NationStates Jolt Archive

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/kelchek/alavariaolympiclogo-v2.png

Welcome to the RP thread for the IV Olympic Winter Games, where you can post your RPs and your rosters. Please keep OOC comments to the signups thread.

Signup/OOC thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=576391)
Results thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=580991)
Wiki page (http://www.nswiki.net/index.php?title=Fourth_Winter_Olympics)

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The Kelssekian Olympic Committee/Comité olympique kelssekien and the Organising Committee for the Alavaria Olympic Winter Games (ALAVOC) welcome the 45 participating NOCs to Alavaria. The IV Olympic Winter Games will have the most participating nations of all Winter Olympics to date.


Ad'ihan (ADN) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14315576&postcount=39)
Alliance Star (ASC) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14309458&postcount=29)
Aranmore (ARA) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14394066&postcount=88)
The Archregimancy (ARC) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14439849&postcount=125)
Ariddian Isles (ARI) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14419124&postcount=95)
Bai Lung (BAI) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14399003&postcount=91)
Bears Armed (BRS) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14442587&postcount=130)
Bluth Corporation (BLU) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14424912&postcount=102)
Cafundéu (CAF) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14426189&postcount=104)
Candelaria And Marquez (CAM) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14435958&postcount=117)
Capitalizt SLANI (COM) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14438268&postcount=121)
Cassadaigua (CDG) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14438787&postcount=124)
Colbourne (COL) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14306971&postcount=23)
Coocoostan (COO) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14421294&postcount=96)
Dannistaan (DAN) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14423216&postcount=100)
Edward City (USE) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14343128&postcount=69)
Fujisawan Territories (FJT) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14303848&postcount=10)
Idanno (IDA) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14311144&postcount=30)
Iglesian Archipelago (IGL) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14436677&postcount=118)
Jasī'yūn (JSY) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14438350&postcount=122)
Jeruselem (JER) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14392636&postcount=87)
Kelssek (KSK) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14387489&postcount=79)
Kosovoe (KOS) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14304272&postcount=16)
Landau Institute (LID) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14430608&postcount=112)
Liventia (LEN) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14426521&postcount=105)
Lovisa (LOV) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14324766&postcount=56)
Lurikastan (LUR) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14388767&postcount=81)
Maineiacs (MAI) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14321040&postcount=49)
Miyager (MIY) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14321200&postcount=54)
Myedvedeya (MYE) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14314095&postcount=36)
Newmanistan (NEW) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14394287&postcount=89)
Oiseaui (OIS) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14307201&postcount=25)
Qazox (QZX) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14305093&postcount=19) (+ (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14404427&postcount=94))
Quintessence of Dust (QOD) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14440309&postcount=126)
Ruccola (RUC) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14427286&postcount=106)
Rynyl (RYN) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14403884&postcount=93)
Sarzonia (SAR) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14425163&postcount=103)
Secristan (SEC) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14427610&postcount=108)
Sorthern Northland (SNO) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14432950&postcount=113)
St Samuel (STS) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14357994&postcount=77)
Taeshan (TAE) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14303646&postcount=9) (+) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14313267&postcount=35)
Tocrowkia (TOC) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14314200&postcount=37)
Unified Beretania (UBT) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14304210&postcount=14)
Warre (IKW) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14347894&postcount=70)
Zwangzug (ZWZ) (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14438629&postcount=123)

Alavaria is a resort city of 700,000, the provincial capital of Eryn Firith, which is Kelssek's smallest province by land area. Most people coming from magical lands far, far away will fly into Eryn Firith National Airport, which has immigration and customs clearance facilities, as the name does not imply. If you are flying on a normal scheduled flight you will in all likelihood have to transit through Kelssek's main "international gateway" airports, Kirkenes Malton Airport (the country's main air hub and typically the first city any foreign airline would fly to), Burnaby International Airport (which is the nearest major airport) and Outineau Dorval Airport.

Anyone with Olympic credentials can enter and stay in Kelssek visa-free until 30 days after the Games end, unless of course their country of citizenship has a more generous arrangement with the Kelssek government (I believe I have 90-day visa-free for some nations but I can't remember who exactly right now).

Alavaria's time zone is called Central Kelssek Time, which is UTC +7. Its public transportation is mainly bus-based but there is a rudimentary and fairly new light-rail system. Caunidhrenon mountain is about 45 minutes from downtown Alavaria by train, 1 hour by road. Lamuirean is about half an hour by road. The distances are 80km and 50km respectively. Shuttle buses from the athletes' village in Alavaria to Lamuirean will be provided.

Feel free to cross roads while talking on cell phones or launch yourself down snow-covered hills with various things attached to your legs; if anything happens you will be treated for free by a public healthcare system. Charging people money for medically necessary things is actually illegal. You may also pass out drunk in the street at your will as crime is low and most criminals will be polite enough to take only your cash since they know what a bother it is to get driver's licences, credit cards, etc. replaced. The currency is the Kelssek dollar (http://www.nswiki.net/index.php?title=Kelssek_dollar).

For more about Alavaria, Eryn Firith, Kelssek, Kelssek time zones, Kelssekian beer, Kelssek culture, Kelssek universities, Wenerdere cheese, the KBC, strange KBC news satire shows, and other assorted stuff, please see the disturbingly extensive information at NSWiki, linked to in my sig.

Map of venues
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/kelchek/alavaria-venues.png

The Caunidhrenon Mountain Olympic village hosts all the athletes competing in the events held there; the Alavaria downtown Olympic village hosts all other athletes.

Ariddians take to the slopes

A semi-tropical island nation at the Winter Olympics. With hopes for medals. Stranger things have been known, but the Ariddian team of Pacific Islanders on skis, skates and snowboards are certain to attract both curious and friendly attention from the Kelssekian home crowd.

Team Ariddia this year is an eclectic bunch, mixing veteran stars and bright no-hopers. Although it is known officially as the team of the Ariddian Isles, and will be using the federal flag, the delegation comprises mostly athletes from the PDSRA. Robert Sylvain (alpine skiing), Benjamin Rogers and Michèle Jatta (biathlon), Sarah Lascencov (cross-country skiing), Carl Salé, Amandine al Rashed and Yan Htet (figure skating), Assan Kebeh (ski jumping) and Shol Ishih (snowboarding) add a West Ariddian touch, while figure skater Adèle Wood is the only North-West Ariddian in contention. Sport may be popular in Limea, but winter sports are not.

First, the veterans. Three PDSRA medallists from the inaugural Winter Games in Aeropag are making the trip to Alavaria in the hopes of fresh triumph. Linda Uosh (short track, speedskating) was the first ever Ariddian to win an Olympic medal – a gold, in the women’s 3000m in speedskating, with a record time of 4:06.26. Fans of the sport will be pleased to know that she has signed up for the event once again.

Jean-Michel Chang, who also competes in short track and speedskating, is another of Ariddia’s best winter athletes, and a big medal hope. The third veteran is François Riverdale, who, in Aeropag, shocked himself and the world by winning a highly unexpected bronze medal in biathlon.

These three will be carrying most of the country’s medal hopes, but Ariddians should not discount West Ariddian figure skating pair Carl Salé and Amandine al Rashed, who have performed strongly in recent times, and whose skill on the ice rink is a beauty to behold.

With no mountains, no snow and virtually no winter sports facilities, Ariddia is limited in its options to send representatives to the Winter Games. It is, therefore, perhaps not surprising that the Comité olympique ariddien has begun tapping into its pool of expatriates. Arnaud Cordier lives in Bazalonia, but will compete for Ariddia in the men's halfpipe in snowboarding. Ishwa Mariotti, living in Pacitalia, will wear Ariddia’s colours in the women's short programme in figure skating. Twins Christophe Hubert and Emilie Clay are Kelssekians of Ariddian descent, and will participate in alpine skiing. All four athletes were born in their current country of residence, and have few ties to Ariddia, but have said they are proud to represent their ancestral homeland.

Christophe and Emilie, who admittedly define themselves as Kelssekians first and foremost, have told the press they would probably not be competing if the Games were not being held in their country.

“We’re here to provide comically inept enthusiasm,” Christophe explained, with a straight face. His twin sister nodded seriously, until a smile escaped her.

On the face of it, the Win Twin Twins, as they call themselves, are not the most likely candidates for a sport which involves hurtling down a slippery slope on precarious balance and dodging obstacles at high speed. They have few performances on record, and none of their results so far have been inspiring.

“We aim to have no more than two broken legs,” Emilie said. “Each, or between the two of us, I can’t quite remember…”

They have the enthusiasm, charisma and oddness to attract a fan base, but the twins are not in it solely for the laughs. They have managed to attract sponsors, and are competing for charity.

“For every race that one of us actually finishes –you know, getting past the finish line–, our sponsors will give money to charity,” Emilie explained. “So we do take that part of it seriously.”

Three other Ariddians have also been training in Kelssek, and are sure to attract attention during the Games. Robert Sylvain, Jimmy Hearth and Sarah Lascencov have received funding from the C.O.A. and from West Ariddian sports associations to practice in real snow and on real mountains in the host country. Their particularity? They are all athletes with disabilities.

Sylvain, a West Ariddian veteran of disability sport, is a one-armed slalom enthusiast. In addition to training for himself, he has been coaching younger Ariddian Jim Hearth, who skies on one leg. Lascencov, from West Ariddia, is the delegation’s only entry in cross-country skiing – and its only blind competitor.

Rounding up the Ariddian delegation are two other familiar faces. Yosief Debesa is the Ariddian Isles’ only competitor in the luge. Having performed poorly in past Games, he brings his unbeatable enthusiasm back to the Olympics for a new try. Yue Yan Jawdat (better known by her maiden name, Dong Yue Yan), in the skeleton, has a well-established fan base already. The diminutive athlete –1m47, 39kg– is primarily a judoka, and is the only Ariddian to have participated in both the Summer and Winter Olympics. She has never won an Olympic medal.

“I’ve been training hard, actually, and I think I’ll beat my personal best this time,” she said with a smile. “I’m also looking forward to going to Kelssek. Kelssek and Ariddia, our two countries are friends, even if our culture and climate are very different. I’m sure it’ll be great. I’m really looking forward to it!”

Albavona Capitol Sentinel

10 Beretanian athletes to watch


by Gracie Rhodes, ACS staff writer

The Olympics are once again upon us, and all of us here at the Albavona Capitol Sentinel are enthusiastic about the Games. So the sports editors have gotten together over hot cider and ginger snaps and compiled a list of the ten Beretanian Winter Olympics athletes to watch in Alavaria, Kelssek.

1. Corazon Aglukark, women’s cross country skiing
She is a historical exception in the Unified Beretania delegation: she is the only Inuit. Less than 0.1% of the population in Unified Beretania is Inuit, but Aglukark has defied the odds to make the Olympic delegation. That’s because she has real talent. Her only event is the women’s 15km pursuit, where she looks poised to be a contender. If she medals, it will be a true victory for Unified Beretania’s smallest community.

2. Katie Yang, women’s figure skating
The name may sound familiar. That’s because she was on the Unified Beretania women’s artistic gymnastics team for the Third Summer Olympics in Columbia, Unified Capitalizt States. Overshadowed by names like Anastasia Kostrikova and Courtney Daugherty in the Summer Olympics, Katie Yang is now the marquee talent in Beretanian women’s figure skating. She’ll be joined by Cathleen Kim and Kitti Lori Vang, but as Yang is the only member of the entire delegation to have participated in a Summer Olympics, she’s the one to watch. And Kim’s less than stellar seventh place finish at the Qazoxian Winter Sports Festival leaves much to be desired, just about pinning all hope on Yang.

3. Tejal Duleepsinhji, men’s short track skating
Duleepsinhji is a prime example of how much immigrants can contribute to Beretanian sports. After the disappointment surrounding swimmer Sarasvati Channarayapatra’s showing in Columbia, Duleepsinhji has the opportunity to pick up where Channarayapatra left off, and bring a medal back home to the Indian-Beretanian community, which is the single largest growing community in Unified Beretania. However unlike Channarayapatra, Duleepsinhji has only one chance to medal, compared with Channarayapatra’s five.

4. Stephan Chang, men’s figure skating
Of the ten figure skaters Unified Beretania is sending to the Winter Olympics, six are Asian. While the female side of Beretanian figure skating is dominated by Asian-Beretanians, the same is not true on the men’s side. In fact, until only recently, he was the only male Asian-Beretanian figure skater competing at the highest level. On a sad note, Chang recently lost his sister to cancer the day after qualifying for the Olympics and is dedicating his Olympic appearance to her.

5. Bobbi Kross, women’s snowboarding
She gets comments on her name all the time, and by now, she’s used to it. Usually, the folks who snicker and sneer at her name shut up when they see what she can do on a snowboard. She has a real knack for turning skeptics into believers, and she’s got a quality opportunity to do just that in the women’s parallel giant slalom. Confidence is her best friend, and with a golden opportunity of a lifetime, she seems unstoppable.

6. Bruce Rizzuto, men’s snowboarding
This guy is tops in Beretanian men’s snowboarding. The reigning national champion easily blew through the Olympic trials in the men’s halfpipe, and is eager to compete in Kelssek. Motivating him is the fact that he’s got every accolade he wants, except an Olympic medal. While he says he doesn’t care what color as long as he medals against the world’s best, we’re pretty sure he has gold in mind. The competition is tough though, and he could end up like a Channarayapatra, Shufflebarger, or Blankard, with no medal at all. You win some, you lose some. Right?

7. Anderson Hensley, men’s freestyle skiing
Hensley is nearly perfect, but alas, nobody can be perfect. Nearly perfect because inconsistency is about the only consistent thing with Hensley. Most times he’s good, but sometimes his performance can be less than flattering. You never know what you’re going to get. Catch him on a good day, he’s up there with the best. But on a not so good day, when his nerves get to him, he just might bottom out. Here’s to hoping he can steady his nerves on the world stage and keep it together. If he does, he’s got a shot at medaling.

8. Erin Labrador, women’s snowboarding
This twenty three year old single mother and Albavona police officer trains in what minimal free time she can muster between work and parenting. That’s a tribute to her determination and true Olympic spirit. Having endured an abusive childhood and as a survivor of domestic battery, Labrador has the inner strength of a champion. She’s experienced more in her twenty three years than most will in a lifetime. If anyone from the delegation deserves to medal, it’s Labrador.

9. Chaniporn Wattanapanit, women’s cross country skiing
This young Thai-Beretanian lady is about the most enthusiastic, bubbly member of the delegation we could find. In fact, it’s contagious. Nobody in the cross country skiing portion of the delegation can keep a straight face when they’re around her. Her fellow athletes even dubbed her “Porno” when a few had trouble pronouncing her full name. She’s popular for her wit and perfect comedic timing, but humor doesn’t win Olympic medals. You need raw skill, and she’s got that. Her contribution will come in the women’s cross country skiing individual sprint, where she’s got a real opportunity to shine.

10. Jon Greg Brown, men’s biathlon
Brown just might be the most humble athlete Unified Beretania is sending to the Olympics. We all remember those rumors the Fujis started during the Summer Olympics, about how Beretania’s female swimmers weren’t winning medals as a result of bad karma from their superiority complexes. That shouldn’t be a problem with Brown. He’s never been one to brag or boast. In fact, he says he’s average, but we’ll go ahead and say what he can’t...he’s pretty good. Watch him in the men’s 10km sprint and in the men’s 4x7.5 km relay.

From MSPN--

Welcome to our coverage of the Winter Olympics here in Alavaria, Kelssek. Last time out our team did well, winning 20 medals including 6 gold. Many of our team have returned, but there are several new faces. Let's take a sport-by-sport look:

Alpine Skiing:

Our entire team has returned. Competitors to watch include Toby Meyers in Men's Giant Slalom, Downhill, and the Alpine Combined; Theresa Miller, entered in all Women's events except the Combined; and Mary Donaldson-Shorter in Women's Slalom, Giant Slalom, and Downhill, any of whom could challenge for medals.

Biathlon:

Our best chance lies with Ariana Smith and silver medalist Damon Ryan, but any of our team could surprise.

Bobsleigh:

James Laughton & Mike Riley, in Maineiacs I, remain our most likely medal possibilty.

Cross-Country Skiing:

Emily Hart and Olivia Stevens, in the Women's 10k Classical, could medal.

Curling:

Our Women's team could surprise with a medal; our Men's team hopes to finish in the top 10.

Figure Skating:

Several familiar faces are gone, including our gold-medalist Ice Dance team of Warren and Sophia Kelleher. National Singles Champions Jack Garrison and Christine Arsenault are expected to make the podium.

Freestyle Skiing:

Women's Aerials medalist Allison Compton is expected to medal again.

Luge:

3-time Olympian Marge Stanton hopes to finish her career with a medal.

Nordic Combined:

Our entire team, winners of several medals at the II Winter Games, is back and looking to reach the top again.

Short Track Speedskating:

Gold Medalist Calvin Erlich will be going for the gold again. Our Women's team will be looking to vindicate themselves after having been disqaulified in the relay last time.


Skeleton:

Veteran Jamie Larson and newcomer Debbie Curtis are expected to challenge for medals.

Ski Jumping:

Our entire team returns. Darrin Porter remains our most likely medalist.

Snowboarding:

Olympic medalist and 9-time National Champion in the Snowboard Cross, Sean Gould, has retired. Current Champion Mike Kohler is the heir apparent, and should be on the podium. Also retired is Halfpipe medalist Keenan Waters. Newcomer Jim Hollings is expected to medal. Veteran Chrissy Stevens could medal in Women's Halfpipe.

Speedskating:

Any of our team could surprise. Look for our Ladies to possibly medal again in the Team Pursuit.

Hockey:

Our Gold-medalist Men's team, made up of the creme of the MHL, is hoping to take the gold once again. Our Women are looking to join them at the top of the podium.

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage


Welcome to the countdown to the 4th Winter Games!

We here at QBC, MSQBC, BQBC (Business QBC), QSN (ooc: Qazox' version of FoxSports Network) and QSN2 will have complete coverage of the Olympics from the opening Ceremony to the closing ceremony and every event in between. While not every event will be carried live, due to time limitations, the networks of QBC will strive to carry any and all events that involve Qazoian athletes live.

QBC will carry the Opening and Closing ceremonies, all figure skating events, and the Gold Medal matches for Curling and Hockey live. From 7:00am until 10:00am, from 12:30pm- 3:00pm, and from 7:00pm-12:15am all gold-medal events will be shown, either Live or on minimal tape-delay. At 12:45am a daily hour-long recap show

MSQBC will carry all Curling events live from 6:00am until 2:00pm and will also carry live or Tape-delayed Snowboarding, Alpine Skiing and Bobsleigh, Luge and Skeleton events from 3:00pm until 10:00 pm.

BQBC will carry all Speed skating events, both Short-track and Long-track, as well as Cross-country Skiiing and Biathlon events from 12:00pm-4:00pm and from 6:00pm-10:00pm)

QSN will carry every Hockey match Live, with a replay at 9:30pm of the most interesting game of the day.

QSN2 will carry just about everything else, ranging from Ski-Jumping to Freestyle Skiing from 6:00am until 6:00pm. At 6:00 pm, everyday, the Qazox Hockey match(es) will be re-played, and at 10:00 pm, Qazox' curling match(es) will be-replayed.

So stay tuned to the networks of QBC for the most complete coverage of the Olympics, this side of being in Alavaria, Kelssek.

Sarzonian vice president for health and athletics Carter Marshall looked over the list of the Sarzonian delegation to Kelssek for the fourth Olympic Winter Games.

He noticed some of the names were familiar. Actually, many of them were. Many of the athletes who were competing in the Alavaria Games competed in the Qazoxian Winter Sports Festival. He knew the newly renamed Sarzonian Olympic Committee, previously dubbed the Sarzonian QWSF Committee, had to drum up funding from a tight budget to even send the athletes to the Olympics.

