Gold, Silver and Bronze ~ 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games

[Tigger]

You just knew I'd be starting this thread at some time soon, didn't all of you?

As of yesterday we're a Month away from The Games, I thought it was a good time to start the thread.

I think right now, the only really big worry here in Canada is whether or not we'll have an honest to goodness Alpine Ski Team to compete. It's been like every single freaking week since the Alpine Ski Season started, we hear we've lost another member of either The Canadian Speed Queens or The Canadian Cowboys Teams. The last one, that happened when she came around a slalom gate the wrong way thanks to her one ski hitting a rut and then tearing her MCL from both the impact to the gate and the way her leg was positioned.

And it's not just my Canadian guys and gals either. Elwen, your Austrian Team's been hit by the Injury Bug that's been nailing the Alpine Circiut too IIRC, but not as severely as it has my Canadians.

Right now, the other big question surrounding Alpine athletes isn't if Lyndsey Vonn of the US is going to be on the Podium, but how many medals she'll be having to declare at the Border when going home afterwards. Mind you, snow and ice are slippery stuff, but she's been just so on the last two seasons that I don't think it's that big a stretch to say she'll be a multiple Medalist and quite probally, a Mulitple Gold Medalist at that.

Now...I'm severly tempting the SkateGods on this one, but I'm going to say it...We could very well see Skating History take place at these Games and in Ice Dancing at that. What am I talking about? Well...And keep in mind I'm whispering this *very* quietly...

There very well could be an all North American Ice Dance Podium at the end of the Free Dance Programs on February 22nd.

At the end of the World Championships in March in LA, the top four were...

1. Oksana Dominina and Maxim Shablin ~ Russia
2. Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto ~ USA
3. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir ~ Canada
4. Meryl Davis and Charlie White ~ USA

They were all separated by a tenth of a point.

Now, factor in that Max and Oksana's missed the Grand Prix circuit this Fall due to Max's crappy knees, but hope to be at Europeans next week.

Then, there's the 2008 World Champions from France, Isobel Delobel and Oliver Schonfelder. They've only been back on the ice for nearly three months now thanks to Isobell and her boyfriend welcoming their new baby son into the World in October. They also plan to be at Euros in Tallinn, Estonia next week, but that's an awful lot of time to make up period, In an Olympic year!?! I doubt it and I hate to say that as I really, really do like this team.

Meanwhile, the three North American teams up there have all been having great seasons and medaled or outright won the events they were in on the GP Circuit. Ben's been having a flare up of his back issues, but that's been taken care of and they're back in the swing of things after needing to take a couple of weeks off due to it. That meant they had to w/draw from their second GP event, but not really that big of a deal.

I'm not the only one who is thinking, hoping, dreaming, wishing and thinking of sacrificing a Chocolate Easter Bunny ( ) over the possiblity of this happening either. Just about all of the pundits are saying there's a very good chance of this happening.

You know...Of course I'd adore for my lovely Tessa and Scott to win that Gold Medal, but if that hoped for all North American Dance Podium happens, I will be thrilled beyond belief!! Not only for the obvious, but also for the reaction this would create on the skating boards.

For those wondering?

Think Nuclear Armageddon and you'll have a pretty good idea.

I still can't believe we're so close. It seems just like yesterday Mom and I were sitting on the couch upstairs waiting w/bated breath hoping that Dr. Rogge would announce Vancouver's name after opening the envelope w/the name of the City that won the Right to Host the 2010 Winter Olympics.

And now we're less than a month away!! Still have hard time believing they're almost here.

[tapstree]

Originally Posted by Tigger

I think right now, the only really big worry here in Canada is whether or not we'll have an honest to goodness Alpine Ski Team to compete.

Possibly a small minor worry is whether there will be snow to compete on...

Hearing the weather reports a couple days ago, i was wondering if they'd have to announce some new events: slush-boarding; downhill alpine slush skiing; slush skating...

Glad to see you're getting excited, Tigs.

