American Sarah Hammer set a world record of 3 minutes 22.269 seconds in the 3,000 meter individual pursuit in track cycling at the Pan American Cycling Championships.
Bob Bradley announced the 30-man roster for the US's World Cup Team. Standout forward Charlie Davies is not on the roster following an October car crash.
Pacman Jones signed with the Bengals. He'll fit right in...
2008 judo Olympic gold medalist Tong Wen tested positive for Clenbuterol and has been suspended for two years. The IOC will decide if she will keep her medal.
Ice dancers Kimberly Navarro and Brent Bommentre officially retired.
Michelle Kwan, aka my favorite figure skater since she was a 14-year-old in 1994, gave a commencement address at Southern Vermont College. Videos can be found below.
Showing posts with label Figure Skating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Figure Skating. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
News of the Day
In the past day, I have seen the USOC refer to ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White as Charlie Davis and Meryl White and list their hometowns as those of Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto. ESPN also said that the London Olympics would be held in 2010. Good job media organizations.
Speaking of the 2012 Olympics, the UK plans on sending 500 athletes. A 377-foot twisting tower will be built next to Olympic Stadium. It will feature a viewing platform and a restaurant near the top.
Bode Miller will decide this summer if he will return to competitive ski racing. He opted to skip the remaining World Cup races held after the Olympics and has been working with disabled veterans that participate in adaptive skiing.
It was confirmed that Bridget Sloan went on a recruiting trip to Georgia. It is also rumored that she went on one to Penn State. I can see her at either of those schools or Utah.
Tony Benshoof's back surgery was successful. Lindsey Vonn will appear in the Law and Order season finale. Caster Semenya's lawyers criticized the Stellenbosch for not letting her run.
An interesting profile on up and coming speedskater Jonathan Kuck can be found here.
Speaking of the 2012 Olympics, the UK plans on sending 500 athletes. A 377-foot twisting tower will be built next to Olympic Stadium. It will feature a viewing platform and a restaurant near the top.
Bode Miller will decide this summer if he will return to competitive ski racing. He opted to skip the remaining World Cup races held after the Olympics and has been working with disabled veterans that participate in adaptive skiing.
It was confirmed that Bridget Sloan went on a recruiting trip to Georgia. It is also rumored that she went on one to Penn State. I can see her at either of those schools or Utah.
Tony Benshoof's back surgery was successful. Lindsey Vonn will appear in the Law and Order season finale. Caster Semenya's lawyers criticized the Stellenbosch for not letting her run.
An interesting profile on up and coming speedskater Jonathan Kuck can be found here.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Weekend Update
Mao Asada won the women's figure skating world title. Kim Yuna came back from her disappointing short program to win the long program and take second overall. Laura Lepisto was third. Mirai Nagasu melted down and finished 11th in the long program and seventh overall. Rachael Flatt was ninth, so the US will again only have two women at next year's world championships. Nagasu is great when there are no expectations on her, but she needs to learn how to hold it together under pressure. I would love to see her as a force in the future, but I have my doubts.
In Jesolo, the US won the women's gymnastics team competition followed by Russia and Italy. Aly Raisman won the all-around, followed by Ksenia Semonova and Vanessa Ferrari. Mackenzie Caquatto was in a position to win, but melted down on floor, falling 3 times and going out of bounds twice. Raisman also won vault and floor while Tatiana Nabieva won bars and Caquatto and Tatiana Solovyeva tied for the beam title. In the junior competition, Russia won the team event followed by Italy and Japan. Anastasia Grishina won the all-around followed by Kyla Ross and Andrea Foti and Erica Fasana. Ross won vault, Grishina won bars, beam, and floor.Grishina received a very high 9.4 E score on bars.
Emil Hegle Svendsen and Magdalena Neuner won the men's and women's biathlon overall world cup titles respectively.
Surplus medical and dental supplies and equipment from the Vancouver Olympics are being donated to Canadian medical teams in Haiti. It's nice to see them being put to a good use.
