2010 Twenty Ten –

Live Blog - Freestyle Skiing Live Blog

Olympic GOLD Medal For Lassila

25.02.10 / 03:38:07 PM

FINAL WOMEN"S AERIAL MEDAL ROUND RESULTS

Australian Lydia Lassila takes Gold

RankBibAthleteJ1J2Total Score
1 4 LASSILA Lydia 106.25 108.49 214.74
2 1 LI Nina 99.40 107.83 207.23
3 2 GUO Xinxin 98.82 106.40 205.22
4 8 SLIVETS Assoli 102.79 95.90 198.69
5 24 COOPER Jacqui 90.82 103.47 194.29
6 3 XU Mengtao 108.74 82.87 191.61
7 6 CHENG Shuang 94.64 93.23 187.87
8 25 TSUPER Alla 86.64 95.20 181.84
9 16 SCHNOOR Lacy 89.88 83.01 172.89
10 22 CALDWELL Ashley 86.53 84.57 171.10
11 18 COOK Emily 65.03 83.89 148.92
12 19 GARDNER Elizabeth 63.09 23.61 86.70

Final 2nd jump Women's Aerials

25.02.10 / 03:21:44 PM

Slivets from BLR on course a LPF, lay pike full. This could knock Cooper off 3rd. Slivets scores a total of 198.69 going to 3rd.

Lydia Lassila on course for LFF and it's a great jump, awesome height super form perfect landing. Score a 214.74 taking 1st place with one jumper to go guaranteed a silver.

Xu on course for a LdFF and she crashes. Australia wins a gold medal! Lydia Lassila is the new Olympic champion.

Aerial Finals Women 2nd Jump

25.02.10 / 02:53:11 PM

So far scores haven't been very high so it really will come down to the second jump. I was surpriesd at the low scores handed out to some of the triple flips but the lack of visibility appears to wearing the athletes and knowing it's the Olympics and knowing they need to land and ski away from both jumps to have hope of a podium makes a little a consrvative.

Lydia Lassila is sitting in great position second behind Xu, she'll need another good jump. Cooper in 7th, gardner in 12th.

Final aerial women

25.02.10 / 02:47:12 PM

It's Guo from China with a FFF. High difficulty factor, a great jump solid lanfing. Scoring a 98.82 for 4th. I thought that would have scored much higher. mmmm

Li from China is # 1 in the world. 27 yr old. She's won the last 3 WC's and is a super model in China. 9 yrs on WC took silver in Torino. She score a 99.40 for 4th.

Tsuper on course 31 yr old from BLR, a LFF. A little bent in  the air a little crooked on landing a 86.64 for 9th.

Womens Final Aerial

25.02.10 / 02:39:16 PM

Next up Slivets LFF with near perfect landing a 102.79 for 2nd now.

It's 25 yr old Lacy Scnoor USA on course for dFF and sticks it a slight spilt in the legs.A 89.88 for 5th.

Now we have her teammate Emily Cook 31 yr old 13 yrs on WC 5 podiums 1 win. 19 in 06 Games. A FdF and slaps back which will kill her score. Condiitons are terrible, visibility making it really tough. 65.03 for 7th.

Now it's Cheng from China. 23 yr old. A dFF. Well done with a good landing. Scoring a 94.64 in 4th.

Women Aerial Finals

25.02.10 / 02:30:58 PM

The first jumper has gone and now all attention on Cooper. A LFF and she stick it but she had to back down as she was not able to get her FFF in practice. The degree of difficulty or DD will hurt her. She score a 90.82 and that may not be high enough.

Liz Gardner a DFF or double full fullbut she's a little split in the legs chesty on landing and goes over the bow. 63.09.

Lydia Lassila on course. The vision is like pea soup. LdFF. Great jump but winding down the winows down with her arms on landing. Should score ok, she never touched her hands on the landing a 106.25. Might ne enough to get on podium a lot of talent to come yet and how the bad conditions will play out with the other jumper will be critical.

XU on course 20 yr old took SIlver in 09 World Champs. She does a FFF for 108.74. New leader.

Women Aerial Finals

25.02.10 / 02:20:13 PM

We are about to begin under foggy conditions at night under the lights at 1 degree. This will make visibility a problem but being at night helps as the sky is dark and snow is grey so that helps the athletes tell up from down! Last minute speed checks are being done. getting your sped right is such a critical component.

Up first will be a rooky from the USA. 17tr old Ashley Cadlwell her 1st year on World Cup and best result at Deer Valley with 10th. She'll be doing a FdF or full double full a triple twisting double back flip.

Women's Freestyle Aerials

25.02.10 / 10:29:53 AM

ATTENTION SPORTS FANS

Starting at 2:25pm Thursday February 25

Women's Freestyle Aerials Medal Final Start List

Two jump format with both jumps counting for the total. Run order repeats for second jump.

Start Bib Athlete
1 22 CALDWELL Ashley
2 24 COOPER Jacqui
3 19 GARDNER Elizabeth
4 4 LASSILA Lydia
5 3 XU Mengtao|ht
6 8 SLIVETS Assoli
7 16 SCHNOOR Lacy
8 18 COOK Emily
9 6 CHENG Shuang
10 2 GUO Xinxin|
11 1 LI Nina
12 25 TSUPER Alla

*Start list is based on results from qualifications and run in reverse order with the winner going last.

Australian aerial legend Jacqui Cooper will be second to start. Cooper will be performing her triple flips for the first time in competition this year. She'll open with a FFF a triple twisting triple back. Cooper will be followed by temmate Liz Gardner performing a dFF, a triple twisting double back flip with a double rotation on the first flip. After Gardner will be her long time friend from her gymnastic days Lydia Lassila who'll throw a LdFF, it's triple twisting back flip with a layout on the first flip, a double twist on the second and a full twsit on the third flip.

Aussie stats

Cooper - 37 yr old, 18 yrs on World Cup (WC) 39 WC podium results, 24 wins, 5 WC Titles, 5 Olympics

Lassila - 28 yr old, 9 years on WC, 29 WC podiums, 11 WC wins, 3 Olympics

Gardner - 30 yr old, 9 years on WC, 2 WC podiums, 30 top 10's, 3 Olympics

Ski Cross Women's Final Medal Round Results

24.02.10 / 09:29:45 AM

Rank Bib Athlete

FINAL 1-4
1 2 MCIVOR Ashleigh
2 5 BERNTSEN Hedda
3 13 JOSSERAND Marion
4 8 HUTTARY Karin

FINAL 5-8
5 4 SERWA Kelsey
7 3 SMITH Fanny
8 18 BRENDENGEN JENSEN Julie

ELIMINATED IN QUARTERFINALS
9 6 DAVID Ophelie
11 12 HOEIE GJEFSEN Marte
12 14 MURRAY Julia
13 15 OWENS Jenny
14 16 FARIC Sasa
15 17 CREMA Katya
16 26 RIEMEN Karolina

Small Finals Women's ski cross

24.02.10 / 09:13:40 AM

Serwa CAN Holmlund SWE  Jensen NOR and Smith SUI make their way to the top.

This will decide 5th 6th 7th and 8th.

It's bucketing snow. Winter has returned. They're on course. Serwa takes the hole shot leading the pack. 2nd is Holmlund. Serwa wins taking 6th and Holmlund 7th.

Now time for all the marbles. The real finals. On course McIvor in 1st Bernsten in 2nd. And they hold with McIvor taking Gold, Bernsten Silver and Josserand FRA Bronze.