Their chances of getting the opportunity to represent Sarzonia in the Games received a major boost from their performance in Qazox. Even though Sarzonia sent a limited delegation, they still won the most medals of any nation there, 26. They also tied the host nation for the most gold medals of any nation with nine.

Marshall finished a press briefing in which he outlined the Sarzonian delegation, including men's and women's hockey and a women's curling side to go along with the men's curling side. In sheer number of athletes, this Sarzonian delegation would dwarf the one that went to Qazox. In terms of logistics, that meant more hotel rooms, more staff and more expense. But it also meant an opportunity to increase the payoff if Sarzonia won a boatload of medals.

Marshall remembered the impromptu celebration that greeted the lacrosse team after it landed in Woodstock following its appearance in the third World Lacrosse Championships. A victory parade would soon take place in Woodstock. The next day, Portland would have its own celebration. Marshall knew Sarzonia loves winners and proudly greeted its champions.

Hopefully, we'll be able to crown a few more champions, he thought. He smiled as he played the YouTube video of first gentleman Brian Patrick's speech congratulating the athletes who came home after the trip to Qazox. Maybe President Tyler will have to do the same for these guys.

It was a pleasant thought as Marshall began to pack his briefcase to go home for the night.

SDOS RELEASES DELEGATION

Excitement builds over the upcoming 4th Winter Olympiad, taking place in the beautiful resort city of Alavaria, Kelssek. It’s population is 700,000 but with all the delegates from a to-be-determined number nations and their traveling media, that number should go well over a million, almost to the point of doubling. They are counting down the days in that Winter Wonderland and the Secristan Department of Sports has recently provided them an official list of 179 entries, which is the maximum permitted.

The SDOS held auctions for all events in which will take place, and the 179 which received the highest bids were the ones in which were processed, and the ones after that were simply disallowed. This led to an across the board non-participation in the biathlon, and limited participation in cross country. When bid amounts were equal, the SDOS took preference into giving one event its only entrant instead of giving another event a second or a third entrant. The quality of successful bidders are said to be very good as they look to have the same success that Secristanis had in the recent Summer Olympics in the UCS. You will recall, of course, that Secristan finished 3rd overall on the medal table with 73 medals, behind only Cafundeu (96) and Allanea (79). It was a balanced 73, with 24 golds, 25 silvers, and 24 bronze medals. Those results prove that in order to be successful in the Olympics, you don’t need to do costly things such as have tryouts or national competitions to determine who will represent your country. All you need, is money. Like our summer olympians, these athletes have dug deep into their personal bank accounts to outbid their peers for the right to represent our country. They do this with a desire for a return on their investment. Olympic success, as our summertime heroes found out, leads to endorsement deals, which leads to personal profit as that income exceeds their expenditures. Obviously there is a risk involved, but you don’t make money off of low-risk investments, now do you?

Secristan is one of 32 confirmed signups for the Winter Olympics. Cafundeu, the grand champion of the UCS Summer games will look to have similar success. Second place finishers Allanea are not yet confirmed, but perhaps this will come in the future. Other nations which our familiar to Secristanis from other competitions that we will be going up against are Colbourne, Jeruselem, Liventia, Lovisa, Myedvedeya, Newmanistan, Qazox, Sarzonia, Taeshan, and Tocrowkia. Nations which are not as well known to us should be strong competitors as well.

THE IGLESIAN ARCHIPELAGO CELEBRATES ITS PARTICIPATION WITH POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE

It was confirmed that the Iglesian Archipelago will go for the first time to an Olympic event in Alavaria, Kelssek, where it will be hosted the Fourth Winter Olympics. One hundred seventy-nine athletes compete on the Olympics. Many expect a gold medal.

The Iglesian president, Alberto Romãs, and the Prime-Minister Mário Dantes, are glad to have athletes going on the NationStates Fourth Winter Olympics. It's a party to the Iglesian people.

IGTV (Iglésias TV) reporter Carlos Mariano Silva, in Alavaria, Kelssek, says: "This is a great party, a great honour to the Iglesian Archipelago! Many Iglesian people already settled in Kelssek just to see the great wonder of the Olympic Games!"

(OOC: I'm still finishing up my roster, but I'd like to enter. The contradictions between this and the pending roster are intentional and done for IC purposes.)

Zwangzugian Olympic Merchandising Group
Interdepartmental Memorandum

FROM: Deputy Vice-President of Marketing, Aviank Co.
TO: Mail llist
RE: Lax!

I don't know what people are overreacting about. Curling tryouts are finished--yes, it was difficult to make the final cuts, but that only shows how much talent is at our disposal. Objectively speaking, I really do think Zwangzug can do well here. The luge punk is also under control.

No, we do not need to double-check the skiing rosters. Blake Pirih has already been sponsored, we're sorry, tough luck. Charlton Vidence is also ready to go. Between the two of them we would be set anyway. And the freestyle delegation is already a success.

We've read and reread the loopholes, and there's nothing illegal about what we're doing. Please do not spread rumors to the contrary as it does not promote the victorious attitude we are seeking.

Let's just all get to Kelssek on time. The airports there can be dangerous.

Evan Pogdar yawned. Travel across the Multiverse always seemed to take a lot out of him.

"Ok Ev," said his partner Shawna Vickers. "Let's try that foot sequence again. Are You alright?"

"I'll be ok, just a little zoned." said Evan.

"Well, shake it off partner. With Warren and Sophie gone, the mantle of Maineiacs Ice Dancing rests on us." said Shawna.

"I'll be ok," he repeated. "That's why I wanted to get here early, and why Mike didn't come with me right away. The space twister doesn't affect him like it does me, and his cheerfulness while I'm suffering is really annoying."

"I understand." Shawna replied. "Cori and I are like you guys in reverse. When I left her hotel room, she was throwing up her lungs."

"See, it's that kind of thing that makes me glad Mike won't be here until tomorrow. He wants to treat this like a second honeymoon, and I'm in no shape for it." he said.

"Well, buck up. We'll give it a run through now, then you can go back to the dorm and barf to your hearts content. Romance and intensive practice can wait until tomorrow." Shawna said.

Albavona Capitol Sentinel
Crosscom Beretania donates $100,000 for cancer research

ALBAVONA – Crosscom Beretania, an offshoot of Crosscom Global Telecommunications of Fujisawa has announced they will donate one hundred thousand dollars (USD) toward cancer research in Unified Beretania, in honor of Susan Chang, the sister of Olympic bound figure skater Stephan Chang. Susan Chang, following a long struggle with leukemia, passed away the day after Stephan Chang qualified for the IV Winter Olympics to be held in Alavaria, Kelssek.

“Being there with my parents and burying my sister was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. But there’s part of me that knows deep down that she’s in a better place,” Chang told reporters at a press conference with Crosscom Beretania executives.

In addition to the one hundred thousand dollars Crosscom Beretania is donating to cancer research, they pledge along with a handful of other Beretanian companies to donate a combined additional one million dollars (USD) per Beretanian figure skater who medals in Kelssek. Crosscom Beretania and the other companies involved agreed to contribute an equal share should any Beretanian figure skaters medal.

“We want to take an active role in the communities we serve, and as a local telecommunications company, we have a social and moral obligation to do what is right, to go beyond what is expected of us as a company, and to make a contribution toward a better world,” said Steven Carson, President of Operations for Crosscom Beretania.

Crosscom Beretania is seeking to improve their image following a bitter dispute with rival internet service provider Xantasy. Last year, Crosscom Beretania sued Xantasy over alleged copyright infringement involving Crosscom’s Crossfire™ wireless internet service. The result was a prolonged mud slinging contest that tarnished the reputation of both companies.

“This is about good people doing good things. It’s about a company that’s rooted in morals, not in greed. And we implore companies like ours, in all communities, and in all countries of the world to dig deep into their pockets and give of themselves like we have, and will continue to do so,” Crosscom Beretania Media and Marketing Director Etta Mullen said.

Stephan Chang choked back tears as he described to reporters how his sister was always in attendance from day one of his ice skating career through his many competitions. He went into detail about the last day of his sister’s life, and the pain of watching her slip away in the hospital in her final days.

“Let me tell you something. I know she’ll be watching me from the best seat in Kelssek. She’ll be watching me from up above. And I’m bringing home a medal for Susan,” Chang said.

Chang got a little help from Sheena Jacqueline Baker, a gold medal winner in the III Summer Olympics. Baker said she felt compelled to spread the word for Chang the minute she found out about Susan Chang’s death.

“We ought to be sending a message. And that is that hope is on the way. I believe in this fight, and I believe in Stephan, and I believe we will win this fight. You don’t have to be an Olympian like me to be a winner. But you do have to believe in yourself, and everything you’re fighting for,” Baker told the inspired audience.

Support has poured in from Columbia alumni and Kelssek bound athletes alike. Baker and Sarasvati Channarayapatra, a swimmer in the III Summer Olympics in Columbia, UCS, along with gymnasts Travis Strange and Anastasia Kostrikova, and figure skater Katie Yang, have set up an account for donations from the public and fellow Olympians.

“The last thing she ever said to me was that she was proud of me, but really, I’m proud of her, because it takes a lot more courage and a lot more strength to go through what she went through, and what hundreds of thousands of Beretanians are going through right now, than anything I am capable of,” Chang said.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/kelchek/media/kbc-icon.gif


Club-country fight means U-21s get Olympic nod
19 JANUARY 2009 - KIRKENES

Kelssek will once again be sending an under-21 national team to the Winter Olympics as Hockey Kelssek was unable to secure an agreement from KHL Division 1 clubs to release players to the senior men's national team:

Forwards
Clyde Matthews
Greg McKinsley
Jasper Nguyen
Mark Camebey
Claude Vailleux
Adrian Travis
Laurent Beauce
Kevin Sheridan
Juilen Heillieux
Evan Chong
Shane Orness
Darius McCairn
Daniel Worrell
Guy Larue

Defensemen
Shean Barrie
Mohammed Hafiz
Alain Giordano
Ryan Dementer
Kenneth Shaen
Jean-Paul Lién
David Herald

Goaltenders
Starting: Shawn Linus
Backup: Phillippe Daigle
Backup backup: Cole Denneny

There were no such problems with the women's national team as the KHL Women's Division had planned this season's fixtures around the Olympics. The team:

Forwards
Helen Ulrich
Cassie Thennah
Angèline Carlson
Erica Smith
Julia Larr
Beatrice Vernier
Joan Lajune
Nadia Henderson
Shelia Moscon
Teresa Nottingham
Angie Shenkley
Leann Peterson

Defense
Kayle Variner
Angela Carter
Gloria Fletcher
Britney McDonald
Samantha Limman
Lille Westley

Goaltenders
Starting: Olivia Bronwold
Backup: Marsha Swain

The Salo Times\

Olympic Coverage: Arrival

by Jim Suizuzu


Late last night 15 X 787's landed @ Alveria's airport. Soon there after the team checked in to their hotel. Sounds pretty normal, but it's the back story that's amazing.

Last night on the plane that was carrying Petkov, decorated captain Dave Zicork passed out. As the First Officer came down with the flu mid flight the plane was captain-less. Fresh off a WestWind flight in to Texas City it was up to Petkov (as the only LAC(Lurikastan Air Counsel) licensed person in the plane Petkov took to the rescue and guided the plane down over unfamiliar terrain to a safe landing in Alaveria.

Today everyone is rearing up for competition, looking for the gold. During this warm up time Aberaham Romez tore a muscle in his leg. He will be able to compete doctors say, but it will be a week or so untill he's back @ 100%.

Regina Franklin looked at her time. It wasn't good. Damn it! She had to find a way to shake off the nervousness. The short track team wanted desperately to cast off the sprectre of the disqualification at Jasi'yun, but the one thing that would embarrass the country more than being disqualified would be her anchoring the team to a last place finish. She had to bring her time down.

She gritted her teeth, and set herself in the starting position again...

Host announcement: The schedule is now available in the opening post of the results thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=580991).

Sorthern Northland Olympic Ice Hockey Squads

Men's Team

Goaltenders

Thibaut Bélair
Antonio Smith
Timothée Dulong

Defencemen

Dominic Parker
Paul Gendron
Landon Turner
Michel Thérriault
Amaury Regnier
Aidan Patel
Jordan Marshall

Forwards

Rémy Bélanger
Noël Régis
Émile Trottier
Jean Fleury
James Lewis
Jarrett Vidal
Emmanuel Briscoe
Rene Reeder
Paul Gearhart
Chris Simms
Alfredo Griswold
Nelson Renner
Michael Caerney

Women's Team

Goaltenders

Janise Markham
Yvone Fanning
Adele Fogle

Defencemen

Ríona O'Flattery
Cheryl Morgan
Leigh O'Connell
Michéle Lachance
Anne-Hélène Guerrier
Elisabeth Desnoyers
Louise Brabent

Forwards

Lauren Biggs
Tyra Jackson
Heather McKinnley
Mícheál O'Quigg
Aoibhín Uí Cathail
Laura Denton
Melanie Morgen
Stéphanie Potier
Márie McConnell
Stacy Clarke
Robyn McCormac
Hélène Abadie
Zoé Blanchard

Candelaria And Marquez Team Sports Rosters


Men’s Ice Hockey Squad
(The Blue Hard Vulcanized Rubber Discs)

Head Coach: Seb Mulrooney

Goaltenders

G ~ Marcus Emery
G ~ Patrick Dyson
G ~ Longdendale Simonsson

Defencemen

D ~ Daniel Oudin
D ~ John Croy
D ~ Chuck Oyono
D ~ John O'Duineadhaigh
D ~ Ethan Zebic
D ~ Cameron Cook
D ~ Jake Campbell

Forwards

F ~ Bala Ebûssüûd
F ~ Xavier Deadman (c)
F ~ Nat Stewart
F ~ David Davis
F ~ Oliver Needham
F ~ Tomer Wood
F ~ Edward Arlott
F ~ William Moore
F ~ Luke Brown
F ~ Chris Davies


Women’s Ice Hockey Squad
(The Lady Blue Hard Vulcanized Rubber Discs)

Head Coach: William Dawson

Goaltenders

G ~ Verity Essex
G ~ Rachel Ainsworth
G ~ Caryn Kennard

Defenceme…women?

D ~ Alex Uroz
D ~ Jennifer Zenden (c)
D ~ Danielle Markopoulos
D ~ Tasha Jones
D ~ Lea Gajarsky
D ~ Michelle Florovski
D ~ Amy Owen

Forwards

F ~ Meggan Aggett
F ~ Alice Laker
F ~ Hanna Guastalvino
F ~ Jennifer Chen
F ~ Kim Tembo
F ~ Erin Protti
F ~ Pippa Perry
F ~ Tatijana Deare
F ~ Georgie Ward
F ~ Katie Dixon


Men’s Curling Squad
(The Little Back Boy A Squad)

Harry Hudson (Skip)
Maddock Deane (Second)
Lucas Hughes (Third)
Edward Dyer (Lead)
Tom Wale (Alternate)


Women’s Curling Squad
(The Little Back Boy B Squad)

Mary Hudson (Skip)
Cassie Deane (Second)
Helen Zehetmayr (Third)
Victoria Brookes (Lead)
Liz Morris (Alternate)

A Team And A Dream, The Story Of The Taeshani Olympic Team

I have just recently arrived in Kelssek for the Fourth Winter Olympics, in which Taeshan and its teams wearing Blue And the ageold Purple jerseys are set to start there first Winter Olympics. Last Summer the Knights took part in there first Summer Olympics in which there only medal came from national hero Brandon Wissenger in the Mens Artistic Gymnastics Balance Beam final. The countries first olympic medal was silver, but it is a symbol of national pride. Know just a year later the Knights are getting ready for only there second Olympic competition.

Know it is time for there first ever Winter Olympics. Taeshan is the coldest nation on earth, and it is expected to be one of the biggest competitors in this Olympics. Everyone is ready to watch the teams in many of the favorite winter sports. The Taeshanis are expected to medal in many sports including national favorites Snowboarding Halfpipe, Snocross, and both Hockey Tournaments. Just this week the Knights announced there two twenty memeber hockety teams. Below listed is the mens team expected to fight for the championship and gold. But they will have many competitors for theat gold including Qazox, Kelssek, and many other powers.

Taeshan is the perfect place for winter sports. 75% of the Taeshan's year is spent in freezing conditions. the people have learned to cope with the longwithstanding icy roads and harsh winter breezes. Taeshani's live on ice and snow and this has resulted in them becoming favorites in many competitions here in Kelssek, and it has shown with the fear in other competitors eyes when they see the teams practice.
The Blue and Purple are ready to fly.

Mens National Ice Hockey Team
This team has competed and Finished in the Top Three At the World Championships
They are Coached By Max Popret
They Have 8 New Team Members since the Last WCOH
Forward Line 1
Ashton Appleby LW 22 5 Kosovoe Pride
Eli Smith C 27 21 Greenville Slippers
Colby Kennedy RW 25 25 Fadron Fleet
Forward Line 2
Mack Martin LW 31 99 Ying Jing Jokers
Nadin Baker C 21 20 Machrobat Ice Kings
Tiny Peters RW 25 45 Gieron Spiders
Forward Line 3
Zack Micheals LW 23 00 NA
Tyler Klingon C 25 0 NA
Cyler Mincey LW 27 19 NA
Defensive Line 1
Slick Deringer RD 29 35 Atlantea Atoms
Oli Merean LD 24 29 Docktown Demons
Defensive Line 2
Smitty Myers RD 22 1 Taeshan City Loggers
Jamie Myers LD 22 2 Taeshan City Loggers
Defensive Line 3
Cam Jansen RD 23 91 NA
Mathew Prery LD 24 79 NA
Defensive Line 4
Fred White RD 24 37 NA
Colby Lenchey LD 28 44 NA
Goalies
Ayele Borreman S 24 3 Laketown Deep
Trick Murphy B 22 17 Atlantea Atoms
Jeff Leheay Third String 21 88 NA

Iglesian Ice Hockey Team

Men's Team

Goaltenders

Mário Guerreiro
José Claustro
João Castro Oliveira

Defencemen

Nuno Alves Bandeira
Paulo Figueira
Mário Conceição
Klodi Avaritt
Josefino Castelo
João Nopowski
Gleritt Fleittig

Forwards

Mariano Wapawska
Mariano Sousa
Alfredo da Costa
José Lopodsky
Fernando Figueiredo
António Claustro
Gabriel Matias
Hugo Klazembe
Bernardo Kiopowski
Armando Florenská
Manuel Nunes
Lorpembe Clarbembo
João Castelo

Women's Team

Goaltenders

Flora Chobowski
Maria Sousa
Mariana Schäuber

Defencemen

Joana Guerreiro
María Fernandez
Juana Assunción
Mariana Castelo
Vanessa de Sousa
Joana Rodrigues
Joana Castelo

Forwards

Natália Restelo
Maria Dantes Costa
Mary Clark
Jeanne Chaussy
Laura Oliveira
Bárbara Fernandes
Maria Sal Oliveira
Josefina Santos Costa
Anne Grass
Adriana Salvador
Francisca Klobs
Mariana Schlöss
Helena Fernandes dos Santos

The New Cleethorpes Enquirer
Olympic team unveiled

Dr Jose Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador, Secretary General of the Quintessential Olympic Association (QOA), last night revealed the roster of athletes included in the squad for the forthcoming Fourth Winter Olympic Games in Alavaria, Kelssek, putting an end to weeks of intense press speculation.

Breaking with the amateur ethos that has dominated Quodite sports - and, many argue, consigned it to competitive anonymity - a plan had been formed in late 2008 to include extensive squads for biathlon, cross-country skiing and Nordic Combined, all events in which Quodites were expected to fare extremely well, consisting of members of the Quintessential Defence Forces specially selected for their proficiency. But the tactic stalled and the competitors have been excluded, after Secretary of Defence Bill Pryce ordered all Forces onto a special operation over the weekend, thought to be a response to current political instability in The Altan Steppes that has seen them withdraw military assets from Antarctic Oasis.

