National Rivalries @ Vancouver 2010

[LuigiVercotti]

So, how do the Yanks think they are traveling results wise against the Canucks, or vice versa? Germans Vs Austrians or Swiss? Aussies against Kiwis and Brits? Everyone versus the French?

Tell it as it is and get jingoistic as you serve it up to that traditional rival country :P Or be all new age sensitive and compliment your usually implacable foes.

So far, from an Aussie perspective it's sorry NZ, UK...not good enough

[Sir Rols]

I was surprised in the lead-up to the games. I expected the biggest rivalry was going to be Canada Vs USA, but it seemed like the German-Candian rivalry was the one that was heating up most. I guess it was the fact that they're the most likely contenders for number one on the table.

I wish the Kiwis would do something - I'm waiting for an excuse for Kiwi night at the Roo Bar.

For me, I'm really waiting for the result of the Ashes battle. Will Torah and our aerialists fend off the British curling results? Has Aussie Dale already done enough for us to finish on top of our Auld Rival? It would be nice to get some licks in here and at the CWGs before they use us as their popular whipping boys in London.

Edited February 18, 2010 by Sir Roltel

[dtd2]

I was surprised in the lead-up to the games. I expected the biggest rivalry was going to be Canada Vs USA, but it seemed like the German-Candian rivalry was the one that was heating up most. I guess it was the fact that they're the most likely contenders for number one on the table.

I wish the Kiwis would do something - I'm waiting for an excuse for Kiwi night at the Roo Bar.

For me, I'm really waiting for the result of the Ashes battle. Will Torah and our aerialists fend off the British curling results? It would be nice to get some licks in here and at the CWGs before they use us as their popular whipping boys in London.

There is a German/Canadian rivalry? The Americans stole what Canada thought would be their first gold (Women's Moguls) and Canada's second gold was won in an event that the Americans thought was a sure bet for Lindsey Jacobellis.

As for the race for the total medals, it looks to be an exciting race to the finish. The US is in first by total medals with 10, Germany with 9, France with 7, and Canada/Norway with 5. In terms of gold medals, Germany, US, South Korea, and Switzerland have the most with 3. Canada, Sweden, and France are also right behind with 2.

I think tonight should hopefully be a good night for the Americans.

[Mainad]

So far, from an Aussie perspective it's sorry NZ, UK...not good enough

The UK has no winter sporting tradition to speak of (our mountains are not high or snowy enough) so it's hardly surprising that we're crap at 'em and probably always will be.It beats me why we bother sending such a large team (52 I think) with a stated target of winning just 3 medals.I mean I ask you!!

But it genuinely puzzles me why NZ doesn't make more of an impression.They have huge Alpine mountains,glaciers and winter scenery galore with a population not much smaller than Norway's.So if Norway can do it...what's holding back the Kiwis??

That's the real puzzle in my eyes??

[BethnalGreen]

Considering Britain is really not a winter olynmpic nation, we don't have any rivalries. We're just grateful for any successes, and by that I mean top ten for the most part. Don't get me wrong as we like to get at least one medal at each games but excpectations are not high at all with the public - we prefer to sit back and enjoy these games and hgave been doing so far...

I've just started baking as a hobby so expect some flapjacks etc to be posted here for your enjoyment when I get my act together...

[Sir Rols]

Considering Britain is really not a winter olynmpic nation, we don't have any rivalries. We're just grateful for any successes, and by that I mean top ten for the most part. Don't get me wrong as we like to get at least one medal at each games but excpectations are not high at all with the public - we prefer to sit back and enjoy these games and hgave been doing so far...

I've just started baking as a hobby so expect some flapjacks etc to be posted here for your enjoyment when I get my act together...

Lovely to see you Beth! It'd be great to get some fresh flapjacks into the GB Tea Room - the scones are getting stale!

[LuigiVercotti]

Lovely to see you Beth! It'd be great to get some fresh flapjacks into the GB Tea Room - the scones are getting stale!

I was hoping for Toad in the Hole and Spotted Dick

As for the British Winter Olympic tradition what about Robin Cousins, Torville & Dean, and 21 medals in total. Plus, Brits can be argued to have founded skeleton and mae canny Scots forebears gave us curling.