Semi finals women's ski cross

24.02.10 / 08:59:29 AM

The snow is really coming down now and decreased visibilty wil make it tough foir these athletes.

6 nations in the finals here. And we're out of the gate. Hutary in second Selwa in 1st. It's a tight race. Huttary wins and Josserand from FRA moving on.

Back to the top. McIvor Smith Jensen and Bernsten out of the gate. McIvor out in front. Bernsten righ behind her. It's Bernsten 1st and McIvor 2nd going to the finals.

Womens Final Ski Cross

24.02.10 / 08:42:19 AM

Both Cream and Owens in the quarter finals. The first time all year.

Crema moves into 2nd! Crema slips to third just short of landing on the back side of the jumps losing to much speed on each jump. Huttary and Holmlund move on.

Next round on course. David of FRA crashes landing a jump. Serwa of CAN in front. Big upset the leader in the sport David goes down hard. It's snowing really hard now. So Serwa CAN and Josseran of FRA move on.

3rd quarter final in the gate and on the course. Bernsten and Smith move on.

Back to the top of the course. But before we move on the officials are reviewing video of possible contact. The results stand.

Back up for Owens and a chance here at going to the semi finals. She'll need a good start. Owens in 3rd. Owens losing speed landing short on the jumps not carrying enough speed by finding the back sides which help carry speed. It's McIvor of CAN and Jensen of NOR moving on to the semi finals.

Women's ski cross FINALS

24.02.10 / 08:28:57 AM

Heat 6 Smith R Murray G  Ofner B Greig Y On course Smith and Murray way out in front and hold their lead to move on. Ofner and Greig never had a look in.

Heat 6 Bernstan R Gjefsen G Soelling B Georges Y In the start. On course it's Soelling and Georges make contact but the two Norweigens way out in front and cross the line 1 and 2.

Heat 7 Woerner R Poleschuk G Jensen B Reimeny Y. On course Woerner goes to the front Jensen in 2nd Woerner crashes Poleschuk crashes. Jensen win and Reimy go through.

Owen in the gate Heat 8. It;s snowing hard now. McIvor Limbacher Delgado all on course. Owens in 2nd. OWENS GOES TO QUARTER FINALS.

Womens FINALS

24.02.10 / 08:21:35 AM

Heat 3 in the gates. David in red Iljans green Zachen blue Genlid yellow. On course. Evetyone still on their feet it's close. It's David and of FRA and Iljans of SWE going through to the quarter finals.

Heat 4. Serwa in red Josserand green Fukushima blue and Steffen yellow. On course Serwa will be tough to beat. Here we go Serwa in front Josserand in 2nd Serwa way out in front. Serwa way out in front over the line and Josserand in 2nd. Serwa of CAN and Josserand of FRA going on.

Women's ski cross finals

24.02.10 / 08:13:25 AM

Now back to the top with Crema in the blue with Mueller in green, Huttary in Huttary in red and Gutensohn in yellow.

Out of the gates. Crema goes to the front, can she hold. Mueller ovettakes but crashes and Crema will qualify in 2nd position behind Hutary of CAN. HUGE SUCCESS FOR CREMA.

Women's ski cross finals

24.02.10 / 08:06:50 AM

Crema in the blue with Mueller in green, Huttary in Huttary in red and Gutensohn in yellow. On course. From the blue it will be tough for Crema to get the hole shot for the first turn.

Still holding now as they get Livinskaya into a neck brace.

Women's ski cross finals

24.02.10 / 07:55:31 AM

The first heat at the tiop of the course. The top two of four in each heat will go to the next round.

The course is holding up well and is very firm which is what the skiers like.

In the gate now. On course. Livinskaya crashes. Holmund from SWE wins and Faric of SLO go through to the quarter finals.

Crema in the blue with Mueller in green, Huttary in Huttary in red and Gutensohn in yellow. Slight hold now as the medics clean up Livinskaya.

Women's Ski Cross Heats

24.02.10 / 07:10:03 AM

Heat 1
Bib Athlete Lane
1 HOLMLUND r
16 FARIC g
24 MANHARD b
32 LIVINSKAYA y

Heat 2 Rank
Bib Athlete Lane
8 Huttary R
9 MUELLER g
17 CREMA b
25 GUTENSOHN y

Heat 3
Bib Athlete Lane
6 DAVID r
11 ILJANS g
19 Zacher b
27 KVINLOG GENLID y

Heat 4
Bib Athlete Lane
4 SERWA r
13 JOSSERAND g
21 FUKUSHIMA b
29 STEFFEN y

Heat 5
Bib Athlete Lane
3 SMITH r
14 MURRAY g
22 OFNER b
30 GREIG y

Heat 6
Bib Athlete Lane
5 BERNTSEN r
12 HOEIE GJEFSEN g
20 FJELLVANG-SOELLING b
28 GEORGES y

Heat 7
Bib Athlete Lane
7 WOERNER r
10 POLESCHUK g
18 BRENDENGEN JENSEN b
26 RIEMEN y

Heat 8
Bib Athlete Lane
2 MCIVOR r
15 OWENS g
23 LIMBACHER b
31 DELGADO y

Qualification results Women's ski cross

24.02.10 / 06:53:04 AM

Women's Ski Cross Qualifying times

Finals at 8:00am

1 11 HOLMLUND Anna 1:17.15
2 16 MCIVOR Ashleigh 1:17.17
3 6 SMITH Fanny 1:17.38
4 7 SERWA Kelsey 1:17.94
5 28 BERNTSEN Hedda 1:17.96
6 5 DAVID Ophelie 1:18.14
7 20 WOERNER Anna 1:18.45
8 1 HUTTARY Karin 1:18.84
9 12 MUELLER Katrin 1:18.92
10 10 POLESCHUK Danielle 1:19.02
11 19 ILJANS Magdalena 1:19.05
12 4 HOEIE GJEFSEN Marte 1:19.30
13 13 JOSSERAND Marion 1:19.42
14 14 MURRAY Julia 1:19.54
15 25 OWENS Jenny 1:19.80
16 8 FARIC Sasa 1:20.01
17 27 CREMA Katya 1:20.19
18 29 BRENDENGEN JENSEN Julie 1:20.23
19 23 ZACHER Heidi 1:20.35
20 17 FJELLVANG-SOELLING Sophie 1:20.41
21 26 FUKUSHIMA Noriko 1:20.56
22 21 OFNER Katrin 1:20.61
23 18 LIMBACHER Andrea 1:20.86
24 2 MANHARD Julia 1:21.10
25 9 GUTENSOHN Katharina 1:21.26
26 32 RIEMEN Karolina 1:21.36
27 15 KVINLOG GENLID Gro 1:21.93
28 31 GEORGES Chloe 1:22.03
29 22 STEFFEN Franziska 1:22.32
30 24 GREIG Michelle 1:22.52
31 33 DELGADO Rocio 1:22.67
32 30 LIVINSKAYA Yulia 1:22.83
33 35 NEDELCU Ruxandra 1:23.04
34 34 Sarah 1:24.52
35 3 LUEDI Sanna 1:32.87

Qualification ski cross women

24.02.10 / 06:28:45 AM

Brendengen gets 1:20.23 for 18th no problem qualifying.

From RUS Livinskaya on couse, she;lands way back loses her poles but still on course grteat rercovery. A 1:22.83 for 29th.