This leaves a compact squad of 48 athletes to compete in five sporting disciplines: Alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, figure skating, speed skating and short track skating. Among the 48 athletes are 19 Quintessential-Chinese, a move welcomed by the Congressional Chinese Caucus as a "sign of the inclusivity and diversity that our nation can demonstrate to the world".

Dr Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador was quick to dampen expectations of a high medal count, reminding reporters that Quintessence of Dust had fared poorly in international football and rugby, and that it lacked the facilities and competitive experience of many other nations. He nonetheless promised that "our athletes will take the Quintessential spirit to Kelssek - and perhaps return home with the Olympic spirit". Several reporters reached for the 80 proof spirit at this point.

There will be hopes of strong performances from the Alpine skiing squad, which includes Beccy Arnott, the 19-year old who won all five events at last year's National Freezing-to-Cold Games, and Han Chung, the first Quintessential-Chinese skier to win a national competition when he claimed victory in the men's slalom four years ago. Wilhelm Biber, representing the men across several disciplines, will partake in an unusual sporting double; he was a member of the national football squad that failed to qualify for World Cup 44 earlier in the year.

The figure skating team has been struck by two late withdrawals. Kyle Chomsky suffered a severe training injury in which his leg was severed by another skate; he is reported to have lost several pints of blood and is currently in critical condition at the Artellius Kryager Memorial Hospital #47 in Highmark City. And Ingmar Jonssen announced he would be making the trip, as a knee injury has failed to recover. Medal hopes in the men's individual are now pinned solely on Alexei Burbatov, the young skater whose quadruple salchow pair at the National Freezing-to-Cold Games brought a national record score - and a standing ovation.

In the women's individual, the recent Games' top three placers are all fit, with Wendy Chang likely to wow audiences if she can land the crisp triple lutzes she showed off on her way to victory last year. Two pairs and two ice-dance couples will also be attending, though in a competitive field they will need to perform especially well to win over the judges and crowd. In a nod to national pride, all have chosen pieces by Quodite composers and musicians as accompaniment.

By far the most high profile competitor is in one of the least well-known events. Samantha Benson won last year's women's moguls title at the National Freezing-to-Cold Games, but is better known as the public face of Quodite politics in the World Assembly, where she serves as Congressional Liaison to the Office of WA Affairs - and, by all accounts, de facto Ambassador. Her inclusion in the squad will be particularly annoying to her superior, Secretary of State George Madison, who had argued against participation in the Olympics as a symbolic protest against Kelssekian economic policies.

Closing out the squad are the short track and speed skaters, sixteen young men and women. All are complete unknowns, all below the age of 22, and all Quintessential-Chinese. The sports have little popular appeal in Quintessence of Dust and were not even part of the National Freezing-to-Cold Games; their inclusion in the squad is rumoured to be an exercise in bolstering support for the sport, rather than winning metal this time around.

The New Cleethorpes Enquirer will be covering the Games in full detail, including special supplementary issues and exclusive interviews with the participants. See also our special website, http://theenquirer.co.qd/olympics.

OOC: Given the number of events I guess people will be busy enough RPing their own stuff, but I'm more than willing to participate in interesting/funny/silly stuff that happens.

Fujisawan Territories Olympic ice hockey teams

Men’s
Goaltenders
G Mokino Honda
G Naoki Kobayashi
G Kawahide Judoko

Defense
D Shinji Shoda
D Yuji Kawakami
D Jun’ichi Takaki
D Raiden Yoshimatsu
D Kenji Miyazaki
D Tadashi Kitoaji
D Roku Jimbo

Forwards
F Morofuyu Genji
F Tekkan Fuwa
F Momokawa Hayashi
F Iezane Ozaki
F Nakabumi Ibu
F Chomei Ozu
F Hiro Osagawa
F Iwao Tarumi
F Koji Dan
F Chojiro Handa

Women’s
Goaltenders
G Mayumi Kawaii
G Izanami Nosaka
G Gin Dan

Defenders
D Amaya Nakadai
D Chinatsu Ko
D Megumi Kajiyama
D Hikari Nakasawa
D Sakura Miyake
D Tomoko Kobi
D Sakiko Jo

Forwards
F Satomi Jung
F Bunko Taguchi
F Fumiko Sasaki
F Kin Mitzusaka
F Madoka Kurmochi
F Yoko Itoh
F Shizuko Anami
F Junko Imagawa
F Keiko Hirota
F Rise Kaima

Hopes are high for the fourth Olympic winter games, and Tocrowkia's first venture into the Olympic scene over all. The Qazox Winter Sports Festival, in which the Reich recorded the expected amount of medals has the athletes excited and hoping to do well. Keira Sylar, snowboarding sensation, expressed the most excitement despite the fact she was held without a medal.

"Like I said before, I hope I'm able to make my country proud. All of us feel that way."

Tune into TSN for more in-depth coverage in the coming days.

http://www.thirdgeek.com/ns/logos/tribune-wc44/
AEROPAG, Jativa · 0.10 g Au · 2162–01–26
Now get a 1.6% discount when you buy with your ATXpress card!

Alavaria: SLANI, Jasīʼyūn say no to cannon and stars
AEROPAG—Capitalizt SLANI and Jasīʼyūn will be entering an Olympic opening ceremony separately for the first time at Alavaria, officials announced today after a meeting of the Paripanan Sporting Council.

The decision was communicated to the organizers of the IV Olympic Winter Games in separate, although substantially identical, messages from the respective Olympic Committees. These messages included three main clarifications—that the delegations should enter under C and J in alphabetical order during the opening ceremony; that unlike the Games in Columbia, where no flags were used by the host delegations in the ceremony, the usual blue and red flags of the respective associations would be carried; and that neither the “cannon and stars” flag nor the anthem The Star-Spangled Banner of the former Unified Capitalizt States are to be used as official symbols for either delegation.

Though Jasīʼyūn declined to hold a press conference, claiming that their press officer had the day off, Capitalizt SLANI did elect to clarify some points to the media. Several questions were fielded regarding the extent to which this policy was to be applied.

“We understand that some of our athletes have political beliefs, or have other non-political reasons to use these symbols, and this policy does not prohibit any athletes or spectators from making use of the symbols,” said the official, who had spilled something on his name tag. A sample segment of Capitalizt SLANI’s new anthem, to be used when one of its athletes receives a gold medal, was played at the conference, though no information has been forthcoming on Jasīʼyūn’s choice of music.

The Paripanan Sporting Council, which is apparently responsible for the decision, is an outgrowth of the Columbia Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, which also had some antipolitical policies, and has been steadily growing in authority over (unsurprisingly) sporting activities in Paripana. The organization recently issued invitations to a number of minor sporting associations, which some pundits have speculated are aimed at pressuring the “big two” into handing over administration of the Capitalizt Élite League to allow for a fairer system of promotion into the league.

Posted online at http://skimonthly.co.qd/bob-whittaker/260109.

Ski Monthly Magazine
Quodite athletes ready for the slopes of Caunidhrenon

BOB WHITTAKER, ALAVARIA -- A cold, crisp morning greets me on my arrival at Alavaria, but already the air is warm with the buzz and excitement of the Games, five days before competition is due to start. The tension in the Quintessential Team is palpable - "I think everyone is ready to go" says Wilhelm Biber with relish.

All week, journalists have been putting down Quodite medal hopes as the athletes take to the slopes for the first time, but none of that is getting to the young band of skiers I meet out on the practice slopes. "We don't want to think about that," confirms Beccy Arnott, the star of the women's team; "We're just interested in proving ourselves to the nation."

Arnott, a graceful and deceptively slight 19-year old from Balliston, a small town in eastern Frendry, began skiing at an early age, and while in school began competing in full tournaments. At the age of 15 she caught national attention when she came in second in the women's slalom at the National Freezing-to-Cold Games. Last year, she won all five events, and her determination to prove herself at the international level is obvious. "I think my strongest event is probably the Giant," she claims, though she is quick to deny that she will "hold anything back" in the four events that come before it.

Similarly determined is Mandy Kohl, the 21-year old from Pulona who broke her leg two years ago. Unable to compete at the National Freezing-to-Cold Games, she now says her recovery is "complete - I hope". Lining up alongside her will be older heads Sally Chivers, Quodite ski veteran, and Jill Bodin, the Robarian who is the only woman to twice win the downhill at the National Games, as well as fellow youngsters Kelly Winther (19), Emily Sanderson (18) and Alice Kent (21).

Christy Morgan, 26, and Li Peng Xiu, 23, will be competing with Arnott in the slalom and combined events. While both will be hoping for strong performances themselves, they were quick to acknowledge their compatriot as "a special talent".

Leading the men's team is Wilhelm Biber, who previously represented Quintessence of Dust at football in qualifying attempts for three World Cups. Thoughtful and quiet, he is modest about the achievement: "I don't think it's anything special. This squad is full of multi-talented people".

The men's hopes probably centre on the Quintessential-Chinese trailblazer Han Chung, now 28 but still a nimble presence on the slopes, and Johann Jorgen, a determined, rocklike figure popularly, if inelegantly, dubbed "the Jorgenator". There is a large Quintessential-Scandinavian presence on the team: giant slalomers Bjorn Svenssen and Jim Sunqvist are both of Swedish descent, and downhiller Lupo Korainnen, who won last year's title at the National Freezing-to-Cold Games, is of Finnish ancestry.

Biber is philosophical about the varied origins of the team. "I know the papers are writing a lot about how we're a multicultural lot, but I think if you look across the teams you'll realize everyone's fielding very varied squads. It's nothing special to have a few people with different surnames - what matters is how they ski."

Away from the Alpine squad, the freestyle team consists of two women, both competing in the moguls. While Samantha Benson, the Social Democratic politician who has for many months been one of the most recognisable Quodite faces on the international stage, is drawing much of press attention, she is quick to play herself down. "I don't think any of that matters right now. No one cares out on the slopes about politics, and I think that's a good thing." She declined to answer questions about the State Department's opposition to the Olympic trip, saying simply, "that's something to deal with when we get home, perhaps."

Her teammate, Julia Johannsen, also hails from Pulona, like several of the Quintessential-Scandinavian competitors, but is not about to fall into Benson's shadow. Six years Benson's junior, she lost out to her at the National Freezing-to-Cold Games last year but has been subject to favourable attention by Ski Monthly Magazine (qv SMM passim), and was a 'Tip for the Top' over New Year, 2009.

A Team and A Dream, The Story Of The Taeshan Olympic Team

Yesterday the Taeshan Olympic Commitee voted Twelve- Two to name Shane Balck as the flag bearer for the opening ceremonies at the Fourth Winter Olympics in Alvaria, Kelssek. Balck who is expected to medal in Mens Snocross, as many expect his teamates on the board in Cross and on the Pipe, will wave the knew joint flag of Taehsna and Kosovoe, its main protectorate. For more on that read paragraph 2.

As noted above the Taeshani's and the Kosi's will for the first time in the second Olympics for each team walk under the the flag of the Federated Provinces of Taeshan and Kosovoe. This comes as a suprise to many fans who never thought this could ever happen due to the noted hostility between the two. Like the Taeshani Jerseys the flag will be Blue and Purple with the Blue taking the spot inside an X down the middle of the flag(like Scotland). the Flag will also have a throashing eagle in the center of the flag. The Kosovoe Comittee Of Olympicana has announced that they will be yet again wearing there Pink with Neon Green Trim colors for this olympics.

There was a dull silence amongst the people of Warre this morning, cool winds from the north brushing against the warm wind of the oceanic stream coming north. It produced mist, this morning, a sign some countries might take with ill hopes from the fact that this was the day that Warre's Olympic team for the Winter Olympics would be living. Not in Warre, though, there wasn't a chance of ill hopes for this, this was the first team in a long time mustered in Warre for the Olympics, the first in decades. It was the first in a long time, and it had been given the blessing by Warre's new King, who though not born of Warreic soil, had proved he was just as Warreic as any of them, with the defeat of Grand Vizier Lyrandis and his attempted coup, no long ago.

Warre's Olympic team boarded a cruise ship bound for Kelssek's Capital, Neorvins, they boarded it after a chant from the Warreic at the docks, which included the King, a chant of the National Anthem, Safety Amongst the Waves (http://www.nswiki.net/index.php?title=Safety_Amongst_the_Waves). A chant that might as well have been a call to war or conquest, a chant that sounded like it had been ripped out of a tavern filled with excited young warriors.

The athletes boarded the ship alongside of the head of the Olympic Committee of Warre, the Duchess Lydia Halmont, who was the Duchess of Halmont Borough, on the Island of Umikaze. They boarded in order not determined by anything other than their wishes, after of course the head of the contingency, the Duchess, boarded.

And even as they boarded, there were chants continued by those who boarded, the athletes who were not assigned a position on the ship of duty to assist the skeleton crew who would watch the ship as the majority of those who were boarding it went by bus to Alavaria.

It was done as quickly as it began, and with it's end, the ship departed. There was chatter amongst the young Olympians about the portents of the day so far, and of their excitement on things. There was peace, but there was no quiet.

About half the way towards Kelssek, just beyond the national waters of the Free Pacific States, there broke out a fierce argument between two of the Olympians. Ryan Wade, and Rina Hitomusa. The latter, an ethnically Umikazeic Warreic young lady, had picked a row with Ryan, who was continuing to chant 'Safety Amongst the Waves', wearing his Imperial Warreic Army uniform the whole time he did. He had apparently offended her in this, because the mention of 'our forefathers', which she was offended at because her ancestors were Japanese, not Warreic, and though she proudly wore the Blue, White, and Orange of Warre, and proudly proclaimed herself, she felt it was unnecessary and perhaps even slightly racist to insist she sing along with it, even though it had nothing to do with her ancestry.

“Dunnae give me that, Ry'n! Dunnae even try! I'm from Umikaze, and it's racist for you to insist I sing with you!” She roared at him.
He returned the favor, “Auh, come'mon, lass, don't be so derisive. We're all Warreic, and it's the traditional song, on top of that, it's more racist of you to keep'an bringin' up your heritage like that! Warre doesn't count race, and as far as the national government, anyone born on any of the archipelago's islands, who's parents were born on any of the archipeligo's islands, they're Warreic, racially. You thin' that anyone in Kelssek's not going to assume upon seeing you in Blue, Orange, and White that you're any different from the rest of us? Any less wild or fierce? Don assume just because our features are different, we are. You like Sheperd's Pie and to play drinkin' games, don't you? I know you do, in fact!” He paused, before gleefully calling. “Oi! Everyone! You should have seen R'ina here last week! When we had all been confirmed, me and some of my friends, and her and some of her friends, we all went out to the Blue Star in Lumina, and boy I've never seen a girl who's sung the Ballad o' our forefathers as well as R'ina did when she'd had a few glasses and a bowl of Sheperd's Pie in her stomach!”

The girl glared at him, after blushing at him bringing up her actions. The yelling might've even continued, if Warre's flag bearer, Martin Martin hadn't intervened.

“Shut up, you love birds. We've got enough people thinking we're slightly too strange and slightly too passionate without you lovebird's arguments. I mean, seriously, it's just a song. She can sing it or not, it's her choice, but as the King brought up, united we stand far stronger than we do divided. A chair with legs that go every which way without working together can't even hold a baby, after all.”

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage


With the release of the offically Olympic schedule, the networks of QBC can finally finalize their schedules:

(Note: all times are approximate, as some events may run short or long)
QBC Schedule:
January 30th: Opening Ceremony 6:30pm
January 31st-February 15th: Olympics Today (7:00 am-10:00am)
January 31st-February 14th: GoldMedal Coverage (12:30pm- 3:00pm, and 7:00pm-12:15am)
February 1-16th: Olympics Daily Recap (12:45am-1:45am, Will only be from 1:00am-1:30 am on 2/16)
February 9th: Women's Hockey Gold Medal Match (10:30 am-??)
February 12th: Women's Curling Gold Medal Match (8:00 am-??)
February 13th: Men's Curling Gold Medal Match (11:00 am-??)
February 15th: Men's Hockey Gold Medal Match (9:00 am-??)
February 15th: Men's 50km Freestyle Cross-Country Skiing (12:00pm-??)
February 15th: Closing Ceremony 7:30pm

MSQBC Schedule:
January 25-28th: Curling Preliminaries (7:00pm-11:00pm)
January 31st, February 3-4th: Luge preliminary runs (1/31 at 3:00pm-5:30pm; 2/3-4 at 5:30pm-7:00pm)
February 1- 8th: Curling Group Stages (6:00am-2:00pm)
February 1st, 3-4th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13-14th: Alpine Skiing preliminary runs (3:00pm-5:30pm)
February 1-2nd, 5-6th, 11-12th: Snowbarding Preliminary runs (on 2/1 and 2/11: 5:30pm-7:00pm; on other days from 3:00pm-5:30pm)
February 5-6th: Skeleton preliminaries (7:00pm-8:30pm)
February 7-8th, 10th, 13th: Bobsleigh Preliminary runs (On 2/7 and 2/10 5:30pm-10:00pm; on 2/8 and 2/10 3:00pm-7:00pm)
February 11th: Curling SemiFinals (10:00am-2:00pm)
February 12th: Women's Curling Bronze Medal Match (6:00am-??)
February 13th: Men's Curling Bronze Medal Match (9:00 am-??)

BQBC Schedule:
January 31st, February 2-3rd, 5th: Biathlon (12:00pm-??)
January 31st-February 4th, 6-8th, 10-11th, 13th: Cross-Country Skiing (on 1/31, and 2/2-3 coverage will be from 9am-??; other days will be from 12:00pm-??)
January 31st-February 5th, 7-8th, 10-11th, 13-14th: Speed Skating (6:00pm-??)
January 31st-February 1st, 4th, 7th, 11th, 14th: ShortTrack SpeedSkating (6:00pm-??)

QSN Schedule:
January 26th-February 8th: Women's Preliminary, Group matches (2:00pm-9:30pm)
February 9th: Women's Hockey Bronze Medal Match (8:00 am-??)
January 26th-February 13th: Men's Preliminary, Group, QuarterFinals and SemiFinals (6:00am-2:00pm)
January 26th-February 14th: Hockey Match of the Day (9:30pm-12:00am; on 2/14 from 5:00pm-8:00pm)
February 14th: Men's Hockey Bronze Medal Match (12:00pm-??)


QSN2 Schedule:
January 31st-February 12th: LIVE Olympic Coverage (6:00am-6:00pm)
January 26th-February 13th: Qazox Hockey Replay (6:00pm-8:00pm Men, 8:00pm-10:00pm Women)
January 26th-February 11th: Qazox Curling Replay (10:00pm-11:00pm Men, 11:00pm-12:00pm Women)

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With further news, Allician athletes arrived in Alavaria, Eryn Firith of the hosting nation of the IV Olympic Winter Games in the nations of Kelssek. The chartered North Star Airlines 787s arrived at 1:37AM local time on January 27th, landing at North Eryn Firith National Airport after first clearing through Kirkenes Malton International Airport. The reception for the athletes was peaceful, encountering only their local guides, coaches, and various Olympic staff as they entered the primary terminal of the airport. The weather was of a light snow as they made their way from the airport of this history venture into the country, to their respective residence during their stay within Kelssek. Many speculators within the Alliance Star Confederation are watching a few of the athletes for very specific results within this initial venture into the first Olympic tour of the Alliance Star Confederation.

