Day 15 Standings
Sorry for the delay in the standings updates everyone, but we have set up an exciting final day at the Olympics!
Kara has run away with this competition from the start, and her lead at this point is insurmountable. Congratulations Kara on smoking the competition!
The race for silver and bronze is still wide open, however. If the competition ended right now, Jimmy would take silver and Trent would take bronze based on the tiebreaker with the US leading the medal count. But there is still one more day of competition!
Two huge events still have much influence on this competition:
1. Men's Gold Medal Hockey
Ryan, currently in fourth place, chose the Canada Men's Hockey team, and no one picked the USA. Guaranteed a medal, this gives Ryan at least 5 points and possibly 10. 5 points would generate a 3 way tie with Jimmy and Trent, but Jimmy would still take silver with the US winning the medal count. Germany would give Ryan the bronze in this scenario because they beat out Trent's Japan in the medal count. However, if Canada wins the gold, then things get really interesting.
Which brings us to what might decide everything: the Men's 50km mass start cross country skiing race.
This race of over 30 miles is long, and could decide our outcome. A lot can happen in 30 miles, and a few of us have some contestants:
Jimmy - Petter Northug, Norway - The number one seeded racer in this competition, and the expected winner. If he gets gold or silver, Jimmy would be assured the silver mountie.
Kristin J - Lukas Bauer, Czech Republic - Bauer is the number 3 seeded skiier in this race, but, like his cousin Jack, will not be defeated. While currently in last place, a gold medal here would propel her ahead of Kristin D in the battle of the Kristin all stars challenge.
Kristin D - Jens Arne Svartedal, Norway; Maxim Vylegzhanin, Russia - Kristin D, on the other hand, has two "dogs in the hunt." However, both are listed as "unseeded competitiors," meaning they are not favored to win the race. However, Norwegians and Russians are both crazy for their cross country, and you can never count them out. It's 30km, and a lot can happen in that stretch! A gold or silver would ensure her of 5th place, but unfortunately that's as high as she'll be able to rise in the standings.
Trent - Currently sitting in bronze medal position, it would be advantageous to have a cross country skiier to compete in this event. However, he drafted two women's cross country skiiers and only has 3 points for one bronze between them. Tough luck. With no one competing tomorrow, he has to sit and watch. Unfortunately, the best he can hope for is a tie with Ryan if Canada wins silver, which does not bode (not miller) well - Ryan owns the tiebreaker with Germany beating out Japan in the medal count.
Ryan - Ryan also has no cross country skiier competing tomorrow. His curse on these athletes continues, though, as Ola Vigen Hattestad, his #1 pick, pulled out of events with a "sore throat." That's some weak sauce right there. A sore throat??? Really? This is the OLYMPICS. Here's a Ricola losenge, suck it up, and ski.
Kara - She has no one skiing, but who cares? She's won enough...tomorrow is her celebration day! Just try to restrain yourself or you'll end up investigated by the IOC. No cigars, please.
So that's the look ahead to the last day and the closing ceremony. Strap on your snow boots and break out the maple syrup! It's championship Sunday!
See you guys soon!
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