Georges from FRA on course. The 29 yr old comes across the line with 1:22.03 for 27th position.

From POL it's Riemen on course 1:21.36 for 26th.

Just a few left now with Delgado from ESP on course. A 1:22.67 for 31st on the bubble.

Now Sauvey from GBR on course. Born in Melbourne skiis for GBR and takes 1:24.52 in 33rd and won't qualify.

25 yr old Nedelcu from Romania on course and looking good taking a time of oohh crashed hard across the finsif with a time of 1:23.04 and won't qualify just 5.89 slow. The patrol are attending her in the finish area we'll hope she's ok.

That completes qualifying with Aussies Crema in 17th Owens in 15th and our NZL skier Greig taking 30th.

We'll be back as they seed the skiers into the heats.

Qualification women ski cross

24.02.10 / 06:13:24 AM

Ofner get a 1:20.61 for 16th.

Now it's Steffan from SUI on course with a time of 1:22.32 for 21st.

Zacher from GER on course with 1:20.35 for 15th.

21 yr old Greig from NZL in the start and on course. Owens up next.Greig comes in with a 1:22.52 for 23rd.

31 yr old Jenny Owens from Sydney AUS in the start out on to the course. With a 1:19.80 for 14th. She landed a bit back off one jumps and we could see her adjusting her goggles and helmet on the next turn. Great recovery.

Women's ski cross qualification

24.02.10 / 06:12:51 AM

Limbacher gets a 1:20.86 for 14th.

Iljans from SWE out of the gate and down the course in 1:19.05 for 9th.

20 yr old Woerner from GER on course and a 1:18.45 for 6th

Ofner 19yr old from AUT on course. Owens up in 4.

Women's ski cross qualification

24.02.10 / 05:53:42 AM

Mueller starting 12 from SUI gets a time of 1:18.92 now in 6th.

It's Josserand from FRA on course and comes through the finish in 1:19.42 for ninth.

Murray 21 yr old from CAN next ranked 4th in the world. The crowd goes mad as she comes across the line with 1:19.54 for 10th.

The NOR Genlid on course starting 15th. AUS Owens up in 10 more skiers. Genlid at 1:21.93 n ow 14th.

McIvor from CAN ranked # 2 in the world the crowd is going crazy and it's only qualifiers. A 1:17.17 for 2nd.

Next is Soelling from DEN. Struggling up top to get over the burms. Lands the first jump way back but recovers. 1;20.43 for 13th.

It's Limbacher from AUT on course.

Women's ski cross qualification

24.02.10 / 05:43:24 AM

Serwa from ACN on course. She's # 3 in the world. The Canadian's look good for a medal in the world rankings mean anything. She gets 1:17.94 and a 2nd for now.

It's Faric from SLO on course. She comes down with in 1:20.01 in 6th.

Now Gutensohn 43 yr old from AUT out of the gate, twice the age of some of her competitors. Plenty of experience here and gets a time of 1:21.26.

Poleschuk of CAN on course with 1:19.02 for 5th.

Holmund now on course from SWE and gets a time of 1:17.15 and we have a new leader from SWE.

Mueller from SUI on course.

Women's ski cross qualification

24.02.10 / 05:28:40 AM

The first women is in the gate and out on to the course it;s Huttary from AUT. Sh skis the pristine course in 1:18.84.

Manhard from GER on course. The course is firm with no ruts at this stage. These early starters will experience an advantage over those going later who'll have more ruts and deteriorated landings. She's slow with 1:21.10.

Now it's Leudi from SUI.Jst barely carrying enough speed to get over the top burm. She's in the back seat crashed and losese a pole but still going with a very slow time of 1:32.87. 14 sceonds off the leader.

From NOR it's Gjefsen, 19 year old on course. 1:19.30 now 2nd.

It's now David from FRA # 1 ranked and she is pouring on the speed after a sluggish start. 1:18.14 good enough for 1st. .7 faster than anyone esle so far.

It;s 17 yr old Smith from SUI out of the gate and down the course with 1:17.38 and a new leader.

Women's ski cross qualification

24.02.10 / 05:18:04 AM

Ones to watch are world # 1 David from FRA and ranked 2 - 4 are the Canadian's McIvir,Serwak and Murray. Australian's Katya Crema is ranked 28th on the World Cup standings. Jenny Owens has missed several events due to a knee injury which she has had scoped been skking and training relativley pain free now. Jenny Owens took a Pofium result just last season and we hope she can repeat that kind of performance here.

The skiers will al take one individual run to try and attain a qualifying time in the top 32 to be seeded in the heats. Owens is starting 25th with Cream staring 27th. The temp is hanging around 4 defrees.

This event marks the Olympic debut for ski cross.

Men's Qualifying 2nd jump

23.02.10 / 02:34:15 PM

Marushcak from RUS on course with a LdFF, great jump but with his first jump less then what he needed he goes to 19th.

Morris up in one. Han from Chian goes way past on his LdFF.

Australia's rookie David Morris, the last jumper of the qualification. ON COURSE. FdFF a quad twisting triple back and sticks it! He needs 221.91 to get in the finals. Misses by .89 and goes to 13th. ONE AWAY FROM FINALS. There's nothing more David could have done to make finals that was a huge effort and this kid will be back in force. Australia hasn't had anyone representing the men's aerials since Jono Sweet who had one podium results becoming Australia's most successful aerialist. Morris will now take up the reigns and looks to be a real international force.

That's it folks. More to come in news and features shortly here on Mountainwatch.com's Twenty Ten.

Rank Bib Name 1st jump 2nd Jump Total
1 3 JIA Zongyang                 120.80 121.72 242.52
2 28 ST. ONGE Ryan             122.57 118.10 240.67
3 18 LAMBERT Thomas         114.58 123.75 238.33
4 17 DASHINSKI Dmitri        115.93 122.40 238.33
5 13 PETERSON Jeret           119.47 117.87 237.34
6 8 SHOULDICE Warren        122.79 113.14 235.93
7 10 GRISHIN Alexei             123.01 111.26 234.27
8 9 OMISCHL Steve               116.15 117.73 233.88
9 11 NISSEN Kyle                  123.75 109.96 233.71
10 2 QI Guangpu                   108.60 121.68 230.28
11 6 LIU Zhongqing               124.78 104.89 229.67
12 5 SLIVETS Timofei             110.63 111.28 221.91
13 15 MORRIS David              105.09 115.93 221.02
14 22 ISOZ Andreas               103.76 110.42 214.18
15 1 KUSHNIR Anton              125.89 88.01 213.90
16 19 HAECHLER Christian      106.64 100.61 207.25
17 32 DEPETERS Matt            101.84 100.64 202.48
18 4 ULRICH Renato               81.86 118.55 200.41
19 20 KRAVCHUK Stanislav      90.93 106.46 197.39
20 24 MARUSHCHAK Dmitry     88.50 106.46 194.96
21 23 HAN Xiaopeng               111.95 80.57 192.52
22 29 ABLAEV Enver                88.08 101.33 189.41
23 31 BAHRKE Scotty               82.52 86.20 168.72
24 30 ABRAMENKO Oleksandr  80.53 82.03 162.56
27 SHAPKIN Yury DNS DNS

Men's qualification 2nd jump

23.02.10 / 02:24:42 PM

Jia from China, a great dFFF and balanced landing mover him into 1st with a total 242.52 and Anton to 12th with no real hope of finals.

