Category Archives: Freestyle Skiing

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, 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.

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

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.

Continue reading February 13th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review →

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.

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

February 13th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview

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What’s on tap today? Ten disciplines and competition in 13 events with six gold medals up for grabs. In today: Biathlon, cross country-skiing, freestyle skiing, short track, and skeleton for the first time. Out today: Alpine skiing, nordic combined, and snowboarding.

All times below are ET.

Biathlon

Events: Thursday is the men’s 20 km individual event at 9 AM. The 89-man field will start in 30-second intervals with missed targets resulting in a crucial one minute penalty added to your time. Three Americans will compete: Tim Burke, starts 29th at 9:14:30, Lowell Bailey starts 58th at 9:29, Leif Nordgren starts 62nd at 9:31, and finally Russell Currier starts 79th at 9:39.

When:

  • Men’s individual 20 km – 9 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 biathlon will be included in NBC’s daytime coverage from 3-5 PM ET.

Continue reading February 13th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview →

Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Curling, Daily Olympic Reviews, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Luge, Olympics, Ski Jumping, Snowboarding, Sochi 2014, Speed Skating

February 11th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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The US did take home a couple more medals on Tuesday but it’s hard to call the day a total success when you consider all the chances missed by the US.  There were still a lot of great performances and awesome results, but a lot of disappointment for the US as well.

Biathlon

Events:

  • Women’s 10 km pursuit

After disappointment in the sprint event on Sunday, American Susan Dunklee was hoping to rebound in a major way on Tuesday. That was all looking pretty good as she battled her way back from a 16th place start to fifth heading towards the final round of shooting. That’s where she missed three targets (four in the whole race) and the penalty laps that she had to take after that meant she finished 18th. It was another big disappointment for Dunklee.

Two other Americans were in the field but were not a major part of the race. Sara Studebaker was 44th at the start and fell to 51st after missing five targets. Annelies Cook started 53rd and slipped a spot to 54th after missing five targets as well.

Results Summarized:

  • Annelies Cook – Started 53rd, 2:17 behind the leader, missed four targets, and finished in 54th with a time of 36:20.9
  • Sara Studebaker – Started 44th, 1:53 behind the leader, missed five targets, and finished in 51st with a time of 35:00
  • Susan Dunklee – Started 16th, 42 seconds behind the leader, missed five targets, and finished in 18th with a time of 31:11.6

Continue reading February 11th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review →

Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Curling, Daily Previews, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Luge, Olympics, Ski Jumping, Snowboarding, Sochi 2014, Speed Skating

February 11th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview

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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.

When:

  • Women’s 10 km pursuit – 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 biathlon will be included in NBC’s latenight coverage from 12-1 AM ET Wednesday morning.

Continue reading February 11th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview →

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

February 10th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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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.
Julia Mancuso was trying to become only the third American to medal in three straight Winter Olympics.

Photo Credit: jonwick04 via Compfight cc

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.

Results Summarized:

  • 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.

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Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Curling, Daily Previews, Freestyle Skiing, Ice Hockey, Luge, Olympics, Short Track Speed Skating, Sochi 2014, Speed Skating

February 10th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview

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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.

When:

  • Women’s super combined – downhill – 2 AM
  • Women’s super combined – slalom – 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 alpine skiing will be included in NBC’s evening Olympic coverage, 8-11:30 PM ET.

Continue reading February 10th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview →