Winter Olympics

Chumpy went lumpy?

Nath wrote:Chumpy went lumpy?

...and bumpy

Aussie lass chokes in the aerials final. She effortless nailed 2 x 85 point jumps in the first two rounds but fell in the final when 70 would have been enough to get her a medal.

A British medal at last, woth Dom Parsons in the skeleton - appeared to have blown it only for one of those ahead of him to mess up and give him a reprieve. The South Korean pretty much lapped the field though.

First individual male British medallist in any winter sport since short tracker Nicky Gooch in 1994. Unless we count Alain Baxter, which we definitely should (I think the promoted 4th placed skier gave him the medal back...)

We’ve seen everything from snowboarders born in the 21st century to 35-year-old Alpine legend Svindal winning gold... still no luck for Lindsey Jacobellis though, I guess she will have to go on for another four years!

So the Russians are now really ripping the arse out of drugging.

Link

I blame Trump and Skullywag of course.

I fear FB will come to a sticky end when R Mueller gets his teeth into Skully.

So, all over for another four years... though we have the Paralympic version coming up to give us our curling fix.

I was thinking, why no Winter Commonwealth Games? Is it just down to a lack of cold countries, meaning Canada would win everything?

Who won?

Norway, José.

Apparently there were Winter Commonwealths in the 60s, hosted by that well known Commonwealth nation of... Switzerland.

India tried to revive it a few years back, but presumably failed because it doesn’t snow much in Delhi. Although thinking about it, you could host ice rink sports at any “summer” games these days, it’s only snow sports that genuinely need a separate winter event.

A Gold to Aus girl Jakara Anthony in the Moguls. Also a bronze to Tess Coady in the Slopestyle.

There's one interesting Sergey Bubka type story in these games. Martins Dukurs is an ATG skeleton slider. 6 time world champion and 11 time overall world cup winner. He's had 2 silvers and a fourth in the Winter games. Built up form towards the end of the World Cup to win there this time.

When does he race?

10 and 11 Feb.

Going by form, it's between him, the Germans or Tretiakov from Russia. The other main Russian chance (Tregubov) got covid just before the games started. Dukurs' brother Tomass is another outside shot. Yun Sung Bin has been shit this year, but is defending champion.

Main worry is that the Chinese sliders have much more experience in this track and will do well, which would be damp squib-ish like GB in 2018 who turned up with some swanky suits for the Olympics and won.

Short track - You get DQ, he gets DQ, she gets DQ, all get DQ, China win.

Skeleton training - Chinese going super fast. They might a medal after having one good race in the year. If that happens, what even is the point? Again, Laura Deas in 2018 was similar, but I didn't watch the whole season then.

A Wtf moment as Aussie Jaclyn Naracott in second after the women's first heat.

She won the last world cup race but usually a midfield slider.

^now leading overall

Her uncle was Australian 100m sprint champion who represented in Summer and Winter Olympics (bobsled).

Losing to the Aussies at cricket is one thing, but being beaten by them at skeleton… heads must roll

Shit, Jaclyn is in 2nd after heat 3 of the Skelicton. Carn girl!!! [Jacko beat breaks out... see 1.32]

Weird track. Flock is a slow-ish starter and excellent driver.... in 10th right now. Nikitina is a rapid starter and had a good World Cup- down in 17th. Similarly Kanakina. While Hannah Neise, who's just become a senior level slider, has 2 fastest times. Naracott too....FWIW, even her win in St. Moritz last month was due to her taking advantage of improved track conditions in the first run compared to Bos, Nikitina and Hermann.

If Francesco Friedrich does not win the 2 man bobsleigh (lost 1 race in 2 years), this track is some Mario Kart magic. He has been good in the training runs, though.

So t, is Jaclyn seemingly likely to get a podium?

Honestly, skulls, I don't know. Her worst run has been third in the session. She has to be a favourite.

Even as a standalone (ignoring the track and pedigree of some of the others) and just looking at the times - she should be able to hold on with 0.46 seconds on Kimberly Bos.

Problem is that Bos was among the big favourites for this event. Definitely can't see Naracott going worse than fourth, which itself is fantastic.

Because I am a bit lifeless... skeleton and bobsled events are streamed live on youtube and where I've been watching it.

Link

Cheers man.

So the track slows with each subsequent slider??

I can only cross my fingers for an historic result. Piss-ant Winter Olympics Australia v the might of Europe/Russia and the US.

Fark 4th!!!