I'm back and kind of caught up. Think long and hard before taking any lengthy train trips no matter how much money it may save. Here is a brief rundown of the past several days in Olympic sports.
Piotr Nurowski, the head of Poland's Olympic Committee, was among those killed in Saturday's tragic plane crash.
UCLA looked great at regionals while Georgia failed to advance to nationals for the first time in 26 years. Missouri advanced for the first time since women's gymnastics became an NCAA sport. Vanessa Zamarripa is interested in trying elite gymnastics.
Nordic Combined athletes Billy Demong, Johnny Spillane, Todd Lodwick, and Brett Camerota are visiting troops in the Middle East.
Yelena Isinbayeva, the two-time defending Olympic gold medalist in women's pole vaulting, has decided to take an indefinite break. She has, however, vowed to return for the 2012 Games.
Canada won the men's curling world title, defeating Norway and their famed pants in the championship match.
In an effort to find the best synchronized diving pairs for the 2012 Olympics, American divers can now compete with more than one partner. This led to David Boudia and Nick McCrory finishing first, Boudia and Thomas Finchum finishing second, and Finchum and McCrory finishing third at the USA Diving World Cup Synchronized Trials.
Showing posts with label Curling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Curling. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Soccer Team Out of Youth Olympics
The Iran women's soccer team has been kicked out of the Youth Olympics because players wear hijabs, which is against FIFA rules. The handbook specifically state that “basic compulsory equipment must not have any political, religious or personal statements.” Frankly, this is bad politics for FIFA. While there would be potential safety issues with a loose-fitting hijab, a tighter one should cause no issue because it is basically like playing with longer hair. Unless Elizabeth Lambert is on the opposing team, that is not an issue. Thailand has been nominated to take Iran's place.
Butler lost to Duke for the men's basketball NCAA title. They had two shots at the end that almost went in but rimmed out. I love smaller schools, mid-majors, and good stories, so I definitely jumped on the Butler bandwagon. It would have been cool to see. Maybe posting Trent Dimas last night was wishful thinking for the Bulldogs?
In my favorite cult sport, curling, the American team currently sits at 2-3 in the men's world championships. Pete Fenson, the 2006 Olympic bronze medalist, is the skip for this team as well. Fenson owns Dave's Pizza, the best pizza place in Bemidji, MN. If you're in the area, you should go. I recommend pineapple pizza and cheese sticks.
Butler lost to Duke for the men's basketball NCAA title. They had two shots at the end that almost went in but rimmed out. I love smaller schools, mid-majors, and good stories, so I definitely jumped on the Butler bandwagon. It would have been cool to see. Maybe posting Trent Dimas last night was wishful thinking for the Bulldogs?
In my favorite cult sport, curling, the American team currently sits at 2-3 in the men's world championships. Pete Fenson, the 2006 Olympic bronze medalist, is the skip for this team as well. Fenson owns Dave's Pizza, the best pizza place in Bemidji, MN. If you're in the area, you should go. I recommend pineapple pizza and cheese sticks.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Update Time
Caster Semenya publicly announced her return to competition. However, she was denied a spot in the race she intended to enter in Stellenbosch. A gender ruling is expected in June.
At the USA freestyle skiing championships, Hannah Kearney and Joey Discoe won the moguls titles, Jen Hudak and Tucker Perkins won the halfpipe, and Emily Cook and Matt DePeters won aerials. Tyler Jewell and Lindsay Lloyd won the parallel giant slalom while Lloyd and Chris Klug won the parallel slalom.
Hiroshima is considering bidding for the 2020 Olympics.
Troy Dumais (diving), Erin Hamlin (luge), Sanya Richards (track), and Rebecca Soni (swimming) were nominated for Sullivan Awards.
The US women qualified for the field hockey world cup.
The US women's curling team finished fifth at the world championships, their best finish since 2007.
Learn about America's power Judo family here.
At the USA freestyle skiing championships, Hannah Kearney and Joey Discoe won the moguls titles, Jen Hudak and Tucker Perkins won the halfpipe, and Emily Cook and Matt DePeters won aerials. Tyler Jewell and Lindsay Lloyd won the parallel giant slalom while Lloyd and Chris Klug won the parallel slalom.
