Olympic Inspirations: Pyeong Change continued.....

Ester Ledecka was the most unexpected surprise of these Games. She is a snowboarder, but she won a gold medal in Alpine Skiing, Women's Super G, the event Mikaela Shiffrin was supposed to compete in but didn't. It was the event Lindsey Vonn was supposed to medal in, but Vonn finished off the podium. Shiffrin even went so far as to let Ledecka borrow her skis! When she finished the course she said, how did that happen?!

Alpine Skiing: Women's Super G
1. Ester Ledecka, Czech Republic, 1:21.11
2. Anna Veith, Austria, +.01
3. Tina Weirather, Liechtenstein, +.11

Four years ago in Sochi, Nick Goepper seemed to be on top of the world. He was part of a U.S. medal sweep, only the third in U.S. Winter Olympic history with Gus Kenworthy and Josh Christensen. Last month Goepper revealed that that in 2014 and 2015, he suffered from issues with drinking, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The issues were so serious that he went to rehab in the fall of 2015. Goepper finished in 7th place in the X Games last month. Goepper couldn't believe that he had come to these Olympics and had the result that he did. He made it all the way to a silver medal in Slopestyle. Goepper said that his teammate Gus Kenworthy is a great example for him.

Snowboarding: Men's Slopestyle
1. Oystein Braaten, Norway, 95.0
2. Nick Goepper, U.S.A., 93.60
3. Alex Beaulieu Marchand, Canada, 92.40

It was theirs to lose and theirs to win and when it came down to it, there just wasn't anyone better than Virtue and Moir. The Canadian ice dancers have been in a partnership for two decades, some of these other teams were in diapers. Virtue and Moir almost gave up after Sochi in 2014, coming in second to Meryl Davis and Charlie White (who were their training partners at the time). They came back on the circuit in 2016 with a renewed spirit and a passion that was unrivaled. There was no other choice in the end. But I'll tell you what, the other medalists were amazing! Papadakis and Cizeron are the future of ice dance, and I will look for them to take gold in four years time. Their free dance to Moonlight Sonata was flawless. The Shibutani's have so much to be proud of, their free skate to Paradise was captivating, I literally could not take my eyes off the screen. I loved how the music and the skate and their expression all tied together, and just gave us this message of hope. It was truly inspirational.

Figure Skating: Ice Dance
1. Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir, Canada, free dance: 122.40, overall: 206.07
2. Gabrielle Papadakis & Guillaume Cizeron, France, free dance: 123.35 (1), overall: 205.28
3. Maia Shibutani & Alex Shibutani, U.S.A., free dance: 114.86 (3), overall: 192.59
4. Madison Hubbell & Zachary Donohue, U.S.A., free dance: 109.94 (5), overall: 187.69

Lindsey Vonn wrapped up her Olympics doing what she set out to do. She walked away with another Olympic medal. Vonn's final Olympic appearance was laced with some frustration but her poise and experience in the Downhill earned her a bronze.

Alpine Skiing: Women's Downhill
1. Sofia Goggia, Italy, 1:39.22
2. Ragnhild Mowinckel, Norway, +.09
3. Lindsey Vonn, U.S.A., +.47

Elana Meyers Taylor is a natural born athlete. She was offered scholarships to four different colleges for four different sports! She once played for U.S.A. rugby. When she took up bobsledding in 2007, she had never owned a winter coat before. Yet now, here we are, 11 years later and three Olympics later, and Taylor has won three medals, 1 bronze and 2 silver.

Bobsled: Women's (2)
1. Germany, 3:22.45, Mariama Jamenka and Lisa Buckwitz
2. U.S.A, +.07, Elana Meyers Taylor and Lauren Gibbs
3. Canada, +44, Kaillie Humphries and Phylicia George

Girl power! This Olympics was all about first for the U.S. women and women everywhere. Kikkan Randall and Jessie Diggins won the first ever medal in Women's Cross Country and it was a gold at that. Diggins was even selected to be flag bearer for the U.S. team at the closing ceremonies.

Cross Country: Women's Team Sprint
1. U.S.A., Kikken Randall and Jessie Diggins, 15:56.47
2. Sweden, Charlotte Kalla and Stina Milsson, +.19
3. Norway, Marit Bjorgen and Maiken Casperson Falla, +2.97

The U.S. women ended another drought, this one in speed skating where the women had not medaled since 2002 and the men had not medaled since 2010! Heather Bergsma who skated in the women's team pursuit said this had been a disappointing games for them and, she was, "super happy that they were able to salvage a medal".