First and foremost is Seth Hallon, a noted skier on various levels of the sport as he's marked to compete in eight events at the games, including the team events that he's captaining. Many fans are flying out from the Alliance Star Confederation, with a line of merchandise with "Hallon Fever" tagged along his name and his hopeful wins at the games this year. He's been a four time national Cross-Country Ski Champion within the Alliance Star Confederation, along with fourteen other championships in various events relating to the sport. He's also a team leader in teams that continuously break speed records within the country time and time again.

The overall Women's figure skaters: Sara Anne Greene, Alexandria Walden, Christine Wilders are all poised to be top competitors during the Olympic games in their events this year. All three have been close rivals throughout their respective careers within the Alliance Star Confederation professional figure skating tour, and have fought time and time again for the top spot for various medals and awards. Time will tell if any or all these athletes will take a spot or the sacred top spot of the Women's Figure skating event.

Rebecca Carter and Vaughn Griggs among the speed skaters, Karen Ritchardson the noted snow boarder, and Krista Hutchings and Clay Gosset the most revered short track athletes. The Allician Ice Hockey team and Bob sledding teams, are also among those whom will me focused on in their time within the nation, and we'll have a more specific detail of those teams, athletes, and more in further reports as they come along. And all Olympic footage will broadcast on PBN throughout the entirety of the IV Olympic Games.

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Tea tray sales rocket as Olympic hype builds up

The fourth edition of the Winter Olympics is just days away, and in the frozen north of Sorthern Northland, the excitement for it is already building. Whilst many of the ski resorts that attract foreign tourists to Sorthern Northland are based in the south of the country, such as the Snowspeak Ski Resort just outside of Rothsbere, the heartlands of winter sports in Sorthern Northland lie in the countries Northern Wastes province in the far north. And it is from this region that the majority of Sorthern athletes competing at the Games come from, and it will be here that the majority of televisions tuned into SNTV to watch the Games will be. The south of the country will watch as well, but not with the same enthusiasm, there they spend most of the year concentrating on sports such as football, rugby, Gaelic football and hurling, and maybe head up to the mountains once a year for a skiing holiday. In the Northern Wastes it is different, football, rugby, Gaelic football and hurling are still popular but they play second fiddle to wintersports. One way to gauge this difference in opinion is to ask people what a tea tray is for. A Sortherner from the southern provinces will look blankly at all and tell you it's for serving tea. A Sorthern from a northern province such as the Northern Wastes will inform you that it is in fact a cheap sled or toboggan which is ideal for recreational use in activities such as the luge or the skeleton.

With that in mind, it is perhaps unsurprising that stockists of tea trays in the north are reporting that with the Winter Olympics soon to start, they are selling more tea trays than ever. Heading onto the slopes armed with my gran's tea tray what quickly struck me was that the majority of tea tray lugers seemed to teenagers either bunking off school, or on the slopes after school. I asked one what the appeal of tea trays was to the younger generation, and was told, “They is cheap init, proper luge sleds coast loads of money and we has got better stuff to spend our money on than them, like weed and alcohol. Ya get me blud?” To tell the truth, I didn't “get him” but nonetheless nodded my head and allowed him to continue. “But lugeing is well wicked, so we need something to do it on. And metal tea trays are cheap so we can afford to buy 'em and still have money to buy weed and pay prostitutes and so on. Actually I stole mine off my mates nan. But yeah I is proper excited about the Olympics. There's a few people from the hood competing and they is doing us all proud, repping our ends and ting, init ya know. Brap brap!”

Opening ceremony flag bearer named

Away from the teenage delinquent invested slopes of the Northern Wastes, the Sorthern Olympic Team has spent the last few days acclimatising to Kelssek, and the various hosting venues in and around Alavaria. Reports from within the delegation so far suggest the athletes have adapted to Kelssek and Kelssekian culture with ease, perhaps in no small part to the Alavaria Co-operative Vodka Distillery which has seen a number of “local culture education” visits from the athletes, as well as the array of local beers on offer in Kelssek.

With particular reason to toast a celebratory drink is ski jumper, Ríona Ní Fhlannagáin, who last night won an athletes vote to decide the nations flag bearer at the opening ceremony. She is competing in three ski jumping events, the individual large and normal hill events and the team large hill events, and is reckoned by a number of pundits to be one of the best bets for a Sorthern medal. Speaking to SNTV last night, as part of their extensive coverage of the games she said, “It's a great honour to be out on the hill wearing the red and gold skinsuit, and just as much of an honour to be asked to carry our flag into the games.” Speaking of her chances she said, “I'm in three events, so hopefully I can take the chance I need to medal in at least one. The normal hill is my speciality and I see some people have listed me as a favourite to that, but I'm not bothered by it. I'll just go out and jump as well as I can, and I'm sure I'll do well enough to finish high, and hopefully win a medal. In the team event we've also got a decent team and an outside chance of a medal, but more than anything I'm just looking forward to being a part of it all, and hopefully playing a roll in a successful games for Sorthern Northland.”

Zwangzugian Olympic Merchandising Group
Interdepartmental Memoranda

FROM: Deputy Vice-President of Marketing, Aviank Co.
TO: Mail list
CC: Mail llist, (get off of this if you were ever on it)
RE: Everybody's doing it

We need a flag bearer. One of the female curlers in a facade of team spirit? Or does anybody have any better ideas?

FROM: Associate Junior Manager of Human Resources, Spiream
TO: Deputy Vice-President of Marketing, Aviank Co
CC: Mail list
RE: And by "everybody" you mean Paripana

I jest, I jest!

Did you watch the interview with the luge punk and the skiier, whatsername...Saunder Teich. On channel...oh you know, they used to show about seventeen different codes of hockey before this started.

Make up something about how the combined event represents...combining things, in a facade of team spirit.

----

The interview in question began with a shot of Tris Daley next to his luge. It could have been called brightly colored, with individual members of the Zwangzugian Olympic Merchandising Committee placing their logos on very small areas of the luge. Perhaps if they had planned ahead, the individual components could have blended into a mosaic displaying some discernible pattern.

The ZOMG never got a reputation for being good at planning ahead.

Daley's uniform, by comparison, was rather simplistic. The defining logo seemed to revel in its abstract asymmetry. It was the symbol of a clothing company who marketed well, targeting would-be nonconformist youth. Of course, it had surged in popularity, and possessing one of them was seen as a ticket on the fast track to popularity and coolness.

"So, are you ready for the Olympics?" asked the interviewer.

"Oh yeah." Correctly sensing she would have appreciated a deeper answer, Daley added, "...Definitely."

"You'll be facing a lot of competition from places like Alliance Star and Newmanistan. How do you psychologically prepare for the toughest tests?"

"Eh, most of us here are overrated."

"Really? Do you include yourself in that?"

"Oh, of course."

The interviewer blinked. She hadn't prepared for this. "Why do you say so?"

"Win a race or two, or...uh, how many have I won? Anyhow, people start thinking you're actually good at it."

"Uh...yes...you have quite a reputation for your luge ability...you're seen as one of Zwangzug's best medal contenders..."

Tris shook his head, blond and long (for a man, anyway) hair flying in every direction, and she was half-grateful to be stopped babbling. "No way. There's no such thing as skill at luge."

"Uh...Uh. Well. To what do you attribute your success?"

"Luck in the beginning, then people started to pay attention to me. So I got better equipment, that makes a difference."

"Uh...I suppose it would. Um...yes." Back to the script? "The men's luge is on the first day of competition. Would you rather have more time to prepare?"

"Nah, I don't need to prepare."

"Um...and I apologize if this is a stupid question..."

"Don't worry about it."

"Do you particularly, ah, enjoy luge?"

"Oh yeah!" His face animated. "Greatest thrill in the world. No doubt."

"Ah. Okay. Then, I guess I'll just wish you good luck."

"Thanks!"

"Right. Tris Daley, a luger who will represent Zwangzug at the Olympics, expected to do well...by others at least. And here's skiier Saunder Teich."

"Hey!" Saunder appeared onscreen. She was somewhat tall and arguably large in other dimensions, yet her overall physique was certainly a healthy athlete's.

"What's the mood at the Olympic village?"

"Oh, we're still settling in...I think some people haven't realized what it's going to mean to compete alongside some of our familiar rivals, but I'm excited."

"Zwangzug has a full complement of alpine skiiers. Why is that kind of skiing so popular?"

"Well...I guess we're sort of..." Saunder's short black hair stayed in place while her face swiveled around furtively. Finally, she blurted, "good at it! I don't know, I mean, we've, we've got snow, and mountains, and, and, and people who can go down them...quickly...I think we've really got a chance!"

"Let's not get too jingoistic now..."

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage


Curling and Hockey preview:

The group draws for the Curling and Hockey competitions have been released, and here's who Qazox has to play in each group, and a quick look at Qazox' chances in each group:

CURLING MEN:
Newmanistan
Colbourne
Ariddian Isles

Quick Preview: The men have a chance to advance as the Colburne and Newmanistan sides are about the same skill level as Qazox. Ariddian Isles should win the group.

CURLING WOMEN:
Ad'ihan
Zwangzug
Maineiacs

Quick preview: The women should advance with little difficulty, but Maineiacs will win the group. Ad'ihan might steal 3rd from Zwangzug.

HOCKEY MEN:
Secristan
Newmanistan
Liventia

Quick preview: Qazox should have little difficulty advancing out of this group, though Secristan and Newmanistan will give them good battles. The Secristan-Newmanistan winner will take second, as Liventia is a bit overmatched in this tough group.

HOCKEY WOMEN:
Taeshan
Maineiacs
Candelaria And Marquez
Quick preview: To be honest, the only chance for the women to advance is to beat Taeshan and manage a draw against either Maineiacs or Candelaria And Marquez. Any result that isn't 3 losses would be a good sign however. Maineiacs should win the group with Taeshan probably 2nd.

NEWS:
And the big news of the day is the announcement of Qazox' flag bearer. It will be Denise Rubens, of ShortTrack fame.

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HOST ANNOUNCEMENT

ALAVOC is pleased to announce, with thanks to the Bazalonian Olympic Committee, the last-minute addition of a demonstration sport: snow angel making. The event will be contested on the final day of the Games.

Each already participating nation may sign up one entrant in the signup thread. The entrant will need four skill ratings; for head, wings, legs, out of 5; and out of 10 for creativity.

As this is a non-medal event it does not affect your existing delegation in any way and you can assign any skill rating you want. Again, please sign up for this in the signup thread, not here.

Curling skip Harrington to carry flag

Alavaria, KELSSEK (BCL Olympics)— The Liventia Olympic Association has announced its choice for flag bearer at the opening and closing ceremonies at the upcoming fourth Winter Olympic Games in Kelssek.

Men's curling skip Ryan Harrington will carry the flag at the opening ceremony, marking Liventia's return to the Olympics fold. The last time Liventia participated in an Olympic Games was at the second winter Games in Keto, Unified Capitalizt States, as Liverpool England, with a return of two golds, one silver and a bronze. That time, biathlete Roy Wadley was flag-bearer.

Speaking to reporters after the LOA confirmed he was to carry the flag, Harrington set a personal target of silver for the men's curling team. "We've been drawn into a pretty good group for us, we expect only St Samuel will really threaten us too much. It's a good draw and I really believe we'll be able to medal. If we make the gold-medal match it'll be icing on the cake, regardless of the result."

The LOA's delegation of 17 individuals, as well as two curling teams of five and two ice hockey teams of 23, is nine members smaller than the last delegation Liverpool England sent to an Olympic Games, which had 82 athletes. Alpine skiing and snowboarding, two sports in which Liverpool England competed at the Second Winter Games, are not being contested by Liventia this time around.

Leo Parry, a biathlete who is competing in his event the day before the closing ceremony, will carry the flag at the closing celebrations.

The LOA's chef-de-mission, former flag-bearer Wadley, has set a target of a return of two golds and a silver from the Alavaria Games. In three Olympic Games appearances as Liverpool England, the nation has never failed to win less than two golds.

Full curling and ice hockey teams
MEN’S CURLING
Lead: Jacob Murphy
Second: John West
Third: Aaron Hurst
Skip: Ryan Harrington
Alt: Oliver Davis

WOMEN’S CURLING
Lead: Lily Barlow
Second: Kate Francis
Third: Emily Stanley
Skip: Sophia Yates
Alt: Jade Savage

MEN’S ICE HOCKEY
GOALTENDERS
Aaron Bibi
Cameron Webb
Joe Schofield

DEFENCEMEN
Joe Winter
Scott Atkinson
James Taylor
Josh Austin
Elliot Conway
Andy Dobson
Ben Morrison
Dave Fuller
Morgan Colliner
Scott Patterson

FORWARDS
Bill Steele
Chris Roberts
Michael Street
Owen Read
Jay Lambert
Gabriel Webster
Ewan Carter
Andrew Watkins
Isaac Bennett
Charlie Lane

WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY
GOALTENDERS
Abbie Carpenter
Isabel Humphries
Jessica Moss

DEFENCEMEN
Zoe Pritchard
Madeleine Peters
Gracie North
Olivia Moran
Maisie Wells
Jodie Miah
Francesca Lucas
Zara Cooke
Jasmine Bray
Erin Jarvis

FORWARDS
Sarah Chandler
Scarlett Bell
Eve Patterson
Lucy Baker
Faith Randall
Sophie Stevens
Megan Hicks
Jennifer Day
Melissa Buckley
Tia Forster

The New Cleethorpes Enquirer
Fun and Games in Kelssek; intrigue and spite back home

While Quodite athletes settle into the facilities at the Olympic Village in Alavaria, Kelssek, controversy rages in Highmark City over the ongoing political rift that, in the words of senior State Department sources, "threatens to tear the Cabinet apart". Secretary of State George Madison and President James F. Dwight had to be physically separated at yesterday's Cabinet meeting, almost coming to blows over a diplomatic missive sent out by Madison without Dwight's authorisation.

With the Olympic team now in Kelssek, Madison wrote an open letter to Quodite news magazine The Sociologist in which he stated that the athletes, while representing Quintessence of Dust in their individual events, were not to be thought of as emissaries and had no authorisation to make any political or diplomatic statements on behalf of the nation. He also stressed that no member of the team had any authority to meet with members of the Kelssekian government.

While his comments applied to the whole team, many have interpreted them as aimed at Samantha Benson, his subordinate on leave of absence from the Office of WA Affairs to take part in the freestyle skiing competition. She quickly refused to comment on the rumours, writing a message on the team blog stating that, "No one came here with any political message or any political goal. We want to compete like all the other athletes, and have no hidden agenda." She closed her message in crytpic fashion with the statement, "We recognise that negotiations must be conducted through the appropriate levels of government and not by rogue agents," which has been interpreted as a retort to Madison.

On being informed of the incident at the Cabinet meeting, Dwight erupted, publicly chastising his old friend, whom he first met in a prisoner of war camp 30 years ago. Madison argued back that participating in the Olympics was a symbol that Dwight was "insufficiently committed to anti-communism" and "willing to jeopardise the financial well-being of the Quodite people". Dwight tapped Madison in the chest several times with his finger before the Secretary of Consumer Affairs and the Attorney General managed to separate them. The meeting was adjourned immediately.

There are already rumours of coalitions being built. It is thought that the Departments of Treasury, Defence, Trade, Commerce, Veterans Affairs and Energy are in Madison's camp, while Dwight met yesterday with a "kitchen cabinet" consisting of the Attorney General, the Secretaries of Education and Housing, several senior Quite Nice House staff, and representatives of the Northern Liberals from the House and Senate. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Erica Ornan has reportedly ordered all senior Congressional Social Democrats to refrain from public comment on the rift.

The storm seems to have largely evaded the athletes themselves, who are no doubt concentrating more on their practice. Last night, skiers Han Chung and Li Peng Xiu, and several non-Chinese members of the delegation, including Benson, her teammate Julia Johannsen, and ice dance pair Alex Warner and Toni Menzies, joined the entire speed and short track skating squads for a celebration of Chinese New Year, bringing in the Year of the Ox with a small dinner.

"Obviously, it was quite a muted affair - most people are on controlled diets, no one drank, and we ended quite early - but it was still nice to get together as a team and share our custom," said short track skater Jenny Wong. There are also plans for a tourist trip around the scenic countryside Alavaria, and Dr Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador is considering writing a letter to the Co-Operative Vodka Distillery to ask for a guided tour of the historic facility, though he has said that such a request is dependent on "political considerations".

Today, members of the alpine skiing team took a break from practice runs and fitness training to play a small game of bandy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandy). Meanwhile, there is news from ALAVOC that 'snow angel making' has been added as a demonstration sport for this Games. Today, the team blog indicated that "in support of the strong secular heritage of our nation", no Quodite athlete would participate.

Iglesian Curling Team

Men's Curling
- Lead: Gabriel Henrique dos Santos
- Second: Hugo Mendes Santos
- Vice Skip: Mário Figueira Silva
- Skip: João Marques da Costa
- Alt: Máro Azevedo

Women's Curling
- Lead: Gabriela Santos Figueira
- Second: Ana Ferreira da Costa
- Vice Skip: Mariana Santos da Silva
- Skip: Josefina Costa Gabriela
- Alt: Adriana Marques

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

ATHLETES ARRIVE

Just days before the Opening Ceremony in Alversia, Kelssek; the Qazoxian delegation arrived at Eryn Firith Nation Airport at 12:30pm today. The Qazoxians were greeted warmly by the Kelssekians. Only a third of the Qazoxian Delegation will be located at the main Olympic Village in Alversia, while the other two-thirds will be at the secondary Olympic Village at Caunidhrenon Mountain.

The first event to feature a Qazoxian is currently scheduled to be the Men's 1500m shorttrack event featuring Harold R. Smith and Harold E. Smith. E. Smith is the better of the two skaters and has a good shot at a medal.

Qazox' delegation numbers 118 athletes, competing in 43 events, both records for Qazox at any Olympic Games. Qazox expects to shatter its old record of 4 Golds, and 11 overall medals set 8 years ago at the Keto(UCS) Games. The QOC is hoping for at least 10 gold medals and 25 total.

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OFFICIAL STATEMENT
The National Olympic Committee for the Ad’ihani Islands announces its choice for chef-de-mission to the Fourth Winter Olympics in Alavaria, Kelssek

CITY OF AD’IHAN, DATED APRIL 2 YEAR 2148
The National Olympic Committee for the Ad’ihani Islands, COIA, today announced its selection of chef-de-mission to the IV Olympic Winter Games in Alavaria, Kelssek.

Former national football coach Dave Hollow, who is statistically Ad’ihan's best manager to date in terms of matches not lost with a 75.7% win/draw record, was the unanimous choice of the selection committee over two other candidates.

Mr Hollow, who has also managed the Yafor II national team, is the second football personality to have been selected as Ad’ihan's chef-de-mission to an Olympic Games, after Luke Evans was selected to lead the Ad’ihani delegation at the Third Summer Olympics in Columbia, Unified Capitalizt States.

The COIA today also announced its choice of flag-bearer at the opening ceremony. Jay Nelson, a short track speed skater who won two golds for Barrier Island at the qualification Ad’ihan National Games, will carry the flag of the United Islands at the parade of nations.

Ad’ihan will once again march first in the parade, barring any changes the Alavaria Organising Committee may make to the standard procedure of the march.

Separately, the COIA has also expressed its disappointment that both its men's and women's curling teams have been drawn into preliminaries, which could see both teams headed home even before the opening ceremony. A formal letter of protest will be handed in to organisers by Mr Hollow upon his arrival in Alavaria tomorrow.

VILLE D'AD’IHAN, 2 AVRIL 2148
Aujourd'hui, le Comité national olympique pour les îles ad’ihanaises (ou COIA) a annoncé son chef-de-mission pour les IVes Jeux olympiques d'hiver à Alavaria.

[This press release is further available in French. Other languages available upon request.]

IGLESIAN ATHLETES ARRIVE TO KELSSEK

The Iglesian athletes arrived yesterday at the Kirkenes Malton Airport at 3:30 PM (Los Vientos local time, UTC+3) and then they went to Eryn Firith National Airport at 4:00 PM (same local time).

