We start earlier than normal in the coverage, as I had an activity yesterday afternoon.
So back to Sunday afternoon--Tirico takes us around the games (Klaebo!) before a preview of the upcoming Hockey semis. More Men’s Ski Big Air qualifying--at one point, NBC was forced to “step away” after a bad crash.
Hamilton drops by to intro Figure Skating--Pairs Short Program. They make it through the early couples, with a Hockey drop-in while the Zambonis do their work. Of course, NBC is concentrating on the US’s Tam and O’Shea in the Pairs, with Tara gushing about them. Unfortunately, the event has become all about throws and spins, with much of the performance setting them up. Germany leads going into the Free Skate.
Prime Time starts late due to the sportsball event. Tirico sends us over to a rerun of Women’s Speed Skating. Snoop interviews Erin Jackson in a video package, and they go roller skating. Women’s Giant Slalom and Pairs Short Program are the “Events of the Night”--so thankfully a lot of reruns to skip and help me catch up. But first it’s Men’s Dual Moguls.
Canadian Pairs Skater Deanna Stellato-Dudek gets her own video segment--she’s returned to the sport after many years, and is now the oldest competitor at age 42. Unfortunately, she didn’t do very well. Over to the Women’s Giant Slalom rerun. Meanwhile, Tucci has an Italian breakfast sammich al fresco in the mountains. Back to Figure Skating to wrap it up.
Late Night, also starting late. Taylor goes party hopping at various country’s party houses, plus Mixed Team Snowboardcross, Skeleton Mixed Team, and Ski Big Air.
Today Show--more of the same. Alexander and the daily review. Katie Hartung covers QISEan’s kids. Max Naumov gets another interview. Celebs try bobsledding. Shaq checks in from Milan.
Finally, we’re caught back up to today’s coverage. It started early due to a US/Sweden Women’s Hockey match. Normally, Hockey airs over on USA (and Peacock), but as we get near the finals, they move it to the mothership. I can’t say Hockey is a thrilling sport to me. You can let your attention wander until the announcer’s voice goes up to see the real action.
During an intermission, Lowe speaks to Angela Ruggiero, NBC Hockey analyst back in the states. This is an example of NBC’s call post-COVID, with many analysts working out of NJ studios, rather than pay for flights, hotels, etc. The game is a rout for the US, winning 5-0. They have not allowed a score in 16 quarters, and will go on to play in the Gold medal game.
Off to Women’s MonoBob finals. The track is starting to look a bit ragged after all the events so far--and the big loads (2 and 4 person Bobsled) are still to come. A few post-game Hockey interviews later, we’re off to Ski Jumping--Super Team (I think I watched that Saturday mornings when I was a kid). The drone shot really brings it home.
Tirico steps in and covers the latest Medal Count--Norway, Italy, and the US are still the top 3. Over to Pairs Figure Skating--Free Skate for a few moments, then back to Ski Jump. At one point, they had a hold on the event due to snow and wind. This is the first time in the games that weather has had any real impact. This is why the outdoor events tend to be front-loaded in the schedule--in case there are major delays and cancellations due to weather. Back to early runs of Figure Skating.
We just learned that the third round of Super Team Ski Jumping was cancelled due to weather--so they base the standing on the first two rounds. Austria was way in front, so that’s it. Tirico sends us to the final run of Women’s Monobob. US veteran slider Elana Meyers Taylor wins the gold (the oldest to do so), tying Bonnie Blair as the most decorated US Winter QISEan.
Back to Pairs Free Skate and the final teams. Tara and Johhny are more reverent than they normally are. The US was never really in the mix--Japan takes the gold, Georgia takes the silver--the first of any medal for the country.
More tomorrow.
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