[BethnalGreen]

Lovely to see you Beth! It'd be great to get some fresh flapjacks into the GB Tea Room - the scones are getting stale!

Cheers roltel! Enjoying the games? Yes, I've been baking. Unfortunately, I've just finished the last of my 'real' flapjacks but I'm sure nobody will mind if I increase the number of the virtual ones as they were REALLY nice. Yummy! I've also got a batch of butterfly cakes and been baking my own bread with lemon curd burt I guess I need to post this in the right thread!

I was hoping for Toad in the Hole and Spotted Dick

As for the British Winter Olympic tradition what about Robin Cousins, Torville & Dean, and 21 medals in total. Plus, Brits can be argued to have founded skeleton and mae canny Scots forebears gave us curling.

Well I believe that you could probably call us the most successful skeleton country so far as we have one at least one medal each time it has been at the games? No other country can say that seeing as there was such a gap between the now and the last games it was shown

Edited February 18, 2010 by BethnalGreen

[Pillan]

A another big rivality is beatween Norway and Sweden. Norweigans are still mad on Swedes because of winning more golds in Torino 2006.

[BethnalGreen]

A another big rivality is beatween Norway and Sweden. Norweigans are still mad on Swedes because of winning more golds in Torino 2006.

This may sound daft, but it certainly makes sense with the way the Norwegians have 'attacked' these games. It certainly shows that they have put some effort in!

Edited February 18, 2010 by BethnalGreen

[Sir Rols]

A another big rivality is beatween Norway and Sweden. Norweigans are still mad on Swedes because of winning more golds in Torino 2006.

Yep, I'm also a keen follower of that rivaalry too!

Heja Sverige!

[canuckfan]

The americans are really kicking our ass so far so there's not much of a rivality going at the moment

[BethnalGreen]

The americans are really kicking our ass so far so there's not much of a rivality going at the moment

Your games are yet young! There is still time for Canada to kick the USA ass. Have faith

Edited February 18, 2010 by BethnalGreen

[LuigiVercotti]

A another big rivality is beatween Norway and Sweden. Norweigans are still mad on Swedes because of winning more golds in Torino 2006.

Nice to see a take on the Norge/Sverige rivalry (I lean towards the Norwegians thanks to some dim dark ancestral links there). I'd guess during the Winter Olympics the competition must get pretty hard between these two Scandinavian powerhourses.

[dtd2]

The Americans have now won 12 total medals and 4 gold medals! That is nearly half of what the US got 4 years ago already (25 total and 9 gold). I think the Yanks can finally win the medal table for the first time since '32 at the winter games!

[BethnalGreen]

The Americans have now won 12 total medals and 4 gold medals! That is nearly half of what the US got 4 years ago already (25 total and 9 gold). I think the Yanks can finally win the medal table for the first time since '32 at the winter games!

Well yes, and I see your enthusiasm, but be careful as you could be disappointed as it is still early days! Chances are it will be USA's games but there are inklings of greater domination from Germany and Switzerland for example. Also, North America has gotten into the habit of dealing with medal tables with total no - unlike the rest of the world with total number of gold...

Edited February 18, 2010 by BethnalGreen

[dtd2]

Well yes, and I see your enthusiasm, but be careful as you could be disappointed as it is still early days! Chances are it will be USA's games but there are inklings of greater domination from Germany and Switzerland for example. Also, North America has gotten into the habit of dealing with medal tables with total no - unlike the rest of the world with total number of gold...

I know that most of the world consider it to be based off of golds, which is why I was shocked when the official website suddenly had it listed in total medals. As of now, the US has the most total medals and gold medals.

[BethnalGreen]

I know that most of the world consider it to be based off of golds, which is why I was shocked when the official website suddenly had it listed in total medals. As of now, the US has the most total medals and gold medals.

Whilst the 2 combine, everybody is happy, but will it be the same when the games are over? Considering USA is the nation most associated with 'winning is everything', the total no of medals things is a wierd way of doing things. I guess it started with the Soviet dominance in the 80s or earlier. By the total no logic, for example, a counrty with 21 bronze medals and nothing else is better than a nation who has only won 20 golds and nothing else... Defies intelligence to me!

