February 11 Olympic Journal: The Rockets Red Glare
February 11 was a noteworthy and record-breaking day for the United States. Yesterday, the team from the United States won five medals. That was only the second time in 102 years that the United States won five medals on a single day in the winter Olympics. They won five medals again today.
The United States won medals on February 11 in skiing and figure skating. The men started playing hockey, too. With both the men’s and women’s hockey tournaments playing, the Olympic action is going to get even better. Are you looking forward to the rest of the Winter Olympics?
February 11 Olympic Medal Table
Country Gold Silver Bronze
Norway 7 2 4
United States 4 6 2
Italy 4 2 7
Switzerland 4 1 2
Germany 2 3 2
France 2 3 0
Sweden 2 2 7
Austria 2 2 4
Skiing Gold and Silver in February Gold Rush
In the morning, East Coast time, Ryan Cochran-Siegle won a silver medal in the men’s Super G race. He won a silver medal in the last Winter Olympics as well. He was sandwiched between two skiers from Switzerland.
“I felt like I went out there, skied with a lot of heart and just the focus that I’ve been doing consistently from top to bottom. It’s a great place to do it, I feel like I really embraced the slope and the way the snow was and the course set,” Cochran-Siegle said.
Sandwiching was not a problem in the Women’s moguls. Liz Lemley and Jaelin Kauf went 1-2, securing the gold and silver medals for the United States. Lemley is only 20 and is likely to compete in February four years from now. She said, “It hasn’t quite hit yet, but I’m sure it will. I’m already so happy and so proud of myself. There were no expectations, but I certainly wanted to win. I certainly came in just preparing myself to be in that mindset to win.”
Figure Skating
Madison Chalk and Ryan Bates finished second in figure skating’s ice dancing. That was a mild upset, but they still won a silver medal. They came into the long program in second place. They were looking up to the French pair of Fournier-Beaudry and Cizeron, who have been together for less than a year and won the gold medal.
Of the disappointment, Chalk said, “I feel like the team event was a great way to start the Games, and we felt really comfortable when we got out on the ice tonight — as comfortable as you can be when you’re performing, and in competition mode, but we were really happy with how we skated tonight.” Their medal was the fourth medal for the United States today.
Speedskating
The story was different in speedskating for the United States. World Champion, 21-year-old Jordan Stolz, won the first of what could be many in these Winter Olympics. He set an Olympic record on his way to a thrilling win in the 1,000-meter race. Stolz came from behind on the last of two laps to steal the victory.
Hockey
The men’s hockey tournament started today with a bit of an upset as Slovakia beat Finland 4-1. However, what that means is that both men and women will be playing hockey in a February festival of hockey.
Parting Shots
On February 11, the United States won five medals for the second day in a row. Yesterday was only the second time in 102 years that the American team won five Olympic medals in one day. Today, the United States almost won medals in Men’s and Women’s doubles Luge. Tomorrow could be even better, as the “Quad God” returns.
