The Winter Olympics are underway and each day over the next two weeks we will bring you a taste of what is happening on the runs, slopes and rinks of Beijing.
ELSE DESMOND LIGHTS UP THE LUGE
Team Ireland’s Elsa Desmond finished her Olympic campaign with another clean run in the Women’s Singles Luge at the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. The first time Olympian finished her third run with a time of 1:02.254, which was her second fastest on the track. Added to run one and two, she finished her event in 33rd position with an overall time of 3:03.07.719.
In tonight’s runs in the Women’s Singles, the top twenty athletes from run three moved to the final round, meaning that Desmond’s third run was her final one. The competition was won by Germany’s Natalie Geisenberger, ahead of her teammate Anna Berrieter. Russia’s Tatyana Ivanova won the bronze medal.
Speaking about her run, Desmond said,
“This is the second-fastest time that I ever got here, there was definite issues between curve two and three. I’ve only ever got it right twice prior to this. It’s a section I haven’t got my head around and you get that sometimes. But unlike yesterday’s second run I recovered it much quicker, and I managed to relax into the sled I didn’t manage to do in the second run yesterday.
“I had a couple of taps with my feet down, but it was nothing major. It was consistent with training but a little bit quicker. I’ll take it, I finished three runs, I couldn’t be happier.”
The 24-year-old is the first Irish athlete to finish her competition and enjoyed the moment of relief to have ended on a high,
“I’ve dreamed of this as long as I can remember and I’m here and I did it and I didn’t do anything ridiculous and end up on my face. Why would I not be absolutely ecstatic? I know my parents are at home watching and wish they were here and will be so so proud. I can’t wait to talk to them, I know my mum will be in tears.”
FIRST TIME THREE-TIME WINTER OLYMPIAN
Today Snowboarder Seamus O’Connor became the first Team Ireland athlete to ever compete in three Winter Olympic Games, when he finished fifteenth in the Halfpipe with a score of 57.0.
He scored his top result, 57.0 in the opening run with a ride that included a range of tricks that started with the backside air and ended with a frontside double-cork 1080. But of course, you would have recognised them.
The first run saw several of the top-seeded athletes coming down and scoring low, and O’Connor went into the second run ranked eleventh.
The Snowboard Halfpipe is a competition performed in a half tube of snow, where athletes are judged based on the tricks they perform in their run. They have two opportunities or run in the qualification rounds, with their best run counting. The top twelve athletes advance to the finals where they can contest the medals. There are six judges who make assessments based on Amplitude, Difficulty, Variety, Execution and Progression, the top and bottom scores are taken away, with the average score being the result for the athlete.
While disappointed to not better his first run, O’Connor relished the experience and opportunity to compete in this third Games,
“Snowboarding is, to me, the funnest thing in the world. And every day that I get to ride a snowboard, I’m thankful. My first run was a little bit sketchy. I had it down better yesterday, so I mena, I put it down and I was stoked for that. But I was really looking towards my second run to come back and clean it up and just put that Seamus signature on it.”
“But something went wrong on the takeoff of my first trick on the second run. And I had to pull out of the double, which then ended the run for me. But it’s snowboarding and it’s never perfect. And that’s alright. I’m super thankful to be down there in one piece and to be in my third Games. Overall, it’s been an incredible experience.”
SCHOOL JOURNEY CONTINUES
While the athletes are competing in Beijing, over 20,000 schoolchildren in Ireland are taking part in the Road to Beijing Olympic Schools Challenge, and have been sending messages, chants and posters to support them while they are at the Games.
Speaking about the boost that the messages have given the team, O’Connor addressed the children saying,
“I can’t thank all the school kids back in Ireland enough. It’s the best part of these games, hands down. You guys have filled me with motivation and passion and so much light and energy. I, like I said, can’t thank you enough. I hope that I can get back to Ireland and come see you guys in person. You guys are truly stars. Thank you so much for your support.”
