Day 1

Things have begun. They actually began before things had begun. We had the K95 qualification yesterday which miraculously coincided with the only 3 dry hours we've seen here to date. Americans skied well, all qualifying top 50 and making the medal event that was held today. Peter Frenette, 17, saved his best jump for when it mattered and was the top qualifier. Impressive considering that none of his training jumps would have done it for him. Nick Alexander from Lebanon saved his best jump for the trial round this morning- he had the 4th longest jump in the round (a warm-up not scored)! Admittedly thhe later/better jumpers were coming from lower starts as the jury made final adjustments but it was a thrill to see such a high caliber (and also USA on the scoreboard). Anders Johnson, is a story in himself comgin back from ACL surgery just 6 months ago. Bear in mind none of these athletes get any funding, support, or equipment from the US Team (the entity responsible for developing the sport) because they see it as a lost cause. Watching the opening ceremonies with Frenette's sister, Gracie, she confided that when Peter earned the chance to travel to Japan for competitions that might help qualify him for the Olympics the family decided they would "simplify" Christmas in order to fund the trip. Her Christmas present would appear to be the t-shirt she was wearing last night- the words "Proud Sister" below and image of Peter jumping. It's like a little league team trying to compete in the major league.

Swiss Ammann was in control of this hill from the moment he first set foot on it. I didn't think anyone was going to touch him and they didn't. Great to see the emotion he still has for success depite the two golds from 02. As dynamic as he was to watch on the jump, this paled compared to his joyful and extended celbration. Malysz at silver was better than he should have been hoping for coming in to these games but he, too, had a good feel for this hill and actually had the longest training jump of 109.5. I didn't think he'd hold of Schlierenzauer for silver but a slight miss in the first round for the AUT left the door open and even his great second jump couldn't make up the difference.

Jeff Colt is another inspirational off-air story. He traveled across the country to watch his friend Peter compete despite a snowstorm that paralyzed the entire mid-Atlantic and airlines who told him it would not be possible to make it before Sunday. A plane to Seattle and buses from there- he made it, and is bunked on the fold-out couch. Megan Cronkite finished her last exam at U of Victoria yesterday and caught the ferry to Vancouver and bus up to Whistler from there in time to find seats at the Irish Pub and catch KD Lang sing Haleluliah. A ruckus spot, the Irish Pub, with much good will but not peep during the one minute of silence for the Georgian luger. The Gretzky selection played well.

Best news on the TV front is the "live calls" that we did for Friday's qualification round were not needed for air and appropriately euthanized. No time for fixing anything at these Olympics which is proving a double edge sword. It's a one and done environment- check perfection and pride at the door.

K95 Nordic combined goes tomorrow. Story is 3 Americans, each a world champion, none an Olympic medalist try to deliver the first Olympic medal ever for themselves AND the USA. Hard to picture that one of them won't get it done tomorrow. Demong seems very calm and capable. Doesn't seem to be faking this like some folks do. He's my pick. Lodwick has been struggling a bit on the jumps but went with new skis and old boots today and felt and looked better. Nice to have this tailwind. Spillane has been struggling a bit on the jumps. Tough to pull it all together in one competition jump, but that's the beauty of ski jumping- anything can happen.

Family enroute: eta about 2 am this am. Spirits high.