Hiroshima is considering bidding for the 2020 Olympics.
Troy Dumais (diving), Erin Hamlin (luge), Sanya Richards (track), and Rebecca Soni (swimming) were nominated for Sullivan Awards.
The US women qualified for the field hockey world cup.
The US women's curling team finished fifth at the world championships, their best finish since 2007.
Learn about America's power Judo family here.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Weekend Update (Part 2)
Kanako Murakami won the women's figure skating junior world title, becoming the first Japanese woman to win the event since Mao Asada did in 2005. American Agnes Zawadzki was second and Russian Polina Agafonova was third. Christina Gao, my personal favorite out of the skaters, finished eighth after popping a jump in the short program.
Shani Davis won the final 1,000 meter race of the season over Stefan Groothius and Mark Tuitert. Davis finishes the season as the overall champion for all events as well as the overall champion at the 1,000 and 1,500. Christine Nesbitt took the women's 1,000 meter overall crown, finishing seventh in today's race won by Yekaterina Shikhova.
Erin Hamlin, Chris Mazdzer, Christian Niccum and Dan Joye won the titles at the US Luge Championships. The doubles team of Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin, who who finished second, announced their retirement following the competition. The team has been sliding together since 1996 and have competed in four Olympics together. Grimmette also competed in 1994 with a different partner.
Overall champion Simon Ammann won the final ski jumping competition of the season. In what has recently become an often recurring pattern, Adam Malysz was second. Martin Fourcade and Darya Domracheva won today's biathlon World Cup races. Anders Gloersen and Marit Bjoergen won today's cross country sprint races. Kikkan Randall finished second in the women's race. Petter Northug secured the men's overall title.
The teams led by Erika Brown and 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Pete Fenson won the curling national championships. Amy Wright's team, which included my friend Jordan Moulton, finished third.
At the indoor world track and field championships, Bernard Lagat won the 3,000 meters. Brittany Reese won the long jump. Teddy Tamgho set a world record in the triple jump while Dayron Robles and Veronica Campbell-Brown were also victorious.
Shani Davis won the final 1,000 meter race of the season over Stefan Groothius and Mark Tuitert. Davis finishes the season as the overall champion for all events as well as the overall champion at the 1,000 and 1,500. Christine Nesbitt took the women's 1,000 meter overall crown, finishing seventh in today's race won by Yekaterina Shikhova.
Erin Hamlin, Chris Mazdzer, Christian Niccum and Dan Joye won the titles at the US Luge Championships. The doubles team of Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin, who who finished second, announced their retirement following the competition. The team has been sliding together since 1996 and have competed in four Olympics together. Grimmette also competed in 1994 with a different partner.
Overall champion Simon Ammann won the final ski jumping competition of the season. In what has recently become an often recurring pattern, Adam Malysz was second. Martin Fourcade and Darya Domracheva won today's biathlon World Cup races. Anders Gloersen and Marit Bjoergen won today's cross country sprint races. Kikkan Randall finished second in the women's race. Petter Northug secured the men's overall title.
The teams led by Erika Brown and 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Pete Fenson won the curling national championships. Amy Wright's team, which included my friend Jordan Moulton, finished third.
At the indoor world track and field championships, Bernard Lagat won the 3,000 meters. Brittany Reese won the long jump. Teddy Tamgho set a world record in the triple jump while Dayron Robles and Veronica Campbell-Brown were also victorious.
Friday, March 12, 2010
News of the Day
I re-watched Cool Runnings last night and discovered that Al Trautwig was a bobsled commentator in 1988. Another sport impacted by the strange commentator...
Lindsey Vonn clinched her third World Cup overall title today with a win in the Super-G. This was also the 33rd individual World Cup title of her career, the most for any American. Elisabeth Goergl was second, Nadia Styger third, and Maria Riesch four. Vonn has decided to skip tomorrow's slalom. Even if the race has no implications for her, I think she would come off as a better sport if she raced.
Ted Ligety finished third in today's giant slalom, clinching the overall title. Carlo Janka won the race to clinch the overall title. Scott Macartney retired after 12 years on the US Ski team.