Edited February 18, 2010 by BethnalGreen

[Sir Rols]

Whilst the 2 combine, everybody is happy, but will it be the same when the games are over? Considering USA is the nation most associated with 'winning is everything', the total no of medals things is a wierd way of doing things. I guess it started with the Soviet dominance in the 80s or earlier. By the total no logic, for example, a counrty with 21 bronze medals and nothing else is better than a nation who has only won 20 golds and nothing else... Defies intelligence to me!

Gotta dmit, I'm a big believer in the Gold standard myself.

How are resukts so far stacking up against the Sports Illustrated predictions?

[canuckfan]

Gotta dmit, I'm a big believer in the Gold standard myself.

How are resukts so far stacking up against the Sports Illustrated predictions?

Well according to my predictions (similar to the SI predictions):

Doing really great: USA, France

Doing great: Switzerland, Italy, Slovakia, South Korea

Going according to plan: Canada, Sweden, Austria, China, Japan

Struggling a little: Germany, Norway, Netherlands

Struggling: Finland, Russia

[BethnalGreen]

Well according to my predictions (similar to the SI predictions):

Doing really great: USA, France

Doing great: Switzerland, Italy, Slovakia, South Korea

Going according to plan: Canada, Sweden, Austria, China, Japan

Struggling a little: Germany, Norway, Netherlands

Struggling: Finland, Russia

Not shocked about USA doing well, but am shocked at France's fortune (but not coplaining)

Canada could be doing better for me but my opinion does not count -it'sx the ordinary Candaians that do and they seem to be just enjoying themselves! Austria , China and Japan - okay if you say so - not seen much of it but they seem okay especially Austria (although there have been a mfgew events wehyer the bbc commentator have expressed an opinion that Austria hce not been doing well)

Sweden - not seen any evidence at all of that

I thought Germany was doing really well actually plus Norway and Netherl;ands

Again Finaldn could be doing well nbut I have no Evidence - Russia - failure!¬

[canuckfan]

Not shocked about USA doing well, but am shocked at France's fortune (but not coplaining)

Canada could be doing better for me but my opinion does not count -it'sx the ordinary Candaians that do and they seem to be just enjoying themselves! Austria , China and Japan - okay if you say so - not seen much of it but they seem okay especially Austria (although there have been a mfgew events wehyer the bbc commentator have expressed an opinion that Austria hce not been doing well)

Sweden - not seen any evidence at all of that

I thought Germany was doing really well actually plus Norway and Netherl;ands

Again Finaldn could be doing well nbut I have no Evidence - Russia - failure!¬

I mean they are doing well/struggling compared to how many medals they were supposed to win at this point of the games.

[LuigiVercotti]

The Russians have picked up a little thanks to the gold & silver in cross country skiing, whilst I think the Germans are travelling okay. I think the big gap that has emerged is between Korea and the Netherlands. Usually it was short track for the former and long track for the latter. Now it seems like the Koreans are getting on the Dutch long track turf and no come back from our Hollander friends.

Was disappointed at the Norwegian results until today...finally a gold!

[Citius Altius Fortius]

Well according to my predictions (similar to the SI predictions):

Doing really great: USA, France

Doing great: Switzerland, Italy, Slovakia, South Korea

Going according to plan: Canada, Sweden, Austria, China, Japan

Struggling a little: Germany, Norway, Netherlands

Struggling: Finland, Russia

I believe that Austria wouldn't agree with this evaluation - if Austria doesn't win gold in downhill it is a disaster (esp. when a Swiss win this race)

I am pleased by the performance of the German team - yeah there are some dissappointments, but I think that belongs to Olympic Games and I am glad that there isn't really a nation which is "ruling" the Games - the more countries win gold the better

[Sir Rols]

Yeah, I thought the Swiss were winning the battle of the Alpine powers bragging rights so far.

The BIG question - how's Canada progressing on their way to owning the Podium? I understand next week is the one where they've got most expectations, but how's the progress going?