Winter Olympics 2010--Anyone Watching?

[Selena_Kitt]

Watched. Cried.

The luge death is making me madder and madder. The committee determined "human error" in the accident, I think just so the show can go on, so to speak...but the head of the luge association has been saying for years that the course is too dangerous and too fast. And if you ask me, after seeing the video, there should have been SOME sort of barrier between that way-too-low luge wall and the CONCRETE PILLARS just a few feet away! Perfect camera angle? Why would they NOT put something up there??

Nodar Kumaritashvili was just twenty-one years old. Yes, he was an athlete who knew the risks... and died doing what he clearly loved... but even the most experienced lugers said they worried about the course. And what young kid, with a chance at winning gold, is going to say, "I'm sorry, it's too dangerous." Right.

It was their responsibility to make it as safe as possible, and I think they clearly failed.

 

[jomar]

Have not! And I love docs, too. I'll have to look for it.

They get some BIG air.

Okay, so after after you watch it you must also see Dogtown and Z-Boys - "a close-up look at the birth of skate board culture in Southern California" - you being a California girl and all...

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I love the Olympics.

Red is ADHD and his smart parents channeled his energy and thrill seeking into sports instead of letting him try to jump his bicycle from his roof to his neighbors. Dude is pro level in snowboard and skateboard. Wonder if he gets any.

3, have you seen First Descent? White and other pros, young, old, female, hit the slopes and grandpa sees "the future is now old man." Great documentary, but I'm a sucker for docs.

Can't wait for ice fishing!

The idea of ice fishing, Duluth style, appeals to me. That's where they pull little cabins on sleds out on the five-foot-thick surface of Lake Superior, crank up the heater, drill a hole in the ice and fish while consuming great quantities of beer and brats. And just incidentally they catch fish.

 

[jomar]

The idea of ice fishing, Duluth style, appeals to me. That's where they pull little cabins on sleds out on the five-foot-thick surface of Lake Superior, crank up the heater, drill a hole in the ice and fish while consuming great quantities of beer and brats. And just incidentally they catch fish.

Those pesky fish always getting in the way...

 

[Xelebes]

Can anyone give me a quick course in curling? What does the sweeping do, melt the ice to make it slicker?

When you're sweeping the ice, you're actually sweeping the ice. Everytime a rock is thrown, the rock and the shoes throw up little bits of ice that can interfere with the next rock thrown. Sweeping the ice insures the rock will go quicker and smoother while not sweeping it allows the rock to go slower and allow for more curl (turning).

 

[jomar]

wonky connection DP

 

[Handley_Page]

Curling! Yes, Curling. I thought I was the only one who enjoyed watching it. I don't know squat about it, but it's fascinating and I wish I did.

Can anyone give me a quick course in curling? What does the sweeping do, melt the ice to make it slicker?

Edward the Intrigued

try the following:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curling

 

[Katyusha]

Curling! Yes, Curling. I thought I was the only one who enjoyed watching it. I don't know squat about it, but it's facinating and I wish I did.

Can anyone give me a quick course in curling? What does the sweeping do, melt the ice to make it slicker?

And the figure skaters. Damn, they are amazing. What athletes!

Edward the Intrigued

Yes...sweeping reduces friction which makes the rock travel farther and straighter. The less sweeping, the more the rock's path will curve to one side or the other. The strategy behind that is to make the rock stop at a certain point, and/or knock an opponent's rock out of its position; travel at the right angle and you can accomplish two things: knock your opponent's rock out of its position, and change the direction and momentum of your rock and put it in a more favorable position.

Also, the ice isn't like the ice the figure skaters and hockey players skate on. It's rougher, porous even. Sweeping not only melts the ice slightly but it also smooths it out slightly.

Or at least that's what I understand about curling. It's all strategy. That's what makes it so fascinating to me.

The links posted are good resources.

 

[Tarakin]

Time for National bragging:

Silver for Germany, Biathlon, Magdalena Neuner:
http://www.zoll.de/z1_bilder/a1_zoll_ski_team/aktuelle_berichte/magdalena_neuner_hochfilzen.jpg

Yeah!
That said, I'm sorry Jennifer Heil didn't win the first home gold for Canada. But their girl hockey team did win 18 - 0, a new record.

The Medals (Gold - Silver - Bronze - Total):

1 United States 1 1 2 4
2 Korea 1 1 0 2
3 Netherlands 1 0 0 1
Slovakia 1 0 0 1
Switzerland 1 0 0 1
6 Canada 0 1 0 1
Germany 0 1 0 1
Poland 0 1 0 1
9 Austria 0 0 1 1
France 0 0 1 1
Russia 0 0 1 1

 

[matriarch]

Loving it all.

Min and I watched the ski jump last night, loved it. Also the 5000m speed skating. Amazing.
Being 8 hours ahead, we're all out of sync, and much as I would love to be able to watch through the night, live, can't be done, with a working life.

We record everything on our PVR, then watch/catch up fast forward through all the between event chat.

Just watched the short track speed skating. Ye gods, they are incredible. I don't think I've ever seen anything as confusing, spectacular and jaw dropping as the short track speed skating relay. Sheesh. Far too many people on the ice at the same time, did my head in, but it made spectacular viewing.

Watched the first run of the men's luge. Ye gods, they positively achieve take off speeds at the infamous curve, and that's from the shorter start. God knows what speeds they achieved on the original track. I watched with my hand over my mouth in disbelief. My question? Why would anyone, voluntarily, do this? And the skeleton? Unbelievable.