[Pennquelle]

Yeah, was listening to NPR today and they mentioned the problem of a possible no-show for the snow. Actually, they did say they could make snow and they have stockpiled big bunches of snow on some other mountain that they can transport to Mt. Black (is that the right name?). Sounds costly and like a huge process. Hopefully things will improve. At this point, it would have been almost as good to have it in Southern California (just kidding!).

[Tigger]

Don't know the name of the mountain, but yeah...The weather's w/out a doubt a very big worry right now. They can make it of course, but...Still not really the same thing.

[Lembas]

Can't wait till they start. Tigger, have Lindsey Vonn and Sasha Cohen qualified for the Olympics? Just wondering.

EDIT: Tigger, I should have read your post a bit closer about Lindsey Vonn...are you not a fan? If not, I can't believe it, and I don't know why not??!!

[Tigger]

Oh no Lembas, I do like Lyndsey. Very much as a matter of fact. She's a very humble lady who truly respects her competition. I didn't mean what I said as a slam, but as something that everyone who follows Alpine Skiing is genuinely wondering about when it comes to her and Vancouver.

As for Sasha, we'll know by the end of the weekend, but I'll be shocked if she does go. She hasn't been skating well and the comeback's been looking like a very bad idea. Remember, you only have one entry in Ladies Figure Skating in Vancouver, so whomever wins that National Title tonight or tomorrow in Spokane will be going to the Games.

We have two spots on our Olympic Skating Team filled w/the Pairs event at Canadians taking place earlier this afternoon. Jessica Dube and Bryce Davidson won their Third Cdn Title w/one of those very special performances. Once it's up over at YouTube, I'll share it because they were just spellbinding.

If they can keep on skating like that, then....I'll say this. They're looking the way they did when they won that World Championship Bronze Medal in 2008 and that's *all* I'm saying.

Second spot's going to Anabelle Langlois and Cody Hay, which is a truly feel good kind of a story. They won the 2008 National Title, then Anabelle broke her ankle during training in the Summer of 2008 and they ended up missing the entire season. So for them to come back and get that second spot after everything they've been through? It wasn't perfect, but it was good enough and I'm very happy for them.

Final flight of Ladies just started, so off I go!!

[Chaleins of Norbury]

I'm looking forward to the Winter Olympics; and I've always like them more than the summer games for some reason. Maybe it's that its more focused? or I like seeing snow or something. Even the fluffy skating events are fun to watch.

[Tigger]

W/Canadians ending yesterday, our Olympic Figure Skating Team was officially announced and...

Ladies

Joannie Rochette
Cynthia Phaneuf

Pairs

Jessica Dube and Bryce Davidson
Anabelle Langlois and Cody Hay

Men

Patrick Chan
Vaughn Chipeur

Dance

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir
Vanessa Crone and Paul Poirer

I'm still fuming over who's got the second Dance spot, as Vanessa fell outright and on a required element in the Free Skate, whereas even though they had a wee bit of a stumble, Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje still had the better skate and program. Yet who's going to Vancouver?

Yeah...Not happy at all and yet another black eye to the sport. Just what we needed going into the Games.

[Lembas]

I love the Olympics in and of themselves, but I'm also glad because during their run there will be no Jay Leno.

[Tigger]

Can we leave any snipes regarding Jay, Conan and the entire mess NBC brought on themselves out of this thread please? Thanks!!

Sigh...The Games haven't even started and we've got a Major Skating Brouhaha going on already...

The Sydney Morning Herald ~ Russian ice dancers should rethink their routine

Huffington Post ~ Russian Ice Skaters' Aborlgnal Routine Offends Austrailians (VIDEO)

And from the above link...

The duo were shocked to hear of the offense they had caused. Shabalin said, "We researched a lot of information on the Internet. It's just from many thousands of years ago and it wasn't our goal (to be authentic)."

Domnina has also revealed that they decided to use the music after her dog reacted to the melody

And BTW...It states in the actual Rules for this year's Original Dances that if a couple choses a "Folk" rhythm, it must be authentic to the culture.

And now I hear that Reuters have picked the story up. This just gets worse and worse.

