Open Thread – Sochi Olympic Spoilers – 2/13
S-O-S!! Spoiler results are posted here
Do not continue past the picture below if you don’t want to know early results.
Some of today’s events:
- US vs. Slovakia Men’s Ice Hockey – started at 7:30 am EST with “game tracker” @ http://www.sochi2014.com/en/ice-hockey-men-s-prelim-round-group-a-02
- Men’s Slopestyle freestyle skiing.
- Short Track Speed Skating
- Skeleton – head first luge!
- And, of course, Curling (Russian women at 10:00 EST)
Your moment of Zen: Remember Anna? She throws the rock and Ekaterina Galkina sweeps the ice for the Russian Curling team.
February 13th, 2014 at 7:51 AM ^
Does each member of the team have to throw the rock during a match? Or, does each member have a specific roll? She looks like she is giving sweeping instructions here. Most in-game pictures of her have her designated as a sweeper with Anna throwing the rock.
February 13th, 2014 at 8:18 AM ^
Everybody has to throw twice, but the skip never sweeps. Until the skip throws he or she stands at the back and hollers instructions. When the skip throws then someone else hollers.
February 13th, 2014 at 9:47 AM ^
You pretty much have that down. You're welcome at new members night at my club any time.
Depending on the teams, particularly in the modern era, many now go with the Skip throwing first and a different player throwing the fourth stones. This is perfectly legal. Most of the time the skip throws last but not always. When good curlers get older some develop less capacity for the big weight hits and/or develop something like the "yips" in golf with the draws. Moving an experienced player down in throwing but allowing them to call the game prolongs some elite level careers.
In terms of sweeping, the skip can sweep their own team's rocks at any time (they can run out to help and add the 3rd broom if they think it's going to be short on a draw, for example). The cost of this is they lose the line call unless the thrower picks that up from behind (less effective, obviously).
In a specific circumstance the opponents rocks can be swept as well. In that case, you can sweep your opponent's rocks only once it has crossed the T-Line (the line in the middle of the rings). You might want to do that in order to sweep their rock out of the house (the rings) or to put it in a position desireable to you. Note: only one player from your team can sweep behind the T-Line (doesn't need to be the Skip but he is usually most convenient).
http://www.startcurling.ca/etiquetteRules.php
February 13th, 2014 at 10:04 AM ^
I've been looking into the Detroit Curling Club but they don't have any New Member Classes until next fall. Is your club in Michigan or in Canada? I have a good friend from Buffalo who has been playing for a few years and he's been telling me how much I'd enjoy it. I'd like to give it a shot.
February 13th, 2014 at 10:26 AM ^
My club is in Canada and some distance from AA but I have played at Detroit Curling Club in Ferndale (at 9 mile road) beside Martin Road Park on a number of occasions. It's pretty good ice and an okay lounge/bar set up with Canadian satellite (to watch the curling, obviously).
It looks to me like DCC is offering a pretty impressive 3 session Learn to Curl program for $65 that requires registration. Looks like their current Winter 2014 session is full. I suspect, it being February and the season only running to early April at the latest for most clubs that you'd do well to call them and early register for next fall's sessions and see if you like it.
Ask them, also, if they are having any "fun spiels" or charity events to attract new curlers or interested curlers (most clubs throw one or two of these in per year) before the end of the season.
I hope you take it up. At a high level it is a compellingly interesting and unbelieveably challenging game. That said, anyone can learn to throw, sweep, understand the strategy and start to compete/enjoy the social elements.
February 13th, 2014 at 7:52 AM ^
Is there a way for me to watch live Olympics, aside from maybe nbcsports? Thanks.
February 13th, 2014 at 8:03 AM ^
MSNBC and NBCSP are both showing live Olympics during the day. I know there are some apps available for streaming as well.
February 13th, 2014 at 8:08 AM ^
Depending on where precisely you live, this might be a non-starter, but if you have a cable package that includes the CBC, their coverage has been excellent as well. They have Russia vs. Slovenia on at the moment, however, if you're looking for hockey coverage. They'll have speed skating and the luge later in the day though, I believe.
February 13th, 2014 at 7:59 AM ^
February 13th, 2014 at 8:01 AM ^
as of the latest check, going from 10 to 12 medals and norway maintains (for now) its #1 position with 13 total.
February 13th, 2014 at 8:12 AM ^
February 13th, 2014 at 8:14 AM ^
February 13th, 2014 at 8:18 AM ^
The US swept the podium in Men's slopestyle skiing. That took the US medal count from 9 to 12.
February 13th, 2014 at 8:19 AM ^
Feet are too big. Do not want.
February 13th, 2014 at 1:07 PM ^
February 13th, 2014 at 8:20 AM ^
Goal by Tatar for Slovakia. 1-1 early in the 2nd.
February 13th, 2014 at 8:22 AM ^
Kesler! US back up 2-1!
February 13th, 2014 at 8:23 AM ^
February 13th, 2014 at 8:24 AM ^
February 13th, 2014 at 8:24 AM ^
GOAL! 3-1 US! Stastny
February 13th, 2014 at 8:26 AM ^
February 13th, 2014 at 8:33 AM ^
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL
4-1
February 13th, 2014 at 8:34 AM ^
GOAL! 4-1 US! Looks like Kessel with the goal, maybe?
February 13th, 2014 at 8:43 AM ^
February 13th, 2014 at 8:44 AM ^
6-1 US! Laying it on!
February 13th, 2014 at 8:47 AM ^
GOAL! 7-1 USA! Brown with the goal!
February 13th, 2014 at 8:56 AM ^
that one Slovakian goal woke up the USA Team. Even Slovakia changing goalies when it got to 5-1 makes no difference.
February 13th, 2014 at 9:03 AM ^
Glad to see the Americans are laying the wood on. They're certainly the better team, but the Slovaks have the talent to pull the upset had the Americans not shown up to play. I'd say they certainly got off the plane.
February 13th, 2014 at 9:23 AM ^
February 13th, 2014 at 9:31 AM ^
What a start to the tournament for the US. Russia is struggling with Slovenia in the other game too. Should be a fun one Saturday morning.
February 13th, 2014 at 9:31 AM ^
February 13th, 2014 at 9:33 AM ^
Wonder if the Russians are feeling the national pressure. 5-2 now, but it was tight for a while. They should have blown Slovenia away.
February 13th, 2014 at 10:09 AM ^
February 13th, 2014 at 9:43 AM ^
February 13th, 2014 at 12:13 PM ^
...was asked that, since he's playing hurt, is he worried about how the Red Wings and Babcock feel about it. His response was something along the lines of, "It's not Babcock I'm worried about." I.e., Putin will have him whacked if he doesn't play. /half joking
February 13th, 2014 at 12:38 PM ^
Norway is playing Canada really tough, great first period so far for them.
February 13th, 2014 at 3:09 PM ^
February 13th, 2014 at 4:27 PM ^
February 13th, 2014 at 4:56 PM ^
win the Gold in this event, too (it was also just on NBC). Is the Luge Relay a new Olympic event? I've never seen it before, but what a great idea, very exciting to watch.