February 16, 2010 – I guess the old adage rings true – “Expect the unexpected!” What a weird
Marty had a real bad day at the betting window and looks like he’ll definitely be broke or broken by the end of the Games. My only consolation is that I’m even/Steven with Sports Illustrated. If that’s any consolation!
To the organizers: When you have the option to change the conditions of the course through salting you have the responsibility to do or change the whole course. Quite a few corners were proving to be quite dicey, when they definitely could have been better. I’m sure there are quite a few skiers that will be encouraging the use of more salt. It is really NH4CL and doesn’t harm the environment.
TV coverage was fantastic, but was quite slow to keep us appraised of the success the Canadian boys were having during the race. That could be that they weren’t getting the info, but I know Jack Sasseville is usually a “whiz bang” on keeping us tuned in. Very impressed with Beckie Scott’s commentary, spot on, but she needs to project her voice more – talk louder like Jack.
My North American surprise was Caitlin Compton, not only on place, but on effort. Be sure to hang for another four years, Kikkan [Randall] needs some other ladies to share the load.
Ivan Babikov, was only 17 seconds from the podium – I don’t think a big enough deal was made of this. I haven’t heard, but this must be a best ever for Canada at the Olympics. Also, his strategy for the race got reversed on him – having a better second half of the race when he usually is a better first half racer. Shows that there isn’t an ounce of give-up in this guy. I love his interviews, as he is such a savvy racer. A real professional and at 29 years of age we should see him for at least two more Olympics.
They say these courses are not tough and don’t have enough long climbs, but from what you are seeing on the TV screen, is that the skiers are either going up or down and the downs aren’t easy. The only flat sections I could see are around the stadium. These courses are tougher than you think! Watch the racers when they finish. It doesn’t take them long to hit the ground.
The Canadian men had a super team effort yesterday. Alex [Harvey] is back on track. [Devon] Kershaw is not sick, his work week begins tomorrow. George [Grey], you just plain looked good. Gord Jewett, over the years you worked your butt off for this start – you should be proud.
The US men, this was a day to forget real quick. You are definitely better then what happened out there.
Saving the Canadian women for last – three starting spots left empty in the shortest race of the two weeks and the best chance to look good? I’ve watched for the past four years at all of the starting spots that have been left open on the World Cup circuit and am appalled at what took place yesterday.
This is the Olympics if someone forgot to mention it – it only happens every four years. Sara Renner is done at the end of next week and all the rest of you have started preparing for 2014. You ladies should be jumping out of your socks to get on that start line, whether the races are long or short. You need the experience of starting at the Olympics as many times as you can – there’s nothing like it during the rest of your racing careers.
Beckie and Sara took their medicine in ’98 at the Nagano Games and used that as a platform to get ready for the SLC Olympics in 2002. Go look at those Nagano results, they skied just like Madelaine [Williams] did yesterday. Over four years they dedicated themselves to being ready and voila! – the medals happened. The fact that the home country couldn’t field four women in the 10km freestyle on Monday is embarrassing, Even moreso when you think about how much money and effort has been poured into the program since ’98. Thanks to Beckie, Sara, and Chandra [Crawford] for that. It doesn’t look like it’s going to be so good over the next four years.