The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

[Craig P.]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Ok I really have my gears grinding right now over the coverage of this event.

Jeremy Teela comes out with highest finish ever for an American in Biathalon with 9th place and NBC a) Never mentions where he's from (Anchorage), b) Doesn't show him during the event at all (understandable since they were undoubtably using a world feed), and c) No interview post-race. Instead NBC sticks to their wack *** story about the dude who finishes 47th and interviews him.

Not so much NBC, but **** American style coverage of the Olympics!

The dude who finished 47th was a pre-race contender who got screwed by the weather (along with just about everyone else who started any later than about 20th), and oh-by-the-way was the one who was getting top billing from the commentary team the whole way. Meanwhile, Teela was one of the early starters who benefited from the later competitors getting slowed. So I think their interview decision is defensible.

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Article in Strib about 1960 US Olympic hockey team: The Forgotten Miracle On Ice

 

[aparch]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Can

Can someone explain to me the Snowboard Cross scoring and how each round progresses (in like a cliff notes version). I see the timing of the athletes on vancouver2010.com (love the live updates); but then it breaks into brackets?

Nicks run is next

 

[jerphisch]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Can

Not Olympics, but for lack of a better place and no need for a new thread, USA wins the America's Cup today.

 

[RaceBoarder]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Can

Can someone explain to me the Snowboard Cross scoring and how each round progresses (in like a cliff notes version). I see the timing of the athletes on vancouver2010.com (love the live updates); but then it breaks into brackets?

Nicks run is next

"Qualifying" just just like NASCAR... Top 32 fastest times make the field... Riders get 2 timed solo runs, fastest run counts...

From there, top 32 riders are seeded into 4 man heats... Fast Q-time gets 1st lane choice... In the heets, top 2 advance, bottom 2 are eliminates... Rinse and repeat till you have 4 left... Then it's winner take all...

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Will snowboard-x be shown during primetime tonight? I would like to watch it and avoid seeing the results, but if they're not showing it, then it doesn't really matter.

 

[aparch]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Can

Thanks! From what I could figure out, that's sort of how I thought it worked to seed the brackets. Wasn't sure how the brackets whittled down (top four of the eight or short track style).

 

[RaceBoarder]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Will snowboard-x be shown during primetime tonight? I would like to watch it and avoid seeing the results, but if they're not showing it, then it doesn't really matter.

Primetime coverage tonight on NBC... TSN or CTV will show Eliminations LIVE in Canada, and supposedly there is internet streaming through their site as well..

Thanks! From what I could figure out, that's sort of how I thought it worked to seed the brackets. Wasn't sure how the brackets whittled down (top four of the eight or short track style).

Racing in it's purest form... Simply cross the line before 2 others in your heat...

 

[Old Pio]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

http://sports.espn.go.com/olympics/...?id=4913557&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines


This is pretty sad, but typical of fanatics. Weir's not really a contender for a medal this time. He was second after the short program in Torino, then imploded in the long program. Even so, the young man should be able to compete without having to worry about his safety. Since he's as gay as a birthday tablecloth, moving into the village with a female friend shows just how seriously he and his people are taking this.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Article in Strib about 1960 US Olympic hockey team: The Forgotten Miracle On Ice

"When the 1980 team won, they went to the White House," Meredith said. "When we got to Minneapolis and got out on the tarmac, the most important guy there was Sid Hartman."

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Its amazing that Sid has had the presence that he has had for so long. Even though he's a babbling, senile old man now...

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

This is pretty sad, but typical of fanatics. Weir's not really a contender for a medal this time. He was leading after the short program in Torino, then imploded in the long program. Even so, the young man should be able to compete without having to worry about his safety. Since he's as gay as a birthday tablecloth, moving into the village with a female friend shows just how seriously he and his people are taking this.

Eco-terriorists infuriate me to no end. To place plant and animal life above human life is disturbing.

/politics

Interestingly, NBC announcers mentioned there are some snowboard racers who are switching to tighter-fitting clothes in an attempt to gain an edge. Apparently, it is causing some friction with the "purists" who still wear the baggy/saggy outfits.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

For the reasons we're all aware of, Lake Placid will remain probably the greatest Olympic accomplishment of our lifetimes. But what the guys did in '60 deserves to be remembered and honored. We have such short memores.

Let me also mention the '72 team which got the silver, they beat everybody but the Russians. In the game against Czechoslovakia UND's Mike Curran gave up a goal in the first minute. He shut them out the rest of the way and made about 50 saves.

Turning point, midway through the 3rd with US clining to a 3-1 lead, Czech centerman Vaclav Nedomansky had Mike dead to rights, down on the ice and out of position. Nedomansky was in the slot, but fanned on the shot. He whirled around and took another shot, which Curran stuffed. On the next rush, the USA scored. Not 3-2, but 4-1! Stick a fork in Czechoslovakia.

It's still a warm memory for me, but largely forgotten by most of us. Sad.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Anyone else as bothered as I am that there isn't a live feed of today's daytime events? Everything I find isn't the real thing or is restricted by IP address to canada only.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

For the reasons we're all aware of, Lake Placid will remain probably the greatest Olympic accomplishment of our lifetimes. But what the guys did in '60 deserves to be remembered and honored. We have such short memores.