You know, it would have been one thing to do a dance like this and it end up being a hot mess, which it is, but to then add not just the costumes, but especially the dark tone illiusion fabric and face paint!?! I don't even want to think about what we could be in for if they don't ditch this and do end up actually skating it at the Olympics.

Thank you Oksana and Max so very much for bringing this sport I love so much into major controversy and bad press yet AGAIN!!

The temptation to go and look into a flight to Talinn, so I could get them into a room and then ask them what the HELL they were thinking, or if they actually *were* thinking, is very, very tempting right now!!

I think I'll just go and bop my head over and over again into a wall to dull the pain now....

[Lembas]

Can we leave any snipes regarding Jay, Conan and the entire mess NBC brought on themselves out of this thread please? Thanks!!

Yes ma'am. Right away!

[Tigger]

W/the Official Announcement of the Canadian Olympic Cross Country/Nordic Ski Team today, history was also made. Brian McKeever will become the very first Paralympian to represent his Country at an Winter Olympic Games.

CBC Sports ~ McKeever 1st Paralympian to compete in Winter Olympics

I am so beyond thrilled that Brian made the Team and am hoping he has an amazing time next month.

[Tigger]

The COC announced who the choice for Canada's Flag Bearer is on Friday and a more worthy and fitting choice, I can't imagine!!

CBC Sports ~ Clara Hughes Canada's Flag Bearer

So thrilled and happy for her. My Dad gets such a kick out of her and has been joking ever since hearing the news, that the lights in BC Place won't need to be on when Clara leads in Team Canada next Friday. That beaming smile of hers will take care of the job all on it's own!!

Next Friday...Got choked up typing that. Can't believe it's finally February 2010 and they're almost here!!!

[Kadhryn]

Originally Posted by Tigger

Remember, you only have one entry in Ladies Figure Skating in Vancouver, so whomever wins that National Title tonight or tomorrow in Spokane will be going to the Games.

Actually Tigs, we have two entries for the Ladies. We're sending both Rachel Flatt and Mirai Nagasu. Between Kim Yu-Na and the Japanese contingent, tho, it's going to be awfully tough to bring any medals to North America this time. (Did you see Mao Asada's long program at the Four Continents? Just gorgeous.)

[Tigger]

Yeah...I kept meaning to come in and fix that. Let's blame the posters over at the one skating MB I belong to for me thinking that one. They've been wringing their hands since March and Worlds in LA about that, so...

Personally, I thought Mirai should be going in as The Two Time US Champion to Vancouver, but...Oh well!!

Hey!! Don't forget to put my Joannie Rochette in the equation there. She's the reigning World Silver Medalist going in after all. She hasn't been having the best season, but I think the blame for that is both her and her Coach didn't know how to say "No!!" to the various offers and sponsor obligations that came her way after winning that Silver Medal last March. Ever since the Grand Prix Final, they've hunkered down to training in Quebec and that showed at Canadians.

So don't count my girl out!!

Yes, I saw Mao's FS at 4CC and while it was the best skate she's done this year...Sigh!! I just don't know...It's the first good performance she's done this year, but her pre occupation w/the Triple Axel and not having a full time Coach, not to mention that LP music is...

I think Kurt Browning came up w/the best description. It sounds like music that Vampires would wake up to. It really is a funeral dirge and I honestly don't know how she can listen that dreck day in and day out in training.

I want the Mao of the 07-08 Season back. She looked and also skated happy that year, not to mention winning the World Title. Now...She just doesn't look happy and...It just makes me so sad to see.

I think the Ladies event is the most wide open of all the skating events in Vancouver. No one's had a stand out Season. Joannie and Mao have had their problems. Yu-Na's triple flip seems to have gone on vacation and Miki Ando's been hot and cold too.

I think it's going to be a very interesting two nights at Pacific Coliseum on Feb 23rd and 25th.

As of today, we're TEN days away!! The last double digit day in the Countdown!!!!

edited to add...An article from Abbotsford, BC where the Russian Figure Skating Team has arrived both to acclimate to the time change and also get in some added training. They'll actually get more ice time there, than at the PC, since they need to follow the schedule VANOC's set up for practices. They did the same thing going into Calgary in 1988, w/the Training Camp being in a town just outside of Calgary.