It's Kravchuk into 16th with a good jump but his first jump won't be good enough to get finals.

Kyle Nissan 11 year Canadian vet on course. He nails his FdFF and a little off balance in the slush wants to touch a hand but doesn't and moves into 8th and now he's in the hot seat and Anton is out of finals. A huge upset.

USA's Bahrke in the gate. Missed his first jump and lands back on his second jumps and won't be going to finals. At 25 he's still young enough to have another go come 2014. He moves into 19th.

It's 33 yr old Dashinski from BLR up next. A dFFF and he takes way doen the hill with a confident landing moving into 4th with 238.88.

David Morris up in two!

Men's qualifier 2nd jump

23.02.10 / 02:09:36 PM

Ulrich on course from SUI, a great jump a FdFF moving him into 8th with a total of 200.40.

Now up is 26 yr old Lambert from SUI. A beautiful jump a half in randy full, a quad twisting triple moves him into 2nd.

Isoz also from SUI sticks his jump moves into 6th with 214.18 total.

Ablaev from UKR holds on to his landing just barely. A FdFF with split skis and a lot of compression on impact skiing it out on one leg taking 11th won't do it today.

Slivets from BLR need another ok jump to qualify. And it's a great jump and we'll see him in finals. He's now 6th with 221.91.

Speedy from USA in the start. A dFFF and yes he tags his landing. What a night for Speedy to find his feet. A quad twisting triple with staright form he scores a 237.34 for 3rd at the minute. He'll go to finals.

Grishin from BLR hits his LdFF superb. he moves into 5th pushing Anton back to 10th making it unlikely for the world's #1 to be in the medal round. China's Liu just jumped well but a little back on landing takes 8th and Anto goes to 11th.

Mens' aerial qualification 2nd jump

23.02.10 / 01:45:52 PM

Right now the athletes are preparing for their second of two jumps for the top 12 to go through to finals. The organisers are working the landing to make sure they fill in the holes. The coaches are putting the final touches on the jumps. Australian David Morris who has only been on World Cup 2 year compared to many of these aerialists who have been at it for 8 - 12 years. Morris is sitting in 16th position now so it will take another solid jump. Anything can happen now but Anton Kushnir from BLR is leading. But it's not the medal round today. You just have to be in the top 12 to move on to the medal round.

Men's qualification aerials

23.02.10 / 01:26:21 PM

Australia's David Morris in 5 more. The Chinese have begun to show great form this year and LIU just jumped a FdFF. Scores 124.78 for 7th. His teammate Jia on course for another FdFF. Anton Kushnir still leading this qualification. Jia AKA JZ sticks his jump, really straight for a 120.80 and in 6th.

Next up from UKR is Kravchuk another veteran of the sport with a FdFF but back on landing dragging a hand and it puts him in 15th.

31 year old Kyle Nissan of CAN on course 5th in Torino 11 yrs on WC. dFFF great form and balanced on landing moves into 3rd 123.75.

Next up from USA Scotty Bahrke. His older sister Shannon bahrke took the bronze the other night in moguls. On course nice jump but slaps back on landing going to 18th.

Dashinski up next from BLR 33 years old took a silver in Torino 2006. has 27 World Cup podium results with 11 wins. He takes a 10th.

Australia's David Morris up in two. Han from Chian on course. he carried the flag in the opening ceramonies. A FdFF. Not abgreat take off but he makes it work with a good landing and takes 12.

Morris on course from AUS. he's only been on World Cup 2 years. A FFF and skiis it out. The dd is not as high as many competitors but a great jump and he takes 16th with a 105.09.

That completes the first jump.

Men's Aerial Qualification

23.02.10 / 01:07:33 PM

The first 5 guys have gone now and condition look good for qualifiers.

Warren Shouldice now leading the first round. On course USA vet Ryan St.Onge with a great full-double full-full. A quad twisting triple and finds his feet for 122.57.

Next on course is from UKR Abramenko and he has to pull hard on the last flip breaking form. Just a rookie. Some of these guys have spent 10-15 years on World Cup. This kid has spent .

This guy Anton from BLR is # 1 in the world and shows great style on FdFF. He's only come into his own in the last couple of years smashing the field. 125.89 leading the field in typical fashion for him this year.

Finals ski cross

22.02.10 / 08:29:13 AM

Final medal results for the debut ski cross Olympic competition.

Women's Qualification here Wednesday 24/2 at 5:30am

1 Michael SCHMID SUI          GOLD
2 Andreas MATT AUT             SILVER
3 Audun GROENVOLD NOR  BRONZE
4 Chris DEL BOSCO CAN
5 Enak GAVAGGIO FRA
6 Davey BARR CAN
7 Scott KNELLER AUS
8 Filip FLISAR SLO

Semi finals medal round

22.02.10 / 08:21:16 AM

This round for all the marbles. The'ye bunched up tight Scmid no in front. Matt in second. Del Bosco was holding 3rd but crashes just before the bottom air. Andreas Scmid of SUI takes gold. Matt of AUT takes silver and Gravaggio takes bornze and Canada's Del Bosco with a big crash just before the finish takes 4th.

Small finals 5th through 8th

22.02.10 / 08:10:04 AM

Skiers making their way to the start. They'll work with their technicians maybe change skiis and or new wax and base texture to deal with these warn conditions.

Kneller now back at the top on course fighting for 5th - 8th place. Kneller now in 4th. Kneller mover up to 2nd but now crashes. Gavaggio wins and Barr CAN in 2nd Flisar in 3rd and here comes Kneller for 8th place overall.

Finals semis men ski cross Kneller

22.02.10 / 08:04:23 AM

Kneller up the top in the gate his shot to make the Olympic finals, can he do it? Either way great race for him so far. Kneller into 2nd and holds his line. Kneller slips to 3rd. And kneller takes 3rd. Del Bosco in second and Groenvold of NOR wins.

Semi finals men's ski cross

22.02.10 / 07:57:30 AM

So a huge day for the 20 year old Kneller and Australia now has a skier in the semi finals of this first ever Olympic event for ski cross. You don't often see a winter games where the crowd wears t-shirts. Very warm weather, slush conditions, easy to get caught up in the slush.

The racers are preparing fOR semis, not much time now. This sport moves quickly. One minute you're in it the next you could be swinging at the fences all tied up.

Ok here we go the first semi round on course. Matt, Schmid, Gravagio Barr, out of the gate. Schmid away in 1st Barr in 3rd Gavvagio last. Matt in 2nd. Schmid Matt go though. The FRA and the CAN out. Amazing day for Scott Kneller who only weeks ago was not sure if he would physically be able to compete at the games due to an early season shoulder injury.

Finals quarter Cypress

22.02.10 / 07:54:11 AM

Del Bosco of CAN in 1st out of the gate. Del Bosco still leading midway. Del Bosco wins the heat and the crowd is going mad. Fliso from SLO with the Canadain go on.

Finals quarter

22.02.10 / 07:50:40 AM

Kneller back at the top in the gate. Kneller holding 2nd at mid way. Kneller goes though! Great race very strategic and goes though to semis' along with Groenvold of NOR.

Quarter finals ski cross men's

22.02.10 / 07:42:26 AM

The BIG news is Australian Scott Kneller, school mate from Cooma of Tora Bright goes through.

The first of 4 rounds for the quarter final on course. Schmid out in front the Jamaican in 3rd. Canadian Barr and Scmid from SUI move on.