Lindsey Jacobellis won today's snowboard cross World Cup race in Italy.
Patti Lank's team's fortunes have changes at the US curling championship, slipping to third overall. Amy Wright's team (including the awesome Jordan Moulton) is the top seed. They will play Erika Brown's team Saturday morning for the right to advance directly to the finals. The looser will play in the semi-finals. The teams led by Mike Farbelow and 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Pete Fenson took the top two spots in the men's tournament.
Lindsey Vonn clinched her third World Cup overall title today with a win in the Super-G. This was also the 33rd individual World Cup title of her career, the most for any American. Elisabeth Goergl was second, Nadia Styger third, and Maria Riesch four. Vonn has decided to skip tomorrow's slalom. Even if the race has no implications for her, I think she would come off as a better sport if she raced.
Ted Ligety finished third in today's giant slalom, clinching the overall title. Carlo Janka won the race to clinch the overall title. Scott Macartney retired after 12 years on the US Ski team.
Lindsey Jacobellis won today's snowboard cross World Cup race in Italy.
Patti Lank's team's fortunes have changes at the US curling championship, slipping to third overall. Amy Wright's team (including the awesome Jordan Moulton) is the top seed. They will play Erika Brown's team Saturday morning for the right to advance directly to the finals. The looser will play in the semi-finals. The teams led by Mike Farbelow and 2006 Olympic bronze medalist Pete Fenson took the top two spots in the men's tournament.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
More News
I promise, I have an entry ready for later that is more than just news of the Olympic world. Check back tonight and see for yourself!
Johnny Weir has withdrawn from the figure skating world championships and will be replaced by Four Continents and two time Junior World champion Adam Rippon. Olympic bronze medalists Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin have also withdrawn from the competition. At junior worlds, Wenjing Sui and Cong Han let pairs after the short program. Britney Miller and Nathan Simpson are in fourth and Felicia Zhang and Taylor Toth are in sixth. The free skate is later today. Grant Hochstein and Keegan Messing are in first and second place respectively after the men's short program while Denis Ten and Armin Mahbanoozadeh are in fourth and eighth. Stephane Lambiel has officially retired (again).
In gymnastics, Jordyn Wieber is rumored to be training a second vault. Kristina Goryunova has been suspended for a year for a doping violation and will therefore not be eligible to compete at the 2012 Olympics.
Maria Riesch won the final downhill of the World Cup season in her hometown of Garmisch-Partenkirchen preventing Lindsey Vonn, who finished second, from clinching the overall title. Anja Paerson was third. Carlo Janka won the men's downhill, giving him a 54 point lead over Benjamin Raich in the overall standings.
Short Track speed skating double gold medalist Zhou Yang has caused quite a stir, neglecting to thank her country and government for its part in her medals. More on that can be found here.
Disgraced Olympic sprinter Marion Jones signed a contract to play for the WNBA's Tulsa Shock. A former collegiate national champion while playing for UNC, Jones has not played on an organized basketball team since the mid 1990s. In more fun news surrounding drugs and sprints, top American indoor sprinter Ivory Williams tested positive for marijuana and will miss this weekend's indoor track world championships.
The end of the round robin phase is nearing at the US women's curling championships. Patti Lank's team is dominating the field and currently boasts a 6-0 record. My friend Jordan Moulton (yay Kamaji!), playing on skip Amy Wright's team, currently sits in a 3-way tie for third place. In the men's competition, Matt Hames' and Matt Stevens' teams are currently tied for first at 4-1 each. American Cheyenne Lewis won a gold at the junior wrestling world championships while teammates Seth Wolfe and Giuliana Gil took home bronze medals.
An interesting interview with bobsled gold medalist Steven Mesler can be found here. USA Team Handball launched a Handball for Haiti drive. More information can be found here. Spots are still available at fantasy luge camp in April. More information is here and a Paralympic broadcast schedule can be found here.
