Winter Olympics 2010

[Dasquian Belargic]

http://www.vancouver2010.com/

The Vancouner Winter Olympics begin later today, with the opening ceremonies at 6pm PST. Will you be watching? Are there any particular events you will be following?

Go Team GB! (...and Team Canada, since Team GB didn't qualify for the ice hockey)

[Captain Untouchable]

We didn't qualify for Hockey?

Haha!

We suck so bad. :(

Not sure if I'm watching or not. Any idea what channel it's on in the UK, Jen?

[Dasquian Belargic]

BBC will be providing coverage, I'm guesing. They usually do.

Team GB haven't played in the olympic ice hockey since the 1940s: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Britain_men%27s_national_ice_hockey_team#Oly mpic_record

[Captain Untouchable]

I repeat my "We suck so bad" comment.

Is Womens hockey an Olympic sport? I actually know a couple of lady hockey players... one of whom was cute, and played for the... Derby Flyers?

Think it was Derby Flyers. But now my brain is thinking "Hmm, that's like Delta Flyer", and I'm pretty sure my brain would have made that connection before... :\

[Dasquian Belargic]

Yup, there is women's hockey too. The women's games start a day or two before the mens. There is a full event schedule on the website ;)

[Captain Untouchable]

Oh, pssh. I'm a man. Event schedules are like instruction manuals, or asking for directions. ;)

In the absense of Team GB Hockey then yes, I suppose I shall have to root for Canada. Despite being half-French, they're still one of the least irritating of our former colonies. :mneh

[Jack Daniels]

I won't be watching. I'm not into the Winter Olympics that much and since I am burned out on the whole "winter" stuff, even if I wanted to watch I do not think I would appreciate it as much as I should.

[Carré Inirial]

I'll be watching! In fact, some friends and I are having an improptu Opening Ceremony gathering tonight! *delights*

*starts the USA chants early* :)

[Emelie Shadowstar]

*hides all the hockey schedules behind her back*
*cough*
Ok, in all honesty I'll also probably also see if I can't catch the Snowboard Cross... just because it's absolutely insane. *nod* Probably some of the skiing events too.

Also know I'll probably get at least some of the figure skating heaped upon me since my mother will watch it fanatically...

[Sanis Prent]

I don't have tv

[Yog]

I'll be watching, of course, and root for the home team (Norway). May there be many medals!

The Norwegian team is force to be reckoned with after the humiliating fiasco in Torino 2006. Our greatest favorites are Petter Northug and Marit Bjørgen in cross country skiing, and Ole Einar Bjørndalen in biathlon. They are destined to produce medals, some of the golden kind. We also have strong performers with medal chances in ski jumping, alpine skiing, nordic combined, snowboard, speed skating and curling..

I ambitiously predict 9 gold medals! :partyhard

[Sanis Prent]

I'll homer for Norway (aside from USA of course) since you helped pull for Bama to win the BCSNCG

[Tear]

Oh I will definitely be watching but on T.V tickets for the opening ceremony are generally around 1k. But I'll be attending most of the free stuff I can get into like the Da Vinci exhibit (http://www.straight.com/article-286278/vancouver/leonardo-da-vinci-show-and-vancouver-art-gallery-free-during-olympics) on loan from ze Queen at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

If anyone else in Vancouver wants a list of all the free events. This (http://citycaucus.com/2010free)is a good website to check out.

If any of you want to see the torch being run around Vancouver its being streamed live from here (http://www.ctvolympics.ca/torch/follow-torch/index.html). I think the governator (arnie) is supposed to be running it later today through Stanley Park. Michael Buble, Steve Nash, and Trevor Linden ran with it yesterday. Its quite the sight!

[Yog]

I'll homer for Norway (aside from USA of course) since you helped pull for Bama to win the BCSNCG
That is awesome! :cool:

In return, I'll be rooting for the US team whenever Norway is not contending for medals.

But of course, as always, the most important thing of all is to beat the Swedes (!). They've been chestbeating on TV and in the newspapers for months now, trying to demoralize us. :p




If any of you want to see the torch being run around Vancouver its being streamed live from here (http://www.ctvolympics.ca/torch/follow-torch/index.html). I think the governator (arnie) is supposed to be running it later today through Stanley Park. Michael Buble, Steve Nash, and Trevor Linden ran with it yesterday. Its quite the sight!
Hey, as a local, do you have any ideas who will be lighting the olympic flame at the opening ceremony? I'm hoping it will be Wayne Gretzky.

Edit - watching some Canadian (I presume) running the torch now in that live stream. I must say, there is a surprising lack of visible snow in the footage I'm watching. Is the snow at higher altitudes? Could this pose a problem for some events?

[Tear]

Hey, as a local, do you have any ideas who will be lighting the olympic flame at the opening ceremony? I'm hoping it will be Wayne Gretzky.

The Buzz is for Wayne Gretzky. Personally I'm hoping for Terry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Fox) Fox's mother to light it though. It would be a lot more meaningful and just makes sense considering the cross country symbolism of the flame.

[Carré Inirial]

Some day, I keep hoping Greece will win a Winter Olympic medal. As they are sending NO athletes to Vancouver, apparently it won't be this year :p

[Yog]

Personally I'm hoping for Terry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Fox) Fox's mother to light it though. It would be a lot more meaningful and just makes sense considering the cross country symbolism of the flame.
I read up on Terry Fox, and that was a very moving story. :( You're right it makes a lot of sense in terms of cymbolism of the flame. I hope Fox' family will at least have some part in the opening ceremony.

What is the word about the snow though, or lack of thereof?

[Travis North]

Go Team Canada!
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[Xavier Synik]

Personally I'm hoping for Terry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Fox) Fox's mother to light it though. It would be a lot more meaningful and just makes sense considering the cross country symbolism of the flame.
I read up on Terry Fox, and that was a very moving story. :( You're right it makes a lot of sense in terms of cymbolism of the flame. I hope Fox' family will at least have some part in the opening ceremony.