In Jesolo, the US won the women's gymnastics team competition followed by Russia and Italy. Aly Raisman won the all-around, followed by Ksenia Semonova and Vanessa Ferrari. Mackenzie Caquatto was in a position to win, but melted down on floor, falling 3 times and going out of bounds twice. Raisman also won vault and floor while Tatiana Nabieva won bars and Caquatto and Tatiana Solovyeva tied for the beam title. In the junior competition, Russia won the team event followed by Italy and Japan. Anastasia Grishina won the all-around followed by Kyla Ross and Andrea Foti and Erica Fasana. Ross won vault, Grishina won bars, beam, and floor.Grishina received a very high 9.4 E score on bars.
Emil Hegle Svendsen and Magdalena Neuner won the men's and women's biathlon overall world cup titles respectively.
Surplus medical and dental supplies and equipment from the Vancouver Olympics are being donated to Canadian medical teams in Haiti. It's nice to see them being put to a good use.
A Short Update
I should be back regularly now. In the surprise of the day, Mirai Nagasu is in first place after the short program at figure skating world championships and Kim Yuna is in 7th. Virtue and Moir beat Davis and White ice dancing while Daisuke Takahashi won the men's title and Pang and Tong won pairs.
American tennis player Wayne Odesnik faces a possible lifetime ban for importing HGH to Australia. Though not particularly well known, he might be the best clay-court player in the US.
A Jamaican completed the Iditarod.
Congratulations to Washington University's women's basketball team for winning its fifth national title.
Since Aunt Joyce doesn't think I embed enough You Tube videos, here are a couple.
More detailed blogging will resume tomorrow.
American tennis player Wayne Odesnik faces a possible lifetime ban for importing HGH to Australia. Though not particularly well known, he might be the best clay-court player in the US.
A Jamaican completed the Iditarod.
Congratulations to Washington University's women's basketball team for winning its fifth national title.
Since Aunt Joyce doesn't think I embed enough You Tube videos, here are a couple.
More detailed blogging will resume tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Catching Up With Aunt Joyce
Recently, I also got a chance to interview David Lease, the voice behind Aunt Joyce's Ice Cream Stand (http://auntjoyceicecreamstand.blogspot.com). The blog mainly covers the world of skatenastics (his word for skating and gymnastics) in a particularly hilarious and enlightening manner. The blog will make you laugh, but will also make you think ( this is a personal favorite). Prior to writing Aunt Joyce, Lease wrote a more serious blog found at http://theolympiceffect.blogspot.com/. Enjoy what he has to say!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Favorites
Hi everyone. I am going out of town this afternoon and will have a visitor next week, so my apologies if blogging slows down. Here are a few classics to watch while I am gone. Enjoy!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
News and Notes
Nodar Kumaritashvili's family received an insurance settlement from VANOC. The amount, as well as when the family will receive the settlement is unknown.
Joannie Rochette will now be able to skate in "Thin Ice." It was confirmed the Polish cross country skier Kornelia Marek officially doped in Vancouver. In other drug news, the case against Andre Agassi for crystal meth usage has officially been closed due to a statute of limitations expiration.
Even in the USA Speedskating shake-up, Jae Su Chun will remain the head coach for the short track team. Russian cross country skier Elena Vedeneeva was given a two-year ban for refusing a drug test. The puck used to score the winning goal in the men's hockey gold medal game will be put in the Hockey Hall of Fame along with Sidney Crosby's stick and gloves.
Usain Bolt will attempt to break the world record in the 300 meters on May 27th in the Czech Republic. Nikita Kriukov beat Petter Northug in today's cross country 1.1K. Anna Olsson won the women's race, followed by Justyna Kowalczyk and Marit Bjoergen.
For an interesting read, click here to learn about the visually impaired biathlon.
Breaking away from the Olympics, congratulations to Washington University's women's basketball team for reaching the Final Four. Bring home a national title!