Speedskating: Women's Team Pursuit
1. Japan, 2:53.89
2. Netherlands, +1.59
3. U.S.A., Heather Bergsma, Brittany Bowe, Mia Manganello, Carljin Schoutens, +2:59.27

For the first and almost certainly last time, Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn competed against each other in the Olympics. Most gave Shiffrin the edge in this U.S. team head to head. Shiffrin didn't get the gold she was expected to, but she did pick up a silver, bringing her total at this games to 2 medals-- a gold and a silver. Vonn, who was competing in what most say will be her last games, hooked a tip in slalom and skied out. Shiffrin said winning two medals in a game was "insane" and Vonn joked that she'd never have to ski slalom again.

Alpine Skiing: Women's Combined
1. Michelle Gisin, Switzerland, 2:20.90
2. Mikaela Shiffrin, U.S.A., +.97
3. Wendy Holdener, Switzerland, +1.44

David Wise almost missed qualifying for the finals in the Men's Freeski Halfpipe, the defending champion fell on a run and had to play it safe on another. When he got to the finals, he gave it all he had, didn't play it safe, and wiped out on a couple of runs. When it mattered though, Wise came up BIG and landed his third and final run. His run featured double corks spun in four different directions, something the judges look at when determining scores. Alex Ferreira finished in second place and was easily the most consistent competitor of the day earning three scores in the 90's. Finally, at only the age of 16, Nico Porteous earned a bronze, able to calm his nerves before his runs with the help of his sports psychologist.

Men's Freeski Halfpipe
1. David Wise, U.S.A., 97.20
2. Alex Ferreira, U.S.A., 96.40
3. Nico Porteous, New Zealand, 94.80

Big Air made it's Olympic debut in Pyeong Chang, and it did not disappoint. The total score is based on the best two out of three runs scores combined. Anna Gasser from Austria was consistent throughout all her runs and was in second place behind Jamie Anderson who won a gold already earlier in these games. Anna knew the score she needed going in and decided to take the risk and go big on her final run. It paid off, and vaulted her to first place.

Snowboarding: Women's Big Air
1. Anna Gasser, Austria, 89+96= 185
2. Jamie Anderson, U.S.A., 90+87.25= 177..25
3. Zoi Sadowki Synott, New Zealand, 65.50+92= 157.50

Considered to be perhaps the marquee event at the Winter Olympics-- Women's Figure Skating did not disappoint in terms of technical abilities, artistry, and drama! Despite strong showings at nationals and worlds the U.S. women did not make it to the podium. The real competition was between two athletes from Russia, Alina Zagitova and Yevgenia Medvedeva, who are training partners and even friends but when they are on the ice, all they think about is doing their best and winning. Zagitova's gold medal was only the second for Russia in Women's Figure Skating which in prior years had been overshadowed by Men's and Pair's. Both ladies suggest that they are honored to represent their coaches, figure skating, and that they truly love their sport. With all the young Russian girls at home watching, will Zagitova and Medvedeva be back in four years, only time and dedication will tell.

Figure Skating: Women's Final
1. Alina Zagitova, Olympic Athletes from Russia, 239.57
2. Yevgenia Medvedeva, Olympic Athletes from Russia, 238.26
3. Kaetlyn Osmond, Canada, 231.02
4. Satoko Miyahara, Japan, 222.38
5. Carolina Kostner, Italy, 212.44
6. Kaori Sakamoto, Japan, 209.71
7. Dabin Choi, Korea, 199.26
8. Maria Sotskova, Olympic Athletes from Russia, 198.10
9. Bradie Tennell, U.S.A., 192.35
10. Mirai Nagasu, U.S.A., 186.54

Winter Olympics Sochi 2014: Day 11

Destiny and dream fulfilled for Davis and White at the Iceberg Monday night. Their free program to music based on the story of “Scheherazade,” was nothing short of perfection. Every move was so expressive, the unison and synchronicity was on point. They were so focused  Virtue and Moir did have a moment, but it wasn't enough to top Davis and White who's focus, determination, and passion were palpable, and the favorites going into these Olympics. Both duos should feel pleased with their performances, and despite the controversy arising now, I feel that Davis and White won fair and square.

So what exactly is this arising controversy? Well, a day later, Virtue and Moir are speaking out and saying that as of 2012, they don't feel their coach Marina Zoueva has been there for them. They also mentioned that they feel Marina's attention shifted more to Davis and White. When asked about why she chose to attend the US National Championships in 2013 over the Canadian Championships, she replied that she coaches more US Teams. Zoueva also coaches the Shibutani siblings. More to come as this story unfolds.

    from NBC Olympics website

The Results:

Figure Skating: Ice Dance Finals

1. Meryl Davis and Charlie White, USA, free program: 116.63, total: 195.52
2. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, Canada, free program: 114.66, total: 190.99
3. Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov, Russian Federation, free program: 110.44, total: 183.48

8. Madison Chock and Evan Bates, USA, free program: 99.18, total: 164.64
9. Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani, USA, free program: 90.70, total: 155.17

    Getty Images


The US Team won their first medal in 2 man bobsled since 1952, and the Russians, winless in the last three years found their speed and won gold at home.