What is the word about the snow though, or lack of thereof?

There's actually a rumour floating about that there will be some sort of holographic representation of Terry that will actually be the one to light the flame. Would be kinda cool if they have figured out a way to pull that off.

As for the snow... Welcome to Vancouver... There usually is no snow in the city even this time of year, but usually the mountains have snow. Unfortunately they have been having issues at some of the venues, most notably Cypress Mountain where they've had to truck in snow or use Snow-Cat's to push it down from higher elevations. Their fighting both warm weather and A LOT of rain. The Vancouver area is apparently in for like 25mm of rain overnight (that's about an inch for you Imperialists).

From what I've been reading and hearing from out that way they say the venues are in decent shape despite the problems. The biggest issue is fog both on Cypress and at Whistler.

Could cause some of the alpine events to get pushed back for sure.


In unfortunate news, apparently a Georgian luger was killed today during a practice run. He crashed and got thrown out of the track and hit something. At the time he was apparently clocked at about 144kph.

Be interesting to see how the organizers react to this. The track is apprently the fastest in the world. Wonder if it's a bit too fast.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Oh no! Those lugers are crazy - that's got to be the most insane 'sport' ever. Well, right behind doubles luge, or whatever they call it. :\

I'll be watching as much as I can - mostly the events they run on TV on the evening. Skating is my favorite (figure and speed) followed by any of the downhill skiing and snowboarding events. Shaun White is probably going to clean up in his events.

And of course hockey. Go USA! :mneh

[Yog]

There's actually a rumour floating about that there will be some sort of holographic representation of Terry that will actually be the one to light the flame. Would be kinda cool if they have figured out a way to pull that off.
I'm voting for Wayne Gretzky giving the torch to the giant kick ass laser hologram of Terry Fox, lighting the flame. :D




Be interesting to see how the organizers react to this. The track is apprently the fastest in the world. Wonder if it's a bit too fast.
I read that there were 12 crashes during the training, and there have been multiple complaints about the safety even before incident. Very technically challenging where the lugers have to struggle just to stay on the sled / track. Maybe they could reduce the speed somewhat by lowering the launch point? Also pad some of the most hazardous spots with cushions. Not sure what else they could do.



Training days in Whistler have been crash-filled. A Romanian woman was briefly knocked unconscious and at least four Americans - Chris Mazdzer on Wednesday, Megan Sweeney on Thursday and both Tony Benshoof and Bengt Walden on Friday in the same training session where Zoeggeler wrecked - have had serious trouble just getting down the track.



"I think they are pushing it a little too much," Australia's Hannah Campbell-Pegg said Thursday night after she nearly lost control in training. "To what extent are we just little lemmings that they just throw down a track and we're crash-test dummies? I mean, this is our lives."

Edit - I looked at the crash video to better understand what really happened, and I am sorry to say that luger had no chance. He was basically slammed into the wall twice, and then thown into an unpadded steel pole off the track, and all of this happens so fast, I think we can conclude the place is a death trap.

I don't think it was a freak thing that happened, it's just an unusually dangerous luge track. There are multiple problems apparent. First of all, final turn where he was tossed off the track looks way too sharp. I'm not even sure how it's possible to make such a sharp turn safely with human reaction times, let alone at those record breaking speeds. I think they will have to do major modifications to prevent another big accident from happening. For example lower the speed by frosting the track, and pad those steel poles, but even that will not be enough. I suspect there will be some drastic reforms of safety requirements for such competitions in the future following this.

[Travis North]

Oh no! Those lugers are crazy - that's got to be the most insane 'sport' ever. Well, right behind doubles luge, or whatever they call it.

Skeleton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeleton_%28sport%29) is just a bit more insane. Head first.

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[Lilaena De'Ville]

Oh no! Those lugers are crazy - that's got to be the most insane 'sport' ever. Well, right behind doubles luge, or whatever they call it.

Skeleton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeleton_%28sport%29) is just a bit more insane. Head first.

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I stand corrected. I'd forgotten they do it head first as well. :x

I kinda want to watch some curling... :uhoh

[Yog]

Olympic opening ceremony starting in 10 minutes!

[Xavier Synik]

via a tweet from a sports reporter that I follow...

Apparently the entire Opening Ceremonies is being dedicated to the luger who passed away earlier today. Whether they will do anything else to honour him or not I don't know.


Also apparently the Canadian Olympic Committee has issued a press release that The Great One (Gretz) will be lighting the flame.

Edit: And apparently it's 1980s again in Germany... Holy neon colours Batman.

[Rutabaga]

I will watch what I can, but seeing as how they always hold the best stuff until after 11:00pm, I doubt I'll be seeing all that much. :\

What a horrible, horrible accident that killed the luger today, that's just devastating.

[Xavier Synik]

Ha... Nobody knew that Peter Pan was Canadian and grew up and lived on the Parries did they...

[Lykaios]

I'll be watching the hockey for sure, both men and women :D

I won't root for a country in particular, since my country doesn't really know what winter is, heck I'm surprised we have one (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico_at_the_2010_Winter_Olympics) participant LOL

I just hope Alex the Great does some amazing things like he usually does and I'll be happy.

[Ilias Nytrau]

I came home to see my daughter had fallen asleep in her lion chair, trying to stay awake for the entire opening ceremonies. It was cute.

[Emelie Shadowstar]

The Great One (Gretz) will be lighting the flame.

This makes me happy like crazy....

unable to watch the opening ceremonies as well... i was out to dinner and have no television where I currently am... I am HOPING they put it up on the web to watch though :3

[Lykaios]

YEEEEEES! Your sources were right, IT IS THE GREAT ONE! WHEEE!

Best hockey player ever and the sole reason I'm into the sport!

[Yog]

Great opening ceremony! The part before the parade of nations was dull (except for the snowboard thing, that was cool), but the artistic part of the ceremony was awesome. Loved how the whole floor was used as a screen.

Let the games begin! :)

[Lyanie Quez]

Men's speedskating, tomorrow morning.

I shall be salivating over those fit bottoms. Yes, yes I shall. :3

[Travis North]

Ha... Nobody knew that Peter Pan was Canadian and grew up and lived on the Parries did they...

That was the worst bit everything else was awesome though. Loved the First Nations drumming. Shame about the malfunctioning pillar inside BC Place, but otherwise great torch lighting ceremony.

And now I feel horrible... They just showed the fatal luge run on the news.
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[Dasquian Belargic]

The BBC opened their coverage with a tribute to the luger. What a terrible loss :(

Now, time to watch the opening ceremonies...

EDIT: Oh this is magical :3

[Yog]

In anticipation of the ski jumping competition, let's ski jump together!
http://www.visitnorway.com/holmenkollen/

Can you beat my record of 138 meters? :cool:

[Taman Danar]

Ick..... I thoroughly sucked at that.... 86m or something.... kept bouncing backwards too much

[Jack Daniels]

I royally sucked.

[Xavier Synik]

And the Anarchists have arrived... Nothing like destroying shit for no good reason in the name of belief that you really don't care about.

[Dasquian Belargic]

..what happened?

[Xavier Synik]

http://www.ctvolympics.ca/about-vancouver/news/newsid=40366.html#vancouver+protest+turns+violent? cid=rssctv

that doesn't really explain it all, but watching the news coverage you can clearly see the Anarchists in the middle of it all.

I have no problems with anti-Olympic protests or protests in general, but when you show up covering your face or wearing gas masks you aren't there to protest your there to start shit.

[Yog]

Ick..... I thoroughly sucked at that.... 86m or something.... kept bouncing backwards too much
The secret is waiting until the wind reaches +1.5 m/s, then let it drop to to 1.2 or so before you launch. Then as you leave the edge of the jump, the wind will be -1.4 or so, giving you maximum amount of lift during the jump. This is because the air is pushing into the hill and going up.

Timing of the jump itself is also extremely important. You want maximum amount of kinetic energy as you leave the edge. That means not jumping too early or too late. It means taking off with Funaki perfection (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1QSsMJn_CQ). You'll notice you have a good exit if you have a really high curve.

Once you got that nailed down, it is the flight itself. You don't want to stand upright on the skies (because then you lose both speed and height), or being slanted forward too much (because then you lose height), rather kinda float down in this position (http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42401000/jpg/_42401193_skijump416.jpg) with minimum amount of adjustements in the air. Watch how Bjørn Einar Romøren flies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHBN7Cds07I).




And the Anarchists have arrived... Nothing like destroying shit for no good reason in the name of belief that you really don't care about.
Until you mentioned it, I was not even aware of it. Maybe it does not get that much international media traction.

[Ilias Nytrau]

Men's long track speedskating :3

[Karl Valten]

And the swiss take the first of the Olympics.

Suck it world!!!!


GO SWITZERLAND!

[Yog]

And the swiss take the first of the Olympics.

Suck it world!!!!


GO SWITZERLAND!
He really deserved the gold too, because he was clearly the best both under training and the whole day. Anders Jacobsen had a bad first jump, so he had no chance for a medal, but I have good hopes for the big jump, which is more our field.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

They kept trying to show me the luge accident yesterday on the news, but I kept leaving the room. I don't want to see that. :(

Can't wait to watch Apollo Ohno later. :eee

[Emelie Shadowstar]

I was flipping through channels, paused on the news and before I kinda realized it, I was watching it and was honestly shocked they showed it in their entirety... Was ABC too... Which makes me wonder how many complaints they got. O_o

[Captain Untouchable]

BBC Olympic coverage for the win. Pretty much everything is being shown; and the wonders of digital TV allow me to flip through to what I want.

Love how badly the Canadians are hammering Slovakia. :lol

[Travis North]

Moguls win for America.... So close to that gold for Canada. Damn that was a tight final run though.
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[Tear]

Moguls win for America.... So close to that gold for Canada. Damn that was a tight final run though.
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Argh! Damnit! The American gold winner did deserve it though (as much as I hate to admit it) she had an amazing run.

[Carré Inirial]

*dances wildly*

That was an AMAZING final! I didn't honestly think we could pull that off.

But hell, my knees positively ACHE after watching that.

[Timothy Nash]

WOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! GOLD for CANADA in Men's Moguls! Olympic history - Canada's first gold on home soil.

[Yog]

^^ congrats! :D


The last couple of days have been frustrating result wise with Norwegian eyes. First the disappointing performance by our ski jumpers (they had been great in training, but failed when it mattered) and the 4th place at 5,000 meter speed skating yesterday (so close to silver or bronze that run, but it fell apart at the last round).

Then today, there was nordic combined, our favorite suddenly experienced the worst wind conditions of all (red light for a long while). There was a lot of back and forth ruining his mental preparations, before he finally got a green light to jump, but then the wind was still 2m/s from behind (the limit). There is a new scoring system that takes account of the wind, but it's not implemented for nordic combined at these games, even though it's used for competitions, and even regular ski jumping in the olympics. Otherwise, he would have won a medal. 4 years of training down the drain.

Then finally, in the biathlon, there were basically 4 seasons of weather, first clear, then rain, then heavy snow fall, then clear and sun again. The varying conditions meant that the first 15 had a decisive advantage over those who had to go in the really lose track, so those were winning with like 1 full minute or more. And 5x olympic champion Bjørndalen for some reason chose to shoot at position 1, which turned out to be a massive mistake because left side of the shooting field experienced strong wind, and he shot like he was drunk or something 2/5, 2 shots at the edge and 1 wide out. 3 penalty rounds right there. Terrible.

Anyway, we still managed to get a silver medal at the biathlon, so I should not complain too much, but damn, almost everything that could go wrong has so far. New opportunity tomorrow at 15 km cross country skiing.

[Alice Kelly]

biathlon was VERY fun to watch, I haven't managed to catch it years prior. While I have never donned a pair of skis in my life... I do shoot, so that was neat to be able to see. I was really amused at the pure excitement one of the announcers had as they neared the finish. XD

I also managed to bip in my house to pick up my laptop long enough to catch the Germans win Gold and Silver in the luge. Very cool. :) Always happy to see Germans win something, tiny touch of family pride comes in to play.

[Jack Daniels]

I actually read up on the olympic womens ice hockey about canada winning 18-0 over slovakia. People are claiming thats not sportsman like yet I read Slovakia crushing people by much more a few years back. YAY for drama at the olympics!!!

[Xavier Synik]

I actually read up on the olympic womens ice hockey about canada winning 18-0 over slovakia. People are claiming thats not sportsman like yet I read Slovakia crushing people by much more a few years back. YAY for drama at the olympics!!!

It's actually an issue with the way they seed teams after the round robin. This was an issue with the World Juniors too. The problem is that goal differentials is the first thing after round robin record that determines seeding of teams.

So when you have the opportunity of having several teams with perfect round robin records the goal differential is big thing. If it wasn't like that then you'd probably see more teams just playing keep away or shooting right at the goalie vs trying to score all the time.

It's a IIHF issue that they really need to look at IMO.

[Emelie Shadowstar]

Also was hearing one of the girls who used to play on team USA about how games like that are actually really difficult on them... Just because you're playing against a team that may not quite be on the same level as you, doesn't mean you go and attempt to kinda change your playing style to better suit them. It causes the team as a whole to pick up some bad habits that can carry on to the later games where it can really mess you up.

:\ It's a shame to see something like that happen, really. But yeah... there's several factors that'll kinda keep it going like that until some changes are made.

...Was awesome how everyone really cheered for the Slovakian team afterward though. Kinda like how everyone went completely insane when China got their one goal yesterday. Despite whatever drama people are trying to say is there, at least the fans are showing class. *nod*

[Jack Daniels]

That is true, the fans were classy and supportive! My idea is basic on the issue. If people dont want a team scoring that many goals, then the opposing team needs to find a way to stop them.

[Xavier Synik]

The Slovakian goalie was actually a true gamer. Yeah sure Canada scored 18 on her but she stopped like 40, and when she could have asked to be pulled after the second period she stayed in there and kept playing.

She gets a lot of credit from me for that.

[Hera]

Im late to this thread (as usual) but, yep I'ma watching the Olympics and like Tear will be taking in some of the free stuff going on in the city.

The whole city (exnay on the protesters) has such a great feel to it, everyone is so excited and in party-host mode. Even the bus drivers are stopping and waiting extra long for ppl running for the bus, hehe.

The opening Ceremonies were fabulous imo and also very classy in the respectful gestures to the Georgian luger and his teammates.

So, I wave my Canada flag, and the Aussie one because, well, halfsies! :p

Think I may be going on Sat to one of the womens hockey games. Not even sure who's playing, gotta talk to my sister-in-law about that..

[Emelie Shadowstar]

... why am I watching curling?


:ohno

[Tear]

... why am I watching curling?


:ohno

:lol Tell me about it. I'm doing the same thing. I just can't seem to get into it though. PUSH PUSH! HARDER! :\

[Lilaena De'Ville]

HAhaha! I am wondering the same thing myself!

I've never watched a curling match before. Suddenly I know why! But we're just killing time until US v. Switzerland mens hockey. One of the players on the Swiss team (Luca Sbiza) is on our local WHL team.

[Emelie Shadowstar]

HAhaha! I am wondering the same thing myself!

I've never watched a curling match before. Suddenly I know why! But we're just killing time until US v. Switzerland mens hockey. One of the players on the Swiss team (Luca Sbiza) is on our local WHL team.

Yes, yes I think you are right. That must be it. lol

And yay Luca! It's... hard for me to fully cheer against Switzerland with him and Hiller on the team. *sniffles* :lol *dork*

[Xavier Synik]

... why am I watching curling?


:ohno

It's the Canadian influence...

[Emelie Shadowstar]

It's the Canadian influence...
Knew I was slacking on blaming you for something.

[Xavier Synik]

It happens

[Lykaios]

Curling's fun to play, not as much fun to watch :p

[Xavier Synik]

It's the winter drinking sport. Make it through the game, then head to the bar to "warm up".

[Tear]

Another gold for Canada!!!!!!

[Emelie Shadowstar]

Another gold for Canada!!!!!!
This pleases me... anyone but Jacobellis, really. *doesn't care if that's kinda mean* :lol Kinda glad she didn't even get close to getting a medal this year too.

[Lykaios]

It's the winter drinking sport. Make it through the game, then head to the bar to "warm up".
Yup, curling and ice-fishing are the acceptable forms of drinking outdoors in the winter :D

[Ana'Sera Beliq]

Aww...dammit guys, I hadn't seen the races yet on TV.

*mutters*

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Probably should spoiler results like that. :uhoh I haven't seen the races yet either. :(

[Emelie Shadowstar]

>_< eep, sorry, ladies.

[Antigone]

Tis ok :)

I shall avoid this thread until I see the nightly NBC broadcast, and that should help :)

[Yog]

I present to you... the Norwegian Curling Team!

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9754/crazypants.jpg (http://img15.imageshack.us/i/crazypants.jpg/)

The team sent one of their members with questionable fashion sense to shop some pants for their team outfit.

The reaction from the rest of the team was.. "no no no no!"

Well, they somehow convinced themselves to wear it anyway for laughs and good luck, and they gained quite a cult following, with 75K on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vancouver-BC/The-Norwegian-Olympic-Curling-Teams-Pants/311163439555?ref=ts#!/pages/Vancouver-BC/The-Norwegian-Olympic-Curling-Teams-Pants/311163439555?ref=ts) and earlier today, "Team Crazypants" was featured on NBC's Today Show.. :D

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/35458227#35458227

[Emelie Shadowstar]

:lol Sums/Xavier showed me a photo of that the other day and I seriously couldn't stop giggling for a bit. I can't help but approve of them, though! It's curling... it deserves funny pants *nods*

[Captain Untouchable]

So that's where my lucky pyjama trousers went!

Been looking everywhere for those...

[Karl Valten]

Boo, Switzerland lost in hockey. But then again I wasn't expecting too much from them.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

USA and Norway played hockey today. Yay USA!

In other news, the US continues to suck at curling.

[Tear]

Boo, Switzerland lost in hockey. But then again I wasn't expecting too much from them.

Watched the game at a Pub downtown. They may have lost but man was it a hard fought win for the Canadians. Went to shootout, misses on all shots save for the 5th for the Canadians. Stunning saves by both goalies.

Great game. The Swiss should be proud.

[Yog]

It's worth mentioning, Norway took its 100th and 101th winter Olympic gold medal yesterday in biathlon for men and women. That makes us the most winning country in winter Olympics with USA in second place at 83. We're also holding the #1 spot in the overall medal statistics for winter Olympics.

This was total medal count before Vancouver:

Norway: 280
US: 216
SovietUnion: 194
Austria: 185
Germany: 158
Finland: 151
Canada: 119
Sweden: 118
Switzerland: 118
German Dem Republic: 110
Italy: 101

Of course, when you start taking the summer olympics into account, USA is in a class of their own. Still, not bad for a country with only 4.7 million citizens. :)

[Carré Inirial]

Not bad at all, Yog :D

---

On the curling front...dammit, I got sucked into watching... :ohno

[Captain Untouchable]

Kudos to the Swiss Goalie. :hug It's okay, Hiller. Y'did good, buddy.

You just weren't a match for the Canadians superior Duck numbers. :mischief

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

Oh god that game last night was... quite probably the best game I have seen in a long time. Admittedly... I would have loved to see Canada win with their 3rd shooter rather than have gone back to Crosby. But that shouldn't be surprising... rofl But yes, amazing game played by both.

Hopefully Sunday's game will be similar in sheer fun at watching. ...you know... only with ending with all those people wearing red jerseys with the leaf on them not being quite so happy. :angel

[Tear]

only with ending with all those people wearing red jerseys with the leaf on them not being quite so happy. :angel

Negative ghost rider.:twak

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

Hey... I'm all for Canada ending up with Gold... Just gimme the one game! :lol

Oh.
And Xavier is actually going to the game.
...Send hate PMs now. :P (...don't kill me, Xi!! Wait... you'd have to come down here to do it. HA. Bring it on!)

[Firenne Khapst]

Hey... I'm all for Canada ending up with Gold... Just gimme the one game! :lol

Oh.
And Xavier is actually going to the game.
...Send hate PMs now. :P (...don't kill me, Xi!! Wait... you'd have to come down here to do it. HA. Bring it on!)Forget that, I want the damn gold! *stomps her foot*

Xi! You rotten bastard...keeping secrets like that.

Or trying to *lol*

[Xavier Synik]

Wasn't keeping it a secret... Just hadn't posted it.

Yes will be there on Sunday cheering on the red and white.

Big surprise last night was Russia losing to Slovakia. Didn't see the game myself but apparently Halak stood on his head.

Now just need the Swedes to lose one and Canada can still get the number 1 spot.

[Yog]

This Canadian commercial made me cry and laugh at the same time:

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Why.. yes! We LOVE pancakes! :lol


(A Norwegian ended 4th in that race too.. :mneh)

[Irridia Solensis]

I'm starting a collection of skiers. As Bode Miller practically lives in my backyard, I'm starting with him, and taking Aksel Lund Svindal as well.

No-one minds, do they?

[Lilaena De'Ville]

As long as I can collect Shaun White and braid his hair. :)

[Carré Inirial]

He's all yours, babe ;)

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

So long as I get my boys on team Canada, my one from USA an my other from the Swiss, right? ...RIGHT?

...wait... they live down here. I get rights to them anyway. :lol I don't care if any of them are married, dammit. MINE!


....*cough*

[Dasquian Belargic]

Woooooooooo team GB :dance :dance :dance

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Congrats on winning skeleton yesterday GB!

:thumbup

[Lilaena De'Ville]

So long as I get my boys on team Canada, my one from USA an my other from the Swiss, right? ...RIGHT?

...wait... they live down here. I get rights to them anyway. :lol I don't care if any of them are married, dammit. MINE!


....*cough*
And Luca is mine now, he plays for the Portland Winterhawks! You waived him! :twak

:) Oh well, the announcers keep saying he plays for the Ducks. You think they'd have accurate notes. ;)

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

Heyyy... we didn't get rid of him, just sent him to go play with the minor league affiliate. Though after seeing him in action again I wouldn't be surprised if they did some roster changes and pulled him to come play with the Ducks again after the Olympics are over. I can think of one particular defenseman I wouldn't mind seeing them swap him out for.
:p But enough on that...


YES, congrats to GB for winning women's skeleton! ...Which is seriously one of those events I swear all the athletes must be somewhat insane to do.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

:shakefist He's going to get us through the first round of the playoffs dammit, you can have him after that's over!

:p

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

Because... well...

it has to be done...

on behalf of...well, quite a few people...











*gloat*


:angel


Won't happen again, promise!

[Tear]

Because... well...

it has to be done...

on behalf of...well, quite a few people...

*gloat*


:angel

Won't happen again, promise!

:grumble Your goalie was phenomenal I will give you that. Ours... not so much.

[Svetlana Ustinov]

*pats Miller on the head* :D

[Dasquian Belargic]

Highlight of the game: Crosby doing his puck impression? :lol


Oh, Canada... >_<

[Captain Untouchable]

Oh, Crosby. *swoon* :love

At least he did our number proud, eh, Jenny?

[Lilaena De'Ville]

*gloat*


:angel



Quoted for great truth :mischief

[Tear]

Highlight of the game: Crosby doing his puck impression? :lol


Oh, Canada... >_<

:lol That or Brodeur making ice hockey the new baseball and wacking the puck mid air. Which lead to a goal against but it was so funny even I had to laugh.

[Firenne Khapst]

I really wish some of the sports announcers would STOP calling this a bigger upset than the US defeating Russia in 1980.

Really? A bunch of NHL players beating another bunch of NHL players is bigger than a freaking bunch of college kids beating what was, at the time, a fearsome and lethal Russian team? -___-

[Rossos Atrapes]

Highlight of the game: Crosby doing his puck impression? :lol


Oh, Canada... >_<

:lol That or Brodeur making ice hockey the new baseball and wacking the puck mid air. Which lead to a goal against but it was so funny even I had to laugh.

I remember that one! Oh man. I was thinking cricket myself when it happened.

[Dasquian Belargic]

Someone please tell me that the medal matches for the mens ice hockey are going to be on a Friday or Saturday. Otherwise I won't be watching anymore live, my body has decided >_<

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

Someone please tell me that the medal matches for the mens ice hockey are going to be on a Friday or Saturday. Otherwise I won't be watching anymore live, my body has decided >_<
Well... the one to decide bronze is on Saturday... :uhoh not so much the silver/gold though...

[Dasquian Belargic]

What time is the gold/silver game on? :ohno

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

Apparently 3pm my time? so it'd start at what.... 11pm there? :ohno

[Dasquian Belargic]

Okay, that is a little better.

I wish I could get away with not watching it live, but I doubt I could go anywhere near a piece of technology all day without accidentally reading the score :lol

[Callista]

The one time I was proud to be a student at MSU! AND he's a Miller!! That game was hella awesome :D :D

[Lykaios]

I thought the gold medal game was at 3 pm ET (8 pm GMT)? o_O

[Alice Kelly]

I thought the gold medal game was at 3 pm ET (8 pm GMT)? o_O

You better be fucking kidding me... if NBC is time delaying that game I'm going to be 100% pissed off.

annnndd... I just checked. So... I have to avoid the entire world for almost 5ish hours to avoid a spoiler, basically? NBC... you fucking suck ass. :|

[Dasquian Belargic]

8pm gmt?! Yessssss :eee

[Charlotte Tur'enne]

>_< augh. So apparently I get like... zero live coverage of quite a few hockey games here down near the end. *shakes fist* c'monnnn the damn things are in my time zone! Bad enough you make me wait for "Prime Time" to watch everything else. (you know... except curling)

*bright side...* at least I'll have time to finish playing Bioshock 2 while avoiding the universe until the games play over here? :| PAH.

[Captain Untouchable]

I thought the gold medal game was at 3 pm ET (8 pm GMT)? o_O

Uh... isn't 3pm ET more like... 11pm GMT? Assuming ET is the time zone that Canada is in.

It'd be 8pm on the West Coast, in New York and what-not. :\

GMT is 8-hours from Vancouver, LA, etc -- a whole third of the world. Which sounds sorta cool, when you phrase it like that.

[Lykaios]

ET is New York/East Coast time. So that's a 5 hour difference with you Greenwich Mean Time zoners in the UK ;) The continental USA alone has 4 different time zones plus Alaska and Hawaii and I believe Can has 6 time zones as well.

So if it were 3 PT (west coast) it would indeed be 11 GMT. Which is why Em is beyond furious.

[Xavier Synik]

Few pics from my trip.

Better pics to come once they get offloaded from the camera.

http://twitpic.com/photos/Jester0963

[Dasquian Belargic]

New York on the West Coast, Jace? :lol

[Captain Untouchable]

...the only way I don't get my left and right confused is because you can make an L with one of them. >_<

My brain just assumed that, since the games are happening on the left-hand side of North America, that was the time zone we were talking about. Didn't put much more thought into it than that. :lol

This is why I have an international clock thingy on my iGoogle page, so I don't have to work things out...

[Lykaios]

In Jacen's defence NY IS west of the UK, no? :p

[Irridia Solensis]

Not west enough :P

[Emelie Shadowstar]

Few pics from my trip.

Better pics to come once they get offloaded from the camera.

http://twitpic.com/photos/Jester0963

Still so damn envious of you. :ohno

[Lykaios]

Not west enough :P

Hey, no hating just cause the shadow of the mighty Colossus towers over that Green Monster of yours, eclipsing the city's hope and slaying its dreams...and...and...and I think I had a point here somewhere but it seems to be lost now :p

@ Xavier, yeah, I have to agree with Em, I was jealous as well, exciting game to be at

[Inkara Liet]

I'm sad that I live just across the Juan De Fuca and I'm stuck watching on TV, but... it's the speedskating that made me happy, regardless of who won. It's my sport.