The Iglesian athletes still hope for a medal at the Olympics and it has extremely high influence on the Iglesian people.

IGLESIAN FLAGBEARER CONFIRMED

The flagbearer of the Iglesian Archipelago will be João Serra, with the age of 25.

He said: "It's a honour to have the flag of my country on my hands."

The delegation from Bears Armed (consisting mostly of actual Ursines, but with a few Lutrines [anthropomorphic Otters] and Vulpines [anthropomorphic Foxes] too...) has arrived, and its members are settling into their quarters. In the room that the female figure-skaters will be sharing, a conversation is taking place_

"Aren't you going to finish unpacking before supper, Silver?"
"no, Denna. After the way in which our Soccer team and its fans were bundled out of bloody 'Candelabras and Marquees' so abruptly, I'm keeping most of my stuff together in case we have to leave here suddenly as well..."

A Team and A Dream, The Story Of The Taeshan Olympic Team

the group draws for the four team sports that Taeshani team mebers will be competing in have just been announced. Later we will discuss were the the four teams have ended up in the following order first Mens, and Womens Hockey followed by the Womens Hockey Team Roster and then the Curling teams groups. This should be a really exciting olympics.

First up we have emns Hockey. the recently crowned Third Place at the World Hockey Championships, Knights, will take on Cassadaigua's mens team in a big prelimanary game to see who will have a chance to play the likes of the Iglesian Archapelago, the Fujisawan Territories, and Sorthern Northland if they win they should have a good round of group play. In Womens Hockey the Lady Knights will be in a diffucult group. they will be playing Manieacs, Qazox, and Candelaria it should be a toughly fought group of games.

Womens National Ice Hockey Team Roster
Forward Line 1
Center Arya Gold
Winger Jane Kukulta
Winger Flame Micheals
Forward Line 2
Center ZZ Horest
Winger Tina Rutner
Winger Leala Warrener
Forward Line 3
Center Sra Micheals
Winger Caryn Goldberg
Winger Zeilia Hutchinson
Defensive Line 1
Right Ordin Maas
Left Olga Bacich
Defensive Line 2
Right Yolga Forrester
Left Velvet Myers
Defensive Line 3
Right Serena Wanderwilson
Left Onya Right-Left
Defnesive Line 4
Right Karen Kulp
Left Bridgette Stone
Goalies
Starter Isabella White
Backups
Lisa Simpson
Maggie Wrongtley

In Mens Curling the young National team will be taking on Unified Bretania, Oiseaui, and either Cassadaigua or Landau Insstitute. The team is expected not to do much, and the womens team likewise is also. They have a Prelim match VS Danistaan to decide wether they have to play the Slani's the Colbourne team, and the Stars of Sarzonia.
(can someone link my Olympic Team Page to the Olympic teams page on Wiki)

Dannistrian Sun, National Edition
Sports Supplement

"Dannistaan reveals Ice Hockey team roster"

The Dannistrian Winter Olympics committee has today announced the list of players to be used for the ice hockey events. In a non-suprising move, the male list consisted of the Dannistrian National Ice Hockey team, which went on a hiatus as it licked its wounds from it's drubbing in the most recent East Pacific Hockey Championship. What was more surprising was the female list which consisted of a large group of relative unknowns, the only famous name being Mary Gah'ns, sister of Donald Gah'ns, lead star of the males hockey team. The choices raised some eyebrows and represents a massive gamble for the delegation, which is one of the smallest sent by the Dannistrian nation, but the largest ever sent to a winter sports event.

Main Squad Mens
Forwards
Donald Gah'ns (Centre and Captain)
Har'lou Fredrickson (Winger Left)
Chen Fai Mei (Winger Right)

Defence
Bou'mahn Meyers
Andrew Hyslop

Goalies
Lok'ii Err'in

Substitutes
Forwards
Kah'lad Joneston-Ga'wiir (Centre and Subsitute Captain)
Ar'lou Nas'ahr (Winger Left)
Paul Burke (Winger Right)

David "Don" Burke (Centre)
Fas'lou Kii'mehn (Winger Left)
Thomas "Oscar" Frakes (Winger Right)

Graham Maxwell (Centre)
Sah'm Dii'rii (Winger Left)
William "Smasher" Thompson (Winger Right)

Defence
Nah'wiir Meyers
Campbell McDonald

Carter "Castle" Smith
Wang Bin Mei

Goalies
Stanley "Smithy" Caldwell
Prus'ah Ourad

Other Staff
Manager: Bill Zah'pha
Assistant Manager: Paul vanHudson
Coach: Pah'n Ford
Assistant Coach: Xu Er
Chief Medic: Andy Th'ahr

Main Squad Womens
Forwards
Mary Gah'ns (Centre and Captain)
Har'lii Fa'fehl (Winger Left)
Chen An Wei (Winger Right)

Defence
Donna Mahon
Fiona Sykes

Goalies
Lori Er'mihs

Substitutes
Forwards
Kah'lah Ford (Centre and Subsitute Captain)
Karen Simm (Winger Left)
Paula Maine (Winger Right)

Tracy Ii'lon (Centre)
Georgina McDonald (Winger Left)
Tia McKay (Winger Right)

Mah'r Sou'nah (Centre)
Sah'mahn'th Cole (Winger Left)
Bo'rii "Bowler" Ford (Winger Right)

Defence
Fii'oun Orh'lou
Lok'ii En'mahr

Maria Castleford
Tina McWilliam

Goalies
Priscilla Maxwell
Norma Nordu

Other Staff
Manager: Shena Willis
Assistant Manager: Allison deMoivre
Coach: Pah'n Ford
Assistant Coach: Li Mei Shan
Chief Medic: Sofia Mah'r

From Page 2 of the Lumina Telegram, 'How's the Curling?'

As you're likely to know, the Warreic Royal Mens & Womens curling teams arrived in Kelssek earlier than the rest of the olympic delegation. They traveled by plane with their equipment having been shipped weeks ahead of time to their quarters in the Olympic Village.

The team's got some relative skill, and as the olympic news puts out, are the champions of the country in the sport of curling. Lead by Albert Smith, a twenty five year old man from Lyurugu province, the curling team has amongst them seven years of experience, counting the Lead and the skip and vice-skip. Well known Warreic Athelete, Martin Martin, will also be apart of the team, and we here at the Lumina telegram(and our affiliate Lumina Channel 2), are very excited to see how an athelete known for his acrobatics and his ability to stay cool in tense situations deals with things on skates with a broom.

If Martin Martin fails, we -will have- the Kennedy Twins to look forward to, a pair of excellent curlers who were contenders for the national curling champion ship against Albert Smith and his now injured nephew, Remus Smith.

Our women's team is made of relative unknowns, but still has some potential. Like the men's team, it has the good luck of having siblings for it's skip and vice-skip positions, but from the women's side of the championship, it looks like Lina Marino and Laura Becker, (of Keo Province), won't need the help.

More at the evening news on the hopes of Warre in Hockey, and on the currently avoided topic of the Warreic Hockey Team's formation.

WEATHER
Today: 40% chance of flurries or rain showers late in the day. Low -5. High 3.
Saturday: a mix of sun and cloud. Low -11. High -5.

Preliminary results up (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14457484&postcount=4)

There will be an RP of the opening ceremony coming up at around the scheduled time.

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Get broadcast schedules, news and the full medal tally at KBC Online's special website for the Olympics (http://kelssek.tripod.com/kbc/alavaria09).
The KBC is Kelssek's broadcaster for Kelssek's Olympics.

I might not update it as much; scorinating obviously takes priority. But I'll try to.

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COC sparks controversy before Alavaria games, Pakhomov "enraged"

Alavaria,EF

Coocoostan's entry to next weeks Alavaria Olympics are a "go, kind of." The Kelssek Olympic Committee agreed to take on Coocoostan's entry even though it had too many entrants in many events and some events that weren't being staged. Last wednesday they had rejected it outright, changing to accepting Hockey and Curling entries on Monday. Today, they announced they had edited the entry themselves to come in under the minimum.

Atheletes were left scrambling to make the opening ceremonies. In Coocoobad, travel was organized, with hasty charters of all sizes of planes. For the other athletes, the line "all athletes from outside the capital must make their own arrangements to arrive in Alavira. Opening Ceremony attendance is mandatory," said it all.
Hockey players Brad Holland, Stephane Bertrand and Ted Peacock of the Aubrey Winter Club Kings were left waiting for a bus to Kirkenes and hoping to arrange transport from there. "We have to make the opening ceremony and our first game is the next day. Totally screwed up." The players were released from the national camp back to the Under-19 Kings team, before being recalled Monday. "Problem was we played Ebling last night and the team wanted us if we were in town, so we had to stay."

Biathlete Igor Bondarchuk received word he will compete on Saturday in the 20km sprint. "I know the sprint's on Saturday, but the COC told me I wasn't going and that it was final, so I got my family and friends to cancel their trips. Fortunately they wanted to go cheer on the Curlers and Hockey teams, so they'll be there anyway, but the organization is horrible."

Ski Jumper Mikhail Tyutin isn't going at all. He was the fourth entry in the men's large hill, having earned a spot at trials in Novmber. Problem? The Alavira organizers wanted to cut down on athletes to make the event easier to stage. Sound off? They gave notice in August, but the COC just assumed the numbers from Ravenna would be acceptable. Tyutin, who was in the hunt for the podium is livid. "I never got a chance to prove myself. I've beaten the other three men in competition before, why wasn't I allowed to try this time?"

President Andrei Pakhomov was reportedly "enraged," when told of the bungle. Relations between Kelssek and Coocoostan have strained ever since a lawsuit was filed and the incident was likely to mushroom. But the organizers as well as the Kelssek Olympic Committee were keen to help to the extent possible. Pakhomov had called a meeting for today before word of the 11th hour heroics broke. Even with the deal, Pakhomov was expected to give many COC executives walking papers.

OLYMPIC ROCKET REPORT

FLAG BEARER NAMED

Alavaria, Kelssek- The 4th Winter Olympics is set to get underway from Alavaria in Kelssek and many Newmanistanian athletes are hopeful that they will experience much more then the honor of representing the country, but also in taking home a nice shiny piece of medal, preferably of the golden variety, around their necks. For one athlete, the Olympics will take on a very special meaning as they have been chosen to carry the sky blue and white in the opening ceremony. This was not an easy decision for Empress Jessica, especially with the Empire as divided domestically as it is right now. Not only did she want to pick one of the best athletes, one with a clean criminal record as to be a positive role model, but she also certainly had the thought in mind that said athlete needed to be a person that is supportive of her regime, and not the democracy movement. The chosen person? Kelly Bianchi, a 19-year old women’s figure skater who medaled recently in the Qazox Winter Sports Festival. It alone is a thrill for me (Jennifer Murphy) as one of the younger members of the Rocket Report’s staff to be the lead reporter in Alavaria, but that must really pale in comparison to what Kelly is thinking right now. I got to sit down with Kelly and get to know her feelings a lot more.

JM: Good evening, Newmanistan. I am honored tonight to be joined by Kelly Bianchi. Kelly as you all know is one of our finest figure skaters and was recently named to carry the sky blue and white at the opening ceremony. Hey Kelly how are you!

KB: I am doing great! How are you!

JM: Just fabulous! So anyway you are going to carry the flag in the ceremony. That is so awesome what went through your mind when you were named.

KB: I was surprised. I think the fact that I got a silver medal in Qazox had a lot to do with it, and I am in an event that a lot of people will always watch.

JM: I bet. Women’s figure skating often is one of the most popular events of the winter olympics, and sometimes one of the most controversial.

KB: Yeah, it can be political sometimes if you have a judge from one country who favors certain nations, but I have seen the list of judges for this Olympics, and they all seem like extremely credible people, so I do not think there will be controversy.

JM: It was rumored that Oksana Passinova of Jeruselem, who took the gold in the event you won the silver in may have done some favors for the judges, but I know you were quick to say that was ridiculous.

KB: It was ridiculous. It’s the way male journalists can be. Attractive women and then a country with the reputation like hers has, you think they are doing something dishonest. I know Oksana a little bit, and she earned her gold medal completely. We hung out a little bit in Qazox, after too.

JM: She should be a contender again.

KB: Certainly, I hope to be as well. But there are a lot of other great skaters out there. Those Cassadagan skaters are going to be spoilers. They gotta be good, right?

JM: Their athletes are certainly going to make it hard on female athletes across the board in this Olympiad, yes.

KB: Yeah, I like the demographics of their country.

JM: Other then compete, what else are you trying to get out of this experience?

KB: To get to know people from other countries. Have a good time and make the most of all the time I have here, for sure.

JM: Well I wish you the best Kelly!

KB: Thank you!

JM: That’s all for now. I’m Jenn Murphy and this been an Olympic Rocket Report. We’ll be back for daily coverage and if you’re lucky maybe even coverage a couple times a day! The Winter Olympics are set to get underway, well except for some preliminary curling and hockey matches where they already are!

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All eyes on Alavaria as olympians take centre stage

Giacomo Peretti in Alavaria

Final preparations are underway for the opening ceremony of the Alavaria Olympic Games in Kelssek, which is scheduled to begin 6pm local time tomorrow at the Olympic Stadium in the capital of Eryn Firith. With a record 44 participating National Olympic Committees, the Fourth Olympic Winter Games promises to be the largest yet and the most widely broadcast Games in the history of the Winter Olympics.
-----Among a number of national teams making their Olympic debut, the 344-strong Ruccolian Olympic delegation is projected to perform well in a variety of sports at this year's Games. Consisting of 162 athletes and 182 support staff, the contingent arrived in Kelssek late Tuesday after a 12-hour flight from Arugula. Noted athletes on the team include renown alpine skier Calvino Abbruzzi, who has been selected as the country's flag bearer at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games, as well as fellow skiers Samantha Cheng, Rodney Lee, Flora Evangelisti, Matthew Wong, Chiara Agostino, Guglielmo Piranesi and Jessica Li. Two-time winners of the Ruccolian Bobsleigh Championships Mariano Zamboni and Joshua Ng are also competing at the Games, as are figure skaters Daniele Cavallini and Megan Sung, lugers Silvio Gervasoni and Danielle Tso and skeleton racers Anthony Poon and Liliana Caruso. In addition, Ruccola is well-positioned to contend the snowboarding events with athletes such as Salvatore Iorio, Michelle Tseung, Jason Tin, Elena Delfino, Stefano Evangelista and Katherine Fan.
-----With the nation's best in winter sports present in Alavaria, speculation is mounting that Ruccola will exceed its own expectations by the end of the closing ceremony on February 14. Ruccolian Olympic Committee officials have remained tight-lipped about the organisation's goals so far, and ROC president Monique Tsao has repeatedly declined to offer any predictions regarding the country's prospective medal count.

The opening ceremony began on the stroke of 6 o'clock with the lights in the stadium darkening and bells of various sizes, located in the middle of the stadium, being rung. The temporary ice rink filled with figure skaters gyrating and dancing for several minutes, waving coloured cloth around. They began a series of performances to symbolise the Olympic spirit, international brotherhood and other fluffy stuff. Then the lights dimmed and all but five left the rink. With the spotlights on the skaters, who surreptitiously broke the paint capsules attached to their skate blades, a torch was lowered to the centre and came to life. The five skated towards the centre in a zigzag pattern, leaving a trail of paint with their path traced by laser beams (just to make sure the point was taken) until they met in the centre, holding on to the torch, and it could be seen that their path had traced the Olympic star in the middle of the stadium. They "tossed" the torch skyward, and the flame and the lights went out.

When the lights came on again, an honour guard from the National Mounted Police marched in the national flag of Kelssek. In one of its first public performances as the newly official national anthem, The Maple Leaf Forever was sung by a local Alavarian girl who had been hastily picked from an open audition, with a choir and orchestra joining in after the first stanza, while the flag was raised.


Oh land of blue unending skies,
Mountains strong and sparkling snow,
A scent of freedom in the wind,
O'er the emerald fields below.

To thee we bring our hopes, our dreams,
For thee we stand together,
Our land of peace, where proudly flies,
The Maple Leaf forever.

Sur mers sauvages ou glaciers durs,
Tant d'héros se sont suivis,
En conquérant la peur, le froid,
Et les tempêtes de leurs vies.

Et tant de braves, de tout couleurs,
Reposent ici ensemble,
De noble sang, de tant de neige,
Est née la feuille d'érable.

De leurs exploits, de leurs travaux,
Et leur courage sublime,
Dans leurs vieux rêves réunis,
Puisons nouvelles racines.

Long may it wave, and grace our own
Blue skies and stormy weather,
Within my heart, above my home,
The Maple Leaf Forever!


As the flag reached the top and the anthem ended in a crescendo, fireworks ignited the night sky. Then attention switched back to the temporary rink again.

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Four female ice skaters skated in, trailing long white pieces of cloth. Reaching a spot near the middle they turned out to be acrobats of some sort, jumping up and being pulled upwards by ropes, with the white cloth hanging down and images of the various sports being projected onto them. The cloth moved and waved as the women performed various acrobatic maneuvers. While all this was going on performers of various ages skated onto the rink and acted out the tableau of a typical Kelssekian neighbourhood pond in winter, with "parents" teaching their children to skate, older children playing hockey, and people just generally playing around and having fun. The lights slowly dimmed, representing nightfall, and the performers slowly left the rink, with a "father" coming out to chase the last few hockey-playing boys "home".

Under cover of darkness, the acrobats also were lowered back down and off to the backstage. The rink was then covered over and more choreographed performers came in with large colour-changing LED panels. Multicoloured initially to represent Kelssek's diversity and multiculturalism, they were moved and the colours changed to form various patterns which were supposed to also symbolise the "national values" of peace, solidarity, democracy, and community. Perhaps the one having the most visual impact was when the panels were moved up and down in waves, symbolising the immigrants who had arrived from across the sea, with the occasional white sparkle creating a spectacular visual effect.

Just as the cynics were about to explode in fustrated anger, the athletes from the delegations began to march in. The loudest cheer, of course, coming for the host nation, entering last as per tradition. Speeches were made, with President Dominique Drapeau making a brief speech in French, then English, and declaring the Games open, and the flag of the NSOC being raised. Curling skip Rachel Anderton took the athletes' oath and ice hockey legend Maurice Provonost entered the stadium with the torch. A (carefully calibrated and aimed) cannon, in tribute to the contributions of the Unified Capitalizt States to the Olympic movement, awaited him. Provonost touched the torch to the fuse, which fired a flaming projectile that landed in the cauldron and ignited the flame, to the cheers of the crowd. As the cauldron ascended on tracks to the top of a tower just outside the stadium where it would remain for the duration of the games, fireworks exploded across the sky again and the ceremony came to a conclusion.

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Bluth Corporation's first foray into international ice hockey didn't last long. Suffering the misfortune of being randomly drawn into requiring a preliminary play-in game to enter group play, the Corporation suffered a 4-1 pasting at the hands of Sarzonia. After trashing their Olympic Village rooms in anger, the team held a press conference which devolved into little more than a gripefest. "This is a (BEEP)in' disgrace!" exclaimed an unusually foul-mouthed Eugene Cleary, who also happened to be the team's lone scorer. "We were the best (BEEP)in' team in the (BEEP) (BEEP) Olympics hands-down, and we're (BEEP)in' one-and-done because the (BEEP) (BEEP) (BEEP)s running this (BEEPITY BEEP BEEP BEEP) show can't figure out anything better than (BEEP)in' drawing (BEEP)in' names out of a (BEEP)in' hat! (BEEP) (BEEP)er! (BEEP BEEP BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP BEEPITY BEEP A BEEP BEEP, BEEP BEEP, BEEP BEEP, ITS HORN WENT BEEP-BEEP-BEEP, B-DOUBLE-E-DOUBLE-P RUN, BEEP-RUN! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP-BEEP ROADRUNNER!)!!!!!!!!! (BEEP)!

