U.S. will look to rebound in sprints

Here are some thoughts from my side of the Olympic fence:

"I think everybody is ready," U.S. sprint coach Chris Grover said, referring to Wednesday's sprint competitions. "Canmore, I don't think, was a good indication of where we are at [the Canmore World Cup was held before the Olympics]. We weren't focused on altitude racing; we were focused on sea-level training. Now that we are here and on snow, our people look really quick. So we are ready -- ready for the course. We've been on this course year round, so we are ready for the sprints."

***

While the Norwegians were nursing their wounds from the individual races -- except for bronze medalist, Marit Bjørgen's fine performance -- it seemed a day that went shockingly wrong. There wasn't any news from the Norwegians, but despite the day, they are so talented, I am pretty certain they will bounce back in the coming days.

The German coach Jochem Behele wasn't too pleased either.

"No, we didn't do well," Behele said. "Tobias Angerer was place number seven, and that was ok, but for the other three skiers we put out in the race, we didn't have good skis.

"And we didn't have just the right (ski) bases, as it was just too wet out there. It was rough for us, but there will be new chances."

Many are finding the waxing tricky here on relatively wet snow -- and "corn snow" -- with humidity; after all, we are not so far from the sea.

It was fine to see Switzerland's Dario Cologna take the gold medal in the men's 15km, followed by Pietro Piller Cottrer of Italy and Lukas Bauer of the Czech Republic.

Following the event the smiling Cologna said, "It was an incredible race for me. I had a good feeling right from the start. I am so happy, but I did not think I could win."

He took almost one month off this fall to nurse a roller skiing injury. I am always reminded that if high Olympic goals are one's objective, it really doesn't matter how fast you are skiing in December but only during these weeks in February.

I felt the Russian-turned-Canadian Ivan Babikov showed strong promise with a solid eighth place. Watch for him in the long distance events, of which he specializes. While the Yanks' top finish came from Alaska's James Southam in 48th, many were surprised to witness Team USA's top skier Kris Freeman place 59th.

In the women's 10km race, Charlotte Kalla won the gold with powerful skiing and very strong climbing skills.

"It feels crazy right now," she exclaimed. "I cannot believe I am a gold medalist; it was a good race for me. I just focused on my plan and tried to be patient."

Of course, she was not alone in her joy, which was shared by silver medalist, Kristina Smigun-Vaehi of Estonia, who had taken two years off to have a baby.

"I am so very happy; thank you Canada," the Estonian said. "I am blessed to have the opportunity to ski again after my baby was born."

Smigun-Vaehi, has had Olympic success before with her gold medal in the pursuit in Torino. She is very experienced with over 150 race starts and 16 World Cup wins. I believe experience helps so much to control the stress at Games-time.

The Canadian cross-country ski team is being very cautious -- as well they should be -- about germs, packing Purell wherever they go. That means avoiding crowds, doorknobs, everything -- and there's no shaking hands either. Given the stakes of the competition, it seems like a wise idea. Especially endurance athletes need to stay healthy; otherwise their dreams could be sidetracked.

***

We have seen some great racing and jumping so far, and after all these years, I am still moved by the Olympic experience deeply. For me to see old friends in sport is the icing on the cake.

I made a special point of going with friends to the Whistler Medals Plaza the evening Johnny Spillane won his silver medal. It was an historic day for the U.S., winning a medal in Nordic combined. I went with a bunch of Steamboat guys -- Johnny's hometown. The love and admiration you could feel was deeply effecting to me. Cliché to say, but there wasn't a dry eye among us. For everyone who has helped a kid on ski jumping and cross-country skis, shared in this victory. I am lucky, of course, to be here, but I went to the medals plaza for them, too.

We were all the richer for the experience.