[Closed] The Winter Olympics thread

Er, dusty in here? Nah, I've got genuine tears!! 😀

Jenny Jones and her mum & dad. Top telly moment. (Highlights on now, missed the live broadcast)

The Clash - Janie Jones over the JJ highlights 😆

S****

There was a luge bloke called Semen. First name.

Where did he come?

He put in a quick spurt towards the end, but he was all over the place.

The boarding events are brilliant.... it would be a rather boring games without them. When's the boardercross?

Not impressed with some of them wearing the helmet over a beanie.

Most winter sports helmets can be worn with a beanie under without affecting the fit/safety.

You just need to remove the foam pads and the beanie takes up the space.

Bern helmets even come with a beanie specifically to be worn under it if required.

[i]Bern helmets even come with a beanie specifically to be worn under it if required[/i]

I tried one of those - you take the beanie out and it's massive!

it would be a rather boring games without them

I assume you've never seen the ski cross or ski slopestyle then! 🙂

Not to mention the DH, short track speed skating, ice hockey, etc, etc, etc.....

I've gotta say the American that took gold in the slopestyle was a babe!, doubt I'll ever see a more attractive podium. 😳

Oh, and re the beanie issue (And hoping it doesn't derail the thread in to ANOTHER helmet debate...! 🙂 )

Yes, wearing a beanie under a helmet is fine. I often do it in really cold conditions (Thin Oakley beanie under a Smith lid). The key here, though is the fit of the helmet. A lot of those competing in the slopestyle had goggles under helmet, with a beanie, and what looked like a badly fitted helmet. Viz the way that both goggles and helmet were pushed back on the head after a run. The helmet should fit a lot more securely than many of them were running theirs, and that's the problem. Not the beanie. (I suspect that it's a little bit of a 'too kool for skool' mentality in there, sadly, a bit like MTB DH racers opting for gnar-pyjamas rather than something more aero that would save precious time in a run!)

I've gotta say the American that took gold in the slopestyle was a babe!, doubt I'll ever see a more attractive podium.

Yeah but....... Silje Norendal.....

[img] [/img]

I think I'm in love.

Men's downhill was great - I always root for the Austrians and good to see a young guy winning. Why was it so early on in the games though, is it always like that? I thought it was one of the main events so you'd think they would build up to it.

The boarding events are brilliant.... it would be a rather boring games without them. When's the boardercross?

[url= http://whitelines.com/news/snowboard-events/how-to-watch-the-sochi-2014-winter-olympics.html ]Handy link for the snowboarding events[/url]

Good start from the Mens curling team. Would be expecting them to win all of their group games, maybe getting away with one loss on their way to the semi finals.

Curling = Ice bowls.

One of the few Olympic sports I really can't get even remotely excited about.

I suspect that it's a little bit of a 'too kool for skool' mentality in there, sadly, a bit like MTB DH racers opting for gnar-pyjamas rather than something more aero that would save precious time in a run!

Glad it's not just me with that one flashy! Always seemed a bit odd - ditto the baggy styles when doing tricks/jumps aerobatics on skis etc?

Grum, does seem very odd the timetabling of the DH, I agree. It's all gone in a flash. I think this happened before as well.

The Russian lady/girl skater doing the girl in the red dress/Schindlers list was a great performance. Such flexibility and poise.

Finding women's curling surprisingly exciting

I suspect that it's a little bit of a 'too kool for skool' mentality in there, sadly, a bit like MTB DH racers opting for gnar-pyjamas rather than something more aero that would save precious time in a run

5-4 with two, um, 'ends' to go. Nail biting stuff!

[url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26116848 ]Whiny, whiny, whiny[/url]

Not looking good for the girls at the moment, but Sweden are one of the best in the world, so not a big deal.

Women's super combined was a pretty thrilling finish. Loved Mancuso's reaction on crossing the line.