Further transcripts of the press conference were suppressed at the door by PR staff.

Posted on the team blog at http://olympics.org.qd/team/interblag.

A thrilling night
by Han Chung

We have just returned to the Olympic Village from the Opening Ceremony. Everyone is very excited! We have uploaded some pictures to the website, but I will do my best to describe the evening.

It was my honour to lead out the delegation, chosen by the rest of the team. This was a very humbling moment for me. Never, when I was learning to ski in the nothern slopes of Pulona, did I imagine that one day this tailor's son would be carrying the flag of our nation at our first ever Olympics.

At the Olympics, delegations walk out alphabetically, so we followed Qazox and came before Ruccola. Before we walked out, everyone was extremely nervous, but it was difficult not to get caught up in everything once we were inside the stadium, full of noise and light.

The speeches dragged on a bit, and they were at times a bit difficult to understand, but once they were over there were more dramatic fireworks. However, while all of the younger members of our delegation were very well behaved, I do feel it was a little disrespectful of Alexei to use one of the jets of streaming fire to light his cigarette. Oh well.

I don't think many of us will be getting much sleep tonight. Tomorrow, we have two skating events and the women's freestyle skiing. The skaters have a tough task ahead of them, and I think some of us will go down to cheer them on, if we can; for the rest, it will be a hard day of training.

We wish Samantha, Julia, Lo, Yo, Chen, Liu Pin, Xiu and Lao all the best tomorrow in their events.

From MSPN--


The Opening Ceremonies have officially begun the Olympic Winter Games here in Alavaria, Kelssek with all the pomp and circumstance and visual spectacle befitting the pinnacle of Sport. Temperatures were seasonably cold, at -5 (for those of you at home, that's about the same as Green Bay, Ohio Province was today). Our Tie-dyed flag was carried by Nordic Skier Yoshiro Harada, gold medalist at Jasi'yun. Out athletes have spent their time since arriving preparing for their competition, and spirits and expectations are high. Some events, namely preliminaries in hockey and curling were held in advance the opening, but our teams were not involved. The Games get underway in earnest tomorrow, with events ranging from the Men's Nordic Combined to Women's Moguls. We will have full coverage and results on MSPN and on our website at www.mspn.mai

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Don't forget the Ice Hockey!

“Don't forget the ice hockey.” That is the cry of players of one of the most neglected sports in Sorthern Northland. Played in little of the country but the French speaking city of Finistère and the surrounding region. With a large number of Septentrionien immigrants and people of Septentrionien
origin, ice hockey has always been popular in that area. Elsewhere ice hockey enjoys nowhere near the same level of popularity, in most of the nation it barely even registers. It is, as people in Finistère put it, forgotten.

The national league is of a low standard. In reality, nearly anyone could go along to their local ice hockey team, and be good enough to get in and to play in Sorthern Northland's highest level of ice hockey. Whilst other sports such as football, rugby and the Gaelic games receive huge amounts of money from the government to be used in funding academies and to promote themselves, ice hockey receives next to nothing. Even for the Olympics, the players on the two teams had to pay for all their own equipment, and it was only due to the National Olympic Committee having surplus funds that they didn't have to pay for their own travel and accommodation in Kelssek.

Despite that though, the two ice hockey squads see the Winter Olympics as an opportunity. Not an opportunity to progress far and win medals, indeed the women's team were out even before the opening ceremony, but a chance to remind Sorthern Northland of a sport it is forgetting. Speaking before the women's preliminary round match against Bears Armed, Zoé Blanchard, captain of the women's team was almost resigned to bowing out before the official opening games saying, “It was a bit disappointing that we got drawn into the preliminaries, as we're not going to go far, and the group stage would at least give us a couple of games. On the other hand though, we'll be playing when nothing else is on, so our match will be on TV, and hopefully a few people will be inspired by it to pick up a stick and get on the rink.”

The chances of that are slim. Their performance against Bears Armed though may certainly have bought them some new fans. A wide gulf in class between the two teams is widely expected, with many pundits predicting a thrashing for the Sortherners. The scoreline, a mere 3-1 was anything but a thrashing, with the Sorthern team defending resolutely to keep the far stronger Bears down to just three. Whilst the Sorthern women were clearly far less skilful, their determination and desire to do the best they could was unquestionable. Whilst they may not have lit up the Games with a display of great hockey, they have made the perfect start for Sorthern Northland's contribution to the spirit of the Games. The men's team will look to continue that in the days to come against Iglesian Archipelago, Fujisawan Territories and Cassadaigua or Taeshan.

The Iglesian athletes are very glad for the competitions tomorrow.

Crosscom Beretania Sports Network (CBSN)
Olympic Preview

Douglas Perdue: Thank you for watching Crosscom Beretania Sports Network’s coverage of the Fourth Winter Olympics in Alvaria, Kelssek. I’m Douglas Perdue, joined by commentators Sheena Jacqueline Baker, a gold medalist in women’s single sculls rowing at the Third Summer Olympics in Columbia, Allison Conway, a five time Unified Beretania national figure skating champion, and by Sports World anchor Kaitlyn Germany.

Ladies, I think this is something pretty big. We’ve had a taste of success in the Summer Games in Columbia, and now we have a real shot to make a name for ourselves, primarily because we are sending a full delegation, and we have a lot of enthusiasm. I think-

Sheena Jacqueline Baker: And we’ve taken care of that little karma issue.

DP: Exactly. Everyone’s coming to Kelssek with a positive attitude, they’re going to try and avoid racking up that bad karma. My question is though, are we setting our hopes and our expectations too high?

Allison Conway: Well I think that we should go into this with the understanding that this is our first Winter Olympics, and I mean, we are going to be facing the world’s best athletes. You know that word the Fujis like to throw around: belief. Yeah, now’s not the time for our athletes to be doubting themselves. Have the confidence to go in and medal, but don’t be boastful or arrogant. Just because you’re good at something, don’t always expect to be the best at it. That’s a lesson in humility we all learned from the Fujis in the Summer Olympics.

SJB: Well, and I think we had a poor performance at the Summer Games too. We only pulled in fifteen medals, and only one was gold so-

DP: Yours.

SJB: Yes, mine. Anyway, I think we could have done better in the Summer Games, so here’s the perfect opportunity to you know, prove ourselves I guess as a nation.

Kaitlyn Germany: Well we’ve always been throughout our history and even extending into sport, sort of overshadowed by the Fujisawans, and it seems like we can’t break out of that mode, like we’re destined to follow in their footsteps and never really stand up on our own.

DP: But do you think we’re being realistic with our expectations?

KG: I think so. I think so...when you look over the names we’re sending, everything looks good on paper, but will it translate into medals? We’ll have to wait and see.

SJB: I’d agree with that.

DP: So you think we’ll have a better showing at these Games than in the Summer Olympics?

SJB: Better in the sense that we’ll be more competitive and the mood will be better because we’ll be a whole lot more courteous and respectful toward the other athletes, especially the Fujisawans.

AC: True. And I think there’s this sense of urgency to perform well that’s going to drive a lot of these athletes and really motivate them.

DP: Let’s hope it is motivational and doesn’t cause them to burn out. Alright, Allison...you were national champion in women’s figure skating from 1999-2003. What’s your take on the figure skaters we’re sending to the Olympics?

AC: Well Katie Yang is an amazing competitor. She’s got a tremendous dose of talent. I don’t think anybody knows what it’s like or how hard it is to be the fourth ranked gymnast in the country and go to the Summer Olympics, and then turn around and go to the Winter Olympics as the second ranked figure skater in the nation. Except for Katie Yang. She didn’t win any Olympic medals as a gymnast, but she’s got a perfect shot as an ice skater. Usually when kids start out young, playing multiple sports, they end up choosing one over another, but Katie has stuck with both and I can’t speak highly enough of the dedication, time, and effort she has put in to be here.

Cathleen Kim is outstanding. She’s the top ranked figure skater in the country right now, and I’ve got to tell you she’s the most graceful skater I know. In talking to her, I’ve found that she’s quiet and modest. A very down to earth person. But out there on the ice, it’s like she blocks out everything in her mind, and she has this uncanny focus that I’ve never seen in any other skater. She’s at the top of her game, what better way to crown a career than with an Olympic medal? But having seen her at the Qazoxian Winter Sports Festival, I think the pressure to succeed on the national level has gotten to be too much for her. She needs to calm her nerves, and hopefully she worked out all her kinks in Qazox.

I think Kitti Lori Vang is great as well, but you know, I think Katie and Cathleen are really the ones to watch. Kitti’s got solid routines, worthy of all the praise she’s getting, but when she gets nervous, sometimes she gets a little shaky out there. I know she’ll do well out there, but self-confidence might be a factor for her on the world’s biggest stage.

On the men’s side, I think it’s very touching you know with Stephan Chang. His sister passed away the day after he qualified for the Olympics, following a long and painful battle with cancer, and Stephan is dedicating his appearance in Kelssek to his sister, Sue. I was able to talk with Stephan and he told me Sue would always be in the stands watching whenever he’d be at a competition, and now she’s going to be watching him from the best seat in Kelssek- up above. So it will be very somber but interesting to watch Stephan Chang. He has a burning passion toward bringing home a medal for his sister.

Adam Shanks and Ryan Leibowitz are both great ice skaters too, but they take a back seat to this sort of journey that Stephan Chang is on right now.

SJB: Yeah, that really is heartbreaking. To lose a sibling that you’re close with, the day after one of the biggest moments in your life. I mean, I’d be doing a lot of soul searching. You know, people talk about sports heros, but I think people like Stephan Chang really are heros. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.

KG: You know, people really roll their eyes when they see all the fluff pieces and sad stories, but the thing is, this is what the Olympics are all about...overcoming adversity, the true human experience. That’s what the Olympics are about. And you know, just look at Erin Labrador. She was physically abused by her father, and has the scars to prove it...had a baby at sixteen...the baby’s father ran off, then when she's eighteen, gets married to an alcoholic, abusive husband. After he gets sent to prison, now she’s raising two kids by herself, she turned her life around, became a police officer, and now she has the opportunity of a lifetime...competing in the Olympics in the women’s snowboarding halfpipe event. Wow...see it’s the human stories that really make the Olympics a special thing.

DP: That is so true. And the other thing that stands out is it seems the delegation this time around is even more ethnically diverse. I mean, we even have an Inuit athlete in our delegation!

KG: Yeah, and that’s what makes this so special for Unified Beretania. We’ve come a long way since this country’s founding. For a country that fought a civil war a couple centuries ago over immigration, we’ve come a long way in such a short amount of time. These Olympics are just the latest testament to everything immigrants contribute to this country.

DP: Well, and it seems like the Indian community specifically, is really putting forth a steady stream of talented international caliber athletes, like Sarasvati Channarayapatra and Tejal Duleepsinhji. I think it’s only a matter of time before we see a medal from one our Indian-Beretanian athletes.

SJB: See, the thing is in the Olympics, sometimes you get an unlucky bounce. It’s an unfortunate reality in the Olympics, and I remember being so enthusiastic watching Sarasvati and Lorette in Columbia, and I know they both were good enough to medal. It’s just sometimes luck isn’t on your side. After I won gold in my event, Sarasvati made a point to track me down and she said “You know, this is a historic night, it’s great to know a black woman won the first Olympic gold medal for our country,” and it made me realize how much progress minorities have made in Beretania. We still see our share of racism, but it’s not as bad as say ten, twenty years ago. But look at how much minorities have accomplished, you know?

DP: So true. Well ladies and gentlemen, the moment we’ve all been waiting for is just around the corner. When we come back, we’ll take you live to the start of the Opening Ceremony for the Games of the Fourth Winter Olympics in Alavaria, Kelssek.

TV2 Online ~ Alavaria Ticker

Curlers ejected from Eryn Firith Uni ~ Skip Mary Hudson and vice-skip Helen Zehetmayr were forcibly removed from the University Curling Centre in Alavaria this morning, and could yet be charged with affray, resisting arrest, and using foul and abusive language likely to cause offence.

Local press reports claimed that two middle-aged women – still unidentified at the time – came to the attention of on-site security during the Candelaria And Marquez v Ad’ihan preliminary match, after refusing to cease their continual barracking of the Candelariasian players – one of whom, skip Harry Hudson, was reported to be left ‘most distressed’ by the incident, and was granted an extraordinary toilet break by match officials.

With the match at 10-6 in favour of the Ad’ihanis, the C&M players were treated to a second spell of invective, culminating in the younger of the offending pair attempting to deploy her broom in the manner of a light sabre when faced with increasingly annoyed members of the crowd. One onlooker is said to have received a vicious sweeping and was this lunchtime still being treated for minor injuries.

The men’s and women’s curling squads of the legendary Little Black Boy – a pub in Hatton nr Vo noted for its supremacy in Candelariasian curling – have a long history of rivalry in the West Candelarian Curling League, but even local drinkers were prepared to proclaim the two teams as ‘national disgraces’ – following the men’s side’s surprise exit and the behaviour of the senior member of the women’s team.

Mary Hudson, 48, who lives in Hatton with husband Harry Hudson, 46, and Helen Zehetmayr, 42, were later released on police bail. It is uncertain whether the incident will directly affect their Olympic campaign, in the group stage against the Fujisawan Territories, Warre, and someone else, but reports in Hatton suggest a replacement player is already being readied to make the flight to Kelssek.

COCACAMAO set medal haul aim ~ On the eve of the opening day proper in Alavaria, COCACAMAO chief Tom Flowers has set a typically ambitious medal target for Team C&M – despite admitting that ‘taking that medal will stretch our athletes to breaking point’.

Flowers’ stated aim of three medals in Columbia were surpassed by ten, including golds in field hockey, boxing, sailing and tennis and seven further silvers, but the sporting and meteorological climate in the Candelarias is typically seen as unconducive towards success at the winter games. C&M’s previous team of nineteen athletes across thirteen events returned empty-handed, though their failure to actually be entered in half the events is widely considered to have ‘not helped much’.

Ironically, the Candelarias are currently enduring the bitterest January for over two decades and almost unprecedented levels of snowfall, drawing Flowers to joke that it was a pity the country’s winter sportspeople weren’t actually in C&M to enjoy it.

C&M’s early – if distant – medal hopes over the opening weekend include Allemali’s Tom Vanvik in the individual Gundersen and Brandon Cooper, who we’re reliably informed has a Candelariasian granny, in the snowboarding half-pipe.

Tourists advised to stay within city limits ~ The C&M Foreign Office has recommended that Candelariasian visitors to Kelssek during the Games remain in Alavaria itself wherever possible, and consult the official advise issued by the embassy in Neorvins and temporary consul in Alavaria when travelling to Lamuirean, Caunidhrenon Mountain, and beyond. In particular, Firith National Park has been declared off-limits, owing to the presence of poisonous mushrooms and bears.

Not… Y’know. Just bears. Who’d want to meet a whole load of bears, after all? It ain’t no picnic, I can tell you.

Knock-outs ‘would be a dream’ for Blue Pucks ~ Bala Ebûssüûd, the Albrecht-born break-out star of the sixth World Cup of Ice Hockey and C&M’s main offensive threat, has told TV2 that getting even one of the two hockey teams at the Games into the last sixteen would be a massive boost for the sport.

The CIHA folded shortly before the seventh WCIH, taking the semi-pro domestic league with it, but Ebûssüûd believes that against-the-odds victories in Alavaria would reignite national interest in the sport – or at least secure the futures of the players. “Most of us have gone back to our day jobs since the sixth World Cup, and this is all almost little more than a hobby. But the talent’s there – we’re seriously up against it, and both our teams would be doing extraordinarily well to make it out of the group, though the girls arguably have a better chance than we do. But we’ll be playing out of our skin every game and, from a selfish point of view, if any of us can attract the attention of teams in Qazox, Newmanistan, Septentrionia and elsewhere – including Kelssek, of course – that’d be absolutely huge. We really are playing for our futures here.”

Curlers ejected from Olympic Stadium ~ Curling stars Cassie Deane and Victoria Brookes were forcibly removed from the Olympic Stadium in Alavaria this evening, after directing a stream of vitriolic abuse towards Harry Hudson, the Candelaria And Marquez flag bearer.

Hudson, the skip of the men’s curling team who were knocked out of the competition prior to the opening ceremony, had to be comforted by his counterparts from Cafundéu and the Capitalizt SLANI, particularly after the trio of flagbearers from Cassadaigua passed by with contemptuous glances.

Otherwise, the ceremony passed off as both competently and spectacularly as one might expect of Kelssek, though onlookers hoping for a show to match the World Cup opening ceremony in Albrecht last month were left short-changed by the distinct lack of boats, people in boxes, hot air balloons and tree-shrews on stilts.

GAMES GET GOING
Hockey players first Ariddians on ice

The Alavaria Games began in spectacular fashion with an opening ceremony watched by winter sports and Olympics fans around the world. Yosief Debesa, Ariddia’s only competitor in the luge, was in the stadium and described the ceremony as

“Awesome. In the real meaning of that word. As in, awe-inspiring. Acrobatics on ice was really impressive, and beautifully done. I liked the fact that it reflected Kelssekian life, and that a lot of it was about having fun. They obviously put a lot of work into it, and I liked the whole way they expressed important values and that, but they also wanted to show that these are the Olympic Games. It’s sport, it’s competition, and, yeah, I hope people enjoy watching over the next few days.”

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Yosief Debesa is Ariddia’s top luger. Which, he tells us, “isn’t really saying much”.

Asked about his first impressions of Kelssek, he smiled and said: “Cold! I never get used to it. But very warm people.”

Ariddian Islanders entered the stadium under the name ‘Îles Ariddiennes’, and were the fifth delegation to walk in, following the Archregimancy’s three inspiring athlete monks, and ahead of the athletes from the sinister dictatorship of Bai Lung. They waved at a cheerful and happy crowd. Few Ariddians will be in Kelssek to watch, but the islands’ athletes are in a country of friends, and will get some measure of home crowd support.

But for those who were interested, the Games had actually begun before the big bang start. Not quietly and away from the cameras, but in front of enthusiastic hockey fans. (There may have been enthusiastic curling fans too, if such people exist –and we’re told they do, some of whom got pretty heated during the CAM-Ad’ihan match–, but most Ariddian eyes will have been on the ice hockey.) The Ariddian men took on Lovisa and scored an early opening goal, before struggling through the rest of a match which left them down one-three.

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Pacific Islanders on ice. In red and black, of course.

It was not the best of starts, but then Ariddia is not known for its ice hockey champions. Over the coming days, however, there will be genuine medal contenders. And what a day Day One will be! Look out for

* François Riverdale in the men’s twenty kilometre individual in biathlon. Ariddia’s top medal hope outside the ice rink will be striving for the best of starts as he treks through the snow. Also competing will be Benjamin Rogers of West Ariddia.

* Sarah Lascencov in the women’s fifteen kilometre pursuit in cross-country skiing. If the crowds have heard of her, except her to get a rousing cheer. Lascencov, a West Ariddian, is the Ariddian Isles’ only Olympic cross-country skiier. She is also the country’s only blind athlete at the Winter Games. Although a medal would be unexpected, Lascencov’s participation is anything but token. She may not see where she is going, but she will aim to cross the line among the best.

* Emilie Clay in the women’s moguls in freestyle skiing. The Ariddian-Kelssekian, one half of the Win Twin Twins, describes herself as “not quite up to being anywhere near the standards of the girl who’ll finish last”. She is competing for charity. Her sponsors will donate money to several charities if she makes it to the finish line.

* Yosief Debesa in the men’s luge. Back for his third Olympics, he will aim to improve on relatively poor performances in previous Games. A likeable underdog for the foreign press.

