2026 Winter Olympics

[Sir Henry]

Our young man got the yips in the ice skating final. He was timid and it looked like the moment got to him. With 2 falls he went from 1st to 8th.

Bummer because I thought he was going to get the gold going in…

Heartbreaking.

[rickhem]

When he decided to switch from the difficult jump to the "easy" one early in his routine, even the commentators commented about that.

There is a big difference between trying to win, and trying not to lose. He's been such an all-out, watch what I can do, kind of skater for so long, that taking his foot off the gas left him in an unfamiliar place. I thought his sportsmanship in going right over to the kid from Kazakhstan and congratulating him was a credit to his character though.

[Sir Henry]

When he decided to switch from the difficult jump to the "easy" one early in his routine, even the commentators commented about that.

There is a big difference between trying to win, and trying not to lose. He's been such an all-out, watch what I can do, kind of skater for so long, that taking his foot off the gas left him in an unfamiliar place. I thought his sportsmanship in going right over to the kid from Kazakhstan and congratulating him was a credit to his character though.

He also blamed himself and not the ice when it was suggested the ice wasn’t all that good. He wasn’t the only skater that fell.

[brm4450]

Watched the ladies cross-country ski relay. It was raining prior to and during race making snow slushy and tough to ski on. Sweden was leading until there second leg hit some slush and it cut her a flip. It tore the binding off her ski (it was still attached to her boot) and she had to travel with one ski and her boot until she could locate a person with a new ski. It put the Swedes behind considerable, but they persevered and eventually reclaimed 2nd place and won a silver medal!

[Sir Henry]

Watched the ladies cross-country ski relay. It was raining prior to and during race making snow slushy and tough to ski on. Sweden was leading until there second leg hit some slush and it cut her a flip. It tore the binding off her ski (it was still attached to her boot) and she had to travel with one ski and her boot until she could locate a person with a new ski. It put the Swedes behind considerable, but they persevered and eventually reclaimed 2nd place and won a silver medal!

I saw it too. It was one of the best event I’ve seen this year. Watching curling now.

[rickhem]

The controversy involving the Canada curling team is heating up. Apparently you aren't allowed to touch the stone part of the "rocks" and can only touch the handle. I'm guessing that is only when sliding forward with one, in the act of playing your shot, cause almost everyone does a quick wipe of the bottom when they're preparing to go.

From the videos I've seen, and watching some on YouTube at ¼ speed, it looks like the one guy from Canada has his finger touch the stone part as he releases it. He does seem to release it prior to the green "hog line", as per the rules, but his hand falls off the handle with his finger appearing to be dragging down onto the stone as he releases it. There is a woman on the Canada team that seems to do it as well.

I don't think that has even the slightest impact on the throw, and that's been stated repeatedly by those more in-the-know, but it's a rule. My gut tells me that there's more to it. His reaction to the players that mention it, is a bit over the top, and he repeatedly states how long he's been doing this and how successful he's been. Most of the other teams can be seen interacting with their opponents during the match, and enjoying themselves, appreciating a well played stone. The rules seem to put a lot of faith in honor and accountability, and I'm betting that it's been something that has come up before, and the others have had enough.

[Sir Henry]

Any rule is fair if enforced equally. Even if it’s a stupid rule. I watched the USA/Japan game last night.

[rickhem]

Any rule is fair if enforced equally. Even if it’s a stupid rule.

Agree completely.

I play a lot of pool lately, and I've been through the process to become a referee for the Amateur Poolplayers Association (APA). There are a few rules in the APA rule book that make no sense to me, and seem wildly out of place, but the rule and associated penalties, or lack of a penalty, is well presented in the rulebook. You have no choice but to abide by what is in the rulebook, and move forward from there. When those things happen, you know someone is going to be pissed, but the rule is clear.

[Sir Henry]

The men’s speed skating turned into a demolition derby.