March 10, 2010   (Whistler, BC) – This was probably the most drug-free Olympics since the late 60s or early 70s and I hope that it’s the work of WADA, the IOC and FIS that has everyone toeing the line. Now it’s time for a more comprehensive OCT program, and blood profiles for everyone. Although there may be some hot spots still left to look at if there are teams that seem to be out of line with their recent results history. I’ll be fun to look and see who is out of line – I’m looking towards biathlon right now.

The Callaghan Legacy – Is there a legacy beyond that of a National scope as a training and competition site, as the weather makes the success of any international considerations for the future as shaky as the weather itself. If you look across the board at all of the ski events at Whistler Olympic Park, to stage an international event which requires TV coverage and big outlays of money, I see a lot of skepticism in making those decisions. It can be done with mass start races, only, if you want to have fair races, Also, add in the ski exchange for all distances – I love the excitement it creates – just another throw of the dice. There may still be a future, but it limits the different start formats for sure.

Marty’s Olympic Picks or Marty’s Crap Shoot

As I said this was not an easy one and I spent way more time doing this then I thought I would. The scoring was 5 pts for the right name right placement; 3 pts right name wrong placement; 0 pts equals nothing right. So how did I do against my competition Sports Illustrated? Keep reading…

Marty’s Picks – Actual Results – Sports Illustrated

Monday, Feb. 15

Women’s 10km free:

1. Bjoergen (Norway) 3   – Kalla – Bjoergen 3

2. Kalla (Sweden) 3  –  Smigun-Vaehi  – Kalla 3

3. Khazova (Russia)  – Bjoergen   – Khazova

Men’s 15km individual free:

1. Hellner (Sweden)   – Cologna   – Heikkinen

2. Heikkinen (Finland)   Piller Cottrer  – Vittoz

3. Northug (Norway)   – Bauer   – Northug

Wednesday, Feb. 17

Women’s individual sprint classic

1. Kowalczyk (Poland) 3  – Bjoergen  – Majdic 3

2. Falk (Sweden)    – Kowalczyk  – Kowalczyk 3

3. Majdic (Slovakia) 3   – Majdic   – Saarinen

Men’s individual sprint classic

1. Hattestad (Norway)   – Krihkov  – Jonsson

2. Joensson (Sweden)   – Panzhinskiy – Hattestad

3. Cologna (Switzerland)   – Northug  – Krikov 3

Friday, February 19

Women’s 15km pursuit (7. 5 classic and 7. 5 free)

1. Kowalczyk (Poland) 3   – Bjoergen   – Kowalczyk 5

2. Saarinen (Finland)    – Haag    – Saarinen

3. Bjoergen (Norway) 3   – Kowalczyk  – Majdic

Saturday, February 20

Men’s 30km pursuit (15 classic and 15 free)

1. Northug (Norway)   – Hellner    – Northug

2. Bauer (Czech Republic)   – Angerer   – Bauer

3. Cologna (Switzerland)   Olsson    Hellner 3

Monday, February 22

Men’s Team Sprint free

1. Sweden      – Norway   – Norway 5

2. Russia 3      – Germany  – Russia 3

3. Norway 3      – Russia   – Sweden

Women’s Team Sprint Free

1. Slovenia     – Germany   – Sweden 3

2. Sweden 5     – Sweden   – Italy

3. Norway      – Russia  – Slovenia

Wednesday, February 24

Men’s 4x10km relay classic/free

1. Russia 3      – Norway   – Norway 3

2. Norway 3      – Sweden   – Russia 3

3. Sweden 3      – Russia    – Germany

Thursday, February 25

Women’s 4x5km relay classic/free

1. Russia 3      – Norway    – Sweden

2. Norway 3      – Germany    – Norway 3

3. Sweden       – Russia    – Finland

Saturday, February 27

Women’s 30km mass start classic

1. Kowalczyk (Poland) 5    – Kowalczyk   – Kowalczyk 5

2. Stoermer (Norway)    – Bjoergen    – Bjoergen 5

3. Madjic (Slovenia)     – Saarinen   – Haag

Sunday, February 28

Men’s 50km mass start classic

1. Northug 5 (Norway)    – Northug   – Northug 5

2. Teichman 5 (Germany)    – Teichman   – Bauer

3. Bauer (Czech Republic)    – Olsson   – Hellner

Marty – 59 (big winner)      Sport’s Illustrated – 58

Total points available – 180 (like I said – a crap shoot)

US XC Team – Randall was the only star to shine and did so very brightly – she carried the whole team on her back and has a very bright future sprinting and in distance. She can be the leader of a women’s team that can look pretty damn good by Sochi. The men have a lot of work to do. Both teams need to look north for the model – centralization.

XC Team Canada – The men’s team made a huge step forward. They are now a player in all phases of the game and with four skiers deep they only have to learn how to win. George Grey gets my most improved of the four. The women’s team is under the gun as the relay says it all. The four ladies now carrying on for the next four years were DFL. Lots of work to be done here, yet! Where was Brittany Webster – I thought she made the Olympic team?

The McKeever Episode – This was a non-issue situation. The coaches had one decision to make and that was not to race Brian – they were looking for a medal not to fill a starting spot. I understand that Brian was upset as any racer should if they didn’t get to start. There were an awful lot of spots not filled especially on the women’s side and I’d be more concerned about that as an issue.

CTV – It was apparent that in undertaking the Olympic Games and thereby covering all winter sports, some of their announcers were stretched on talent and knowledge of the sport. I thought their cross-country announcer was lacking on personality and knowledge, but Jack Sasseville and Beckie Scott more than made up for this with their presence in the booth. I think Jack is one of the best and that Beckie’s commentary was spot on. One other thing, for the first week CTV was not good about letting people know where and when all of the events were being covered. I don’t know if this improved on the second week as I was out of the country.

NBC – As I was in the USA for the American Birkie during the second week of the Games I had to get my coverage from NBC. It was not always live, but when we did catch up with the Nordic Combined, cross-country and biathlon races their announcers were carried by color commentator, Chad Salmela. Chad was excellent, lots of pizzazz in his presentation, very knowledgeable, and ready to talk about the issues. NBC did give xc more coverage than in the past.

Talk to you Soon!

misterxc@aol.com