Right now, we're watching the women's moguls. Ouch, it makes my knees and hips scream in pain just watching. Oh, are they going to be suffering with bad arthritis in later years.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Time for National bragging:

Silver for Germany, Biathlon, Magdalena Neuner:
http://www.zoll.de/z1_bilder/a1_zoll_ski_team/aktuelle_berichte/magdalena_neuner_hochfilzen.jpg

Yeah!
That said, I'm sorry Jennifer Heil didn't win the first home gold for Canada. But their girl hockey team did win 18 - 0, a new record.

The Medals (Gold - Silver - Bronze - Total):

1 United States 1 1 2 4
2 Korea 1 1 0 2
3 Netherlands 1 0 0 1
Slovakia 1 0 0 1
Switzerland 1 0 0 1
6 Canada 0 1 0 1
Germany 0 1 0 1
Poland 0 1 0 1
9 Austria 0 0 1 1
France 0 0 1 1
Russia 0 0 1 1

I love the idea of biathlon. Going from 'balls to the wall' to meditative calm in the time it takes to drop your ski poles and drop into the prone position? Astonishing example of human potential. Personally, I'd love to develop a summer biathlon using roller blades and .22 revolvers but I seriously doubt the Powers That Be would be the least bit amused. Imagine the image, a bunch of tattooed dudes in dreadlocks zipping around a course and then pulling up to the range and letting off 18 shots rapid fire!

 

[3113]

I seriously doubt the Powers That Be would be the least bit amused. Imagine the image, a bunch of tattooed dudes in dreadlocks zipping around a course and then pulling up to the range and letting off 18 shots rapid fire!

Indeed. Somehow it's more civilized to start shooting when one is on skis. Though I do wonder who thought this sport up and how it's managed to stick around. Sounds like one of those 19th century things. Ski till you see ducks then shoot.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Indeed. Somehow it's more civilized to start shooting when one is on skis. Though I do wonder who thought this sport up and how it's managed to stick around. Sounds like one of those 19th century things. Ski till you see ducks then shoot.

Nope. It's Scandinavian warfare. Think Finland vs. USSR in the winter of '39-'40

 

[trysail]

Nope. It's Scandinavian warfare. Think Finland vs. USSR in the winter of '39-'40

Ayuh. Somehow I expected you'd be very interested in the biathlon.

It's a cool sport. The subtlety is controlling one's elevated pulse and blood pressure enough to aim well.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biathlon

 

[sophia jane]

We missed opening ceremonies, but I had it on last night (yay Apollo!) and am watching now. I'm not much of a sports person and I'd never watch most of the sports outside of the Olympic coverage but for some reason I find the Olympics totally addictive.

 

[sophia jane]

I never knew nordic combined could so exciting!

 

[lisa123414]

I cant help it, I totally buy in to all of the emotions which the networks know so well how to tap. The pair’s figure skating has made me cry twice already. I don’t know how I am so emotionally invested so quickly, but I am.

 

[Tarakin]

Three more medals for Germany:
Felix Loch, Luge, Gold:

http://www.welt.de/multimedia/archive/1201354637000/00493/felixloch2_DW_Sport_493171g.jpg

David Möller, Luge, Silver:

http://www.spox.com/de/sport/mehrsport/wintersport/1001/Bilder/david-moeller-vor-start-514.jpg

Stephanie Beckert, 3000m Speed Skating, Silver:

http://sportreportage.zdf.de/ZDFde/s_img/40/0,6992,7095080-render-O1-,00.jpg

Yeah!

The medals, sorted by Gold first:

Pos Land Gold Silver Bronze Total
1 France 2 0 1 3
2 Germany 1 3 0 4
3 USA 1 2 3 6
4 Canada 1 1 1 3
5 South Korea 1 1 0 2

 

[stephen55]

Got one.......

Winter Olympics 2010: Canada's Alexandre Bilodeau finally breaks gold medal drought

Finally....Canada's first gold medal on home turf, Bilodeau cleans up on the mogul venue.

 

[trysail]

I cant help it, I totally buy in to all of the emotions which the networks know so well how to tap. The pair’s figure skating has made me cry twice already. I don’t know how I am so emotionally invested so quickly, but I am.

You've been "Spielberged!" At least you've got the presence of mind to recognize it.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speilberg

 

[3113]

I really like that no one country seems to be dominating these events. I like to cheer for different folk from different countries--to find new and cool athletes from around the globe. Anyone watch the pairs figure skating? The first Chinese pair were amazing and deserving of first place. And the German team at the end was also worthy of being it's top spot. I'll be cheering them on.

 

[jomar]

We missed opening ceremonies, but I had it on last night (yay Apollo!) and am watching now. I'm not much of a sports person and I'd never watch most of the sports outside of the Olympic coverage but for some reason I find the Olympics totally addictive.

Apollo got lucky - he should be verrry humble about that medal.

 

[redgiantuk]

Lovin the snow boarding cross

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Apollo got lucky - he should be verrry humble about that medal.

That's short track. One minute a loser, the next a medal. One minute a medal, the next a casualty. That #2 Korean skater most likely caught Hell from the coach.

 

[3113]

Apollo got lucky - he should be verrry humble about that medal.

I think his name is spelled Apolo. And I think it was the soul patch that saved him...

http://www.nbcolympics.com/mm/photo/sports/general/25/79/70/257970_m03.jpg

I'm quite sure he's made some sort of supernatural deal with that bit of beard there.