Johnny Weir has withdrawn from the figure skating world championships and will be replaced by Four Continents and two time Junior World champion Adam Rippon. Olympic bronze medalists Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin have also withdrawn from the competition. At junior worlds, Wenjing Sui and Cong Han let pairs after the short program. Britney Miller and Nathan Simpson are in fourth and Felicia Zhang and Taylor Toth are in sixth. The free skate is later today. Grant Hochstein and Keegan Messing are in first and second place respectively after the men's short program while Denis Ten and Armin Mahbanoozadeh are in fourth and eighth. Stephane Lambiel has officially retired (again).
In gymnastics, Jordyn Wieber is rumored to be training a second vault. Kristina Goryunova has been suspended for a year for a doping violation and will therefore not be eligible to compete at the 2012 Olympics.
Maria Riesch won the final downhill of the World Cup season in her hometown of Garmisch-Partenkirchen preventing Lindsey Vonn, who finished second, from clinching the overall title. Anja Paerson was third. Carlo Janka won the men's downhill, giving him a 54 point lead over Benjamin Raich in the overall standings.
Short Track speed skating double gold medalist Zhou Yang has caused quite a stir, neglecting to thank her country and government for its part in her medals. More on that can be found here.
Disgraced Olympic sprinter Marion Jones signed a contract to play for the WNBA's Tulsa Shock. A former collegiate national champion while playing for UNC, Jones has not played on an organized basketball team since the mid 1990s. In more fun news surrounding drugs and sprints, top American indoor sprinter Ivory Williams tested positive for marijuana and will miss this weekend's indoor track world championships.
The end of the round robin phase is nearing at the US women's curling championships. Patti Lank's team is dominating the field and currently boasts a 6-0 record. My friend Jordan Moulton (yay Kamaji!), playing on skip Amy Wright's team, currently sits in a 3-way tie for third place. In the men's competition, Matt Hames' and Matt Stevens' teams are currently tied for first at 4-1 each. American Cheyenne Lewis won a gold at the junior wrestling world championships while teammates Seth Wolfe and Giuliana Gil took home bronze medals.
An interesting interview with bobsled gold medalist Steven Mesler can be found here. USA Team Handball launched a Handball for Haiti drive. More information can be found here. Spots are still available at fantasy luge camp in April. More information is here and a Paralympic broadcast schedule can be found here.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
News and Notes
My favorite story of the day, the case of the Chinese curler. Wang Fengchun, the team's skip, was not allowed to attend the celebration for Olympians in Beijing, but was instead sent immeadiately home to Harbin. The team manager Li Dongyan said that "It'll be very helpful to heavily slap him down him with pain," but that they hope to bring him back to the team if his attitude improves. Wang wore a USA cap on the plane home and his father is rumored to have had a heart attack upon hearing that his son had been sent home. Gotta love sports under communism.
American Margaux Isaksen finished second in the first modern pentathlon event of the season. Germany's Lena Schoneborn won the event. Christie Ramapone, the captain of the US Women's National Soccer Team gave birth to her second daughter on Saturday. Seven-time Olympic medalist biathlete Kati Wilhelm of Germany has decided to retire at the end of the month to focus on her studies. It is nice to see that, even in an era of professionalism, athletes still makes this decision sometimes. Bode Miller will miss the last week of the world cup season due to an injured ankle. Indoor track world championships begin on Friday.
After the compulsory dance, Russians Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov hold a three point lead over Americans Maia and Alex Shibutani at the junior world figure skating championships. Russians Ekaterina Pushkash and Jonathan Guerreiro are in third.
American Margaux Isaksen finished second in the first modern pentathlon event of the season. Germany's Lena Schoneborn won the event. Christie Ramapone, the captain of the US Women's National Soccer Team gave birth to her second daughter on Saturday. Seven-time Olympic medalist biathlete Kati Wilhelm of Germany has decided to retire at the end of the month to focus on her studies. It is nice to see that, even in an era of professionalism, athletes still makes this decision sometimes. Bode Miller will miss the last week of the world cup season due to an injured ankle. Indoor track world championships begin on Friday.
After the compulsory dance, Russians Elena Ilinykh and Nikita Katsalapov hold a three point lead over Americans Maia and Alex Shibutani at the junior world figure skating championships. Russians Ekaterina Pushkash and Jonathan Guerreiro are in third.
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