haitsuka added a try in between and the US went to the half up 17-0. It would get worse for Portugal before it got better as Carlin Isles went all highlight reel to make it 24-0 after a Hughes conversion. Portugal did add 10 points the rest of the way with another Isles highlight/Hughes conversion splitting them up. The final, a 31-10 USA victory propelled the Eagles into the shield semifinal.
After two dominant wins against Spain in Las Vegas more of the same might have been expected in Wellington, but the first half told a different story. Spain scored first but the US did fight back behind a Zack Test try with Hughes conversion to tie it at 7-7 at the half. The second half was a different story as the US routed Spain 21-5 in the second half behind two Isles tries, a Haitsuka try, and conversions on all three from Hughes.
So the US ended Wellington on a positive note, expanded their lead over Spain for the last spot to seven (15-8) and grabbed the shield for the third time in five tournaments. Of course I’d rather not admit that is partially because the US has been in the shield semifinals in all but one of the first five tournaments. There are only four more tournaments left and with Spain never grabbing more than two points the US looks safer and safer each week. Still you’d like to see the US have a real strong tournament, days one AND two, one of these chances.
The most important thing might be the emergence of the Carlin Isles/Madison Hughes dynamic duo for the US. Isles had six tries in Wellington, third most of anyone, and Hughes added three of his own. Hughes also had conversions on nine trys this weekend to rank fifth with 33 points. If these two can keep up their good play maybe we can see the US do ever better than the shield in Japan on March 22-23.
Oh and check out all six of Isles’ tries from this weekend. Holy cow is that man fast. Nearly every time you think that there is a defender with an angle that will cut him off and he just races right past them. Hopefully we’ll see him with the US team still in Japan.
Well who had Sage Kotsenburg as their pick for the first person to win a gold for the US in Sochi? No one?
Sage Kotsenburg entered the 2014 slopestyle event under the radar. The attention was on Shaun White and the will he or won’t he question about whether he would be in the event. Kotsenburg had never won a gold medal before, no X-games winner trying to make it at the Olympics here.
Kotsenburg had grabbed silver a couple of times in the X-Games before (2010 and 2012) but after finishing eighth in his qualifying heat on Thursday no one was pushing him for the major day on Saturday. Even Kotsenburg was just going to go give it his best and see what happens.
Stoked to go out and snowboard today!! Huge day. Haha so weird it will all be over in a few hours, so im gonna soak it up and do my best!!
Things got off to a great start for Kotsenburg when he scored an 89 on his first run in the semifinal. That alone would have been enough for a spot in the final but he upped it ever higher with a 90.50 on run two. He seemed pretty excited at what he had been able to do.
Whoa how random is this I made finals at the Olympics!!!
Once into the final Kotsenburg set the bar with a 93.50 and watched as everyone failed to clear it. Kotsenburg was good on every run of the day, three runs (out of four) at or over 89 by Kotsenburg Saturday. Number of runs by everyone else (out of 60) at or over 89? THREE. Kotsenburg was by far the best snowboarder on the day and deserved the gold medal completely.
WOW!! I just won the Olympics!! Bringing back the first Gold here to the USA! Love seeing all the support from everyone YOU RULE!!
