For the third time in four days, Canada has won 4 medals.
The first one this afternoon came around 5 PM when our men's team pursuit trio beat the United States to snag the men's only medal at the Richmond Olympic Oval. That was Gold #11.
Then, barely 5 minutes later, Jasey-Jay Anderson carved his way to Olympic gold after 4 tries. Anderson made it through 10 runs before crossing the finishing line as Olympic champion. More amazingly, he made up a 0.76 second deficit in the final run. What a moment for him.
Up in Whistler, Lyndon Rush's four man bobsled team missed out on a silver medal by 1/100th of a second. Nonetheless, they do take away the bronze medal, which was also Canada's 24th trip to the podium, matching the record haul in Torino.
Finally, a couples hours ago, Canada's Men's Curling team, led by Skip Kevin Martin, beat Norway 6-3 to win our 13th Gold medal in Vancouver.
What a day it's been-we got to hear O Canada THREE times. We broke the record for the most number of gold medals won by a host nation. We tied the record for the most number of gold medals EVER by any nation at one Winter Olympics. On Wednesday night, Canada was trailing far behind with just 11 medals. Now, suddenly, we might ourselves in third place with 25 medals.
And it's not done yet! TOMORROW-this entire nation will watch what will be the BIGGEST HOCKEY GAME Canada has ever played in. If we win, it will be our 14th Gold medal and 26th medal overall. But more than that, we will have won our HOLY GRAIL.
*Fingers crossed*
-D
Saturday, 27 February 2010
10 Medals in 3 Days
Wow!
What a run in these last three days for Canada!
I didn't think they would even crack 20 medals after last weekend's choking orgy, but now, we are guaranteed to tie our medal count in Torino and very likely surpass it.
Last night was just so exciting in Pacific Coliseum. The short trackers of Canada finally broke through for two gold medals. Charles Hamelin snagged the Men's 500 Gold in an absolutely crazy last lap in which two skaters, including Sung Si-Bak, who was leading at the time, fell. Thanks to another controversial disqualification, this time to Apolo Anton Ohno, Francois Louis-Tremblay won bronze.
Then there was the relay, in which Canada ran a PERFECT race. The Men's 5000 M Relay in Short Track is probably the most exciting event of the discipline and it WAS extra exciting to see Canada win last night. The medal ceremonies were held on the rink last night and it was extra sweet to here O Canada played TWICE.
We also won a silver medal in Women's Curling. Probably 98 times out of 100, Canada would have snagged gold, but unfortunately, Cheryl Bernard choked two shots and we had to settle for second place.
More medal action today. There's speed skating team pursuit later this afternoon in Richmond. The Canadian men are guaranteed a silver. The Canadian women were eliminated yesterday by the Americans in the quarterfinals though.
Men's Parallel Giant Slalom Snowboarding is also underway at Cypress Mountains. Michael Lambert, Matthew Morrison, and Jasey-Jay Anderson are all expected to contend for the podium!
Runs 3 and 4 of the Four-Man Bosleigh are also scheduled for today. Canada 1 is currently in 2rd place, four-tenths back of the lead. Canada 2 is in 6th place.
We're also guaranteed a silver in men's curling this afternoon. Hopefully, Kevin Martin will bring us the gold!
More updates in the afternoon! Jam-packed day!
-D
What a run in these last three days for Canada!
I didn't think they would even crack 20 medals after last weekend's choking orgy, but now, we are guaranteed to tie our medal count in Torino and very likely surpass it.
Last night was just so exciting in Pacific Coliseum. The short trackers of Canada finally broke through for two gold medals. Charles Hamelin snagged the Men's 500 Gold in an absolutely crazy last lap in which two skaters, including Sung Si-Bak, who was leading at the time, fell. Thanks to another controversial disqualification, this time to Apolo Anton Ohno, Francois Louis-Tremblay won bronze.
Then there was the relay, in which Canada ran a PERFECT race. The Men's 5000 M Relay in Short Track is probably the most exciting event of the discipline and it WAS extra exciting to see Canada win last night. The medal ceremonies were held on the rink last night and it was extra sweet to here O Canada played TWICE.
We also won a silver medal in Women's Curling. Probably 98 times out of 100, Canada would have snagged gold, but unfortunately, Cheryl Bernard choked two shots and we had to settle for second place.
More medal action today. There's speed skating team pursuit later this afternoon in Richmond. The Canadian men are guaranteed a silver. The Canadian women were eliminated yesterday by the Americans in the quarterfinals though.
Men's Parallel Giant Slalom Snowboarding is also underway at Cypress Mountains. Michael Lambert, Matthew Morrison, and Jasey-Jay Anderson are all expected to contend for the podium!
Runs 3 and 4 of the Four-Man Bosleigh are also scheduled for today. Canada 1 is currently in 2rd place, four-tenths back of the lead. Canada 2 is in 6th place.
We're also guaranteed a silver in men's curling this afternoon. Hopefully, Kevin Martin will bring us the gold!
More updates in the afternoon! Jam-packed day!