Cypress ski cross finals

22.02.10 / 07:36:17 AM

Next heat out of the start. The landing are showing holes and the slush is getting thicker. The SLO is 1st CAN in 2nd. No smashes or crashes and the Canadian have Hayer through along with Flisar from SLO.

The final heat on course and without incident it's Del Bosco winning and Elliason fro SWE going on.

Men's ski cross Finals

22.02.10 / 07:29:31 AM

Next heat on course. A FIN two FRA and an AUT. France one and two now. Kuhn goes down due to his own error. Mailler from FRA and Witner from AUT go through.

Kneller on course. He's amongst tough company. Can he be 1st or 2nd to go through. Kneller leading after the 3rd turn. Can he hold. He's slipped to 2nd and holding. Kneller YES he moves on taking 2nd amazing work despite some thrilling back seat action. What a race.

Ski cross finals

22.02.10 / 07:23:57 AM

Kraus of KZE wins easily and goes through with Spalinger fro SUI. The crowds in their t-shirts is proof of the warm weather. The ruts are getting deeper.

The next heat on course. Gavaggio of FRA wins and Matt fro AUT move on.

Ski cross men's finals

22.02.10 / 07:23:14 AM

The next heat on course. Everyone behaving themselves here so far. No it's a huge smash off the bottom air and the Jamaican goes through along with Canadian Davey Barr. For its Olympic debut this is turning out to be the kind of action that will popularize this event.

Men's ski cross heats

22.02.10 / 05:46:21 AM

This how the heats stack up based on qualifying times. More to come at 7:10am.

Heat 1

Bib Athlete Lane
1 SUI SCHMID r
16 FRA PICCARD g
24 USA RAHLVES b
32 SWE ILJANS y

Heat 2

Bib Athlete Lane
8 GER STICKL r
9 JAM KERR g
17 NOR REKDAL b
25 CAN BARR y

Heat 3
Bib Athlete Lane
6 AUT ZANGERL r
11 CZE KRAUS g
19 SWE LEWEN b
27 SUI SPALINGER y

Heat 4
Bib Athlete Lane
4 AUT MATT r
13 FRA GAVAGGIO g
21 SWE FORSLUND b
29 GER FIALA y

Heat 5
Bib Athlete Lane
3 FRA KUHN r
14 FRA MIAILLIER g
22 FIN HAUKKALA b
30 AUT WITTNER y

Heat 6
Bib Athlete Lane
5 NOR GROENVOLD r
12 AUS KNELLER g
20 RUS KOROTKOV b
28 AUT KOLLER y

Heat 7
Bib Athlete Lane
7 SLO FLISAR r
10 CAN HAYER g
18 USA PUCKETT b
26 JPN TAKIZAWA y

Heat 8
Bib Athlete Lane
2 CAN DEL BOSCO r
15 SUI NETZER g
23 SWE ELIASSON b
31 SUI HOFER y

Men's ski cross qualifying

22.02.10 / 05:15:31 AM

Scott Kneller now in the gate. He's had some injuries earlier on in the season forcing him to miss some event to recover for the Olympics. Kneller on course hasn't competed since December and he's looking a little conservative which is understandable as it's so critical to finish the course to go on to the heats. Great time of 1:13;85 and he qualfies completing the course and he'll be psyched with that, now in 12th position. That will give Kneller every opportunity. He'll be placed in heats in good position and that will begin in about an hour.

Qualifying Times
Rank Bib Athlete Time

1 4 Michael Schmid 1:12.53
2 6 DEL BOSCO Chris 1:12.89 +0.36
3 13 Kuhn Xavier 1:12.91    
4 5 MATT Andreas 1:13.13    
5 14 GROENVOLD Audun 1:13.23    
6 2 ZANGERL Thomas 1:13.44    
7 31 FLISAR Filip 1:13.46    
8 1 STICKL Simon 1:13.49    
9 27 KERR Errol 1:13.71    
10 11 HAYER Stanley 1:13.74    
11 7 KRAUS Tomas 1:13.75    
12 33 KNELLER Scott 1:13.85    
13 20 GAVAGGIO Enak 1:13.90    
14 17 MIAILLIER Sylvain 1:13.91    
15 16 NETZER Conradign 1:13.91  
   
16 8 PICCARD Ted 1:14.10    
17 29 REKDAL Anders 1:14.17    
18 12 PUCKETT Casey 1:14.35    
19 9 LEWEN Lars 1:14.44    
20 25 KOROTKOV Egor 1:14.54    
21 32 FORSLUND Michael 1:14.66    
22 23 HAUKKALA Juha 1:14.66    
23 22 ELIASSON Tommy 1:14.73    
24 15 RAHLVES Daron 1:14.91    
25 10 BARR Davey 1:14.98    
26 21 TAKIZAWA Hiroomi 1:15.03    
27 19 SPALINGER Richard 1:15.12    
28 18 KOLLER Patrick 1:15.22    
29 24 FIALA Martin 1:15.88    
30 26 WITTNER Marku 1:15.91    
31 3 HOFER Beni 1:16.18    
32 30 ILJANS Eric 1:16.34    
  28 SAFAR Zdenek DNF  

Men's ski cross qualifying

22.02.10 / 05:10:24 AM

The fastest time on the course now goes to Michael Schmid from GER of 1:12.53. The course has deteriorated some since Schmid ran and I don't think we'll see anyone beat that time.

The Aussie Kneller up in one.

Men's ski cross qualifying

22.02.10 / 05:03:05 AM

Another warm day creates more slushy conditions but great weather for spectators. Ruts are already forming and the landings are showing sign of wear with skiers leaving holes.

The times achived here now will allow the organisers to place the skiers into the heats to begin the brackets. Scott Kneller is running 33rd out of 33.He's up in 4 skiers.

2nd jump womens qualifying

21.02.10 / 06:37:00 AM

Schnoor from the USA with a full full done very well. 81.74 moves her into 6th place. That will make finals.

Mengtao with a lay full full. Good jump but slaps back on landing movers her to 8th place. Australian legend Jacqui Cooper on course for a lay full. Great jump perfect landing. The lack of difficulty will make it close to qualify. She's in 11th position with one one jumper left. Jacqui makes finals. The last jumper won't pose a threat to the standing Scaerer fro SUI places 19th.

Three Australians through to finals in 9th, 10th and 11th playing the day perfectly short of Munro not qualifying. No one will ever remember who qualified in what position today was all about getting to finals to have a chance to compete for all the marbles and three Aussies have done just that.

Finals will be held Thursday 3:30pm Australian time.

FINAL QUALIFICATION RESULTS

1 25 [TSUPER Alla 105.64 90.12 195.76
2 1 [LI Nina 97.11 94.99 192.10
3 2 [GUO Xinxin 88.08 101.08 189.16
4 6 [CHENG Shuang 94.29 86.62 180.91
5 18 [COOK Emily 86.31 93.94 180.25
6 16 [SCHNOOR Lacy 87.77 81.74 169.51
7 8 [SLIVETS Assoli 84.17 85.22 169.39
8 3 [XU Mengtao 92.74 75.81 168.55
9 4 [LASSILA Lydia 85.65 81.90 167.55
10 19 [GARDNER Elizabeth 89.00 75.60 164.60
11 24 [COOPER Jacqui 87.88 75.11 162.99
12 22 [CALDWELL Ashley 79.66 82.68 162.34
13 10 [DIDENKO Nadiya 87.77 73.49 161.26
14 17 [VOLKOVA Olga 82.53 78.25 160.78
15 26 [BAUER Veronika 94.47 65.99 160.46
16 7 [LEU Evelyne 93.75 61.75 155.50
17 12 [LINDSEY Jana 64.10 87.59 151.69
18 9 [MUNRO Bree 74.37 69.09 143.46
19 11 [SCHAERER Tanja 60.63 65.10 125.73
20 21 [POLYUK Olga 60.37 55.36 115.73
21 30 [KONOPOVA Martina 66.84 48.23 115.07
22 23 [AINSWORTH Sarah 52.44 52.92 105.36
23 28 [ARAPBAYEVA Zhibek 48.89 38.09 86.98

2nd round women

21.02.10 / 06:30:55 AM

Tsuper with a lay tuck full, she nails it likely to take the lead if not the day. 90.12 for a total of 195.76 for 1st place currently.