And it's about those forms in the form-fitting speedskating suits, too. The speed and the fit behinds and thighs. I can appreciate fine form, can I not? :p

[Carré Inirial]

Hey, no hating just cause the shadow of the mighty Colossus towers over that Green Monster of yours, eclipsing the city's hope and slaying its dreams...and...and...and I think I had a point here somewhere but it seems to be lost now :p*grins all evil like* I'll refrain from comment for now...tis not the thread for us to renew our delightfully animated baseball discussion ;)


And it's about those forms in the form-fitting speedskating suits, too. The speed and the fit behinds and thighs. I can appreciate fine form, can I not? :pOhhh yes...I'd be ever so disappointed if you didn't.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Huge upset for the Netherlands in speed skating today (yesterday? Its after midnight). I feel badly for the disqualified skater! :ohno

[Xavier Synik]

Let's go Switzerland *clapclap clapclapclap*

[Emelie Shadowstar]

Let's go Switzerland *clapclap clapclapclap*

:twak

[Carré Inirial]

:D :D :D

http://i49.tinypic.com/2w6z6l4.jpg

[Xavier Synik]

Psh... You call 2-0 a victory?

7-3 over the Russian's what?

Oh and don't forget the 1 Gold, 2 Silvers, and 1 Bronze that Canada netted today too...

Proud day to be Canadian.

[Carré Inirial]

Hey, a victory is a victory, no matter how ugly or last minute ;)

And congrats on the medal haul! :D

[Dasquian Belargic]

Finally saw the Germany and Russia games, so I can confidently say:

:eee Let's Go Canada :eee

LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

[Tear]

Canadians women ice hockey team. Good job ladies. Made your country proud.

[Carré Inirial]

THAT was an epic game...MUCH love and congratulations to the Canadian women! Brilliantly done!

*applauds* :)

[Dasquian Belargic]

Wooo!

Tessa Bonhomme with the victory smoke:

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Fantastic end to the women's figure skating tonight. I can hardly believe Joannie Rochette's courage to go out there and skate - and she did so well!

Brings the :cry to my eyes.

[Xavier Synik]

Wooo!

Tessa Bonhomme with the victory smoke:


Yup that's a Bonhomme for you... Friends with her sister, though never met Tessa personally.

[Emelie Shadowstar]

THAT was an epic game...MUCH love and congratulations to the Canadian women! Brilliantly done!

*applauds* :)
*seconds!* Though I seriously felt for my team (would have loved to see them at least score. haha), the Canadian goalie was just unbelievable. Well done, indeed! Very touching moment at the end with the place chanting U-S-A for our Silver medalists...and then again when everyone (even saw a few in the USA jerseys) sang the Canadian anthem. Downright classy. :cheers

The announcer kept kinda joking that he'd love to see those two teams go on a best-of-7 type of thing, and I agree. Really fun game to watch.

Can't wait for the two men's games today. :dance


...Oh and yes, other Olympic stuff.. just to keep from being totally hockey rambling. lol
In some sort of half-sleep induced thing I caught the coverage of the ending of the Nordic Combined and I totally was all "WHOO!!!" :lol Never expected to get all excited over something like that.

Also caught the figure skating. I don't even like watching that stuff and I was impressed by "Queen Kim".

Ok enough rambling.... *cough* *puts the coffee down*

[Xavier Synik]

It's never to early to ask for some help...

Our Father who art in Vancouver, hockey be thy name. Thy will be done, the gold will be won, on ice as well as in the stands. Give us this day, our hockey sticks, and forgive us our penalties as we forgive those who cross check against us. Lead us not into elimination but deliver us to victory. For this is our game, our power and our glory Forever and ever, in the name of our Canadian hockey team.

AMEN

[Lilaena De'Ville]

USA! USA! USA! USA!

six goals in 14 minutes? Whaaaaat!? :D Can't wait to see what happens in the NEXT two periods!

[Emelie Shadowstar]

WHOOOOOOO! Not quite the game I was expecting from Finland... but a win is a win! On to the gold medal game!

I just found out I'll be missing most of the games/events that will be shown tonight. *shakes fist at boyfriend's family functions* :cry

[Captain Untouchable]

USA! USA! USA! USA!

six goals in 14 minutes? Whaaaaat!? :D Can't wait to see what happens in the NEXT two periods!

Two of them were within 14 seconds. WTF?

Seriously though - Bravo to Team USA. You guys are on fire... and whoever makes it through *coughcough*probably Canada*cough* to the final will seriously need to get their game on.

[Carré Inirial]

*clings to her Chara jersey & prays fervently*

[Emelie Shadowstar]

*clings to her Chara jersey & prays fervently*

But... Hossa, Dee. He's on that team too and just... no. No medal for him. :lol

[Irridia Solensis]

But....but....

Awwwww......

*puts the jersey away & sniffles*

[Travis North]

Women's curling, such a let down. Gold was in the pocket and then not one, but two weak hits and its a silver.
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[Lykaios]

Yeah, I can't believe they let the Swedes score 2 points with their last rock in the 10th end >.<

[Xavier Synik]

^Agreed. Though not sure "letting them score 2" is exactly right. More, missed that last shot to give them 2.

Not sure what happened there Bernard has been clutch all through the Olympics and then it was almost like she got too cute or something.

Oh well, Silver is nothing to sneeze at (unless your a warewolf :p).

Men's curling team will go for gold tomorrow (I think it's tomorrow).

[Lykaios]

Aye, very un-Bernard-like to be so un-clutch :( Maybe the crowd cheering every time she slid across the ice got to her? Dunno, don't matter now, silver is still decent indeed.

I know lotsa people don't like/get curling but it's fun, especially in exciting matches like this one.

I think ice-fishing should be a sport, I'd be all over that one

[Xavier Synik]

ice fishing in the winter, bass fishing in the summer Olympics? :p

[Travis North]

So any opinions on the Canadian Women's Hockey celebration? I read the IOC was all pissy that a little bit after the medal ceremony they hit the ice with cans of beer and cigars for their victory party.

Also CANADA 1! 1st period.
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[Xavier Synik]

My opinion on it...

If it wasn't televised (which I don't think it was) and after the fans are out of the building, who cares.

Yeah probably should have waited until the press had left too, but seriously. What's the difference between smoking cigars and having a few beers on the ice and doing it in the dressing room after the game...? Two words...

HOME ICE!!!!

2-0 Canada!!!