* Jean-Michel Chang in the men’s 1.5km in short track. One of the big names of the Ariddian delegation. The multiple Olympic medal winner from previous Games will be going for gold.

* Assan Kebeh in the men’s ski jumping. An impressive sport to watch, and Kebeh, of West Ariddia, is the only Ariddian Islander in contention. Don’t miss it; there’s a genuine off-chance of a medal.

* Jean-Michel Chang, again, in the men’s 5000m in speed-skating. Can Ariddia’s ace on ice make it two gold medals on his first day?

The Iglesian Archipelago, as we know, has athletes expecting on medals. The country has many strong candidates for gold medals such as:

- JOÃO SERRA: Champion at the Columbus Mount Winter Sports in January 2008 at the Columbus Mount in the Iglesian Archipelago, for the 30 km Men Run record of 1:20:34 sec. This athlete expects to have even better results on these Olympics in Kelssek.

- MARIA SOUSA MENDES: This 25 years old woman was known for winning the Columbus Mount Winter Sports 2007 on Skeleton Women with the record of 57.3 sec. in 1200m. She wants to conquer another medal in Kelssek.

- NICOLAU DE OLIVEIRA: This man was better known for participating in Los Vientos (the capital of the Iglesian Archipelago, one of the most beautiful and elegant cities in the World) in 2007, when he won a gold medal at the Men's 100m for the record of 8.8 sec.

- JOSÉ FREITAS DE SOUSA: The god of the Iglesian short track records. He won a gold medal at the Columbus Mount Winter Sports 2005 with the record of 47.3 sec. on Men's 500m.

- CARLA SERRA: This woman with the age of 27 won the gold medal for figure skating due to her great elegance, which led to a great influence and fame on this sport, in New Rotomagus, Iglesian Archipelago, in February 2008.

- ANA MARQUES: The goddess of the giant slalom in the Iglesian Archipelago. She won a gold medal for the record of 21.4 sec. on the Mount Columbus Winter Sports 2007.

The Iglesian Archipelago is full of memories of good times of sport. Gold medals have been received by many people... because they are very well-trained!!!

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A Team and a Dream, The Story of The Taeshan Olympic Team

Yesterday the route towards the goal for one Taehsnai team began, and anothers ended. The Womens Curling teams was defeated 9-0 by the Danistaan team and is thus out of the tournament without a single group stage game. The Mens hockey team was able to defeat Cassadaigua and get past what looks to be there first big game until the second round. Hopefully they will make it there and not get upset.

WEATHER
Currently: Snow; expected to clear late in the day. -5°C; expected low -9°C.
Tomorrow: Sunny. High -3°C. Low -9°C.

Day 1 afternoon results up (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14460765&postcount=5)

Cox, Bennett excluded from event, COIA protests

The National Olympic Committee for the Ad’ihani Islands has submitted a formal protest and complaint to the Organising Committee for the Alavaria Olympic Winter Games (ALAVOC) after their two entrants for the men's 5000m speed skating event, Carson Cox and Brian Bennett, were excluded from the event.

The two athletes had turned up in time for the event, only to be told by ALAVOC officials that they were not on the official list of entrants for the event and could not participate. COIA officials on scene immediately got into a shouting match with the organisers, resulting in them being removed from the arena.

Chef-de-mission Dave Hollow has criticised the shoddiness of the ALAVOC officials, saying such an elementary mistake should never have occurred. He has called for those involved to be sacked and for the medals to be returned and the event to be re-run, with both Cox and Bennett involved this time.

"We, the COIA and the Ad’ihani people, expect nothing less. Carson Cox and Brian Bennett were both promising medal hopes but they have been wrongfully denied the opportunity to represent their nation because of an administrative blunder on the part of ALAVOC, and this is unacceptable.

"The COIA calls for the three medallists to return their medals and for all of Carson's and Brian's fellow speed skaters to pressure ALAVOC into re-running the event correctly."

Hollow said he did not rule out a total boycott of the Games if the two were not reinstated.

"Certainly, our participation at these Games is not definite. With this treatment of our athletes, I will not be surprised if their companions decided it would not be right for them to participate further."

(OOC: I fully expect a rescorination with both athletes involved and nothing less. It's only fair.)

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day One Midday Recap

After the brilliantly stirring Opening Ceremony last night, today the Games began in earnest, and there are a few results for Qazox. Let's take a quick look at Qazox in action, and a few other results as well:

First Gold Medal and First Medals of the Games: Goes to Mauro Miró of Commerce Heights, winning the Men's 20km individual Biathlon event. Coming in silver was Charles Reynolds of Alliance Star and taking home bronze was Jonathan Bustos of Bluth Corporation.

First Female Gold of the Games: Dr. Melissa Carvalho of Landau Institute in Cross-Country Skiing Women's 15km pursuit.

Qazox' Results for Day 1 AM:
Men's Individual Luge:
Mike Baer: 51.941-52.345::1:44.3 (33rd)
Issac Ramussen: 52.342-51.605::1:43.9 (23rd)
Sean Baen: 52.452-52.725::1:45.2 (51st)

Men's 1500m ShortTrack:
Harold E. Smith: 2:26.768 DNQ for next round
Harold R. Smith: 2:27.743 DNQ for next round

Men's 5000m SpeedSkating:
Mike Craig: 6:20.47 (27th)
John Freeman: 6:22.95 (46th)

So far, not a great start for Qazox at these games, as Mike Baer, one of the best Lugers in the world is will back in the pack, and would need a miracle just to even crack the top 10, let alone medal. On the tracks, Qazox didn't expect to medal in the 1500m short or the 5000m long, but Mike Craig finished in a decent 27th of 60 competitors. As for the rest of the day, Qazox is expected to start pool play in Hockey. So that's all fro now from Alversia, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage

(OOC to Kelssek: are you sure you have some of my rating #'s right? I have an 1.0 rated that is in the middle of the pack in luge, behind one of MY own worse rated athletes :confused: just asking that's all.)

Bluth Corporation at the IV Olympic Winter Games wiki page (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Bluth_Corporation_at_the_IV_Olympic_Winter_Games)

Despite a distressing one-and-done performance in Men's Ice Hockey, Bluth Corporation started off strong on the first official day of the IV Olympic Winter Games. With a bronze medal in the Men's 20km Individual Biathlon, it was a Bluth Corporation athlete to first accept a medal on the podium at these Games. And after Emma Beverly earned a silver medal in the Women's 15km Cross-Country Pursuit, Bluth Corporation took an early lead in the overall medal count, becoming the first country to earn multiple medals.

Those were the highlights of the first part of the day, with most of the rest of Bluth Corporation's athletes floundering in the heats or, as in the case of one disappointing luger, failing to even complete a single run. Still, there were a couple of minor bright spots: Antonio Adair came out of nowhere to somehow manage to qualify in the Men's Normal Hill Ski Jump competition; and Philip Bohn and Dale Worrell finished in the middle of the pack in the Men's 5000m Speed Skating race to bring a modicum of pride to the Corporation's ridiculously poor speed-skating program.

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ALAVOC sincerely apologises for an unfortunate administrative error involving the athletes from Ad'ihan at the speed skating men's 5000m event. In rectifiying the error the results therefore differ from that reflected in the results published earlier. In particular, the time set by Carson Cox puts him in second place and therefore Jean-Michael Chang of the Ariddian Isles will receive the bronze medal, instead of the silver as indicated on the official results sheet, which has now been corrected.

We assure all concerned that the correct medals will be awarded at the medal ceremonies tonight.

[OOC: In case of any future errors of this nature, kindly leave a note in the OOC thread. I will do my best to rectify it in the manner that is as fair to everyone as possible. Once settled we can talk about how to handle it ICly.

And yes, Qazox, Baer was given a 1 skill rating in the scorinator. Shit happens. Kindly direct all complaints to Margaret.]

Cox smashes national record to claim controversial medal

Alavaria, KELSSEK (Radio Ad’ihan International)— Ad’ihani long-distance speed skater Carson Cox, who together with Brian Bennett had earlier been wrongly excluded from the men's 5000m speed skating event, has broken the national record to win silver after he was reinstated.

The Ad’ihani National Olympic Committee, COIA, wrote to the Organising Committee for the Alavaria Olympic Winter Games (ALAVOC) to protest the accidental exclusion of both Cox and Bennett. After an investigation, ALAVOC confirmed the error and allowed both Cox and Bennett to set times, a few hours after the rest of the field had run.

Cox, who won gold for Barrier Island at the Ad’ihan National Games qualifying tournament in 6 minutes 19.20 seconds, broke the national record by setting a time of 6:18.09, just 1/100th of a second off gold medal winner Xiu Fung's time of 6:18.08. This demoted the Ariddian Isles' Jean-Michel Chang, seven more hundredths behind, to bronze.

His compatriot, Brian Bennett, set a time of 6:21.24, nearly two seconds off his time set at the Ad’ihan National Games. The time was only enough to place him 33rd in a field of 54.

The COIA has formally accepted ALAVOC's apology and thanked ALAVOC for giving both Cox and Bennett the opportunity to set times. Chef-de-mission Dave Hollow has also retracted his boycott threat, saying he did not mean what he had said in the heat of the moment.

Elsewhere in Alavaria, short-track speed skater and national flag-bearer Jay Nelson broke his personal best at 1500m by setting a time of 2:26.435 in the heats, nearly nine seconds better than the time he set at the Ad’ihan National Games, where he won gold for Barrier Island. Nelson qualified for Final B, which will place him among the top eight in the event. However, he was outdone in the record department by Peter Bradley, whose 2:26.317 in the heats now stands as the new national record.

In the first two luge runs of the day, Troy Angélil and Paul Couerville both set times slightly slower than they had expected, although Angélil is currently in eighth with two more runs still to go.

After the first morning's action, Ad’ihan are tied for fifth in the medal standings, with the one controversial silver.

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The sweat perspiration from his forehead toward his brow worsened, as the chilled weather made it all the more unbearable for sweat to be anywhere present on his body. Places began to itch which took focus away briefly and taking the few seconds off the clock that he so desperately needed to make up to the leader of the pack whom was just ahead. He didn't know the exact amount they were away, or that he was trialling anyone. He just took his time, and lined up his shots, leading the nationally accredited shooter who beat him time and time again within the Alliance Star Confederation. Everything just appeared to have gone right, as he wrapped up his final shot through wind, snow, and sweat and noted he was just a hair of a second from recording his time against the now leader. However, he didn't know at that moment on how behind he was until everything wrapped up that he discovered his placement within the top three.

He smiled, as he faced the camera and waved with a smile before leaving the course; proud of his amazing accomplishment.

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"And, with Silver, from the Alliance Star Confederation is Charles Reynolds," the announcer stated, as cheers were present throughout from loved ones and team mates and staff. The light blue and white flag draped overhead his placement atop the middle step as he was presented his medal with a smile emblazoning his face. It was an honor to be the first Allician to medal in the Olympics, as the waved throughout to the crowd and the television cameras alike for his few moments of victory before the crowd passed on to the Gold Medal winner from Capitalizt SLANI.

However, in other events many Allicians were toping out in the top seven range, with many missing a medal by one competitor. Those included are Women's Alpine Skier Nicole Corato whom just missed the mark by just a few hairs of a second. Also to be noted was the close miss to close 'friend' of the Alliance Star Confederation, Ruccola in the luge of which was a strong Allician pastime. The Alliance Star had a way to go, and had now proved that it was up and coming in the International Community in the form of athletics.

Please note that the schedule has been updated with modifications to the curling and hockey schedules.

Day 1 evening results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14461453&postcount=6)

Bluth Corporation at the IV Olympic Games wiki page (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Bluth_Corporation_at_the_IV_Olympic_Winter_Games)

The first afternoon of the Games was not nearly as productive for the Bluth Corporation team as the morning, with exactly zero medals awarded to Bluth athletes. The high point of the afternoon came in the Women's Ice Hockey game, in which the Bluth ladies redeemed their male counterparts with a 5-0 shutout of Lovisa that included winger Lillie Crumley's first career hat trick at any level of organized competition. After the game, Crumley and her teammates celebrated her feat with champagne, but the festivities were put to an abrupt end after Crumley and teammate Angie Estrella (who set up Crumley's third goal of the game as well as scoring one goal herself), both inebriated, began coming on to their coach.

The rest of the afternoon would have been disappointing had it not been totally expected: only one of the three competitors entered in the Men's Individual Luge event managed to finish all four runs, and his time was good enough to place him dead last among the 52 entrants who managed to do so. Jeffrey Winchester had to withdraw after accidentally catching his hand under the runners on his start, and Jonathan Lankford was already out after failing to finish his first morning run in the most spectacular fashion. In the Men's Individual Gundersen, meanwhile, Bluth Corporation's highest finisher was Ralph Westmoreland, who only finished 14th out of 30, with a time almost three full minutes behind the gold medalist. Even this mediocre effort was almost Herculean for the horribly out-of-shape Westmoreland, who began complaining of cramps to anyone who would listen twenty minutes before he even finished the race.

CHANG!
Ariddian skater takes double bronze on first day

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Jean-Michel Chang of Ariddia going for the medals in Alavaria today

Not surprisingly, for a country without snow, winter sports in Ariddia are mainly about what you can do indoors. And Jean-Michel Chang can do quite a lot.

During the Aeropag Games, he took a silver in short track (500m), and became the first Olympic champion in the men’s 5km race in speedskating, setting a record with a time of 6:16.52. At the Keto Games, he won a gold in speedskating (1500m), setting a new Olympic record of 1:45.54.

His first event here in Alavaria was the men’s 1500m in short track. The Olympic record in this event belonged to retired compatriot Derek Riise. Chang’s time in the heats was two seconds short of his former teammate’s record, but was still good enough for him to qualify in first place – to the distant sound of applause from Ariddians in front of their televisions back home. In the first semi-final, he was edged into second place by the UCS’ Karlomango Alvareso, but looked pleased enough as he crossed the line with a guaranteed place in the final.

Then it was off to a different track altogether for speedskating –the men’s 5000 metres. Competing against fifty-one other athletes, the swift Ariddian was set to defend his Olympic record, and reclaim a championship title first won in Aeropag. In a nail-biting race, it was almost a photo finish as Xiu Fung of QoD took gold. Chang sailed across the line 0.08 seconds behind him, shaking his head as he claimed Ariddia’s first medal of the Games – a silver. His record held, however, with a one and half second margin.

That done, it was back to the short track, for the final. Showing little sign of fatigue after his five kilometre race on skates, Chang took to the track against his five remaining opponents. As the two UCS competitors fell slightly behind, the top four jostled for the medals. There was no stopping Kelssek’s Alan Depper, who sailed well into the lead to claim a clear victory, in front of a cheering crowd. Outpacing Secristan’s Hugo Fredericks by a narrow margin, Chang crossed the finish line together with the Landau Institute’s Baltazar Farinha. The photo finish gave second place to Farinha, 0.043 seconds ahead of Chang. Bronze. The Ariddian smiled wryly on the medal podium.

Nor was that the end of it, as two competitors from Ad’ihan were belatedly allowed to run in the speedskating event, racing against the clock long after the event was over. Carson Cox sped his way to take the silver medal which had been awarded to Chang. The Ariddian returned the medal without comment, swapping it for a bronze.

“I never had Olympic bronze medals until today, and now I’ve got two of them. Who cares about gold; I wanted a colour I hadn’t got yet!” he joked afterwards. He praised Kelssekian supporters for the “enthusiasm and sense of fair play”, and congratulated Depper on a “really great race”.

“It’s interesting to be competing in Kelssek,” he said. “It’s not at all like Aeropag, where the whole… well, the culture, people’s behaviour, felt strange. Kelssek has a very diverse society, but it does feel a little bit less alien. And when I speak French, people actually understand me!”

Regarding Cox’s late entry in speedskating, he shrugged.
“I understand it was due to some mistake, and not the guy’s fault at all. He deserved to compete, and I think he proved he was good enough to be here. It’s never much fun to move a step down the podium, but I imagine it’s even less fun for Castelo. Off the podium altogether.”

The Comité olympique ariddien confirmed it had no intention of appealing against the decision.

Chang’s two bronze were the Ariddian Isles’ only medals on Day One, but there were many other exciting events to watch.

In biathlon, François Riverdale finished in a disappointing fourteenth place in the twenty kilometre pursuit, more than two minutes behind Olympic champion Mauro Miró.

“I was hoping to do a lot better,” he admitted. “Not to try and find excuses, or play down the great support I’ve had from the C.O.A., but it’s hard to train properly for the biathlon when you come from Ariddia. Still, I should have done better. My big event will be the mass start, and I know I can get a medal then.”

In crosscountry skiing, Sarah Lascencov finished in thirty-second place in the fifteen kilometre pursuit, ahead of twenty other athletes. The blind West Ariddian completed the race in just over forty-seven minutes, with a smile on her chilled lips.

“I knew some of the girls were quite some way ahead of me, but I just kept going and did my best. I don’t think I did too badly. And it was great to compete!”

François Riverdale and other Ariddian Islander athletes greeted her warmly after the race.

“Sarah’s our best cross-country skiier,” Riverdale said. “And she’s – you’ve done us all proud,” he added, putting an arm round his team mate. “Great going there!”

Sarah laughed. “Let’s go indoors and sit down. I think my legs are frozen. They do hot drinks around here, don’t they?”

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/6974/wpara2pd5.jpg
Sarah Lascencov treks across the snow.

In freestyle skiing, Ariddian-Kelssekian Emilie Clay fought her way to last place but one, and met reporters with a grin.

“Broken limbs checklist: none so far,” she quipped. “Yay!”

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/4786/clayra2.jpg
Emilie Clay of the Win Twin Twins: no legs broken yet

In ski jumping, Assan Kebeh qualified with 115.5 points, enough to place him in the top twenty.

In luge, it was a rough start for Yosief Debesa, who made several small mistakes on his first run, and was in thirty-fifth place after two runs. His third run was his best yet, with a time of 51.147 – a much needed confidence booster. His fourth run was close to perfect, a textbook demonstration of the sport as he hurtled his way down, in perfect control. The Ariddian was grinning before he even looked at the time. A stunning 50.947. “YES!” he whooped, pumping his arms in the air with barely restrained joy. When the final scores came up, he had finished second in the fourth run, and barely seemed able to believe it.

His final time of 3:26.521 left him in fourth place overall, just 0.035 seconds outside the podium. The look on his face was a mixture of regret and stunned happiness. Finally, he shook his head, still grinning, and hugged a random female Kelssekian Olympic volunteer before leaving the scene of his unexpected exploit.

It might not have been a medal, but, after years of fruitless efforts, it was the best surprise of the day.

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/3855/debesaux6.jpg
Yosief Debesa competing in his third Olympics

Tomorrow, look out for:

* Robert Sylvain, Jimmy Hearth and Christophe Hubert in alpine skiing. Sylvain and Hearth are two athletes with disabilities; the former has one arm, and the latter, his young protégé, skies on one leg. Ariddian-Kelssekian Christophe Hubert is something else altogether – Emilie Clay’s twin brother, and the other half of the self-described “comically inept” Win Twin Twins, competing for charity.

* Assan Kebeh, in the ski jumping finals. Could it be a medal?

* Linda Uosh and Jean-Michel Chang in speedskating. They have three events between them, and strong hopes of lifting Ariddia higher up the medal chart. Not to be missed!

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/605/wpara1byv3.jpg
Jim Hearth during training in Kelssek two weeks ago.