A full full for Shuang from China performs with great from and text book landing. 86.62 and goes into 3rd. Xinxin also from China needs a good jump to make finals. A lay full full, great jumps and solid landing will move her into final no problem.

Scores a 101.08 and goes into 3rd.

2nd round Women aerial qualifying

21.02.10 / 06:19:23 AM

RankBibAthleteAir & FormLandingJumpDDTotal Score

1 25 [TSUPER Alla 19.1 (1) 8.70 (=2) bLFF 3.800 105.64  
2 1 [LI Nina 19.0 (=2) 8.55 (4) bFdF 3.525 97.11  
3 26 [BAUER Veronika 19.0 (=2) 7.80 (10) bdFF 3.525 94.47  
4 6 [CHENG Shuang 18.5 (6) 8.25 (=8) bdFF 3.525 94.29  
5 7 [LEU Evelyne 16.7 (16) 6.45 (=13) bFFF 4.050 93.75  
6 3 [XU Mengtao 16.0 (19) 6.90 (12) bFFF 4.050 92.74  
7 19 [GARDNER Elizabeth 17.0 (14) 8.25 (=8) bdFF 3.525 89.00  
8 2 [GUO Xinxin 16.5 (=17) 5.25 (16) bFFF 4.050 88.08  
9 24 [COOPER Jacqui 18.9 (4) 9.00 (1) bFF 3.150 87.88  
10 16 [SCHNOOR Lacy 17.4 (=10) 7.50 (11) bdFF 3.525 87.77  
11 10 [DIDENKO Nadiya 16.5 (=17) 8.40 (=5) bFdF 3.525 87.77  
12 18 [COOK Emily http: 18.7 (5) 8.70 (=2) bFF 3.150 86.31  
13 4 [LASSILA Lydia 15.9 (=20) 8.40 (=5) bdFF 3.525 85.65  
14 8 [SLIVETS Assoli 17.2 (=12) 4.95 (18) bLFF 3.800 84.17  
15 17 [VOLKOVA Olga 17.8 (7) 8.40 (=5) bFF 3.150 82.53  
16 22 [CALDWELL Ashley 17.5 (=8) 5.10 (17) bFdF 3.525 79.66  
17 9 [MUNRO Bree 16.9 (15) 4.20 (19) bdFF 3.525 74.37  
18 30 [KONOPOVA Martina 17.5 (=8) 5.55 (15) bLF 2.900 66.84  
19 12 [LINDSEY Jana http: 17.2 (=12) 3.15 (21) bFF 3.150 64.10  
20 11 [SCHAERER Tanja 15.2 (23) 4.05 (20) bFF 3.150 60.63  
21 21 [POLYUK Olga 15.9 (=20) 1.35 (22) bLTF 3.500 60.37  
22 23 [AINSWORTH Sarah 15.6 (22) 1.05 (23) bFF 3.150 52.44  
23 28 [ARAPBAYEVA Zhibek 17.4 (=10) 6.45 (=13) bL 2.050 48.89  

Moving into the second round women's aerial qualification

21.02.10 / 05:56:52 AM

All 4 Australian's looking good right now but Bree Munro had som trouble. It will be important all 4 to perform well in this second jump to make finals.

The first jumper from the USA Caldwell with a 82.68. Bauer from Canada next up and throws a full full with bent knees coming out of the second full. Scores a  65.90. Not what she was after.

From UKR Nadya for a double full full not great form really split skiis and drags hands on landing. 73.49.

Emily Cook from USA for full double-full. Great jump nice form shell go through to finals with that effort. Scores a 93.94 pulls her up to 1st.

Tsuper from UKR on course, ohhh short on landing, clicks out of both skis and skiis through the finish on her boots in good fashion, 61.75. That won't help her today.

Li from China on course, double-full full, great jump no worries about finals now moves into 1st with a 99.4

Liz Gardner now on course, full-full. She'll ned great form. Great jump a little imbalance or just got hung up in the sluch but scores 75.60 total 164.60 now in 3rd.

Women first jump Qualifiying standing

21.02.10 / 05:52:20 AM

RankBibAthleteAir & FormLandingJumpDDTotal Score

1 25 TSUPER Alla 19.1 (1) 8.70 (=2) bLFF 3.800 105.64  
2 1 LI Nina 19.0 (=2) 8.55 (4) bFdF 3.525 97.11  
3 26 BAUER Veronika 19.0 (=2) 7.80 (10) bdFF 3.525 94.47  
4 6 CHENG Shuang 18.5 (6) 8.25 (=8) bdFF 3.525 94.29  
5 7 LEU Evelyne 16.7 (16) 6.45 (=13) bFFF 4.050 93.75  
6 3 XU Mengtao 16.0 (19) 6.90 (12) bFFF 4.050 92.74  
7 19 GARDNER Elizabeth 17.0 (14) 8.25 (=8) bdFF 3.525 89.00  
8 2 GUO Xinxin 16.5 (=17) 5.25 (16) bFFF 4.050 88.08  
9 24 COOPER Jacqui 18.9 (4) 9.00 (1) bFF 3.150 87.88  
10 16 SCHNOOR Lacy 17.4 (=10) 7.50 (11) bdFF 3.525 87.77  
11 10 DIDENKO Nadiya 16.5 (=17) 8.40 (=5) bFdF 3.525 87.77  
12 18 COOK Emily 18.7 (5) 8.70 (=2) bFF 3.150 86.31  
13 4 LASSILA Lydia 15.9 (=20) 8.40 (=5) bdFF 3.525 85.65  
14 8 SLIVETS Assoli 17.2 (=12) 4.95 (18) bLFF 3.800 84.17  
15 17 VOLKOVA Olga 17.8 (7) 8.40 (=5) bFF 3.150 82.53  
16 22 CALDWELL Ashley 17.5 (=8) 5.10 (17) bFdF 3.525 79.66  
17 9 MUNRO Bree 16.9 (15) 4.20 (19) bdFF 3.525 74.37  
18 30 KONOPOVA Martina 17.5 (=8) 5.55 (15) bLF 2.900 66.84  
19 12 LINDSEY Jana 17.2 (=12) 3.15 (21) bFF 3.150 64.10  
20 11 SCHAERER Tanja 15.2 (23) 4.05 (20) bFF 3.150 60.63  
21 21 POLYUK Olga 15.9 (=20) 1.35 (22) bLTF 3.500 60.37  
22 23 AINSWORTH Sarah 15.6 (22) 1.05 (23) bFF 3.150 52.44  
23 28 ARAPBAYEVA Zhibek 17.4 (=10) 6.45 (=13) bL 2.050 48.89  

Women qualifier first round

21.02.10 / 05:37:41 AM

From China it's Shuang with a double full-full-full 94.29. Great jump. Another jumper from China is a little back on take off for a full-full-full but crashes on landing for 88.08 in 7th.

