[GDT] February 11th

[SebC]

I think the most ridiculous event has to be the biathlon pursuit. Competitors get head starts on other competitors based on a previous event (which has its own medals).

[19Yzerman19]

Anyone watching snowboard halfpipe finals? Because holy crap this pipe is awful. This is pretty embarrassing for Sochi.

[Kelekin]

After the 1st round, Canadians sit 7th and 8th in the Ladies' ski jump. Neither are in the top 20 in the world so there isn't much to complain about here, good effort from them.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by craigwd

I read his comment as he can tell the difference between short track and long track but not 500m vs 1500m vs 5000m.

I am guessing that is why they don't base what Olympic events exist on a layperson who is watching the sport once every four years on television being able to identify subtle nuances. What it sounds like he is arguing for is for there to be a single medal for every sport... A lot of these sports are unique in their challenges and the way that athletes train, it would be akin to a marathon runner and a sprinter. They are both running but the sports are completely different at the same time.

[Kelekin]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

Anyone watching snowboard halfpipe finals? Because holy crap this pipe is awful. This is pretty embarrassing for Sochi.

Watching now, wasn't because I hate Shaun White and didn't want to watch his smug face. I did however learn today thanks to these announcers that Kent Callister's great uncle created Vegemite, so...the more you know *rainbow*.

[cDnStealth]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

Anyone watching snowboard halfpipe finals? Because holy crap this pipe is awful. This is pretty embarrassing for Sochi.

I've been watching it and the announcers mentioned that typically a halfpipes walls should be 90 degrees but this one is at 85 and it's causing all kinds of problems. Not to mention that it's getting pretty chewed up.

[19Yzerman19]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

What it sounds like he is arguing for is for there to be a single medal for every sport... A lot of these sports are unique in their challenges and the way that athletes train, it would be akin to a marathon runner and a sprinter. They are both running but the sports are completely different at the same time.

Not quite. Take skiing for example. Halfpipe is nothing like slopestyle which is nothing like moguls which is nothing like downhill which is nothing like aerials which is nothing like Ski cross. It's all skiing, but it'd be tough to mistake ski cross for aerials.

I am guessing that is why they don't base what Olympic events exist on a layperson who is watching the sport once every four years on television being able to identify subtle nuances.

Very true.

HOLY CHRIST what a run from IPod! SUI may very well have a gold here given how impossible it seems to be to stick a good run in this venue.

EDIT: Yup... 94.75. Beatable by White and co., but still, that's pretty impressive.

[Kelekin]

Originally Posted by SebC

I think the most ridiculous event has to be the biathlon pursuit. Competitors get head starts on other competitors based on a previous event (which has its own medals).

Yeah, that's what I was saying on the last page. It's the only event that really shouldn't exist, although I will admit it is exciting seeing people a minute down come back and win. But it's really dumb.

[trackercowe]

Canada doesn't have the best goaltenders in ice hockey. Not sure why you put that in. Maybe 10 years ago they did, but not anymore.

[Wood]

Did anyone catch the Russia vs Japan hockey game? it was pretty entertaining but Japan definitely got screwed over. I didnt see the first goal for Russia but apparently it should not have counted.

After that Japan clearly had a goal, but the ref ignored it and they never reviewed it. The goal judge tried to get the refs attention but they just kept the game going

[cDnStealth]

That was a sick run by ipod.

[Kelekin]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

HOLY CHRIST what a run from IPod! Russia may very well have a gold here given how impossible it seems to be to stick a good run in this venue.

You mean Switzerland, technically?

Edit: His hilarious Sochi page says "Zurich, Russia", though he was born in Moscow and grew up in Davos. Funny.

[19Yzerman19]

Originally Posted by Kelekin

You mean Switzerland, technically?

Yeah my bad I didn't realize he was riding for the Swiss.

Another good one put down.

[trackercowe]

This course is spectacularly bad.

[19Yzerman19]

Yeah you can't help but feel bad for the guys. This contest has no bearing on who the best is. You have to hope they can do something to fix it in time for the women or skiers so that no more events get ruined.

[Kelekin]

In the Pairs' Short Program, the Canadian pairs are sitting 5th and 6th. Outside shot at a Bronze but a good Free Skate will do it.

[cDnStealth]

It has to be pretty bad given how many of these finalists are bailing.

[19Yzerman19]

I don't know if the web stream is sync'd to TV, but the Japanese guy just finished and is podium I think... but Ipod's was still noticeably better.

EDIT: They got it right, silver position.

[Flabbibulin]

Is there anywhere to stream the half-pipe? CBC.ca showing firgure skating pairs

[bossy22]

http://olympics.cbc.ca/videos/live/v...s-webcast.html