Category Archives: Olympics

February 12th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

After a couple of gold-less days for the US they finally grabbed their third gold medal late on Wednesday. It was one of two medals for the US on the day, both in the same event.

Alpine Skiing

Events:

  • *Women’s Downhill

Four Americans were in the first 12 competitors in the downhill on Wednesday but none of them could move into first when they went down the hill. Jacqueline Wiles was second to go but had some crucial mistakes in her run and finished 26th in 1:44.35. Next up was Laurenne Ross. Ross was much cleaner but her time of 1:42.68 just wasn’t good enough to reach the top and she finished 11th in 1:42.68. Stacey Cook was the third to go and her run also lacked the sharpness necessary as she finished 17th in 1:43.05. The final hope was Julia Mancuso. Mancuso had a really good run but wasn’t quick enough in the middle of the course. She ended up eighth with a time of 1:42.56

Results Summarized:

  • Jacqueline Wiles – Finished 26th in a time of 1:44.35.
  • Stacey Cook – Finished 17th in a time of 1:43.05.
  • Laurenne Ross – Finished 11th in a time of 1:42.68.
  • Julia Mancuso – Finished 8th in a time of 1:42.56.

February 12th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview

What’s on tap today? Things slow down a bit with just eight disciplines and competition in nine events with six gold medals up for grabs. In today: Alpine skiing, ice hockey, and nordic combined’s first event. Out today: Biathlon, cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing, and ski jumping.

All times below are ET.

Alpine Skiing

Events: Alpine skiing returns with the women’s downhill competition on Wednesday at 2 AM. This is a single run event with the best time winning. There are four Americans in the 42-woman field. The first American down the mountain will be Jacqueline Wiles, second overall. Then we’ll see Laurenne Ross seventh, Stacey Cook goes 10th, and then Julia Mancuso 12th. Then there will be a lot waiting and hoping the times hold up!

When:

  • *Women’s Downhill – 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 12th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview

February 11th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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

February 11th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview

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

February 10th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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.

Continue reading February 10th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

February 10th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview

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

Sochi 2014 – USA Gold Medal Winner #2 – Jamie Anderson

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.

Continue reading Sochi 2014 – USA Gold Medal Winner #2 – Jamie Anderson

February 9th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

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.

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 will compete for the US in the men's downhill on Sunday.
Bode Miller finished 8th for the US in the men’s downhill on Sunday.

Photo Credit: jonwick04 via Compfight cc

Continue reading February 9th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Review

February 9th – Sochi 2014 – Daily Preview

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.
Bode Miller will compete for the US in the men’s downhill on Sunday.

Photo Credit: jonwick04 via Compfight cc

When:

  • Men’s downhill – 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 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.

When:

  • Women’s 7.5 km sprint – 9:30 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 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 will compete for the US in the team event on Saturday.
Ashley Wagner competed for the US in the team event on Saturday.

Photo Credit: nabechiko29 via Compfight cc

When:

  • Team event – Men’s free skate – 10 AM
  • Team event – Ladies’ free skate – 11:05 AM
  • Team event – Ice dance free dance – 12:10 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 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…

When: 

  • Men’s singles run 3 – 9:30 AM
  • Men’s singles run 4 – 11:30 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 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.

When:

  • 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.

When: 

  • Women’s 3000m – 6:30 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: 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

Sochi 2014 – USA Gold Medal Winner #1 – Sage Kotsenburg

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.

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.

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.

Sure will be a different world for the 20-year old when he gets back to the states. Give him a follow on twitter @sagekotsenburg.

And get to know the new face of slopestyle in the US. I have a feeling he’ll be popular with the ladies as well…