However, the real reason I'm sharing this article...Check out the awesome picture of Maria Mukhortava and Maxim Trankov performing a split triple (I'm assuming it's the triple) twist. It's halfway down the page, but once you find it, you can't miss it.

That photographer earned his pay check and then some for getting that beauty!!

Abbynews ~ Russian blades on ice

[Tigger]

To my fellow Canadians...

Please don't be offended, or take this wrong way, I know how hard it is to get these. Truly I do. However, my evil wicked side of me can't help myself and therefore...

Neener, neener, neener!!! Look what I've got!!!



and...



and...

Here's a certain Olympics Fan wearing a rather special ensemble...From top to waist we have...The toque that was part of the Podium outfits worn by all Canadian Olympic Medalists at the 2006 Torino Games. The Sports Coat/Jacket portion of the uniforms wore by all Canadian Olympic Team Members at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. And, last but w/out a doubt not least, the mittens that have been worn by all the Torch Bearers during the Torch Relay for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games!!



and the back view...



Yeah...I'm just *slightly* happy up there.

For our Non Cdn Members...Just so you understand the big deal, those Mittens have become *so* popluar, that Bay/Zellers stores up here in Canada have been selling out of them as quickly as they get the boxes shipped to them opened up. In fact, mine came all the way from Alberta thanks to a Cousin of mine. Nancy was showing hers off to me at our Great Aunt's wake and of course I *needed to know where she got them.* She went out to visit her Daughter a month ago and they're one of the areas in Canada where just about everyone has them, therefore, they've got surplus of Olympic Mittens. She asked me if she wanted me to ask her Daughter to get me a pair.

Dad told me later it's been a long time since he's heard me say "Yes please!!!" that fast. LOL!!

T-minus THREE DAYS and counting!!!

[tapstree]

i just walked into the Bay and bought mine one day i think it was just unusual timing.



This is as hyped up as you see me get. i'm just praying that my stories don't get pre-empted for the televising of the games.

[Tigger]

Wow taps...It's fantastic to be able to put a face to a name around here. You and the mitts look great.

Well...It's well after Midnight here in Ontario and that means...

IT'S HERE!!! IT'S OPENING CEREMONIES DAY!!!



For the last year, CTV has been running a series of Athlete Profile ads as part of their "I Believe" campaign. Two weeks ago, the official song was released and has become one of the fastest singles ever to hit Number One status on the Charts here in Canada.

The video's been playing on and off on CTV for the last week, but I've only caught it the one time. That one time though, it had the tears running down my face.

So...To mark the fact that we're less than 24 hrs away, I thought I'd share that video w/all of you.



And in case that didn't work, here's a direct link to it over there...

I Believe ~ Vancouver 2010 CTV Theme Song Music Video

[tapstree]

The air is CHARGED, that's for sure. Arnie ran the torch through Stanley Park this morning, as well as Terry Fox's father and Wayne Gretzky's father. Festivities are in full swing!

Can we stop for a minute to think of Georgian luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili, who died in hospital after a crash during his final training run. Very sad news which has dampened opening day.

All the best to the athletes and visitors from all over the world

EDIT: 8:47pm. So glad to see the entire stadium standing for a minute of silence for Nodar Kumaritashvili.

[tapstree]

Pardon the double post...

i found this, 11 Things To Watch For During Vancouver's Opening Ceremony.

4. Canadian themes -- A good Opening Ceremony doesn't need a massive budget or thousands of performers, it needs to entertainingly reflect the culture of the host country in a manner that's easily relatable to the three billion people watching on television. As such, expect sections this evening about aboriginal culture, the frigid weather and the sports that accompany it and, perhaps, some theatrics from Canada's most famous performing troupe, Cirque de Soleil.

i don't know about the other 999,999,999 other people watching, but i definitely felt that the cultural aspect of the ceremony defined what being a Canadian means to me (other than, "Canada is the what in 'What's New'" *wince*). Some of my favourite artists (recording, literary and visual - loved the nods to W.O. Mitchell in the prairie segment and Emily Carr in the West Coast segment) were highlighted.

