The first medals of the 2018 Olympics were awarded today.
Cross Country and History Making
Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla won the women’s 15km Skiathlon gold medal. The 15km is a mass start cross country race, also referred to a 7.5km + 7.5km. The first 7.5km is raced in the classic style, while the second 7.5km is raced in the freestyle format. Check out the CBC video link here.
~4:00 minute mark explains the course
~10:00 minute mark shows the mass start; it is explosive and intense! (Especially from camera buried between the ski tracks)
Norway’s Marit Bjoergen wrote her name in the history book by winning silver, her 11th Olympic medal; the most by any female athlete at the Winter Olympics. Keeping it Scandinavian, Finland’s Krista Parmakoski took home the bronze a few seconds out of silver. Canada’s top finisher, Cendrine Browne, finished 33rd.
Women’s Hockey
The women’s hockey tournament opened on Day 1 as Sweden took on Japan. A few years ago, you’d assume this was no contest, however it was a nailbiter! Sweden topped Japan 2-1, but not without several close calls by Japan.
Arguably, the bigger match of the day was Korea’s opener against Switzerland. To paraphrase our friend’s experience as a linesman, “Game was sold out and there were a ton of North and South Korean delegates here. It’s like our gold medal game!” (Get some hockey insight here – Check out our guest blog post by JT)
North Korean cheerleaders pepped up the crowd and the cheering did not let up until the end. Unfortunately for the hosts and to the fans’ dismay, Switzerland downed Korea 8-0. The team officials learned immediately before the game that President Moon would be in the house, however elected not to tell the team as they had enough nerves to worry about. Hopefully the jitters are out and the Koreans can focus on the next round robin games.
We’re looking forward to Canada’s opener tomorrow at 7AM EST vs. the olympic athletes from Russia (OAR).
Speed Skating
Speed Skating medals were handed out in Men’s 1500m short track and Women’s 3000m long track. Canadian Charles Hamelin was looking to defend his Sochi 1500m gold medal. Hamelin qualified for the final in a photo finish – he had his blade down, giving him the edge over South Korean Seo in a 0.002s photo finish difference. Fellow Canadian Girard was advanced to the final after he was impeded in the semifinal.
Hamelin and Girard (who takes a page out of young Hamelin’s book with his flowing locks) pulled out to an early lead, however, it was Korea’s Lim Hyojun who captured Koreans’ hearts and the gold medal. Netherlands took silver and OAR kept Girard out of the bronze medal position.
In the Women’s Long Track, Canada’s Ivanie Blondin headed into the final as a favourite, coming off a world cup win, but unfortunately came up short in 6th place as the Netherlands swept the podium.
Curling Domination
In Mixed Doubles’ Curling, Lawes and Morris have found their groove. Their dominating play on Day 1 forced both OAR and Switzerland to concede defeat by the end of the 6th of 8 ends. After Day 1, Lawes is speaking up and Canada has clinched a semifinal berth with the best record at 5-1, and one game left vs. South Korea on Day 2.
Favourite moment of curling (other than amazing curls that I can’t describe through text): Lawes’ mom – next time you’re watching curling, look out for CBC to cut to their camera angle aimed directly at Lawes and Morris’ parents. Even when far in the lead, momma Lawes is watching and analyzing every shot, holding her breath until the rocks stop moving. If Mom was driving Kaitlyn home, we’re sure that car ride would be full of, “you should have done this or that” like any sporting parent.
Keep an eye out tomorrow for the continuation of Team Figure Skating, and Men’s slopestyle snowboarding.