February 9 Olympic Journal: United States Thwarts Host Nation Dominance In Curling and US Women’s Hockey Team Dominates

February 9 at the Olympics did not disappoint, and while the host nation athletes continued to do well, the United States beat them in Curling. The United States did disappoint in the Women’s 1,000-meter speedskating event.

Elsewhere on February 9, the United States beat Switzerland in women’s hockey, and Madison Chalk and Evan Bates began their quest for an individual gold medal. Do you think Chalk and Bates will win gold?

February 9 Olympic Medal Table

Country	Gold	Silver	Bronze
Norway	3	1	2
Switzerland	3	1	1
Japan	2	2	3
Germany	2	1	1
United States	2	0	0
Austria	1	3	0
Italy	1	2	6
France	1	1	0

Italy Continues To Do Well, But Not In Curling

There were not many medals awarded on February 9, but Italy maintained its overall lead with 9 medals so far, though 6 of those are bronze. It did seem that Italian athletes drew energy from the home crowd as they overperformed. There were several events today that did not award medals, but Italians put themselves in good positions.

That was not the case at the curling center. Americans Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin lost to Italian gold medalists Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner in round robin play today, but beat them in the semifinal match. That match happened before a raucous crowd, which attempted to rally the Italians. Thiesse and Dropkin will now compete for the gold medal on Tuesday. The American team is guaranteed no worse than a silver medal. They hope for more.

Women’s 100 Meter Speedskating

The Netherlands regained Olympic speed-skating dominance on February 9. Jutta Leerdam won the gold medal in the 1,000-meter speed skating race, setting an Olympic record in the process. Her time of 1:12.31 was the fourth Olympic record set in three races so far in Milan. Her teammate, Femke Kok, won the silver medal with a time of 1:12.59. Japan’s Miho Takagi won the bronze medal.

Americans skated well, but not well enough, in an event in which they were considered the favorites. American skater and world record holder Brittany Bowe finished in 4th, missing the podium by just 0.6 seconds. Erin Jackson, who specializes in the 500-meter race but began training for the middle sprint in the last few years, placed 6th in her Olympic 1000-meter debut. She was one of the flag bearers for the United States at the opening ceremony.

The United States Women Earn Second Shutout In Hockey

It may be that the United States Women’s Olympic Hockey team has a great defense. The United States got goals from Haley Winn, Joy Dunn, and K.K. Havery. The United States scored once in each of the first two periods, and they scored three times in the third period en route to a 5-0 victory.

Tomorrow, the defense of the American team will be tested against the Canadians. The United States is now 3-0, and the Swiss are 1-2. The United States has outscored its opponents 15-1 in this tournament

Madison Chock and Evan Bates Second

Chock and Bates won a team gold medal last night for the United States. There was some worry that Chock and Bates would be tired after their late night. However, Chock said they slept in. It did not necessarily look like it. However, they were in second place to the best French team. There was less than a point separating the American team and the French team, and the final score is just the total of the free skate.

Parting Shots

February 9 at the Olympics was another great day. There was a thrilling win for the United States in curling. The US Women’s hockey team recorded its second consecutive shutout. They will play Canada tomorrow.