[Tigger]

I am very much losing steam here, but...To add a couple of things...

Of all the places they could have picked in the Ceremonies to hold that Moment of Silence, I can't think of a better one. It really was both perfect and fitting to have it after the raising of the Olympic Flag and singing of the Hymn.

And didn't Misha do a gorgeous job of Hymn?

Loved who they picked as the Olympic Flag Bearers. Perfect choices all of them!!

Kudos to BC Place for giving the Georgian Team a Standing Ovation tonight!! I wanted to reach through the TV and give each of them a hug.

Also Major Kudos to CTV on hoe they handled the reporting of the tragic events at Whistler today. Whenever they showed the story w/the footage of the crash, there was *always* a warning that very graphic material was about to be shown and that little ones shouldn't watch it. It was only shown three times tonight that I saw; the 6pm Newscast, the CTV Pre Opening Ceremonies Show and the 11pm CTV National Newscast and all three times it was handled w/sensititviy and respect.

Also at the end of the Pre Show and also the 11pm National Newscast, they showed a Picture of Nodar Kumaritashvilli's face from the footage of him in the Start Gate at the top of the track, In Memory of at the top and his name and the dates at the bottom. Very classy thing to do and also the very right thing to do too.

May he Rest In Peace and my thoughts and prayers go out to his Family, Friends, Teammates and the Georgian people.

I really liked how the lighting of the Cauldron was done. Instead of just one athlete, it was several and I think it worked!! Was thrilled to see Rick Hansen bring it in though. Didn't expect that, as he'd taken a small part of that final run around the Stadium in Calgary back in 1988, so really was delighted to see him come out into BC Place as the first of the final Torch Bearers.

I like the Cauldrons too. Too bad there was a glitch and the one in BC Place didn't completely form, because the one down by the Waterfront that Wayne lit...It looks like a very stylized Maple Leaf.

Oh and taps...I actually got a kick out of the Slam Poet, but *especially* w/how he told the World that yes!! We truly do say zed instead of zee.

Only one other thing to say...

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!!

[Primula Baggins]

Awesome opening ceremony - so emotional and touching at times, great lightshows, inspiring speeches, especially the one of John Furlong (I was on the verge of crying)...

(Only thing that bugged me was the design of the German athletes' outfits..)


Too bad that the men's downhill was postponed - I was so looking forward to it since my country is among the favourites.

[Tigger]

Yeah...The Germans were bad, but not as bad as the Czech Republic's were. Yeesh...Those were so bad, it's not even funny. Felt bad for them last night.

Can I just say how lovely it is to come over here to a discussion about the Games that isn't nasty, isn't snarky, that people actually *got* the Ceremonies and enjoyed them and...And this has me seeing red at the moment...Whining about how there weren't any Alaskan Inuit taking part in a Ceremony/portion honouring Canada's First Nations..

No, I'm not kidding. That's what's been going on over at the one skating MB and I won't even mention the disgusting accuastions this one person has been making regarding the tragic accident at the Sliding Centre yesterday.

So...This is so...so...so...nice!! Thanks for a great and wonderful haven to come to Gang. I think I'm going to need it for the rest of the Games.

[Primula Baggins]

Hmm, for me definitely the Germans had the worst outfit- no elegance at all, imho the athletes looked just ridiculous in their blue (men) and pink (women) outfits.

I really liked the First Nations presentations during the opening ceremony, especially the beginning when the four aboriginal tribes welcomed people to Vancouver. It was very touching.

Well, this is the first time that I am actually in the country where the Olympic Games take place and I am excited about it and will follow the coverage as best as I can. The winter games where hosted twice by my home country but that was long before I was born.

In other news: bronze on the first day for Austria (ski jumping) That's an excellent start for our athletes!

[Tigger]

And did those guys fly or what Primula? Love, love, love watching Ski Jumping, but only get to see it during the Winter Olympics since Canada's not a power in it. Congrats on Austria's first medal!!

