PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics Day 14

Day 14

It was a wonderful and woeful Day 14 of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. It's almost over now.

Highlights:


Women's Figure Skating

The showdown skating fans have been waiting for has come. And when it was over, both Alina Zagitova and Evgenia Medvedeva scored the same in the free skate. But since Zagitova had a point lead in the short program, that point was enough to secure her the gold, the first gold for Olympic Athletes from Russia in all the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics.

Alina Zagitova of Olympic Athlete from Russia competes during the Ladies Single Skating Free Skating PyeongChang 2018 February 23, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 22, 2018 - Source: Jamie Squire/Getty Images AsiaPac

Evgenia Medvedeva settles for silver.

Evgenia Medvedeva of Olympic Athlete from Russia competes during the Ladies Single Skating Free Skating PyeongChang 2018 February 23, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 22, 2018 - Source: Jamie Squire/Getty Images AsiaPac

And Kaetlyn Osmond of Canada takes bronze.

Kaetlyn Osmond of Canada competes during the Ladies Single Skating Free Program PyeongChang 2018 February 23, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 22, 2018 - Source: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images AsiaPac

Honestly, I thought Evgenia Medvedeva should've been scored higher. Her free skate was more beautiful and breathtaking than Alina Zagitova. But the current judging system rewards athleticism over artistry, as noted in the men's division, when it was the number of quads you successfully landed, not so much as the overall quality of your skate that got you the high scores. That's why the fellas who fell attempting a quad jump still scored higher than the ones who didn't fall but had no quad jumps.

At this time, you might as well do nothing but jumps if you want to win. And that's exactly what a lot of the skaters are doing. But this isn't a jumping competition. It's figure skating.

If I wanted to see just jumps, I'd stick to the snowboarding halfpipe. But even in the halfpipe, snowboarders dazzle with impressive twists and flips and rotations, always pushing to go higher, faster, and do more amazing feats that defy gravity.

Figure skating is more than just jumps. It's about dancing and balance, weaving movement, strength, speed, and flexibility to create art.

On the basis of jump ability alone, Alina Zagitova does deserve her gold. But her performance, while exciting, left me feeling cold. I like seeing her make jump after jump. It's fun to watch! I just wished she was more passionate or soulful with her skating. She was calculated, cold, and it was what the system encouraged and rewarded. So she got exactly what she worked for.

Me? I'll always prefer someone like Evgenia Medvedeva, who is ethereal, evocative, and captivating, expressing her heart and soul. That's something you can't measure, can't compute. You either have it or you don't. And Evgenia Medvedeva is all heart and soul.

Most pleasant surprise performer: Satoko Miyahara of Japan--Ephemeral!

Satoko Miyahara of Japan competes during the Ladies Single Skating Free Skating PyeongChang 2018 February 23, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 22, 2018 - Source: Harry How/Getty Images AsiaPac

Other favorite performer: Da Bin Choi of South Korea--Exquisite and Resplendent.

Da Bin Choi of Korea competes during the Ladies Single Skating Free Skating PyeongChang 2018 February 23, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 22, 2018 - Source: Jamie Squire/Getty Images AsiaPac

What have we learned from this event? The Russians are cranking out high caliber women figure skaters at a younger age that outclass all other nations. The Canadians and Japanese are close behind, with South Korea and China following suit. The US? Not so much. Women's figure skating has fallen to second tier, while the men keep pace with the top. Beijing 2022 is going to be fascinating as the rest of the world struggles to catch up.


Women's Freestyle Skiing Ski Cross

The skiers race downhill on an obstacle course. First across the finish line wins. As this is an extreme sport, crashes are common.

Debora Pixner of Italy crashes over the finish line during the Freestyle Skiing Ladies' Ski Cross 1/8 Finals PyeongChang 2018 February 23, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 22, 2018 - Source: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images AsiaPac

Kelsey Serwa of Canada was fast out of the gate, took the lead all the way to gold. She adds that gold to a Sochi 2014 silver. Another Canadian, Brady Leman, won gold in the men's division just two days before.

Kelsey Serwa of Canada leads leads the pack during the Freestyle Skiing Ladies' Ski Cross PyeongChang 2018 February 23, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 22, 2018 - Source: Clive Rose/Getty Images AsiaPac

And fellow Canadian Brittany Phelan makes a spectacular pass late in the race to take second place, winning the silver. It's a Canadian 1-2 repeat of Sochi 2014. And the Canadians win gold in the event for three straight Olympics.

Switzerland's Fanny Smith claimed bonze by out skiing Sweden's Sandra Naeslund in a chaotic and furious race.

Kelsey Serwa (C) of Canada celebrates winning the gold medal with silver medallist Brittany Phelan (L) of Canada and bronze medallist Fanny Smith of Switzerland during the victory ceremony for the Freestyle Skiing Ladies' Ski Cross PyeongChang 2018 February 23, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 22, 2018 - Source: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images AsiaPac

Defending Sochi 2014 Champion Marielle Thompson did not make the finals, clipped a ski in the qualifiers and did not finish.



