The best of the best -- in varieties of events and competitions -- show up to compete in the Winter Games.
Athletes, coaches, fans, and more hope to achieve (and see) the greatest performances, play the best games, land the best tricks, and deliver the fastest times.
In two events on Sunday evening (United States time zone), one event exceeded promises while another was hampered by vile actions of Mother Nature.
United States figure skater Mirai Nagasu, left off the team in 2014, has already made a name for herself in the 2018 Pyeongchang Games. Part of the bronze-winning American team, Nagasu became the first American woman to land a triple axel in the Olympics.
The impressive feat made Nagasu only the 7th woman to land the jump in competition, a list that notably includes American Tonya Harding. (Part of her claim to fame before, well, you know.)
Nagasu will hope momentum carries her to the individual event later in the games. According to many pundits, American women will have a tough time reaching the podium.
While Nagasu was making history inside, the women competing in the slopestyle event were fighting Mother Nature outside.
And for the most part, nature won.
Already delayed because of wind, cold, and snow, the women only had two runs (instead of the usual three) to impress. In an event in which fans are treated to some of the wildest tricks, the 2018 Olympic version erred on the side of caution.
The participants always fly through the air, but on this day, some were soaring much longer anticipated. There were a few boarders who caught so much air I thought they were never going to come down. Of course when they did, crashes happened. The scores were not as competitive as normal, with only a handful of riders landing all three jumps cleanly. When they did, it was often done as the result of more conservative (to us common folk) jump.
In the end, American Jamie Anderson landed the gold medal after posting a score of 83.00 on her first run. Jessika Jenson finished just off the podium, falling from the third place she held for most of the day to fifth place after all the riders had completed their runs.
Hailey Langland made her Olympic debut and finished sixth.
Medal count
Anderson's gold and the Figure Skating team's bronze brought the total haul for the United States to four (two golds, one silver, one bronze).
For a complete list, check out the medal tracker.
What to watch
Tonight is all about the halfpipe snowboarding. And the women have been impressive.
Two of the three runs are complete (with weather much more favorable than the previous days slopestyle competition. There's plenty of sun and nary a breeze.)
The finals are being led by American Chloe Kim, a 17-year competitor who has once scored a perfect 100 in this event. Americans also sit in third (Arielle Gold), fourth (Kelly Clark), and 12th place as the event heads into the final leg. Gold and Clark have both completed all three of their runs.
*Update: Kim has won gold, a medal she wrapped up before her last run. So what does she do? She goes and drops a score of 98.25 . Finishing third was Gold, giving the United States two more medals.
Also on tap for tonight, Shaun White will take the first steps towards another gold medal. And Mixed Doubles Curling will play their final, as well as men's alpine skiing in the combined event.
Also on tap for tonight, Shaun White will take the first steps towards another gold medal. And Mixed Doubles Curling will play their final, as well as men's alpine skiing in the combined event.
The 1,500 meters speedskating final will also take place this evening.
Back with more later in the week. In the meantime, events like luge-doubles, more speedskating and the pairs figure skating-free skate will take place. Enjoy the ice. And bring the storm.
photo courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org
I will still be roaming around on Twitter so be sure to follow for Olympic updates, Boise State sports, pop culture and more: @jasonrh_78
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