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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Lindsey Jacobellis Disappoints Again, Fails to Medal



American snowboarder and medal hopeful Lindsey Jacobellis let down Team USA again when she stumbled during the first turn of her run and disqualified herself by running out of bounds.

You may recall Jacobellis' performance in Turin where she was literally within feet of gold medaling but fell after pulling a showy and unnecessary trick. This was nowhere near as embarrassing for the country, but after all of the expectations, it still must suck to be Lindsey Jacobellis right now.

In other news: Johnny Weir's girlfriend must be so proud of him!

[Gawker.tv]
[NBC]

U.S. Men's Hockey beats Swiss 3-1 in Opening Game


Breaking news from an event that will probably attract some form of attention and respect:

The American men's hockey team has beaten the defending gold medal champion Swiss team in their first game at the Vancouver Olympics. A penalty laden game gave the Americans an early lead that never dissipated, with goals from Bobby Ryan, David Backes and Ryan Malone.

I can only imagine what the Swiss are feeling right now. Maybe sad, maybe disappointed... but probably neutral overall.

[SI]

Cruel Hand of Mother Nature Still Messing with Canada


As if things weren't bad enough weather-wise up in Canada, CNN is reporting that men's skiing events are being postponed due to inclement weather. Athletes have been reporting snowless, soggy conditions since the Games began and this is just icing on the cake (WINTER SPORTS PUN!).

And for the record, it is currently snowing like a bastard in New York City and DC is still under a few feet of snow. How's that for irony?

[CNN]

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Oh, Canada!


That's right, folks: the 2010 Winter Olympics will soon kick off in sunny Vancouver, British Columbia. The vastly inferior little brother of the Summer Olympics may be forecast as a ratings bust for NBC, but whether we like it or not, people are going to be talking about it.

America has an odd relationship with the Winter Olympics. It's that time of the decade where touchdown celebrations give way to ice dancers and national attention shifts to shaggy haired stoners as a source of national pride. The rest of February will be about people sort of caring about obscure sports they haven't watched since they were broadcast from Turin, and rousing hatred for countries they couldn't point out on a map. And we'll still win gold. Just ask any Canadian and they'll tell you that it drives the rest of the world crazy: a nation of bandwagon winter sport viewers has athletes that still dominate over countries who truly live for Nordic sports.

This is the first assignment I've been given here at FWG. I think it may be tough covering sports that Americans care even less about than soccer, but the high potential for the Games to be hilarious (and the off chance for some real drama) gives me hope. So perfect that "U-S-A!" chant; re-watch Miracle; and hug a Canadian, because the Vancouver Games are coming at you with the speed of a recalled Prius, and it just might be entertaining enough to get you through until March Madness.