Let me also mention the '72 team which got the silver, they beat everybody but the Russians. In the game against Czechoslovakia UND's Mike Curran gave up a goal in the first minute. He shut them out the rest of the way and made about 50 saves.

Turning point, midway through the 3rd with US clining to a 3-1 lead, Czech centerman Vaclav Nedomansky had Mike dead to rights, down on the ice and out of position. Nedomansky was in the slot, but fanned on the shot. He whirled around and took another shot, which Curran stuffed. On the next rush, the USA scored. Not 3-2, but 4-1! Stick a fork in Czechoslovakia.

It's still a warm memory for me, but largely forgotten by most of us. Sad.

They had John Mayasich on the MN Wild broadcast yesterday, talking about the '60 gold medal. I was so proud of myself that I said outloud "hey, thats John Mayasich!" before they put his name on the screen (the tv was muted). Though, everyone should be able to put a name to his face, as he is the greatest hockey player ever.

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Let me also mention the '72 team which got the silver, they beat everybody but the Russians. In the game against Czechoslovakia UND's Mike Curran gave up a goal in the first minute. He shut them out the rest of the way and made about 50 saves.

Turning point, midway through the 3rd with US clining to a 3-1 lead, Czech centerman Vaclav Nedomansky had Mike dead to rights, down on the ice and out of position. Nedomansky was in the slot, but fanned on the shot. He whirled around and took another shot, which Curran stuffed. On the next rush, the USA scored. Not 3-2, but 4-1! Stick a fork in Czechoslovakia.

It's still a warm memory for me, but largely forgotten by most of us. Sad.

Striking Silver is a great read, really amazing how the much the Vietnam War and draft played into forming that team. One of my bantam & HS coaches was on that team - plus I worked for him for several years - and every once and a while he would break out the medal.

 

[RaceBoarder]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Interestingly, NBC announcers mentioned there are some snowboard racers who are switching to tighter-fitting clothes in an attempt to gain an edge. Apparently, it is causing some friction with the "purists" who still wear the baggy/saggy outfits.

This has long been a long standing confrontation point in SBX... This comes from the fact that the sport is a hybrid of racing and freestyle... Many of the freestylers still feel the need to differentiate from "skiers"... Tight, aerodynamic clothing is part of that... USASA (grassroots US snowboarding sanctioning body) has a rule outlawing GS suits (speed suits worn by skiers)...

I find it amazing at all the *****ing I have encountered as I have perused this sport because of "innovation"... It's amazing how someone will complain to no end about someone wearing fast clothing, but they won't don said clothing because it's "gay"... Don't even get me started on the idea of competing in hard boots on non-elite level courses... Another thing that scares people because it's "different"...

 

[Old Pio]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

They had John Mayasich on the MN Wild broadcast yesterday, talking about the '60 gold medal. I was so proud of myself that I said outloud "hey, thats John Mayasich!" before they put his name on the screen (the tv was muted). Though, everyone should be able to put a name to his face, as he is the greatest hockey player ever.

You should be. I've always believed that in this country we just don't do as good a job as we could in remembering our heroes. I mean, it's pretty hit or miss. Some of us at DU are fighting the battle to get our two "immortals" remembered--Keith Magnuson and Bill Masterton. If the Hobey had been in existance when they played, they surely would have won. Yet we haven't retired their numbers, put 'em in a ring of fame, put up a bust or oil painting or anything. Some of us believe that's unconsciencable.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Striking Silver is a great read, really amazing how the much the Vietnam War and draft played into forming that team. One of my bantam & HS coaches was on that team - plus I worked for him for several years - and every once and a while he would break out the medal.

Who? Who? My mind is fading and I can't locate the start list, but Huffer Christiansen of UMD was on that team, Ron Naslund of DU, Robbie Ftorek, and Mark Howe. Now that I've started yapping, I'm gonna have to locate a program to refresh my memory.

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

Re: The Official Thread of the Run-Up to the XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada

You should be. I've always believed that in this country we just don't do as good a job as we could in remembering our heroes. I mean, it's pretty hit or miss. Some of us at DU are fighting the battle to get our two "immortals" remembered--Keith Magnuson and Bill Masterton. If the Hobey had been in existance when they played, they surely would have won. Yet we haven't retired their numbers, put 'em in a ring of fame, put up a bust or oil painting or anything. Some of us believe that's unconsciencable.

It will happen, Maysich's #8 is the only retired MN hockey jersey and it's only been retired for 10-15 years.

FWIW, I recognized Mayasich & Jack McCartan during the Wild broadcast.

Who? Who? My mind is fading and I can't locate the start list, but Huffer Christiansen of UMD was on that team, Ron Naslund of DU, Robbie Ftorek, and Mark Howe. Now that I've started yapping, I'm gonna have to locate a program to refresh my memory.

Think Bemdji State, Kansas City Scouts, & Colorado Rockies.
Or, check your rep.