Golden Winter

The Winter Olympics were always a European event. People like Ingmar, Katarina, and Hermann dominated. Billy, Tommy and Picabo had their moments but always in an upset in a distant time zone. US athletes always seemed to finish 8th with effort and valor. Figure skating was not our passion but it was always our best hope for a medal.

The European competitors had been dealing with the winter since before people walked upright and playing in it for a millennium. The US was still getting past the Donner party while Norwegians were already skiing. Running faster, jumping farther, and swimming faster are native to our spirit. Winter sports are an acquired taste and weather is always a factor. Last night our athletes nailed their efforts and our loyalty while we consumed a 19.8 share from our sofas.

Lindsay Vonn is a great story but she seemed to be selling that story from the moment she arrived in Vancouver. She is the best women’s downhiller in US history and the Gold medal favorite. She did not disappoint. In a compelling night of women skiers crashing at 80 mph while flying 190 feet in the air, she won against the odds she described and ultimately overcame.

Vonn injured herself before the 2006 Torino Games and was a non-factor. She injured herself again this year in a tune up run and shared the depth and gravity of that injury in every interview prior to her downhill efforts. We are sure it was severe but Vonn already had the bread crumbs on the course of why she came up short of the gold if she did. She did not and her story is now legend. We would rather meet Silver medalist Julia Mancuso for bevies. She looks like way more fun and she is totally doing Patron shots with her tiara and her game on. She won another medal today while Lindsay DQ’ed.

The Yard has put out an interview request to Shaun White to meet us for a beer. Apparently, the Today show beat us to the exclusive after his amazing performance last night. In a quick Yard poll that also included Victor our parking lot attendant, White was voted the coolest Gold Medal winner in a record setting day in US Winter Olympic history.

Shaun White is a not just a snow boarder, he is an enterprise. He nailed his first run on the half-pipe while lapping the field. He nonchalantly raised his score and nailed his signature trick when he already had his gold medal and America. He is a genuine slacker with the focus of an aerospace engineer. The Shaunster might not reach the height limit on the Autopia or the Gary Coleman under basketball league but he goes lights out with his lights on. His post game interviews were the most genuine and interesting of any performer.

BTW: Katarina Witt is still a haunting Yard favorite. She is our girl of the month on the blog site.