WARNING SPOILERS BELOW. Do Not Read if you plan to watch recorded broadcast later. Spoilers for Men's Curling Bronze Match, Men's Speedskating 1000m, and Men's Biathlon 4X5km Relay.


Curling Men's Bronze Match

Switzerland's team of Peter de Cruz, Benoit Schwarz, Claudio Paetz, and Valentin Tanner beat three time defending champion Canada 7-5 to take the bronze.

We swept those Canucks right off the podium!

Switzerland celebrate after they defeated Canada during the Bronze Medal match between Canada and Switzerland PyeongChang 2018 February 23, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 22, 2018 - Source: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images AsiaPac

Benoit Schwarz took out two Canadian stones with his last throw of the 10th and final end. Canada had only one throw left and could not score the two points it needed to force an extra end. Two time world champions Kevin Koe, Marc Kennedy, Brent Laing, and Ben Hebert were unable to overcome Swiss lead.

It is the worst finish for Canada since the reintroduction of curling at Nagano 1998. For the first time, both the men and women failed to reach the podium. But they did win the debut of the mixed event. John Morris and Kaitylyn Lawes won gold.

The men's gold medal game between top ranked Sweden and the US will feature live at 1:30 a.m. Eastern time on Saturday morning. Check your local listings. For US viewers, it's on NBCSN (NBC Sports Network). The women's gold match is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern on Saturday.

In related news, the International Olympics Committee has welcomed back into the country Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten of Norway. They will receive their bronze medal in mixed curling in the medal ceremony on Saturday.

Disgraced Russian curler Alexander Krushelnitsky and his wife Anastasia Bryzgalova were stripped of their bronze medals after Alexander Krushelnitsky admitted to a doping violation. He tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.

Speaking of doping Russians, women's bobsled pilot Nadezhda Sergeeva has tested positive for a trimetazdine, a medication used for angina sufferers. It is listed by the World Anti-Doping Agency as a banned substance affecting the metabolism. The Russian bobsled team had finished 12th in the bobsled event.

It's becoming apparent that perhaps the Russians should never have been invited to the Pyeongchang Games as they continue to cheat. Or at the very least, they should just test everyone as soon as they arrive at the Olympics, especially those from doping countries. These doping cheaters are shameful losers and an embarrassment to their countries on the world stage.

On a more positive note: Make room, curling fashionistas Norway!

A detailed view of the trousers or pants worn by Christoffer Svae, Torger Nergard, Thomas Ulsrud and Havard Vad Petersson of Norway as they compete in the Curling Men's Round Robin Session 1 on February 14, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 13, 2018 - Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images AsiaPac

A detailed view of the pants or trousers worn by Havard Vad Petersson, Christoffer Svae, Thomas Ulsrud and Torger Nergaard of Norway as they speak during the Curling round robin session 7 on day nine of the PyeongChang 2018 February 18, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 17, 2018 - Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images AsiaPac

Torger Nergaard, Thomas Ulsrud, Christoffer Svae and Haavard Vad Petersson of Norway wait to play in a 7-4 loss to Canada during the Men's Curling Round Robin on day 6 PyeongChang 2018 February 15, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 14, 2018 - Source: Harry How/Getty Images AsiaPac

A detailed view of the pants or trousers worn by Havard Vad Petersson, Christoffer Svae, Thomas Ulsrud and Torger Nergard of Norway as they compete in the Curling Men's Round Robin Session 4 on February 16, South Korea. Feb. 15, 2018 - Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images AsiaPac

There's a new star crew at the Pyeongchang Olympics, and they don't even know it: The Garlic Girls, the South Korean women's curling team! And they've made an incredible Cinderella run for gold!

YeongMi Kim, KyeongAe Kim and EunJung Kim of Korea compete during the Women's Semi Final match between Korea and Japan PyeongChang 2018  February 23, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 22, 2018 - Source: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images AsiaPac

By choice, they've turned off their phones and avoided the press to focus on the games. They didn't want to be distracted and the coach wanted to shelter them from pressure. And the strategy has paid off. The winning girls have no clue just how famous they've become!

They come from Uiseong, a rural town most famous for its garlic production. They ranked 10th coming into these games, with no one expecting them to medal. But with only one loss to Japan, they bounced back and go on a winning streak that takes out powerhouses and Olympic champions Canada and Sweden and Britain. They end the round robin seeded number 1! Much to thrill of the home crowd!

Many South Koreans have no clue about curling, but have made a pilgrimage to Pyeongchang to cheer on the unlikely and spectacular rise of young underdogs as they battle their way to the top. Back home in Uiseong, viewing parties are held in the local high school gym the girls attended and were part of the high school and community local curling team.

