The World Competes

Yesterday was an outstanding day for the U.S. Olympic team. Today had its good moments, and not so good moments.

As far as good moments go, Evan Lysacek won the gold medal in men’s figure skating. I haven’t had the chance to see his performance yet, but his short program was outstanding. Johnny Weir came in sixth, and Jeremy Abbot improved his standings from Monday night to come in ninth overall. Evgeni Plushenko had to be satisfied with silver. Interesting to note, whenever an American world defending champion in men’s figure skating is at the Olympics, they have always won gold.

The ladies didn’t take halfpipe gold (that was Torah Bright, the Australian flag bearer), but the United States did get silver and bronze. Hannah Teter came back to the medal stand for the silver, while 2002 gold medalist Kelly Clark earned the bronze.

In speed skating, the Netherlands had a good day, as they earned silver and bronze in the 1000 meter women’s event. Christine Nesbitt of Canada won home gold, however.

In the 20 km individual biathlon event, there was a tie for the silver medal, and Norway earned one of them. Norway’s Emil Hegle Svendsen also won the gold.

Lindsey Vonn fell during the slalom portion of today’s super combined. Her German friend, Maria Reisch, won the gold. The United State’s Julia Mancuso came home with her second silver of the games, and Sweden’s Anja Pärson won the bronze. Vonn should be able to compete in the next event, the Super G, on Saturday.

I haven’t been following hockey or curling, but it looks like the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden are in the ladies’ hockey semifinals. The United States and Canada could face each other in the finals. That would be an interesting game. The men are still trying to determine who will make the quarterfinals. I’m not sure how the curlers are doing.