Now he can say he has one in every color; Bode Miller won gold today in the men's super combined. Miller has already won a bronze and a silver in two events at these games and today, in this third event, he finally won the gold that everyone knew he could win.
Following his run, Miller said, "The way I executed, the way I skied, is something I'll be proud of the rest of my life. I skied with 100 percent heart, I didn't hold anything back-- it's just awesome, there's nothing else to say."
Miller even admits that he has no idea how he made it through the final 15 gates in slalom because his legs were completely gone; he says it must have been sheer willpower. Favorite Anksel Lund Svindal from Norway did not complete his slalom run solidifying Miller's gold. Defending champion and American teammate Ted Ligety ended up fifth despite running the fastest slalom because he had too much ground to make up after placing 15th in the downhill. Ligety is happy though that Miller is the new champion if it cannot be him.
Ivica Kostelic of Croatia matched his success in Turin winning the silver medal. Silvan Zurbriggen from Switzerland who has suffered numerous injuries in the past three years won the bronze medal.
Men's Super Combined
1. Gold-- Bode Miller, U.S.A., 2:44:92
2. Silver-- Ivica Kostelic, Croatia, 2:45:25
3. Bronze-- Silvan Zurbriggen, Switzerland, 2:45:32
In the Netherlands, speedskating is the premier sport, and in Torino 19 year old Ireen Wust was deemed their next great skater. The past two years were tough for Wust forcing the Dutch to wonder, was she the real deal? They don't have to wonder anymore because Wust won gold today in the 1500m defending her gold from '06. "I have faced many disappointments," Wust admitted; evidence of that was that she broke down crying on the podium deep in thought.
The Canadians continued their quest for gold on the track, but settled for a silver won by Kristina Groves. Martina Sablikova, of the Czech Republic, a long distance specialist took the bronze. The U.S. skaters were a non factor finishing in 16th, 18th, 24th, and 31st.
Ladies' 1500m
1. Gold-- Ireen Wust, The Netherlands, 1:56:89
2. Silver-- Kristina Groves, Canada, 1:57:14
3. Bronze-- Martina Sablikova, Czech Republic, 1:57:96
The top ice dance teams took to the rink tonight to perform their original dance; this year's requirements were that the dance be a country or folk dance. The surprising leaders tonight going into the free dance were Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada, training partners with Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the U.S. Virtue and Moir were in third place following the compulsory dance and danced a flamenco tonight that just about melted the ice under their feet. It was well put together and had all the qualities the a strong original dance should have, sharp lines and curvy turns, closeness, expression, balance and lifts. Davis and White took second and took on Bollywood for their dance, and their interesting movements and great fluidity paired with their strength of staying in character earned them their highest marks of the season. Current World Champions, Russia's Oksana Domnina and Maxsim Shabalin went into the competition with the most talked about dance. The two garnered some controversy for performing a dance to Aborignal music that some said was offensive and inartistic along with some gaudy costumes, nevertheless they finished in third. Torino silver medalists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto performed a Moldavian folk dance with more speed than probably any other team that skated before them. Their costumes were beautiful and they had precise moves partnered with great artistry and expression, but the silver medalists find themselves sitting in fourth, seven points back from the leaders.
Ice Dance Standings After Original Dance
1. Tessa Virtue/ Scott Moir, Canada, 111.15
2. Meryl Davis/ Charlie White, U.S.A., 108.55
3. Oksana Domnina/ Maxsim Shabalin, Russia, 106.60
4. Tanith Belbin/ Ben Agosto, U.S.A., 103.33
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