Joannie Rochette will now be able to skate in "Thin Ice." It was confirmed the Polish cross country skier Kornelia Marek officially doped in Vancouver. In other drug news, the case against Andre Agassi for crystal meth usage has officially been closed due to a statute of limitations expiration.
Even in the USA Speedskating shake-up, Jae Su Chun will remain the head coach for the short track team. Russian cross country skier Elena Vedeneeva was given a two-year ban for refusing a drug test. The puck used to score the winning goal in the men's hockey gold medal game will be put in the Hockey Hall of Fame along with Sidney Crosby's stick and gloves.
Usain Bolt will attempt to break the world record in the 300 meters on May 27th in the Czech Republic. Nikita Kriukov beat Petter Northug in today's cross country 1.1K. Anna Olsson won the women's race, followed by Justyna Kowalczyk and Marit Bjoergen.
For an interesting read, click here to learn about the visually impaired biathlon.
Breaking away from the Olympics, congratulations to Washington University's women's basketball team for reaching the Final Four. Bring home a national title!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
A Day of Politics
Organizers believe that a proposed cut to Rio's oil revenue would hinder their ability to host the 2016 Olympics and 2014 World Cup. In other wonderful Olympic venue news, the UN Environmental Program is criticizing Sochi for not taking appropriate action to protect wildlife and natural ecosystems in the region.
Joannie Rochette withdrew the World Championships. Rochette is scheduled to skate her Celine Dion exhibit on ABC's "Thin Ice" on Friday. However, this event is not sanctioned and the ISU is threatening to end her eligibility if she skates at the event because she should give priority to the World Championships. Has it even crossed their mind that her mom just died and that she might want to skate in the show as a tribute to her mom as Celine Dion was her mom's favorite singer. Rochette has never screamed consistency and gave the performance of a lifetime in Vancouver. Maybe she just also wants to end her competitive career on a high note.
In other figure skating news, Evgeni Plushenko, the most humble figure skater on the planet, announced his intentions to compete in Sochi. Stars on Ice officially said that Johnny Weir's presumed sexual orientation was not the reason he was not included on the tour. We all know that is not true. To sign GLAAD's petition, click here.
The IAAF recommended that the 2004 women's 4x400 meter Olympic relay team be stripped of their gold medal due to Crystal Cox's doping suspension. Cox ran in the preliminaries. I hate seeing relay teams lose medals because one athlete screwed up. This case is especially disheartening because the team probably could have easily qualified without her.
USA Speedskating fired its executive director, high performance director, and communications director, following a somewhat underwhelming performance in Vancouver.
For an interesting read on what happens to athletes after they win gold medals, click here.
Joannie Rochette withdrew the World Championships. Rochette is scheduled to skate her Celine Dion exhibit on ABC's "Thin Ice" on Friday. However, this event is not sanctioned and the ISU is threatening to end her eligibility if she skates at the event because she should give priority to the World Championships. Has it even crossed their mind that her mom just died and that she might want to skate in the show as a tribute to her mom as Celine Dion was her mom's favorite singer. Rochette has never screamed consistency and gave the performance of a lifetime in Vancouver. Maybe she just also wants to end her competitive career on a high note.
In other figure skating news, Evgeni Plushenko, the most humble figure skater on the planet, announced his intentions to compete in Sochi. Stars on Ice officially said that Johnny Weir's presumed sexual orientation was not the reason he was not included on the tour. We all know that is not true. To sign GLAAD's petition, click here.
The IAAF recommended that the 2004 women's 4x400 meter Olympic relay team be stripped of their gold medal due to Crystal Cox's doping suspension. Cox ran in the preliminaries. I hate seeing relay teams lose medals because one athlete screwed up. This case is especially disheartening because the team probably could have easily qualified without her.
USA Speedskating fired its executive director, high performance director, and communications director, following a somewhat underwhelming performance in Vancouver.
For an interesting read on what happens to athletes after they win gold medals, click 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.
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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