I thought that Belbin and Agosto should've beat the Russians, though. That whole rope thing was ridiculous!

I totally agree! I didn't get to see the free Dance, but my brothers did. I think that's almost cheating! I didn't like their outfits either! They didn't seem as flowing and graceful as other teams as well......

Thanks for the info gals on who did what and ended up where in the Ice Dancing rankings! I appreciate it! Although I didn't really follow the Americans- or rather, that particular team that won silver, I am happy they won a medal. Especially since they were training teammates and friends with the gold medalists.

And I'm off to watch the gold medal skate via the link my Dad sent me. *is happy*

Haven't seen too much of the Olympics--just two nights worth. The first night we watched had men's speed skating... Apolo Ohno got 3rd place, two Koreans got 1st and 2nd... I was disappointed the Canadian brothers didn't place.

Then last night we watched a bit... I only saw one or two of the free-styling-skating-things.. yeah, the costumes are too distracting. And it's not something I love watching with my brothers especially.
There was the twirl-around-in-mid-air-skiing too. You can tell how well I know sports... That was pretty interesting...

I usually just root for anyone who's American, Canadian (since I know a few) or Dutch.

I loved Mao Asada's trademark jump sequence! Unless I'm mistaken, she finished the short programme on the second place, yes?

I was also very sorry for Rochette - her mother died just a few days ago, and she broke down at the end of her performance... It was so very sad to see this! I hope time will heal her pain.

And in the meantime, I can't help but sigh at the absence of Shizuka Arakawa - those are her last days as the reigning champion, since she ended her career after 2006's Torino, she won't be defending the title! She is my favorite ice skater.

Anyway, good luck to all the ladies, I'm looking forward to the free programme!

n the other hand, I feel so sad for Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette who, as I'm sure you all know, just lost her Mother... That would be so hard! I hope that she does well, even wins a medal, for her Mom...

Just watching her last night, it was amazing. I have a feeling that she skated for her mom. I hope she does well.

And Kim Yu-na did so AWESOMETACULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lol! I was shaking, when she started. I was worried that she might not be able to handle the pressure, but she did it and gracefully, too!

I really liked Suzuki Akiko's routine, actually much better than either Asada Mao's and Ando Miki's routines. But they all did so well.

I can't wait for the free skate tomorrow!

The heats for the 500m men's short track are tonight! Should be more than interesting!

~Wunder

And Kim Yu-na did so AWESOMETACULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah, she was amazing! I hope she wins gold.

I was also very sorry for Rochette - her mother died just a few days ago, and she broke down at the end of her performance... It was so very sad to see this! I hope time will heal her pain.

It was so sad just watching her. No matter what happens at the Olympics, she still won't have her Mom when it's over. But I'm glad she was able to skate through her pain. She did very well, and I think it probably helped her to have the first skate without her mom over. I hope she wins silver.

I tend to not pick out who my favorites are until the short program, and then I choose who I want to win what. It hardly ever turns out the way I want it too, but I have fun doing it. So, I hope Kim Yu-na wins gold. I hope Joannie Rochette wins silver. And I really, really want Rachael Flatt to win bronze. She was so much fun to watch.

^^why don't you like them? Too brightly colored or something?

^^I'm just not a fan of guys in tights.....

I am so happy! the ladies figure skating has begun!

I agree, I think the hardest part about her performance was it being the first without her Mom, and knowing that no matter what the outcome is, she still won't have her back. But yes, I think after the first performance without her, she will be stronger to carry on, and I too cheer for her to win a medal!

Kim Yu-Na has chances for gold indeed, although I loved Asada Mao's performance, especially her trademark triple axel and double toeloop!

Still whining over Arakawa's retirement

^^why don't you like them? Too brightly colored or something?

^^I'm just not a fan of guys in tights.....

I am so happy! the ladies figure skating has begun!

Guys in tights??
I loved watching Rachel Flatt skate! I really hope she places! And poor Joannie Rochette! It was sad to see her start crying when she finished! And you could tell that Scott Hamilton was choked up as well. I hope she does well in her FS!

Did anyone else see Dutch Long-Track superstar Sven Kramer win gold only to be disqualified? He won gold by a long shot but later had it revoked because he had an illegal lane change. Apparently, at the last second, his coach yelled at him to "Get Over!" which he did. Turns out, Kramer had it right the first time. He wasn't supposed to "get over" and was disqualified. He didn't take it very well...

Unfortunately, we don't have a TV that works... Figure skating is my favorite Olympic sport, however, so hopefully I'll be able to watch it next time, at least! *cries in a corner*

I saw that Dutch disqualification, Kate. Pretty amazing...on the replay, it looks like he's ready to go into the correct lane but then changes at the last instant, presumably in response to that incorrect call from his coach (which I didn't hear about until today).

The US hockey team defeated Switzerland 2-0 this afternoon, with both goals coming in the 3rd period (the last one being an empty-net goal near the end). There were, by the reactions of the crowd and TV announcers, a few penalties that should have been called and weren't; in such a close contest those could have drastically altered the outcome.

A gold-medal game between the US and Canada would have been a wonder to behold, but 'tis not to be this year.

I know it's not quite the same thing, but Joannie Rochette's skating after losing her mother reminded me of Wisconsin speed skater Dan Jansen's fall in the 1988 Olympics after his sister died. He finally won a gold for her 6 years later. His story is told in this Visa commercial.

Ah, but Stargazer, we might just have our gold medal match up yet. Canada plays Russia tonight, and if we play well, I'm sure we can win. We played good last evening- yes, I know, Germany hardly compares to Russia (I think), but aside from a few big time stars, Russia doesn't really have all that much depth... True, Canada has a longer, hard, road ahead of us, but I wouldn't completely rule us out....

I heard about the DQ (and no, that's not Dairy Queen ) and saw the reply, but I didn't know that it looks like the coach was the one who told the poor skater to get over to the next lane...that would explain the skater's frustration...

I enjoyed watching Clara Hughes skate today, even though she got bronze and her time was quickly beaten, it was exciting to see her race! She looked so relaxed and comfortable in the 5,000 it was very nice.

Many sincere apologies, ForeverFan! I didn't mean to slight the Canadian hockey team in any way. I misread the bracket diagram when it was shown on TV and drew the wrong conclusion. Sorry about that.

And it looks like the US and Canada women's teams will play for the gold tomorrow afternoon.

Oh, please, don't worry about it! You didn't slight the team (or us, or whichever) in any way. As it happens, I was slightly confused as well- I thought the U.S. were going to be playing in the Gold Medal game for sure, not realizing they had one game left to play before that. I think why it's so confusing is because there's three pools in Men's hockey this year, instead of two, so that means there are extra games, crossovers, and etc. Confusing indeed!

I am looking forwards to the Women's game tomorrow, although I'll admit I haven't exactly been cheering for the Ladies' Team Canada much this tournament, but since I think that the U.S. will be a fair match up for Canada, I'll cheer for Canada. I've developed a strange taste for cheering for the underdog teams it seems, except for when the both teams are equally matched. It should be exciting!