All shades of red

Blogging backwards. NBC really has nothing tonight; pretty much a complete wash out in terms of medal-contending Americans. Curious to see how they fill all the time.

On Podiums and in Parties, Russia Is Red-Hot is an interesting piece in The Times:

For decades, Russian and Soviet Union athletes represented a cold, intimidating delegation at the Olympics. But in Turin, there has been a turnabout.

Here, it is hip to be Russian.

The Russians' red-and-white uniforms and gear, with their distinctive paisley-like design that mimics a pattern on Russian coins, are big sellers, to Russians and non-Russians alike. The Russian spectators at the Olympic sites are wildly enthusiastic, with Russian flags waving and chants of "Russia! Russia!" echoing through the crowd, including Wednesday when the Russian hockey team upset the Canadians.

And the parties held at the place they call Russky Dom, for Russia House, are filled with Russian dignitaries, movie stars, directors and pop stars. The athletes come to party, too, including those who have won some of Russia's 16 medals in Turin. (That is sixth on the medals' list.)

"We have the best parties because we made Russia House look like our motherland," said Olga Yudkis, a spokeswoman for the Russian luxury clothing company Bosco di Ciliegi, which sponsors Russia House.

At those parties, which happen nightly, a Russian polka/rock band plays. Borscht is served from huge vats sitting on an outdoor fire. At several bars, vodka drinks are served, some with syrupy black currant juice, others with orange rinds that bartenders set afire before dropping them into a martini glass.

For years, the Russian and Soviet teams were considered the evil empire of the Olympics. Their athletes seemed mass-produced by the Soviet machine. They performed like robots. Their presence loomed.

Now they have turned into a fun-loving group that is a great host.

"The Soviet Union used to be a great, powerful country and I think that made people think we were all bad and intimidating," said Yekaterina Galkina, who is on the Russian curling team, which gave a demonstration at the Russia House. "But now we are kind and warm. Not scary, like people maybe thought before. Now you see we are fun and friendly."

The best part of the piece is actually how they portray U.S. figure skater Johnny Weir, who's flamingly gay:

Weir, who finished fifth last week in the men's figure skating competition, showed up at the Russia House after midnight Tuesday, for his second consecutive night of partying with his favorite comrades.

This time, he wore a beaver-and-python jacket and True Religion jeans, blending in with the other men and women in fur and designer duds. In minutes, he had a leggy Russian woman in stilettos on each of his arms. The trio giggled as they skipped past the hors d'oeuvres.

"These are friends of the lawyer of the richest man in Moscow," Weir said in passing, as the women tossed their long hair. "These Russians know how to have a good time."

The women interrupt him: "C'mon, Johnny," one brunette said, in a heavy Russian accent. "We want to dance."

"Isn't it obvious why this is so much more fun than U.S.A. House?" Weir said, as one of those brunettes grabbed his hand.

HOUR ONE

HOUR ONE
Snowboarding Parallel giant slalom
Where are the Americans? Odd for this to be the first thing NBC shows. First up is the Swiss brothers Simone and Phillipe Shocke going against each other. Tough situation, defending gold medalist Phillipe wins the first heat. So weird, NBC just picks this up and tells us both of these guys will get medals, either gold or silver.

Race for bronze is Frenchie vs. Austrian, Grabner and Bozetto. One of the guys wins, NBC isn't very precise about which one; later I learn it's the Austrian, Grabner. Second heat between the two borthers, staggered start times depending on their first heat's time. Philippe wins pretty easily. How many times have brothers finished 1-2 in an Olympics event? NBC doesn't tell us.

Women's slalom
Focus is on Sweden's Anja Paerson, from the same small town that produced Ingemar Stenmark, apparently considered the greatest apline skier of all time with 86 World Cup victories (in slalom/giant slalom); Hermann Maier, Wikipedia tells us, is second with 53; Stenmark got his mark when there were fewer disciplines and races, and without competing in downhill; twice he won every race in the World Cup season.

First run, first up is Paerson, odd that such a big name is going so early in the coverage. I guess the draw is random? She looks a bit in pain, NBC is speculating as to why. Good use of telestrator to show her problems with a turn, but Tim Ryan says it still looks like a good run. Next is Slovaki's Janica Kostelic, apparently she hasn't quite got right the dosage of medicine post-thyrhoid gland surgery--yet she's got a gold and silver, so odd. Is slow, like 7/10ths behind, Ryan says it's almost unheard of for her. Next, Nicole Hosp of Austria; into second, pretty far back of Paerson.