Schnoor from USA. Full double full-full, small split in the skiis but nails the landing and that's critical. 87.77 for 8th. Mangtao from China on course full-full-full. Bent knees thoughout, reasonable landing scoring 92.74 now 6th.

Jacqui Cooper from AUS, her 5th games. A full-full. She'll need to be solid and it's great form but a little small but straight from and great landing 87.88 now 9th. Remember there another jump to go to pick the top 12 for finals.

Tanya fro SUI is the last jumper. Full Full and bent form misses the landing shouldn't upset the first round leaders. A 60.63 for 20th.

Next round about to begin shortly.

Women Aerial Qualifying

21.02.10 / 05:24:01 AM

Bree Munro from Australia in the gate. She's been jumping well this season. Great from on a double full full. Back on landing and gets hung up in the slush. Very difficuult landing conditions score a 74.37 despite great from. Lindsey from USA throws a full full but drags hands on landing.  That's not going to score well 64.10 for 1th

Australia's Lydia :Lassila with a back double full-full, perfect landing but has some form deductions and is sitting 7th.

Next from UKR with full full it's Olga Volkove . Nice form solid landing. 82.53 for 9th. Bre currently in 11th with 12 through to the finals and 4 more jumpers to go. Tsuper from BLR for lay full full, a triple back with two rotations. Great jump, minimum compression on landing. Should score well. 105.64 and a new leader.

9th aerialst in the gate

21.02.10 / 05:17:25 AM

From the UKR it's Olga with lay-tuck-full. Bring her feet well through on landing and takes it to her back so not to expect much on that 60.37. Good enough for 8th at the minute.

From BLR it's Slivetts. A mom now Slivetts perform a lay full full with great from but imbalance on landing send her to the fences. 84.17 now 7th.

Women Qualification Aerials

21.02.10 / 05:16:49 AM

Nadya from the Uk just jumped but had a form break and will not score well. Cook from the USA a long time aerialist. Great form full full. Cook has penciled form, feet pinned together and sweet landing with 86.31. Leu from SUI is current gold medal holder. On course. First triple flip today a full full full and landed nicely but broke form coming out of the juimp but the dd could see her in first..... No Canada still holds first.

Nina from China hits her double full double full. A double back with 4 rotations and has almost pefect form she's famous for. A new leader 97.11.

Aussie Liz Gardner on course. Gardner jumps amazing! Double full-full with a slight bend in the knees on exit and feet split on landing but great jump scoring a 89.00 for 4th.

The Qualification Begins

21.02.10 / 05:00:56 AM

The first athlete, Ashley from the USA full double full but hits the slushy conditions on landing tumbling over.

The landing looks soft which is good for landing on your back but too soft and it can make getting away fro the jump a challenge. The next jumper from GB brings her feet through on landing and smack back.

No big scores but here.s Brauer from Canada and is a veteran with their team. Perfect jump, very straight form, a full double full with minimal compression on landing. That will score well. 94.47 Good have ben higher.

Cypress men mogul finals

15.02.10 / 01:17:15 PM

Colas from France is in the gate. The last skier, the last one to take away gold from the Canadian Bilodeau. He's super fast 22.90, the fastes run of the night. A smoker but the loop at the bottom... he misses his grab, could this cost him gold. Yes it cost him a podium, Colas goes into 6th, a major upset for the French camp.

Dale Begg-Smith of Australia takes the silver and Canadian Bilodeau takes the GOLD on home turf. Bryon Wilson of the USA takes bronze with Canadian Vincent Marquis just off the podium for fourth.

The emotions are flying and are at extreme opposite ends of the map from the French dissapointment to the elation the Canadians are feeling especially after Jen Heil missed out on the gold, settling for silver yesterday in the women's moguls.

Australia makes history with Begg-Smith now a double Olympic medal winner. They'll be some celebrating tonight. Phew! And this is only day 2.

Cheers to all who have joined in.

Cypress finals moguls

15.02.10 / 01:15:02 PM

Bilodeau skiis an impressive run with double full on top and back x on the bottom. No real glitches to speak of and and and a 26.75 moves him into 1st!

Mens Cypress Final Moguls

15.02.10 / 01:11:34 PM

USA's Bryon Wilson is next in the gate. The last American hope. he took two World Cup in Finalnd but has struggled since. Let;s see what he can do. A perfiect double full on top, text book d-spin on the bottom in 24.00 seconds. Bryon delivers an amazing run but can he take down the legend Begg-Smith, I don't think his turn will doi no he takes 26.08 and comes 2nd for the minute.

Final men's Cypress

15.02.10 / 12:47:40 PM

Arttu from Finalnd on course, back cross on top on his heels through the middle cork 7 on the bottom jump but drags a hand on landing. Not the run he was looking for tonight at 22.76.

Next up from Japan is Yugo. He's done over 169 World Cups and can still walk! A hero in Japan, Yugo is on the course with a perfect heli on top but the d-spin 7 on the bottom see his feet pulled through and wheely away. That's not going to make him happy.

Men Finals

15.02.10 / 12:36:28 PM

Pierre Ochs put in a blistering run scoring 23.62 for first... Just for now though because Nate Roberts of the USA is on the course with a clean back full but skies off the course and human error rears its ugly head for the firts time on the course here in finals. Ochs hold 1st.

Men' Mogul Finals

15.02.10 / 12:28:59 PM

Dale has some time to kill right now. he'll be running fourth from last. he'll pu in a great effort and push the skiers running after to him to their limits and hopefuly beyond!

Mikko fro Finland out of the gate on the course with heli iron cross and a d-spin on the bottom with a drift off to the right and he'll be deducted but he skied with his heart in his throat and scores 23.50.

Morse from USA out of the gate. 6th in the world giving it his all. Pretty solid but so hard to get the big scores runing so early.

These guys are going for it and there's a new energy on the hill compared to semi's. This is for all the marbles and they know it. And these early runners have nothihng to lose. Dennis from Russia takes the lead with 23.59 but the Frenchmen Ochs is now on the course...

Training for finals

15.02.10 / 11:46:08 AM

Right now on the mogul course in Cypress the athletes are training, working with their coaches, finalising their preparations before finals. The organisers are double and triple checking everything from the lights, sound, timing system and everythjing else central to having the finals come off without a glitch.

Nerves are running high and no matter what people say, the Olympics are not "just another event". All the "experts" say you have to treat the Olympics just like any other competition. And as much as that sounds like sage advise you can throw it out the window becuase from the time you're nimonated for the Olympics, until games day, it's nothing lika any other event. Let's face it, even the rules and format are altered. For example no other mogul event has twenty skiers go through to finals and this is just the begining of a long list of differences. It won't be for another 4 years that the world will take notice of mogul skiing the way they are right now.

So on the course right now, the typical light hearted banter and genearl jocularity are largely absent and the poker faces give evidence of nervous tension. All you can do is remind yourself you've done everyting to be at your best, you've crossed your t's dotted your i's and left nothing to chance and you are going to ski to your ability which you know and truly believe will be good enought to win.

Just a few minutes to go now. Deep breath.