Wonder how the Party's going in the Netherlands right now? Wow..What a race that Speed Skater of theirs skated. I just adored his strokes down the straight aways. What a fluid and gorgeous use of motion Sven's got.

Gold Medal and new Olympic Record too. Not too shabby.

The Dutch fans singing their National Anthem when they realized he'd won reminded me of the Canadian fans singing Oh Canada during the last minute of the Gold Medal Hockey Game in Salt Lake City. How great for them and the Netherlands.

Now...From what I understand...So long as the conditions at Cypress Mountain continue to be what they are right now. Which is rain, but no fog, we should be good to go for the Women's Freestyle Skiing Moguls tonight.

I hope so!! Otherwise, the pressure on Charles Hamelin at Short Track will be enormous tonight.

[Kadhryn]

Originally Posted by Tigger

Now...From what I understand...So long as the conditions at Cypress Mountain continue to be what they are right now. Which is rain, but no fog, we should be good to go for the Women's Freestyle Skiing Moguls tonight.

.

The finals were broadcast late at night here on the east coast, and I'm afraid I can't stay up that late no matter what. So all I saw was the qualifying round. And I have a question: after the qualifiers were done, the commentators recapped the results and said that it would be best to be in the top three of the qualifiers so you could go last in the finals. Now I'm sure I've heard before regarding downhill skiing that you want to go first down the slope so you don't have the ruts left by the other skiiers. Is it different in moguls? Not being a skiier in any way, shape or form, I was just wondering.


Anyway, I read in the paper that Hannah Kearney took the gold, Jenn Heil the silver and Shannon Barhke the bronze. Congrats to all three women!!


And in short-track, Charles Hamelin didn't make the finals in the 1500. Surely he must be in other races; Tigs, you must know, yes? And congrats to Apolo Ohno on taking the silver and JR Celski on the bronze (and to the South Korean - whose name is not right in front of me - for taking the gold). I love watching short-track - it's a bit like roller derby on ice!

[tapstree]

Originally Posted by Kadhryn

I love watching short-track - it's a bit like roller derby on ice!

lol, it gets THAT dirty??

[Tigger]

Originally Posted by tapstree

lol, it gets THAT dirty??

Considering it was looking like a sweep for South Korea last night until the second and third place at the moment skaters each took the other out in the second last lap...

Yeah, I'd say it gets that dirty.

Kad...Yes, Charles has other races still. Two indvidual races I think and I know for sure the Relay.

As for the Moguls, it doesn't matter about ruts forming due to the course being so rough to begin w/. Combine that w/the weather they had last night, it really wasn't a concern, so that's why they were saying what they were about the Start Order.

That was the best Ladies Moguls event I've ever watched!!! Amazing!!!

So very proud of Jenn Heil for the way she has handled herself. As she said, she didn't lose the Gold, she won the Silver Medal!! She also thanked the Support Crew at Cypress for keeping the course as good as it was for them. ITA w/her!! Major, major, major kudos to the Crew at Cypress for pulling that off last night!!

Also Major KUDOS to the crowd at Canada Hockey Place for the Wildly Standing Screaming Ovation they gave the Slovakian Ladies Hockey Team, but especially their Goalie, after that beat down my Girls gave them. Yes, they got outplayed and then some, but that Goalie of theirs also made some amazing stops too.

So proud of the crowd for doing that for them. The video's truly chill making and the Goalie was just bawling as she left the ice. When asked about it, she told the reporters she just couldn't believe the Canadian Crowd did that for her and the Team.

It's stuff like that, that makes me proud to be Canadian.

[tapstree]

Wow, that's really neat i'd like to think that we just like a good game of hockey!

i've got the biathlon on, and the weather is terrible. Must be Cypress... are the athletes ok with this? Is it a Canadian advantage? Eesh.

[Gorbag]

Originally Posted by Primula Baggins

Hmm, for me definitely the Germans had the worst outfit- no elegance at all, imho the athletes looked just ridiculous in their blue (men) and pink (women) outfits.

They didn't wear Lederhosen?