-D
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Quadruple Medal Day
In the last few hours, on Day 12 of what has so far been a disappointing Olympics, Canada collected four medals.
First, it was Clara Hughes snagging bronze in her Olympic swan song. It was a huge performance on her part, laying down an Oval Record time of 6'55". But two youngsters from Europe, Stephanie Beckert of Germany and Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic outshined her. Nonetheless, she is now tied with the most decorated Canadian Olympians of all time with 6 medals. She is also the ONLY Olympian in HISTORY to have won multiple medals in both Summer and Winter Games.
Then, there was the exciting quarterfinal men's hockey game between Canada and Russia. When I turned on the TV and saw the score 4-1 for Canada, I was surprised but so happy. In the end, our boys smacked the Russians 7-3! Couldn't have been better. Let's hope they continue that performance!
Then, our Canadian short track relay team, with help of a disqualification of the Korean team, won a silver medal. The top three were all separated by quite a bit of time but the Canadians managed to hold off the Americans for what was initially a third place finish. And it was turned into a silver after the controversial disqualification.
Finally, Canada doubled medalled in women's bobsleigh. Canada 1 and Canada 2 laid down four amazing runs to claim gold and silver. That was a beautiful moment!
Joannie Rochette will do her free skate tomorrow. If she wins a medal, imagine the emotions!
-D
First, it was Clara Hughes snagging bronze in her Olympic swan song. It was a huge performance on her part, laying down an Oval Record time of 6'55". But two youngsters from Europe, Stephanie Beckert of Germany and Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic outshined her. Nonetheless, she is now tied with the most decorated Canadian Olympians of all time with 6 medals. She is also the ONLY Olympian in HISTORY to have won multiple medals in both Summer and Winter Games.
Then, there was the exciting quarterfinal men's hockey game between Canada and Russia. When I turned on the TV and saw the score 4-1 for Canada, I was surprised but so happy. In the end, our boys smacked the Russians 7-3! Couldn't have been better. Let's hope they continue that performance!
Then, our Canadian short track relay team, with help of a disqualification of the Korean team, won a silver medal. The top three were all separated by quite a bit of time but the Canadians managed to hold off the Americans for what was initially a third place finish. And it was turned into a silver after the controversial disqualification.
Finally, Canada doubled medalled in women's bobsleigh. Canada 1 and Canada 2 laid down four amazing runs to claim gold and silver. That was a beautiful moment!
Joannie Rochette will do her free skate tomorrow. If she wins a medal, imagine the emotions!
-D
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
GOLD #6
In less than 24 hours, Canada has struck gold for a second time.
At around 5:30 PM this afternoon, Ashley McIvor won the first ever gold medal in women's ski cross, an event that was held in challenging weather conditions. Despite the wind and the snow, a healthy crowd was there to cheer on Ashley as she crossed the finish line in first place, way ahead of a pack of skiers from Scandanavia.
She will collect Canada's 6th gold medal in Vancouver tonight at BC Place. It will be an amazing celebration, following that horrifically disappointing weekend for Canadians. Can't wait for the ceremony!
I hope we can keep up this pace of collecting old medals!
-D
At around 5:30 PM this afternoon, Ashley McIvor won the first ever gold medal in women's ski cross, an event that was held in challenging weather conditions. Despite the wind and the snow, a healthy crowd was there to cheer on Ashley as she crossed the finish line in first place, way ahead of a pack of skiers from Scandanavia.
She will collect Canada's 6th gold medal in Vancouver tonight at BC Place. It will be an amazing celebration, following that horrifically disappointing weekend for Canadians. Can't wait for the ceremony!
I hope we can keep up this pace of collecting old medals!
-D
Monday, 22 February 2010
GOLDEN MOMENT
After a weekend of disappointments, upsets, and crashes and burns...Canada has finally struck GOLD again!! This time, we delivered, and we delivered big!!
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are the new Canadian heroes! What a performance from them tonight!! Absolutely a gold medal performance last night and tonight. What a beautiful moment this is for the two of them. What a beautiful moment it is for this country!
I can't wait for that anthem in a few minutes!
Just simply: WOW!
-D
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are the new Canadian heroes! What a performance from them tonight!! Absolutely a gold medal performance last night and tonight. What a beautiful moment this is for the two of them. What a beautiful moment it is for this country!
I can't wait for that anthem in a few minutes!
Just simply: WOW!
-D
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Canada the Great Choke
Creds to my friend Varun for coining that term.
For the past three days, I've watched one Canadian after another (with the exception of the clutch performers Jon Montgomery and Kristina Groves) crash and burn, quite literally, as they chased for medals.
First there was Mellisa Hollingsworth, though I do sympathize with her. She is one athlete who is NOT making excuses and appreciates the magnitude of her disappointning performance. Then there was Denny Morrison who racked up a 13th place and then a 9th place finish in events in which he was a supposedly a medal contender.
Then there were the short trackers, Charles Hamelin and Francois Hamelin, who went out too fierce and watched in vain as the mighty Koreans and Apolo Anton Ohno sped by to claim the podium. Then there was the Men's Ski Cross today, an event in which Canada was hailed as a potential podium-sweeper. Chris Del Bosco ended up being the only Canadian in the final and fell on a landing close to th finish line. Oh and I forgot about Canada 1 Bobsled who flipped over on the notorious Turn 13 last night, dashing any hopes for a medal.