The Results:

Bobsleigh: 2 Man

1. Alexey Voevoda and Alexander Zubkov, Russian Federation, 3:45.39
2. Alex Baumann and Beat Hefti, Switzerland, 3:46.05
3. Steven Holcomb and Steven Langton, USA, 3:46.27

Eighteen year old Mac Bohonnon was supposed to be at home in the US in an AP math class, instead he was over in Sochi at the Olympic Games competing in men's aerials. Not only was Mac competitive with athletes who had significantly more experience than him, but he finished in the top five. In a sport that is so unpredictable and where he was the lone American entrant in the event, he proved he has a long career ahead of him. Further proof of aerial's unpredictability--- the defending champion was out in the qualifying round. The new gold medalist had 24 points over the second place finisher because the risky move he did turned out to be spectacular.

The Results:

Freestyle Skiing: Men's Aerials

1. Anton Kushnir, Belarus, 134.50
2. David Morris, Australia, 110.41
3. Zongyang Jia, China, 95.06

5. Mac Bohonnon

Ski Jumping: Team Event

1. Germany, 1041.1
2. Austria, 1038.4
3. Japan, 1024.9

Winter Olympics Sochi 2014: Day 10

Disappointment, redemption, and dominance were the themes of Day 10 at Sochi.

Lindsey Jacobellis failed to earn the gold she has been chasing for three Olympics now in Snowboard Cross. Initially, Jacobellis had the best time in qualifying, but things slowly but surely went downhill. In the semifinals, she misjudged a turn, went too fast, and lost her balance, sliding into the middle of the course. That was the end of Jacobellis's Olympics in Sochi. At 28, her Olympic appearances haven't improved, 2nd, 5th, and today, 7th. This is heartbreaking considering the fact that Lindsey came back from two knee surgeries in 2012. She makes it happen when it counts, but she wasn't been able to pull it together today.

The Results:

Snowboard: Ladies' Snowboard Cross

1. Eva Samkova, Czech Republic
2. Dominique Maltais, Canada
3. Chloe Trespeuch, France

4. Faye Gulini, USA
7. Lindsey Jacobellis, USA


Kjetil Jansrud won the fourth consecutive gold for Norway in the Super G. Perhaps more surprising than Bode's bronze--- one, Andrew Weibrecht winning the silver. Weibrecht is the guy who doesn't win World Championships but he will come to the Olympics and win silver. Two, is that Bode and Jan Hudec of Canada tied for bronze and the fact that it was Jan Hudec is another surprising factor. Bode is now the oldest alpine skier to medal at an Olympic Games at 36.

For Bode Miller, today's run in the super g was not only one of redemption but of sheer determination and a tribute from one brother to another. Last April, Bode lost his brother to a seizure. The 29 year old was a snowboarder and had hopes of making it to the Olympics like his brother. After Bode bounced back with a solid run in the super g and tied for a bronze medal, he became overcome with emotion and looked up to the sky and then looked down and began to cry. It was almost like this medal was for his brother or because of him.

The Results:

Alpine Skiing: Men's Super G

1. Kjetil Jansrud, Norway, 1:18.14
2. Andrew Weibrecht, USA, 1:18.44
3. Jan Hudec, Canada, 1:18.67
3. Bode Miller, USA, 1:18.67

In Sochi, speedskating has become less exciting to watch. Perhaps it's because the viewer can almost predict who is going to land on the podium. The majority of the medals won by Netherlands at this Games have been in speedskating. Last night was no exception. Do you find the fact that they are dominating this sport boring? Ter Mors, the gold medalist did skate an Olympic record time and she dethroned reigning gold medalist Ireen Wust (a two time medalist at the games already, now three).

The Results:

Speedskating: Ladies' 1,500 m

1. Jorien Ter Mors, Netherlands, 1:53.51 Olympic Record
2. Ireen Wust, Netherlands, 1:54.09
3. Lotte Van Beek, Netherlands, 1:54.54

7. Heather Richardson, USA, 1:57.60

One of the events I have been most excited about for over a year now is the ice dancing competition. The top two pairs in the world, reigning World Champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the US train in Detroit and Vancouver gold medalist Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada train in Detroit, together, and under the same coach. They've watched each others every move and now it all comes down to a couple of skates on Olympic ice in Sochi. Davis and White have already announced that at 27 and 26 respectively, they will retire after these Games. Virtue and Moir, 24 and 26 have not shared their intentions. The favorites for gold are Davis and White, the silver would then be a lock for Virtue and Moir, and the battle for bronze is a total toss up between several teams.

The Results after the Short Program:

Ice Dance Short Program:

1. Meryl Davis and Charlie White, USA, 78.89 (highest short program score ever)
2. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, Canada, 76.33
3. Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov, Russian Federation, 73.04
4. Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat, France, 72.78
5. Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev, Russian Federation, 69.97

Read more about Meryl and Charlie's Journey-- HERE