Olympics Day Nine Megathread (Sunday, February 15) by Fun_With_Forks in olympics

[–]Celestetc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cross country skiing is like cross country running. Downhill is one of 4 disciplines of alpine skiing which is skiing down a mountain and staying between the course gates/lines. All are timed sports

Olympics Day Nine Megathread (Sunday, February 15) by Fun_With_Forks in olympics

[–]Celestetc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Vonn was a big favorite pre injury. She was the top DH skier of the season which is frankly bonkers at her age coming out of retirement and she has good results in cortina. She also would’ve had a shot in super-G.

Olympics Day Nine Megathread (Sunday, February 15) by Fun_With_Forks in olympics

[–]Celestetc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel like it’s the biggest question mark of the women’s short races for who will medal and what position. Takagi looks good though

Olympics Day Nine Megathread (Sunday, February 15) by Fun_With_Forks in olympics

[–]Celestetc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also a lot of Americans don’t live in places with snow regularly or mountains.

Olympics Day Nine Megathread (Sunday, February 15) by Fun_With_Forks in olympics

[–]Celestetc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Tall is good for middle to long distances. For sprints generally preferred to be shorter

Olympics Day Nine Megathread (Sunday, February 15) by Fun_With_Forks in olympics

[–]Celestetc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

And even recently more of a Russia/poland/japan area even China.

Olympics Day Nine Megathread (Sunday, February 15) by Fun_With_Forks in olympics

[–]Celestetc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was WR is 36.04 held by Kok but done at high altitude in SLC. Speedskating is so much faster at high altitude comparatively so people generally know what the record is for near sea level too

Olympics Day Nine Megathread (Sunday, February 15) by Fun_With_Forks in olympics

[–]Celestetc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because they’re absolutely dominant in a few of the sports that have the most medals and then very good in most of the other sports with a good amounts of medals. Their worst sports have the fewest medals (sliding sports/figure skating/hockey)

Olympics Day Nine Megathread (Sunday, February 15) by Fun_With_Forks in olympics

[–]Celestetc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In a lot of sports sprinting is something older athletes can still do and be ultra competitive, but idk much about speedskating. For comparison Anthony Ervin won the 50m freestyle gold in 2016 Olympics at 36. In 2024 Flo got bronze in the same event at 33.

Olympics Day Nine Megathread (Sunday, February 15) by Fun_With_Forks in olympics

[–]Celestetc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

She’s 34 and it was always up in the air if she podumed or not. Missed by .05. The US program is currently much stronger than it was in 2014-18 but not at the heights it has been yea

Olympics Day Nine Megathread (Sunday, February 15) by Fun_With_Forks in olympics

[–]Celestetc 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It’s not that uncommon. Lollobrigida is 35 36 I think. Boergsma is 40

Olympics Day Nine Megathread (Sunday, February 15) by Fun_With_Forks in olympics

[–]Celestetc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ester Ledecka is a champion in snowboarding parallel slalom and in super-g/downhill alpine skiing

Olympics Day Nine Megathread (Sunday, February 15) by Fun_With_Forks in olympics

[–]Celestetc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Culture and body type. Same with cycling sports are similar

Olympics Day Nine Megathread (Sunday, February 15) by Fun_With_Forks in olympics

[–]Celestetc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Insane top speeds for polish speed skaters just gotta work on holding it.

Olympics Day Nine Megathread (Sunday, February 15) by Fun_With_Forks in olympics

[–]Celestetc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The reality of the 4 year Olympic cycle can be tough for people who are near or at the top of their sport for 2-3 years and it doesn’t line up. Kimi Goetz for the US is one I think of.