Today at the Olympics: US strikes gold; Kearney looks to repeat as moguls champ
Each day throughout the Winter Olympics, we'll bring you a daily rundown on what to expect and a look at key story lines in Sochi.
What to watch today, Saturday, Feb. 8
While you were sleeping:
While NBC was televising the Opening Ceremony Friday night in prime time, the athletes in Sochi were awaking, nine hours ahead of East Coast time, for the first full day of competition at the Winter Olympics.
The US women’s hockey team beat Finland in its first game of the Olympics, 3-1, with goals by Hilary Knight (from Hanover, NH), Kelli Stack (Boston College graduate), and Alex Carpenter (North Reading, BC). The Switzerland and Canada women play this morning at 8 a.m. (ET, NBC Sports Network).
Medal watch (spoilers):
The US won its first medal of these Sochi games when Sage Kotsenburg won gold in snowboard slopestyle. Norway’s Staale Sandbech and Canada’s Mark McMorris finished with the silver and bronze, respectively.
In cross-country, Norway’s Marit Bjoergen won the ladies’ skiathon 7.5K free, with Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla and Norway’s Heidi Wang winning the silver and bronze, respectively.
Later in the day, the highlight will be watching Vermont’s Hannah Kearney try to repeat as Olympics moguls champion, something she took a big step toward with her top qualifying run on Thursday (streamed live, 1 p.m., televised in prime time).
Medals will also be awarded in biathlon (men’s 10K sprint, televised 2:30 p.m., NBC).
Looking ahead to Sunday, the men’s downhill, one of the premier Alpine events of the Olympic Games, will be streamed live at 2 a.m. (ET), and televised during NBC’s prime time coverage Sunday night.
Tweets from the athletes:
Kotsenburg reacted after his gold medal performance:
WOW!! I just won the Olympics!! Bringing back the first Gold here to the USA! Love seeing all the support from everyone YOU RULE!!
— sage kotsenburg (@sagekotsenburg) February 8, 2014
Congrats to @sagekotsenburg @stalesandbech @markmcmorris !!!
#TeamUSA
— Shaun White (@shaun_white) February 8, 2014
Reactions from the Opening Ceremony
What a night. I am so very grateful & honored to have this opportunity to represent my country, my family & #TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/CFWqEJESqm
— Steven Langton (@StevenLangton) February 7, 2014
#OpeningCeremony outfit and phone cover. My Mom and brother just won tickets to the ceremony in a raffle! #lucky pic.twitter.com/b9gOPTRHz1
— Hannah Kearney (@HK_Ski) February 7, 2014
wolf daddy, lol “@eamslider24: #wolfpack with @JazmineFenlator @JamieGreubel @LaurynCwilliams @AjaLEvans @lolojones" pic.twitter.com/FaVWMZ30KK
— Shani Davis (@ShaniDavis) February 7, 2014
Had a super fun night last night at opening ceremonies! @heathermcphie #Olympics #TeamUSA #Sochi2014… http://t.co/XpLTK9hXAs
— Heidi Kloser (@HeidiKloser) February 8, 2014
Zdeno Chara, star of the Games:
Look who infound! This man is a beast! #chara #bruins #geekinout http://t.co/93pN1QDLvY
— Ashley Wagner (@AshWagner2010) February 8, 2014
Photo of the day:
Via US luger Chris Mazdzer:
So much energy at opening ceremonies #Sochi2014 #TeamUSA #iliveforthis it's time for the #Olympics2014 pic.twitter.com/6dp9mlSRbT
— Chris Mazdzer (@mazdzer) February 7, 2014
Olympics bloggers
Look for updates, news, analysis and commentary from the following reporters:.- Dan Egan, Boston.com blogger
- John Powers, Globe staff
- Shira Springer, Globe staff
- Scott Thurston, Globe staff