Alpine Skiing
I’ve heard about “saving the best for last,” but this is ridiculous. Recall that Team USA’s skiers managed to win only one silver and two bronze medals in the first seven Alpine events of these Games.
But then they won gold in two consecutive events:
- Ted Ligety repeated his gold-medal performance from the 2006 Torino Olympics in Men’s Giant Slalom two days ago (Steve Missillier of France and Alexis Pinturault of France won silver and bronze, respectively); and
- Mikaela Shiffrin (18) not only lived up to her billing as Lindsey Vonn’s heir apparent, but also became the youngest Alpine champion in Olympic history by winning the Women’s Slalom today (Marlies Schild and Kathrin Zettel of Austria won silver and bronze, respectively).
The Americans will be seeking further redemption in the final Alpine event tomorrow, the Men’s Slalom.
Despite falling far short of their great expectations, however, Team USA’s 5 overall medals in Alpine skiing is second only to Team Austria’s 7.
Men’s Hockey
Like I said, when it comes to Hockey, Canada rules. (Having threepeated in Men’s Curling at these Olympics, I suppose Canada rules when it comes to that sport too.)
In any event, its men picked up today where its women left off yesterday by beating the Americans 1-0 in one semifinal game. The Canadians will now defend their Olympic title against the Swedes – who beat the Finns 2-1 in the other semifinal game.
But Canada might come to rue celebrating today’s semifinal victory over the United States as if it were the final game. Sweden is no pushover, and I’m betting on the Swedes to have the last laugh after the real final game is played on Sunday.
MEDAL COUNT
United States: 27; Russia: 26; Canada: 24