OT Olympics: Stunning Upset in Super G
It's a result so shocking that the winning racer didn't even believe she had won, and NBC wasn't even bothering to broadcast: Czech snowboarder (you read that right) Ester Ledecka, noteworthy for being a pioneer in crossing over from snowboarding into Alpine skiing, shocked the skiing world by winning the women's Super G today.
You'd be shocked, too.
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 17, 2018
Ester Ledecka, a world champion SNOWBOARDER, shocks the field to win a surprise-gold by 0.01 in alpine skiing women's super-G! #WinterOlympics https://t.co/YtEpNzDMDu pic.twitter.com/EeoHuALcKX
Ledecka has shown some speed in the alpine season this year (yes, I am actually crazy enough to watch World Cup skiing on a regular basis, give me a break I live in Duluth) but this is totally unexpected. She was, by her own testimony, certain that there was a mistake, and she had beaten a field of great performances (including Lindsey Vonn, who lost due to a mistake late in an otherwise great run, and favorites like Lara Gut and Tina Weirather). Her gaping expression is, in its own way, one of the great gold medal reactions of all time.
NBC had already anointed Anna Veith (a good comeback story in her own right) as the gold medal winner, repeating her performance from Sochi, and cut away to figure skating. They're getting roasted for this but it's pretty standard practice in downhill and super G to pencil in the winner before everyone has raced; the best racers all race in the first 20 spots, both for dramatic purposes and to avoid the inevitable breakdown in the course as racer after racer chews it up. The last 25 or so racers are people that finish seconds after everyone else. Late-race surprises will happen every couple of years, but not frequently.
Kinda makes this all the more fun. Both Super Gs at the Olympics have been terrific.
February 17th, 2018 at 10:29 AM ^
February 17th, 2018 at 10:44 AM ^
Hi, since there are a few people who seem to really know the details.
1. Why don't the snowboarders race down against the clock?The snowboard races I've seen so far, are all as heats - where racers race relative to each other as opposed to an absolute time. ? tradition ? history ? If they raised against the clock one by one it would eiminate any possible conflicts where one racer can interfere with one another.
2. The ski racers are going down very steep icy slopes - it is hard to see at times but every few runs there is a TV shot where the steepness of the slope can be seen and it looks like 45 degrees or more. It seems like the slope of the snowboard hills is less steep - so is the top end speed of the snowboarders less - ? I'm asking never having skiied or snowboarded - only went down a tobaggon and sled.
Thanks!
February 17th, 2018 at 10:59 AM ^
February 17th, 2018 at 11:01 AM ^
I had the opportunity to ski the Birds of Prey run at Beaver Creek shortly after a World Cup event. They intentionally turn those runs into solid ice for the competitions. It's treacherous - one of the more infamous coarses on the WC circuit due to it's vertical feet (i.e., it's steep!). I've been on a ski team, so I know a litle about skiing gates, and I could barely even make a decent turn on that thing. It gave me a whole different perspective on the skills, strength, and nerves required to ski at that level.
February 17th, 2018 at 11:13 AM ^
February 17th, 2018 at 11:38 AM ^
February 17th, 2018 at 12:03 PM ^
Vonn skied great for going first, if she goes later on, she probably doesn't lose that turn towads the bottom and I think shed ends up edging it out but, that's skiing.
Really looking forward to see her go for broke in the Downhill.
February 17th, 2018 at 12:56 PM ^
February 17th, 2018 at 1:03 PM ^
Vonn is too old.
February 17th, 2018 at 2:18 PM ^
Not sure she's "too old." She's having a good season, 10th in the World in Super-G, 2nd in Downhill and 4th in the the Combined right now and she's won 3 World Cup Downhill races since January 20.
February 17th, 2018 at 2:23 PM ^
Snowboarders are so chill.
February 17th, 2018 at 3:36 PM ^
Definitely a personal highlight for me as well. Her line was so friggin' aggressive. It was like watching Bode in his prime. I was legit stoked for her after such a phenomenal performance. Her frozen facial expression of utter shock was priceless. Truly a moment that defines what makes competitive sports so great. She sounds like a real hoot, too. She has stated putting on a ski racing suit makes her feel like neither a snowboarder or a skier. "More like a superhero." Outstanding stuff.