And regarding ridiculous commentary whines, maybe they could ask Rob Warner to step in 🙂

Can't believe 300 people complained. The enthusiasm of the commentators was very infectious and reminded me of the aforementioned Mr Warner's commentary on Danny Hart's World Champs victory a couple of years back.

[i]Can't believe 300 people complained.[/i]

Nor can I! Best TV moments in ... well, since Harry Carpenter's "Get in there Frank!"

The enthusiasm of the commentators was very infectious and reminded me of...

Gary Herbert commentating on rowing is another example. Enthusiasm and humour. Good on 'em.

They were not 'cheering for someone falling' but cheering the fact that JJ had won a medal, just so happened that the fall gave her the medal.

I really can't see how a 'normal' commentator could commentate on a sport like that.

I did think Warwood could get in trouble for his "that's not your pulse" joke when i heard it but I found it funny and refreshing commentary all round.

There really are some incredibly dull people in this country aren't there.

Even I enjoyed it. 😀
Don't tell anyone though.....

And I've never seen the point of a completely unbiased commentary during international sporting events.

Everyone at home is cheering for the Brit, so why pretend otherwise?

Anyone watching the Moguls?
Some tough cookies - seen 2 really big spills and both got up and walked (well skied) away... Nails!
RM.

Really cant believe that people would complain about the commentary, she won the first medal EVER for the UK on snow (Mr Baxter, I'm looking at you in the corner!)she was their friend, and represented the lifestyle they've chosen, and what some of them were never able to achieve (don't forget Ed Leigh was a good rider in his prime)
I thought they were awesome, and TBH I wish other sports had the same level of ownership from their commentators.

Ridiculous isn't it?

Did the same folk complain when Andy Murray won Wimbledon, everyone went mental and the beeb played endless hours of back-patting slow-mos and tributes from Boris Becker etc?

Success [i]should[/i] be celebrated - something we are very bad at in the UK.

It was a little too much for my taste. I dont mind it from Rob Warner as he's not on the BBC. I was cheering her on like anyone else, but a little more professionalism would of been nice. Ed Leigh did a decent job and its easy to forgive Aimee(sp?) as she's not employed as a commentator, but the other guy should of done a little better. Still wouldn't of complained though, a few comments on twitter where no one will read them would of been the height of my annoyance.

Infact, this wound me up so much I've emailed the beeb in support of the coverage. My righteous hat has now been put back in its box. 👿

I suppose the thing is, it works for some sports, but not for others.

That said, I would love to hear them and/or Warner commentating on the icebowls.

😀

CaptainFlashheart - Member
Whiny, whiny, whiny

More than a taste of "grumpy old people complaining about youngsters enjoying themselves" there, I think. 🙄

More than a taste of "grumpy old people complaining about youngsters enjoying themselves" there, I think.

Absolutely, a load of grumpy old farts who have moaned about skiing on TV since Ron Pickering stopped commentating and think David Vine is a "young upstart"

And they probably don't think snowboarding is a real sport and shouldn't be in the Olympics.

I like commentary where they are genuinely excited. Ever watched DH when Rob Warner isn't commentating and it has dry 'professional' presenters? Pretty dull IMO.

It was funny when he switched her mic off for screaming too much. 🙂

Moguls on now. Makes my knees ache just watching it!

The moguls is rather dull, I wonder if technology and specialisation has somewhat killed the spectacle. I think they need to look at course design and the direction the sport is going, because as it is it will die IMO.

Moguls dull? Nah I think this is cracking.

I've been watching the moguls too - strangely captivating for a reason I can't explain.

Question - Does it get easier or harder or stay the same the later you ride the course?

I started thinking it would get easier as the bumps get smoothed off.

Then I thought it would get harder as they get shredded up/shape destroyed.

I just have no idea... anyone know?

The snow looks a mess later in the day but I dunno if it makes it harder or not.

Gets harder. The bumps don't get "smoothed-off" - the ruts get deeper!

Speed skating is pretty good. Especially this 1 lap sprinting.

Watching the moguls makes my knees ache in sympathy!

That's got to take a hefty toll on your body.