[Travis North]

WOO double medal after OHNO is DSQ'd. What an odd finish.<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">

[Lilaena De'Ville]

OMG SPOILER THAT SHIT

>_<

Argh!

[Captain Untouchable]

Insanely geeky moment. I'm awake at 4am watching the Canada game, and Peter Kelamis - one of the actors from Stargate Universe - is having a twitter conversation with me and my sister... and we're the only people that he's talking to about it.

I'd be embarrassed at how geeky it is if it weren't so frikkin awesome.

Also, Getzlaf, you fucking beauty!! :glomp

[Xavier Synik]

Men's 5000m short track relay should be interesting here...

France got advanced in the last round so now there is 5 teams on the ice vs 4... 20 guys on the ice... Hopefully there isn't any epic crashes...

Edit: GOLD FOR CANADA!!!

[Xavier Synik]

Was a close one, but Canada pulls out the 3-2 victory and will meet the US in the Gold Medal Game on Sunday

Oh yeah and a little message from us (and Coke) to you....

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[Captain Untouchable]

Close? Close, you say. Understatement of the century... I'm exhausted having just watched those last five minutes! >_<

[Carré Inirial]

DAMMIT ZDENO!

Over my knee, Mister. RIGHT now.

[Emelie Shadowstar]

DAMMIT ZDENO!

Over my knee, Mister. RIGHT now.

:lol See? There IS a plus side, isn't there?

[Dasquian Belargic]

Booze and chat/Skype today for the gold medal game? :D

[Captain Untouchable]

Booze and chat/Skype today for the gold medal game? :D

HELL YES. :dance

[Carré Inirial]

I'm all for chat - Skype doesn't always wish to function for me.

*races off to the market for snacks*


See? There IS a plus side, isn't there?Ohhh yes...*coughs* >.>

[Lykaios]

LETS! PLAY! HOCKEY!

C'mon! Let's do this thing! >:

[Liam Jinn]

Wow, Hockey sucks balls. You people are nuts.

[Tear]

Wow, I suck balls. You people are awesome.

Fixed for great justice.:twak

[Crusader]

ROFL :lol :lol

[Liam Jinn]

I'm pretty sure I had it right the first time, but thanks for the help :p

[Crusader]

WOW the US just caught up! It is 2:2 now

[Travis North]

Man oh man this is a game for the ages.
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[Ilias Nytrau]

Edit: Omgomgomgomg!!!:eee

[Captain Untouchable]

Two words:

Sidney. Crosby. :love


Edit:

Kudos to Miller for getting MvP. And to Luongo too... Goalies FTW! :D

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Sidney Crosby is supposed to be crying at the end of this game, but NOT TEARS OF JOY! :shakefist

Great, great, great game, though. :) I think we'll wear our silver medals with pride once the sting of losing gold wears off.

I put tags on it anyway just in case. :p

[Xavier Synik]

14 Gold Medals for Canada... Winter Olympic record. No country has ever won 14 Golds in a Winter Games ever...

[Tear]

*gloat*


:angel



Quoted for great truth :mischief

Ahh yes. Quoted for great truth indeed.;)

*gloat*

Its a good day Canadians!

[Dasquian Belargic]

*waves a little Union Jack*

:D

[Emelie Shadowstar]

lol, gloat on Tear... your team earned it, big time! :D

[Yog]

14 Gold Medals for Canada... Winter Olympic record. No country has ever won 14 Golds in a Winter Games ever...

Fantastic gold medal run by Canada. Norway had the previous record with 13 gold medals in 2002.

Also, this was an amazing Olympic games with incredible moments and much excitement. Well done and congrats, Canada! :)


Oh, and I was right about my prediction of 9 gold medals for Norway!

[Xavier Synik]

William Shatner and Catherine O'Hara FTW...

That is all...

*goes to bed to watch the rest of the closing*

Edit: Michael J. Fox just tops it off...

Sure there are others, but I shall not add them until tomorrow... :p

[Travis North]

Amazing close to the games. Feels so good to be Canadian.
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[Emelie Shadowstar]

:( *pokes at the NBC site* well.. they have the entire opening ceremony on there to view... hopefully they'll do the same with the closing since I missed that.

[Firenne Khapst]

My god, that was an amazing game O_O

*happily pays up on her wager*

I can't be *too* mad since Patrice Bergeron will be bringing his Gold medal to Boston and Tim Thomas is coming home with his silver. Also thrilled for Joe Thornton - he was an amazingly nice guy when he was here in Boston (ran into him once at the Boston Marathon - literally).

Well done, Canada! *applauds*

I just have one issue with the closing ceremony...the woman who sang the Greek national anthem -____- Could you not find a Greek-Canadian opera singer who could control her vibrato at least a tiny bit and hit the right notes toward the end? *mutters* That is all.

[Xavier Synik]

I just have one issue with the closing ceremony...the woman who sang the Greek national anthem -____- Could you not find a Greek-Canadian opera singer who could control her vibrato at least a tiny bit and hit the right notes toward the end? *mutters* That is all.

Who said she was Greek-Canadian? (maybe they did on the broadcast I may have missed it)

Also not a big fan of who they picked to do all the musical performances... All I can be thankful for is that Celine didn't show up... but where were The Hip, Blue Rodeo, or Great Big Sea?

[Captain Untouchable]

Dee means "why didn't they give me the job?", since she's a Greek-Canadian opera singer. ;)

[Firenne Khapst]

Who said she was Greek-Canadian? (maybe they did on the broadcast I may have missed it)Bob Costas mentioned it on the broadcast, and my mother and I were both beside ourselves with joy over it. Until she opened her mouth and dashed my hopes :(


Dee means "why didn't they give me the job?", since she's a Greek-Canadian opera singer. ;):p ;) I'd like to think that I could have done a better job. I mean, I'm not a professional currently, but I could have been.