And tonight, Team Canada was defeated by the Americans 5-3 in what was an exciting hockey game. However, one moment struck me the most. Towards the end of the game, with his team leading 4-3, Ryan Kesler sprinted after the puck and dove and poked it into the empty Canadian net. That was the SPIRIT, I thought, which has carried the USA to their 24 medal performance so far. That was the SPIRIT that was missing for Canadian athletes this weekend.
Let's face it. We are not owning the podium in Vancouver. It will be a miracle if we crack 20 medals.
-D
For the past three days, I've watched one Canadian after another (with the exception of the clutch performers Jon Montgomery and Kristina Groves) crash and burn, quite literally, as they chased for medals.
First there was Mellisa Hollingsworth, though I do sympathize with her. She is one athlete who is NOT making excuses and appreciates the magnitude of her disappointning performance. Then there was Denny Morrison who racked up a 13th place and then a 9th place finish in events in which he was a supposedly a medal contender.
Then there were the short trackers, Charles Hamelin and Francois Hamelin, who went out too fierce and watched in vain as the mighty Koreans and Apolo Anton Ohno sped by to claim the podium. Then there was the Men's Ski Cross today, an event in which Canada was hailed as a potential podium-sweeper. Chris Del Bosco ended up being the only Canadian in the final and fell on a landing close to th finish line. Oh and I forgot about Canada 1 Bobsled who flipped over on the notorious Turn 13 last night, dashing any hopes for a medal.
And tonight, Team Canada was defeated by the Americans 5-3 in what was an exciting hockey game. However, one moment struck me the most. Towards the end of the game, with his team leading 4-3, Ryan Kesler sprinted after the puck and dove and poked it into the empty Canadian net. That was the SPIRIT, I thought, which has carried the USA to their 24 medal performance so far. That was the SPIRIT that was missing for Canadian athletes this weekend.
Let's face it. We are not owning the podium in Vancouver. It will be a miracle if we crack 20 medals.
-D
Friday, 19 February 2010
More Gold Coming?
Melissa Hollingsworth is currently in second place after the 3rd run of the Women's Skeleton. She is the bronze medallist from four years ago and is right now 0.13 seconds back. Can't wait for that last run. Go for Gold Melissa!
Jon Montgomery is also second right now in the Men's Skeleton event. He is 0.29 seconds back-it'll be tough to make up that time in 2 runs. But can Canada get double gold tonight?
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are also starting their competition tonight. Hopefully, Pacific Coliseum will give Canadians better luck this time around.
-D
Jon Montgomery is also second right now in the Men's Skeleton event. He is 0.29 seconds back-it'll be tough to make up that time in 2 runs. But can Canada get double gold tonight?
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir are also starting their competition tonight. Hopefully, Pacific Coliseum will give Canadians better luck this time around.
-D
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Another Gold
At around 5 PM today, Canada added to its gold medal total thanks to Christine Nesbitt of London, Ontario. She edged out a Dutch skater by 2-100th of a second. Her teammate Kristina Groves was oh-so-close to the podium and missed 3rd place by 0.06 seconds.
Nonetheless, GOLD is a beautiful thing and Canada has three of them now in Vancouver. I am, however, starting to be a little worried that we will not end up on top of the medals leaderboard at the end of the Games. The United States have just dominated this first week, already having won 17 medals and perhaps one more in figure skating tonight.
People have said Canada's bulk of the medals are supposed to come in the second week but I just don't know how we'll make up for the medals we lost and the medals we won in Torino that we will for sure not be able to win in Vancouver (Buttle's bronze, Men's Skeleton's gold and silver...). It'll be very, very hard but hopefully, we'll be able to pull ahead the Americans by the end.
Patrick Chan's performance was subpar to say the least here in Vancouver. I expected a lot more from the world silver medallist. But he IS just 19 years old and he will probably be back in Sochi in 2014. It would have been nice for him to win a medal on home soil though.
Gotta watch Pluschenko and then get to bed.
-D
Nonetheless, GOLD is a beautiful thing and Canada has three of them now in Vancouver. I am, however, starting to be a little worried that we will not end up on top of the medals leaderboard at the end of the Games. The United States have just dominated this first week, already having won 17 medals and perhaps one more in figure skating tonight.
People have said Canada's bulk of the medals are supposed to come in the second week but I just don't know how we'll make up for the medals we lost and the medals we won in Torino that we will for sure not be able to win in Vancouver (Buttle's bronze, Men's Skeleton's gold and silver...). It'll be very, very hard but hopefully, we'll be able to pull ahead the Americans by the end.
Patrick Chan's performance was subpar to say the least here in Vancouver. I expected a lot more from the world silver medallist. But he IS just 19 years old and he will probably be back in Sochi in 2014. It would have been nice for him to win a medal on home soil though.
Gotta watch Pluschenko and then get to bed.
-D
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