WOMEN TAKE FLIGHT TONIGHT

Marriott bar at 3 am... alive and kicking.

The Soviet bug that was strangling my computer seems to be in remission so I include the photo above meant to accompany yesterday's post- a shot of the Marriott bar at 3 am.  Many of the events here are scheduled late in order to hit prime time in Europe and at least afternoon in (eastern) USA.  To walk into the Marriott at 1 am is akin to stumbling into an Irish pub on St Patrick's day.  Much steam to be blown off.

Daniela Iraschko-Stolz from AUT has been neck and neck with Takanashi (JPN) in training.

Three rounds of TRAINING for the women's ski jumping was broadcast live on NBCSN yesterday... this would be more amazing if NBC wasn't showing so much curling but still ranks up there with walking on water and Rush Limbaugh voting Democratic ticket for things you thought you'd never see.  Speaking of miracles- that Sarah Hendrickson is on skis at all is stunning but- entre nous- the dreamed of (counted on?) medal does not appear to be in the cards for tonight.  She has yet to take full speed on the hill (always starting from lower gate) and her best jump was 13m off the leaders.  Her knee is hurting and she has no time left to turn things around.  Asked about it last night she acknowledged it's been tough and that she is now here for the experience.  Fellow Americans Lindsey Van and Jessica Jerome have looked good in training; long shots for medals but top 10 a decent possibility for both.

Vehicle inspection area- vehicles going into any venue have to clear tight security.

Things seem to be going smoothly from a logistics perspective.  Plenty of buses, easy to get around.  Security tightened for a bit but now seems to be relaxing again.  Still the same procedures, but with less urgency.  Let's face it- it's boring to run a metal detector.  Enormous work force in their rainbow jackets (a state-mandated clothing allowance that will no doubt pollute Sochi long after the Games) framing consistently stern faces that melt on eye contact.  "Spasibo" means thank you in Russia and it is a sure fire way to light up the locals... a cheap trick that is hard to resist.  Venues and town have not been very crowded.  Those in the streets and stands seem mostly Russian or family members of athletes.

Julia Krass in Sochi database... Park City residence?? Wait a minute!

From results on the computer it looks like Julia Krass had a great morning in qualification, finishing 8th and earning a spot in the 12-woman final field, then finished 10th in the finals.  Hopefully she'll get some air time tonight.

Someone in Sochi got the memo on the bad water press... there's been a case of water delivered to the room for each of the last 3 days.  Running out of places to stack it.

Norwegian NC skier Magnus Krog has dyed the Norwegian flag into his hair... got me thinking about my own empty canvas.

Watched Nordic combined guys jump this morning and US boys are not looking good.  Todd Lodwick is coming off a broken humerus and wrecked shoulder but needed here for the team event.   He will not ski in NH event but is jumping to get some training (he now has 3 jumps since injury in mid January).  Fletcher brothers and Bill Demong all jumping under 95m with leaders (many) stacked tight between 98m-103m.  XC course is right at the jump venue which is nice but panned by athletes.  Mostly for the soft corn snow that crumbles like running on a sandy beach.  10km is going to feel like 20.

Peter Graves made a guest appearance at the jumps this morning, announcing the NC training and getting much (well deserved) love and adoration from his Russian co-announcers who appreciated his confident baritone.

Tripped into my first free event tickets since 1998 when such gratuities used to flow like water.  Granted the event was half over but still refreshing.  Signe and Leon managed to negotiate the bus system and get to the slalom portion of the women's combined in time to see Julie Mancuso win the bronze medal.