American Kristina Koznick, who's been on crutches most of the time she's been here--she says it's all worth it. Next is Marlies Schilds of Austria. Uses a lot of hands to knock aside poles, but far back. Tanja Poutiainen of Finland; Ryan says the order is based on World Cup standings. Odd, never seen any Finns in this event, into third.

Koznick next, very deliberate and thus slow. Waaay slower, but she's not really out there to win. Hmm, into 6th, more than 3 seconds back. Nice moment, Paerson checks on her 'competitor and friend' Kostelic, rubs her shoulder in encouragement.

Another American, Sarah Schleper, into sixth. Then Lindsey Kildow, who won a cow in a race earier this year, and kept it. Big swooping turns, burning tons of speed. How come Kostelic competes hurt and wins, but the Americans.... Waay back, 11th. Resi Stiegler of the U.S. next, who skis wearing tiger ears on her helmet after being denied permission to wear them in downhill, finishes well back. Then a serious competitor, Michaela Kirchgasser of Austria, who like everyone else doesn't come close to Paerson's time.

Skating flashback
The brain trust relives last night. Dick Button says he likes that almost everyone skated well, which is true--it's nice when people win, not depending on others to lose. Then they replay Sasha Cohen's short program. It was good, but not classic enough to watch again.

They talk about Sasha Cohen missing practice today, the only one of the top competitors to skip it. Sasha Cohen's mom alluded to the fact she has a sore groin, says Scott Hamilton. Tom Hammond says the standings are the closest it's ever been going into the long program. Whoah, crazy Scotty says he can't think of anyone who's Cohen's peer artistically in the history of the sport. How about Michelle Kwan and Oksana Baiul off the top of my head? He gets carried away at times.

Women's aerial
First of two heats; they essentially ski down a hill and fly off a 15-foot tall icy ramp, do flips in the air, and land. Amazing how high up in the air they are. Alisa Camplin of Australia up first, coming back from major surgery. Good jump, nails it. They talk to Lydia Ieordiaconou of Australia after showing her fall yesterday and high-pitched scream a few times, totally unnecessary. She says it was more a reaction than pure pain. Xu Nannan of China, nails her jump, better than Aussie's. And scores put her into first.

Anna Zukal of Russia, as the fog moves in. Mmm, nearly falls on landing, into fourth. Veronika Bauer of Canada, defending gold medalist, ooh, touches down on landing, she's outof the race too. The announcer is pretty good, straightforward and not too shouty. Next Swiss Evelyne Leu in her yellow pants, can barely see her with fog; a difficult trick announcer says, but essentially sits on her landing, into third. Next, Li Nina of China, the most dominant jumper of the last couple of years. Defending World champ and World Cup champ, chance at a rare sweep. Good jump, very high; some poor camerwork in this event, conditions are tough but cuts to nothing shouldn't make the broadcast. And into first.

Finally, Guo Xinxin; their team coach is Dusty Wilson, the first foreign coach ever allowed to coach a Chinese Olympic team. Guo into first gives Chinese top three spots, pretty good results. Final jumper is Jacqui Cooper of Australia, announcers like her cause she's not Chinese. Oh, falls and wipes out on her landing.

HOUR TWO
Orange crush
Jimmy Roberts and Chevy check out the very orange Dutch speedskating fans. He compares them to the Camaron crazies or the fans of the Oakland Raiders--except of course for the fact that it's been around for 400 years. Stat: Dutch have won 76 winter olympics medals, 73 of them are in speedskating. They even have their own band, paid for by the Dutch Olympic Committee. Dan Jansen says no matter where you are, the Dutch always have a home field advantage because they have their fans. Too bad the American team has really dominated everyone.... At the end, Roberts gives Costas an orange balloon crown (he went to Syracuse), and he obliges by putting it on, saying it's what the viewers and Dutch fans obviously demand.

Women's 1500M speedskating
Marianne Timmer from the Netherlands skates against a South Korean, Lee Joun-Youn, early again. Timmer's gotta be under 1:58, Jansen says, and she isn't at the moment. Lee is keeping up, surprisingly. Timmer finishes a bit over 2 minutes, Jansen says she won't be there in the end.

