NILS COMES THROUGH

I feel like I am on the cutting edge of the panorama selfie and constantly push the envelope on this much maligned practice.  (ED NOTE- the selfie has been unduly scorned and will see a much deserved resurgence in the future.)  Anyway, I continue to innovate on this front and was quite pleased with my #DOUBLESELFIEPANO! taken in the incredible men's room at the Austria House last night.  Is nothing sacred?  BTW, click on photo above to get full pano effect.

with Ernst, matt, Stacy, and Nils at AUT House

Yes, the Austria House.  Which is to say that Nils was as good as his word and we enjoyed wine, schnapps, mushroom soup, traditional Austrian dinner, and schnitzel while watching the opening ceremonies surrounded by men in lederhosen.  Matt Vasgersian ('06/'10 jumping play by play and '14 freestyle pxp), Stacey Wooley (biathlon color) Nils and I were welcomed by former AUT jumper and current jumping program director Ernst Vettori.  The place was pretty empty with all athletes and coaches (and sponsors) down at opening ceremonies and I'm confident in my translation of the bouncer at the front door who said sternly "only tonight."  Nils is equally confident that "only tonight" is a first offer and that he can negotiate a deal from there.

Kris Severson in command central at the jump venue.

Have meant to pass on that former USA jumper Kris Severson is again producing the ski jumping venue as he did in '02 and '10.  The English voice at the venue is former NC skier Jeff Graves whose wife works for IOC.  Peter Graves (ironically, no relation to Jeff beyond passion for Nordic skiing) may be coming up to lend his voice on game days if he can get released from his duties at the medal plaza.

Pole Stoch looked strong in K95 training.

Last day of official training yesterday for men's K95 and the Americans are right at the threshold.  All looked good with both the Nick's (Alexander and Fairall) recording best jumps for USA.  Decent chance they will qualify top 50 tonight which would put them in the main event on Sunday.  World Cup leader Stoch from Poland looked strong and media darling Simon Ammann finished training with a decent one that makes me wonder...  41 year old Kasai (3rd in WC) has not shown up for one training jump which means his first look at the hill will be in the qualifying competition tonight.  No word from Japanese camp on why.  Since he's top 10 he is pre-qualified so no pressure to perform... but no chance to correct anything that might turn up askew, either.  Distances are very tight with 15 guys all in the hunt.

Women get their first look at the hill this afternoon and, testament to what a story they are, NBC will be showing their first day of training!  Baiting the hook.  Loved the Matt Lauer interview with Sarah Hendrickson and Jessica Jerome where he thought Sarah was Jessica and vice versa.  The girls, politely, didn't call him out on it, just answered to the other's name. (Jessica was only to happy to proclaim that her knee was doing great, thank you very much (it is Sarah who is making a remarkable come-back from ACL/MCL/meniscus surgery in late AUG). Click here to see interview (if NBC still has it up).

Back to work.