With their spectacles, quirky personalities, and long time friendship, the Garlic Girls have become a global sensation.

Kim Eun-jung, 27,is the skipper; Kim Kyeong-ae, 24, and Kim Yeong-mi, 26, are sisters, and with Kim Seon-yeong, 24, are the South Korean women's curling team. A fifth player, Kim Choci, is the team’s alternate. Their coach is Kim Min-jung.

How they got their nicknames started out as a joke. They all share a last name, Kim, a very common last name in Korea. And they knew that athletes from other nations and the foreign press would have trouble saying their names. So over breakfast, Kim Seon-yeong, who was eating a sunny-side-up fried egg, joked she was going to call herself, Sunny. The others loves the idea and quickly picked their favorite breakfast item as their nickname. Thus, Sunny, Steak, Pancake, Annie (a brand of yogurt) and ChoCho (a type of cookie) came into being.

And after beating Japan in a stunning semifinal that went into overtime, the Garlic Girls are guaranteed at least a silver in the face off against Sweden. Usually, the team is named after the skipper. Since they're all last named Kim, they should be named Team Kim. But the press loves a good hook, and the coach has taken the nickname with stride.

"We would prefer the name 'Team Kim,'" Kim, the coach, said with a laugh. "Because although our hometown is Uiseong — which is related to garlic — we have no relationship with garlic at all."

In Korea, garlic is considered a super food, with the ability to enhance strength and power. These women, by delivering upset win after upset win, taking out curling powerhouses, are super heroes to their country, and they don't even know it. Good luck, Team Kim!

Seon Yeong Kim, KyeongAe Kim and YeongMi Kim of Republic of Korea compete during the Curling Women's Round Robin Session 2 February 15, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 14, 2018 - Source: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images AsiaPac

On a personal note, I loved hearing the South Koreans and Japanese teams scream and shout as they played. I'm assuming they're yelling their version of "harder" and "yes" and "go", which sounds awesome in their language!



Men's Speedskating 1000m

Kjeld Nuis of the Netherlands has won the 1000m race, adding another gold to the 1500m gold he won last week. Kjeld Nuis clocked in at in 1 minute, 7.95 seconds, 0.04 seconds over Havard Lorentzen of Norway, the 500m champion.

And South Korea's Kim Tae-yun, powered by the support of the home crowd finished in 1 minute, 8.22 seconds, enough to take bronze. It is spectacular bronze win for a skater ranked 20th in the world. He was not even considered a medal contender! But the training he underwent to improve a stalled career has paid off for him.

Tae-Yun Kim of Korea reacts after his race during the Men's 1,000m on day 14 of the PyeongChang 2018 February 23, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 22, 2018 - Source: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images AsiaPac

American Joey Mantia finished fourth.


Men's Biathlon 4X5km Relay

In the always exciting and thrilling world of biathlon, the Swedes have pulled off an incredible win, outshooting and out skiing heavily favored Norway, Germany, and France.

Germany's Erik Lesser, Benedikt Doll, Arnd Peiffer, and Simon Schempp traded leads with the Czech and held off the advancing Norwegians Lars Helge Birkeland, Tarjei Boe, Johannes Thingnes Boe, and Emil Hegle Svendsen.

But in the exacting, demanding, and unpredictable world of biathlon, a little bit of chance and a whole lot of skill and adaptability to changing conditions can mean making or missing the podium. And in the last round of shooting, Simon Schempp missed four targets in the prone position, earning ski loop penalties that gave the Scandinavians the lead.

Fredrik Lindstroem of Sweden shoots during the Men's 4x7.5km Biathlon Relay PyeongChang 2018 February 23, 2018 South Korea. Feb. 22, 2018 - Source: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images AsiaPac

Norway and Sweden were neck and neck. But at the windy standing shoot, Emil Hegle Svendsen missed four targets, while Swedish anchor Fredrik Lindstroem shot clean! Norway had to ski a penalty loop! That allowed Sweden to cruise to victory in front of a roaring crowd.

Peppe Femling, Jesper Nelin, Sebastian Samuelsson, and Fredrik Lindstroem clocked in at in 1 hour, 15 minutes, 16.5 seconds, 55.5 seconds ahead of Norway. Germany makes a remarkable run to claim bronze.

The Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf was in the stadium screaming and shouting joyfully as the Swedes skied to the finish line for gold. It is Sweden's first gold in the men's relay event. The women's team took silver the day before, adding more medals to the Swedish haul.

Norway now has won 37 medals, tying the US for most medals at an Olympics from Vancouver 2010. Norway currently ties Germany at 13 golds a piece.

The Swedes credit their coach for helping them win the gold. Wolfgang Pichler is known as the Ice Demon for his grueling training sessions.


And so ends a spectacular Day 14 of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. The stage is set for a few more athletes to make their final quest for gold.