Yeketerina Lobysheva of Russian against Hiromi Otsu of Japan--oddly, a Polish skater beat Timmer's time 'while we were away.' Uh, more accurate to say, since this is all on tape delay, we chose not to show the Polish woman's race, cause she doesn't wind up a medalist anyway. Lobysheva well out in front in this pair, winds up in first overall.

Jia Ji of China and Chiara Simionato of Italy, who's apparently been disappointing here. She's doing pretty well, well ahead of the Russian. She's beginning to lose time though; holds on and finishes first. Renate Groenewald of the Netherlands with Kristina Groves of Canada next; both are well under the Italian's pace, starting to chip away at it. Groves doing much better, Renate is too far behind. Canadian is extending her lead, is gonna blow away the previous time--more than two seconds, 1:56.74, wow.

Next is American Jennifer Rodriguez, doubt she does anything, they haven't profiled her at all. With Christine Nesbitt of Canada. JRo is already well behind, fading fast. Both are slow; then again the leader's time was so fast, maybe they're just hoping for a medal. Ugh, way behind, finishes in 5th.

Cindy Klassen and Anni Friesinger, two legends of the sport against each other directly--either one or the other has had the world record for the past seven years. Klassen is way out in front, well ahead of her fellow Canadian's pace. Is just destroying Anni, way ahead, into first by almost 1.5 seconds, Jansen is very impressed. Canada 1-2, nobody's gonna beat them.

Final pair is Ireen Wust of the Netherlands, 19, who told a Dutch paper the gold in this event is hers; with Maki Tabata of Japan. Well under Klassen's time early, but Jansen says she'll be behind most of the way. She's skating too relaxed, I don't think she'll do it, more than 1.5 seconds off. Maybe silver. Now it's bronze at best; and she gets that.

Women's slalom
They show Stiegler of the U.S. first, decent run on a foggy course; next is Kildow, who does fine, followed by Schleper, also of the U.S. They're just showing them to show them.

'Money players' start with Schild of Austria, into first. Next, Kostelic, with the fog lifting a bit; announcer says she's not in top form, not sure what's going on--and she's into second. Next is Poutiainen of Finland, into third; replay shows too much skidding. Three racers left.

Michaela Kirchgasser of Austria next, just 20, skiing very smoothly, but into 3rd. Next is Nicole Hosp of Austria, more aggressive, with the fog lifted on top; into first, about half a second. Finally, Anja Paerson of Sweden, with a big lead. Going for her first gold. She's extending her lead, very determined looking; gaining more, wins by .29, is totally ecstastic. No medal for Kostelic, two Austrians settle for 2nd and 3rd. In celebration Paerson belly flops on the snow, apparently her trademark. Americans finish 10, 12 and 14, so not toally horrible, but not what the vaunted U.S. team thought they'd get coming in.

Men's 500M speed skating qualifying
Apolo Anton Ohno's really been blitzed by South Korean's Ahn Hyu Soo so far at these Games. It's just four and a half laps, so Ahn passes quickly into first, blazes around the course. They check out his technique, which centers around being very low to the ice, especially as the race goes on. A pretty good analysis--shoulders are still, no waste of unnecessary energy.

Dan Robinson and Dan Weinstein are the announcers, they look why the South Koreans have been doing so well after a no-medal Salt Lake, Weinstein says their coach says they're not focusing so much on strategy as just getting to the front and staying there. Next heat has a South Korean, Chinese, Italian, and Belgian. Korean is in last, in trouble, not enough time to do anything announcers says. He winds up doing it, in astounding fashion is able at the last minute to pass one guy, and then on the final part zip past the other two. Chinese skater qualifies as well.

Next is Ohno, who hasn't done well in this event at the World Championships--best finish was 2nd, seven years ago. With a Japanese skater, Italian, and Canadian. He's into third off the start, got pushed by the Italian. Mmm, inside pass, into second, very easy. Into first, just pulling away, nice race--he's pumped, and smiling. Italian skater qualifies too.

Afterwards, he says he's having fun out there, wants to enjoy each race to the fullest--like he's little again.