Qualification Men's Moguls

15.02.10 / 10:33:10 AM

The final skier Dennis from Russia is on the course so anyone sitting in 20th has reason to be concerned. And it's a solid run which should go through and yes it takes 18th position.

So the top skiers are; Colas, Bilodeau, Wilson, Begg-Smith and Jesper. Without doubt Begg-Smith will come out for finals on fire skiing faster and being sure to nail his landing on the bottom air. Will it be enough to take his second gold medal? No one has won a back to back gold in mogul skiing and Begg-Smith stands in good position to make history. He's immune to pressure and a perfectionist when it comes to skiing moguls . It's going to be riveting finals under lights.

Men Qualification Round

15.02.10 / 10:26:24 AM

Arttu from Finland lights up the course and is now in 10th. Dale is one away... Dale is in the gate and on course in typical fashion looking to knock Colas off the top spot. Back x on top clssis Dale through the middle showing good control but land s back on the bottom air but should hold top 4 or 5. Very uncharacteristic for Dale but gets 25.03 good enough for 4th with 3 more skiers to go. He's won from this position before.

Mens Moguls Qualifierz

15.02.10 / 10:12:57 AM

The first crash of the day comes from the Frenchmen Benna which helps Ramone's chances but he's now slipped to 19th with 10 skiers to go. Mikko from Finland is now in the start, a legend in the sport but has a major form break at the bottom air which will crusg his score. A 23.00 put him in 14th so it will be close for Mikko and puts Ramone now in 20th.

Mens Moguls Qualifiers

15.02.10 / 10:04:07 AM

Ramone Cooper makes a valiant effort but what appeared to me as being a little heavy on his pole plants made him slip a bit through the middle. It's dangerous when planting that agressively on slushy conditions. A little chest forward on the bottom air landing and a 21.11 may not make it to finals as he's in 15th now with 15 skier to go.

Mens Moguls Qualifier

15.02.10 / 09:52:30 AM

USA's Bryon Wilson took 2nd in the first two World Cup in Finland is on the course. Bryon's first World Cup season is still a rookie but a big hope for the USA. Back full up top d-spin on the bottom no real form beaks let's see what the judges think. A 25.06 will work for him. He'll be in good position for the finals.

Bilodeau, the weight of Canada on his shoulders hits a great back full and back flip cross on the bottom. No form breaks and he comes through it with a 25.48 which is suprising. I would have thought a bit higher.

Mens Moguls Qualifier

15.02.10 / 09:39:10 AM

Yugo from Japan has skied 161 World Cups, a legen in his homeland comes through getting stuck in the fencing in the finish. A great run for Yugo who either is brilliant or crashes big.

Canada's Vincent marquis is about to leave the start. A medal hope for sure although not a fixture on the podium like his teammate Bilodeau. 24 sconds and a great run back full on top and a d-spin on the bottom but on his way to finals with 23.67.

Mens Moguls Qualifiers

15.02.10 / 09:34:05 AM

A 25.93 for Colas. With big guns out of the gate early it puts pressure on the judges to reach for the big numbers early. One thing about runing early when the snow is soft and slushy is that you get nice clean landings and the ruts aren't as deep so you don't get hung up as much.

USA's Morse on course ranked 6th in the world but a little slow with a clean run should get him easily in finals scoring a 23.08 given they take 20 out of 30 to the finals..

Mens Moguls Qualifiers

15.02.10 / 09:30:57 AM

Well it's official Deneen is out of the gate and the mogul event starts out with a great run scoring 23.97 but stand by cause the action will get hotter and scores will see some huge numbers. Cola stands poised and is atacking the course. Great d-spin withouit breaks and his signatory loop looked awesome.

Mens Moguls Qualifiers

15.02.10 / 09:24:13 AM

The men have now completed training and the course is being prepared. In the running order it's Aussies Ramone Cooper out of the gate 16th and Dale Begg-Smith running 28th out of 30 skiers today. This is good position for Dale and Ramone allowing the judging panel to finf their feet. Cuurent World Champion American Pat Deneen is first out of the gate followed by Guilbaut Coals who has won the last two World Cup this season at deer valley and Lake Placid.

Stand by for kick off!

Qualifying

14.02.10 / 12:29:05 PM

USA Shannon Bahrke who's brother competes in the aerials needs 25 points to get in the top three. With great style and two good airs Shannon did have some trouble, a little over amped on the top air causing a minor form break skiing away and ends up sixth.

Well that wraps it up and now it's going to be a real showdown as we head in to the finals. And based on what I've just seen we should see either Hannah Kearney or Jen Heil for the gold. But it's sports and anything in sports is possible so we'll all be on the edge of our stools come finals.

See you then.

Women qualifiers

14.02.10 / 12:10:31 PM

The Russian Marina Cheerkasova has spent 19 years on World Cup and just skied her fourth Olympics. So here we have an athlete who's been on World Cup longer than Brit Cox has been alive. Brit skis a little slow at 32 seconds but puts together a solid run. For her first Olympics skiing in front of a crowd of 12,000 and a world wide television audience, Brit skied great but unlikely to hold top 20 for finals. She can walk away knowing she's skied to her ability and that's all you can really ask of yourself.

Qulifiers Women Moguls

14.02.10 / 11:58:18 AM

Again, with so many going on to finals it makes the qualifying process a way for the judges to try and put the skiers in a better order to make calling the winner in finals a little easier. You don't want to be ranked any lower than about top six in the qualifying although I have seen in rare circumstances a skier first out of the gate in finals hold on to a podium position but it's not soemthing you want to leave to chance. The scores alwats heat up as the comp goes on.

We've seen two front flips so far and this jump is extremely blind which explains why it's not popular. The slush on the landing appears to be problematic for the less than assertive skiers.

Women Qualifying

14.02.10 / 11:53:02 AM

A huge statement made by Hannah Kearney and I must say I'm quite psyched for her as I coacghed her many years.

Big pressue now on Canada's Kristy Richards from BC. She doesn't have the overall power of Heil but throws down some greart work which will sete her up good for final.

The course appears quite easy and snow forgiving and with so many girls (20) going to finals it's so important to get a big score here and running a little later helps as the judges warm up to giving out bigger numbers.

Olympic Qualification Moguls

14.02.10 / 11:48:55 AM

The conditions are soft and slushy which can create large ruts as the skiers hit the brakes coming into the airs and also creates ruts called "holes" on the landing. A stronger jumper can out jump the holes. With the Olympic format the men aren't around and didn't ski the course before the event today so that helps preserve the course.

The fog is holding off which allows for good vision for the judges making for a fair competition.

Womens Olympic Qualification

14.02.10 / 11:46:15 AM

With the Qualification about to begin the women would have completed their training and warm up routines. The atmosphere at the games is always a bit more tense than a World Cup. More skiers go through to final than at a World Cup howvere, we have to remember that you want a soild run to place high enough to run later in the running order in finals increasing your chance of a winning score.

Ok here we go first athlete out of the gate.

Women Qualification

14.02.10 / 11:46:15 AM

16 year World Cup vet Michelle Roak, who I coached most of those year has just thrown a 720 on the top air never done before in comp for her. She's followed now by Margareta Marbler who has an equal number if year in World Cup.

Still leading is Canada's Jen Heil with a very solid run. Roark was a bit shaky with her 720 but should hold for top a six or eight.

USA's Hannah Kearney failed to qualify for finals at Torino and she isn't going to repeat that error as she just laid down a smoker taking the lead and a big upset for Heil.