Women's 3000M relay finals
U.S. against Japan, France and Germany in the B final; they can only get a medal if two teams in the A final are disqualified. In second at the moment. Japanese skaters wiped out. 10 laps to go, U.S. has a growing lead, just have to maintain; France catching up, Germany far back; U.S. building lead again, 3 laps to go; announcer says only a fall will keep them from winning--and they win.

Next, South Koreans, Chinese, Canadians, and Italians in the A final. Big squeeze at the beginning. They follow the relay from the perspective of a Canadian skater. Pretty interesting. Korean just hanging back right now; into first now, followed by Chinese. Koreans have the best endurance by far, Weinstein says. I keep waiting for some mass DQ to justify why this gets such a prime time slot. Mmmm, some bumping, but no fall. China and South Korea, Italy back in it, it's becoming very chaotic with just 4 laps left. Canada sneaks into second; final lap, Korea, Canada, China, and that's the way it ends up. Four straight wins for Korea; but China is DQed, and Italians have won bronze.

Wow, Costas says Team Canada lost to Russia in hockey, in the quarters--unbelievable. The U.S. lost too, to Finland, but that wasn't a surprise.

Chinese go for sweep
Final jumps in aerial. Swiss Evelyne Leu is so excited, very nerdy looking; lands a difficult jump, announcers say. Next, Alisa Camplin of Australia, on skis from eBay, who can't get a gold with her trick's difficulty; not a great landing. Announcers keep talking about beating the Chinese.

Xu Nannan, whose best jump only gets silver; nails it, landing's a bit off. Into third--so no sweep. Nerdy Leu, in green with odd face, dances in place, guaranteed bronze. Li Nina, nice jump and landing. Idiot announcer is talking all the difficulties of ariels versus gymnastics. Final jumper, Guo Xinxin. Oh, falls on the landing! And the nerdy Swiss celebrates. Guo sticks out her tongue, cute. So just a silver for team red. Announcer talks to the bronze medal winner, of all places. She seems nice, and genuine. Announcer ends on an incredibly corny note, recites the Olympic motto--Citius, Altius, Fortius--and translates, but long pause before he says Stronger.

Coming around
They show the medal ceremony for last night's 1500M speedskating event, and Chad Hedricks stretches across the podium, shakes Shani Davis' hand. Hmm, wonder if he had sponsors in mind with that gesture. Then they both stand and listen to the Italian anthem. Hedrick looks mad. NBC shows the whole thing, they're really pressed for programming.

Ladies free skate preview
So they look ahead to tomorrow. Mary Carillo looks at the top contenders; odd, very soft-focus for her, doesn't quite fit, she seems to be speaking too deliberately. Then they have her with Scott Hamilton and Jamie Sale and David Pelletier--odd, they're pairs skaters, know nothing about this event. Scotty talks first, says again Sasha Cohen's mom alluded to the fact she has a sore groin. Oh-oh. Pelletier likes Slutskaya, in his slow accent. And Jamie talks about Shizuka Arakawa of Japan. Then Carillo talks about how Kimmie Meissner was one of only two skaters, and the only top one, to show up for morning practice. Hmm, cool. To finish off they talk about Emily Hughes. Scott is nuts, is doing voices. This group is goofy; kindof fun.

HOUR FIVE
Women's 1.1K cross-country
My favorite announcers, Al Trautwig and Paul Rouse. Don't think I've ever watched this event, only catch the second semi heat. Short course, Canadian grabs first easily, then Russian. No Norway, in fourth, so disappointment continues. Canadians are having a good games, four years ahead of schedule.

Canadians Chandra Crawford, Beckie Scott, Alena Sidko of Russia and Claudia Kuenzel of Germany. Wow, Canadians are just motoring. German gets to the turn first though. About halfway through two minute race. Crawford jumps to front, poor camerwork, can't see leader; she's pulling away. German and Russian in race for second, Russian pulls past, then German comes back. Nice; but a little too short to really get into.

Surprise winner Crawford can't believe it herself afterwards. So cute, with Canadian hat. Says she had no clue she could win this morning.

They end with Canadian national anthem at the venue for cross-country skiing. I'm telling you, honorary Americans--as long as they keep winning.

Photo of Team Russia celebrating after beating Canada 2-0 by Mike Blake/ Reuters.

Photo of Switzerland's Evelyne Leu after winning the gold medal by Fabrizio Bensch/ Reuters.

Photo of Cindy Klassen of Canada by Yuri Kadobnov/ AFP.