(from the ‘Sports’ section of ‘The Bear Necessities’…)


WINTER OLYMPICS OPEN

The ‘Winter Games of the Fourth Olympiad’ opened yesterday, at a town called ‘Alavaria’ which lies in the land of ‘Kelssek’, and your reporter was there to see this happen. The hosts put on a lively show of acrobats and fireworks, before the teams of athletes from all five-eights-plus-five of the nations that had sent competitors there — which is a Winter Olympics record in itself — paraded into the arena for the first time… and, as I hope you all know already, one of those teams was OURS! Yes, the nation of Bears Armed is participating in yet another international contest. We’ve sent a total of two- eightsquared, two-eights-plus-six athletes there, as two-eightsquareds-less-three ‘entries’ spread across seven-eights-plus-one of the possible events for eight-plus-three of the eight-plus-seven different sports that are on the schedule. This is a considerably larger team than we sent to the second Winter Olympics…
Mind you, those athletes of ours almost didn’t get to go to these Games at all: The BAOC decided to wait until after the ‘Qazoxian Winter Sports Festival’ had finished before finalising its list of entrants for this competition, in case any of the relative novices who went there proved themselves worthy of entry here as well (as several of them did…), and then had to wait for two of the committee’s members to get back from watching our Soccer team take part in the World Cup too before it could send the ‘approved’ roster to the organisers…
And this left only a few days for that oh-so-important message to reach its destination, which period of time just happened to overlap with the severe weather conditions that temporarily closed-down international travel out of our country for almost half of a week! Fortunately, however, the hosts eventually decided that they could still fit all of our proposed team’s members into the schedules for the sports concerned…
The procession of athletes during the Games’ opening ceremony had the various national delegations arranged in order according to how their homelands’ names are spelled in the ‘Roman’ alphabet, which put our squad in seventh place: Our national flag was carried, jointly, by the Ice-skating partners Garron & Ismarra. That position in the order meant that there were only two other delegations strolling along in between our own entrants and the athletes from the nation of ‘Candelabras and Marquees’! Those were two quite large delegations, mind you, so during the parade itself the Candelbrans (?) could still try to pretend that our Ursines, Lutrines and Vulpines simply weren’t there at all… but they couldn’t avoid a much greater degree of proximity to us while the parade was originally being marshalled, to their officials’ obvious regret, and it seems that some of our entrants deliberately sought them out afterwards too! Rumour has it that those sportsbears chose to serenade their rivals from that country with one of the same songs that our national Soccer team’s supporters were singing at matches — and in the streets — over in C&M during the World Cup:


“Over there, over there,
Every bird spread the word over there,
That the Bears are coming,
The Bears are coming,
We’re drum-drum-drumming everywhere!

So beware, say a prayer,
If you get in our way over there:
Over, we’ll push you over,
And we aren’t just _
‘Humans, with a lot of hair’!”


Hr’rmm, considering the lengths to which the Candelbrese government apparently went to keep their poor suffering people from recognising our non-Human natures during and after the World Cup, I wonder how far they’ll go to keep the lid on that topic now? And I wonder whether any of their athletes will take this opportunity of foreign travel to defect, and refuse to go back to live under that tyrannous regime?
Things are going to be particularly tricky for their Women’s Curling team, who have been drawn into the same ‘group’ as ours for the early stages of that event…


Berri White,
(Sports Editor)


_________________________________________________________________


WHAT SPORTS!

So anyway, I hear you asking, what are all of those eight-plus-three different sports in which the BAOC has chosen to enter competitors, and what chances of winning medals do our people seem to have in each of those? Well, let’s look at each of the sports one-by-one _

Alpine Skiing_ 3 athletes, as 15 entries spread across 10 distinct events: Apparently the ‘Alps’ are a range of mountains, somewhere or other, where people use skis not just for crossing snowy ground but also for going down slopes very rapidly! Not a traditional Ursine sport, and of course we wouldn’t be able to compete very well against Humans in it due to the much greater momentum that our higher weights would give us, but three members of the ‘Verravokssur’ Sept of Vulpines — including Verrina Serrnarra’s-daughter, who was also a member of our national Soccer team for the ‘World Cup’ — have quite recently taken it up and persuaded the BAOC to let them represent us all in it here for the first time.
Medal forecast: probably none.

Biathlon _ 6 athletes, as 10 entries spread across 4 of the distinct events: A combination of cross-country skiing and rifle-shooting, with our people’s ability in the former possibly outweighed by the effect of the humans’ generally-better eyesight on the latter. We’ve sent exactly the same squad as we did for the second Winter Olympics, from which they returned with a single Bronze medal… and they face greater competition this time, so unless they’ve improved significantly during the intervening years they’re unlikely to do much better this time.
Medal forecast: up to maybe three, at the most probably just ‘Bronze’ but maybe with one ‘Silver’ included.

Cross-country Skiing _ 18 athletes, as 20 entries spread across 8 of the distinct events: This sport has one of our strongest squads of the Games, even though Siggurr Thuleann (who won our only individual ‘Gold’, in this sport, at the second Winter Olympics) has now withdrawn from competitive sports, combining the best members of our other entrants from the second Winter Olympics with some new talent… including several individuals who recently did well over in Qazox.
Medal forecast: at least 3 medals, probably more, including at least 1 ‘Gold’. (WO II => 1 Gold, 1 Bronze)

Curling _ 8 athletes, as a team of 4 for each of the 2 distinct events: Again, exactly the same teams that we sent to the second Winter Olympics… They both came home with their events Gold medals from that tournament, and we don’t think they’ve deteriorated at all since then. Oh, and neither of the teams against whom they won their finals then has returned for these Games…
Medal forecast: 2 medals, including at least 1 ‘Gold’.

Figure Skating _ 7 athletes, as 10 entries spread across the 4 distinct events: This is yet another event for which our roster stays unchanged, and certain of our entrants have probably got even better since they brought from a ‘Silver’ and 3 ‘Bronzes’ from their previous venture into Olympic competition.
Medal forecast: 3 to 6 medals, at least 1 to 2 of which will be better than ‘Bronze’.

Ice Hockey _ 46 athletes, as a team of 23 for each of the 2 distinct events: The same teams as before, but with some changes in line-up and a LOT more experience. Last time around, ‘Bronze’ for the males and ‘Silver’ for the fenales…
”Let’s win this one for the Ripper!”
Medal forecast: 1 or 2.

Luge _ 6 athletes, as 8 entries spread across the 3 distinct events: This event involves sliding downhill, very quickly, aboard a decidedly small sledge. It obviously isn’t a sport for Ursines, but some of members of our country’s resident Lutrine minority have decided that it seems “right up their stream”…
Medal forecast: who knows?

Short Track _ 10 athletes, as 10 entries spread across 4 of the distinct events: This consists of Ice-skating at speed, over — as its name indicates — a fairly short track, and is an event in which we’re entering athletes internationally for the first time. Making the turns quickly enough to compete with the human entrants may be a problem for our people.
Medal forecast: maybe 1 or 2, probably none better than ‘Bronze’.

Skeleton _ 6 athletes, as 6 entries spread across the 2 distinct events: Similar to ‘Luge’, but with the sledge-riders in a different position, apparently. Another bunch of our Lutrines have taken it up, and have a keen rivalry with the ‘Luge’ entrants… who belong to a different Sept to them, too.
Medal forecast: Who knows?

Snowboarding _ 16 athletes, as 16 entries spread across the 6 distinct events: This involves sliding downhill too, but the ‘vehicles’ used are relatively large ‘boards’ rather than tiny sledges. Some of the students from Northport University did very well in this sport over in Qazox, so they and some of their friends are being given a chance here too.
Medal forecast: 3 or 4, maybe more, with at least 1 that’s better than just ‘Bronze’.

Speed Skating _ 24 athletes, as 26 entries spread across the 12 distinct events: This is Ice-skating at speed over a track that’s better-suited to Ursines in length. Last time around we only sent 2 entrants, for 2 events, and they came nowhere, but this time the BAOC had a lot more candidates with proven records (several of them, again, medal-winners from the recent games in Qazox…) from which to choose and decided to send a full squad.
Medal forecast: 3 to 6 medals, including at least 1 or 2 that are better than just ‘Bronze’.

OVERALL FORECAST: 16 to 28 medals, at least, and with at least 6 or 7 of them better than ‘Bronze’.

Zwangzugian Olympic Merchandising Group
Interdepartmental Memoranda

FROM: A. P. Scheidegger
TO: J. F. Steinhauser, O. R. Pisciotti, D. C. Ritchhart
RE: Look out!

If the men's competition is anything like the women's you guys are doomed. Most of them looked like professionals.

Have to admit it wasn't as fun as I expected. Not that I was planning on medalling or anything like that, but it just didn't feel like the right atmosphere.

Good luck, anyhow, better than we had!

FROM: D. C. Ritchhart
TO: A. P. Scheidegger
CC: J. F. Steinhauser, O. R. Pisciotti
RE: Competition

I'm guessing they have more time to train.

FROM: A. P. Scheidegger
TO: D. C. Ritchhart
CC: J. F. Steinhauser, O. R. Pisciotti
RE: You're probably right

Sorry for my tone. All things considered, we did pretty well.

It's a shame this isn't a team event, as we were nice and well-rounded. Combine our highest scores in each category--one for each of us--and we'd have qualified with a third of a point to spare. I think.

FROM: D. C. Ritchhart
TO: A. P. Scheidegger
CC: J. F. Steinhauser, O. R. Pisciotti
RE: The math looks right

It's an individualist type of event, though. :p

----

Turns out that the anonymous interviewer from last time around was none other than Yvette Honeycutt, last seen attempting to control her fellow anchors on the Columbia podcasts. Working solo now, she presents the televised update.

"Zwangzug's participation at the Fourth Winter Olympics got off to a glittering start with a medal for luger Tris Daley. He came in eighth on the first run of the day, but fell to nineteenth after a disappointing second run. How did that feel?"

Cut to a somewhat annoyed Daley saying, "Why does everyone keep expecting me to be consistent? I don't really know what they're talking about."

"But Daley quickly returned to contention, coming in seventh on both the third and fourth runs. It added up to an overall second-place finish, behind Silvio Gervasoni of Ruccola. Congratulations, Tris!"

"Thanks."

"How did you improve in the evening?"

"Well, I was more familiar with the track, so I knew when to turn."

"But doesn't that involve having some sort of skill?"

"Of course not! Anybody would improve."

"Um, yes, but...You still maintain that your performance was just luck? And good equipment."

"Yeah."

"Are you...proud of your performance?"

"Nothing to be proud of, but it was an awesome thrill. Even the second round, doing worse means more time to spend on the course."

"So you're deliberately slowing down?"

"No, I wouldn't do that."

"Oh...kay. Tris Daley, ah...independent mind there, and now Zwangzug's first-ever Winter Olympic medalist.

It's not often that watching someone else beat your time is any fun, so I sat down with Desmond Storlie to talk about the contested five-kilometer speed skate. Storlie wasn't expected to be one of Zwangzug's medal contenders, having finished several seconds behind Jay Hopkins in the qualifiers, but he was right in the thick of it at the finish line in the Theoren Oval. First place went to a long-shot by any measure, Quintessence of Dust's Xiu Fung. In second place came the world record holder, Jean-Michel Chang from Ariddia. How was your race?"

"I was paired with a Lovisan who wasn't threatening, so I was worried about beating the clock."

"Storlie was in a statistical tie with David Porter of the Alliance Star Confederation, three-hundredths of a second behind the Iglesian Archipelago's Martinho Castelo, with the third-fastest time."

"It was frustrating, more so than it should have been. I kept dreaming of doing well, but the dreams were just that. Only in the last minute or so did I realize I was close enough to medal--and close enough to be let down."

"But the dramatics weren't over. The alliterative Ad'ihani, Brian Bennett and Carson Cox, had been mistakenly excluded from the competition. After an official protest, they raced several hours later."

"I didn't want to go, actually, I was moping and being generally immature about things. But Jay wanted to go, so I figured I might as well."

"Cox sped to a time of six minutes, eighteen point oh nine seconds...one-tenth of a second behind Fung, for second place. Chang therefore came in third, and Castelo fourth."

"In a way it's a relief. Of course I was still close, but then again, there are always going to be some people who say "oh, ten seconds is a short time". That's first to last, and then some. Whatever. I'm going to sleep a little more easily tonight. Just sad it's over so quickly."

"Desmond Storlie there, participated in the five-kilometer skating race. Speaking of the metric system, it's actually a balmy 21 degrees out here, in contrast to what this says." She points to the corner of the screen that's displaying an incorrect temperature reading. Actually, she's looking at it the wrong way, so it's the wrong corner, but it's a good effort. "Other than some decidedly impressive mogul skiing, Zwangzug's further competition today took place in the hockey rink. While the men's team defeated that of Jasīʼyūn three goals to one, surprisingly moving to the top of Group 3, the women fell 4-0 to Liventia. Two goals from forward Sarah Chandler were bookended by those of defenders Madeleine Peters and Gracie North. Zwangzug, Ad’ihan, and the Alliance Star Confederation now have a silver medal each, good for tenth place in the early medal standings."

An uninteresting voice says, "Coverage of the Fourth Winter Olympics was brought to you by..." followed by several ZOMG members' messages. Meanwhile, new theme music plays. The laws of probability and the number of nations in the multiverse suggest that its first four notes are the same as some country's national anthem. Whatever country that is doesn't border us, though, so that's probably good.

From MSPN--

Let the Games (really) Begin!

Let's take a look at the results from Day 1:

The big news is that our team has won its first medals already: two of them, in fact. Yoshiro Harada of Maineiacs City successfully defended his gold medal in the Men's Nordic Combined Individual Gundersen, while teammate Kevin Gerber took the bronze to add to the silver he won in Jasi'yun. Päavi Häanomanen was 7th. Our other athletes did not fare as well:


Biathlon:

Jasper Otley of Montego Bay, Antilles Province was 11th in the Men's 20k Individiual; Damon Ryan was a disappointing 29th.

Cross-Country Skiing:

Gloria Dunham was 38th and Carla Chapman was 42nd in the Women's 15 k Pursuit.

Freestyle Skiing:

Neither Wanda Iverson nor Kelly Gordon qualified for the medal round in Women's Moguls.

Shorttrack Speedskating:

Toji Kaneda came in third in his semifinal heat in Men's 1500m and will not be in the finals; Greg Roberts failed to qualify.

Ski Jumping:

Darrin Porter and "Kamikaze" Tanaka qualified in Men's Normal Hill, but Javier Puljols did not.

Speed Skating:

Miami's Miguel Fuentes was 47th in the Men's 5000m.

Luge:

Berkely O'Bannon was 22nd and Steve Hunt was 25th in the Men's Individual; Craig Shakleford crashed on the third leg of the event and did not finish.

Hockey:

In Day 1 of the Men's Group Stage, our team was stunned in 1-0 loss to Tocrowkia; our Women's team won their first game in the Group Stage, beating Candelaria And Marquez 2-1.

We will have more on our results later.

The New Cleethorpes Enquirer
Skater claims first gold amid high controversy

Dramatic events on Day 1 of the Fourth Winter Olympics in Alavaria, Kelssek, saw defeat snatched from the jaws of victory for 19 year old student Xiu Fung - only to be returned again amid suspense, relief, and jubilation. His gold medal in the Men's 5km Speed Skating marks the first medal of any kind for a Quodite athlete in the Olympics.

But he was nearly denied his golden moment after an extraordinary debacle as it emerged that Carson Cox and Brian Bennett of Adihan had been illegally excluded from competition after ALAVOC officials mistakenly refused their credentials. Just 20 minutes after the medal ceremony, at which a weeping Xiu Fung accepted his medal and waved joyously to his teammates as the national anthem "I Have Wandered Alone" played, he was forced to return his medal pending a rerun of the event.

"I never imagined I would win, so it was really heartbreaking to have to give it back," he admitted. The situation was resolved without the need for a rerun, with the Adihanese pair allowed to record times. But before relief could return to the Quodite camp, they watched in increasing agony as Cox tore up the skating rink to burst past the national record. "I really thought he was going to pip me," said Fung, who watched the pair skate from the edge, visibly chewing his fingers.

Cox's home strait dash appeared to have levelled Fung's time, and it took two moments of confusion before the electronic timekeeper confirmed Fung's lead remained - by the closest possible margin. "One one hundredth of a second - it was unbelievable," said teammate Lao Peng, who placed last in the 54-man field after a disappointing run. Fung later offered his personal congratulations to Cox.

By their own admission, Fung and Peng entered the arena highly unfancied, as strong skaters abounded. Neither had recorded times inside 6:20 all season, and it was widely observed in the foreign media that neither would have qualified under the more rigorous selection procedures of many other nations. Peng's early failure was made all the more unfortunate as he stumbled at the line, bruising his hand, although he has been ruled fit to compete in the 1.5km heats tomorrow.

And things appeared truly grim when Fung, an accounting student from Highmark City's Chinatown district, was paired with Olympic legend Jean-Michel Chang of Ariddia. "He has the Olympic record, he's won gold medals - he is my idol," admitted Fung. "When I saw I was in a pair with him, I thought, 'now I will definitely lose!'"

Perhaps, though, the partnership worked in the inexperienced skater's favour. Chang set a commanding pace, though somewhat off his record time, but in the end young legs triumphed over old as Fung dived in to squeeze an 8 hundredths of a second lead. "I looked up, and it said I was in first place - I couldn't really believe it," he said. As the last few pairs skated, no one came close to challenging his lead. And, though it took an agonising wait, he goes to bed tonight with a gold medal under his pillow.

Day 1 Round-Up

Seven events were decided today, with hosts Kelssek gaining gold, silver and bronze to top the medal table by the close. Mauro Miró of Capitalizt SLANI was the first confirmed winner, in the Men's 20km Biathlon. Quodite skaters fared less well in the Men's 1.5km Short Track: only Liu Pin Da made it through qualification, and he finished almost 2 second off the pace at the back of his semifinal group. Ariddia's Chang became the first athlete of the games to claim two bronzes when he skated to third in the final.

There was disappointment for the women's freestyle skiers, both of whom failed to win medals after promising runs in qualifying. Julia Johannsen and Samantha Benson came in 5th and 9th respectively in the morning qualifying session, which was dominated by a fantastic run by Sally Mekerson of the strong Lurikastan team. Where Johannsen was let down by a restrained, uninventive effort, Benson's exuberance saw some sloppiness and technical errors.

Both improved for the final, each by one place, leaving Johannsen in an agonising fourth place. "I feel sick," was her grudging reaction at the time, though later she acknowledged "this fantastic opportunity". Samantha Benson ploughed crisp turns but was let down by a slow run. Philosophical in defeat, she said she would be staying on for the duration of the games to support the rest of the team - and that she hoped to return to try again. Jennifer Soulds of Edward City blazed an amazing finals performance to beat out the Lurikastanis for gold.

Preview

Day 2 will be another busy day for the skating team. On the short track, the women's relay team of Lo Min, Chu Dao, Jenny Wong and Xao Ten will have to pick their way through a tough heat; on the long track, Fung and Peng face the 1.5km heats, while Kim Yen and Ming Zhao compete in both the 3km and the 500m heats, along with Lucy Kim and Cao Ying. And the men's downhill face a very tough field, with Wilhelm Biber, Johann "The Jorgenator" Jorgen, Lupo Korainnen and Jens Linchman representing Quintessence of Dust.

Albavona Capitol Sentinel

First day a disappointment for Beretanians

ALAVARIA, KELSSEK - The first day in Alavaria, Kelssek for the Fourth Winter Olympics was a bitter disappointment for Unified Beretania. A couple of athletes were within reach of a medal but couldn’t come up with one.

Corazon Aglukark, the first Inuit to ever compete for Unified Beretania, finished in sixth place in the women’s 15km cross country skiing pursuit. Dr. Melissa Carvalho of the Landau Institute, who finished first, was the first gold medal winner of the Games in a women’s event. Few expected many standout performances on the first day for Unified Beretania, but many considered Aglukark a solid medal contender in the women’s 15km cross country skiing pursuit.

And in a glimmer of hope for Unified Beretania, Aileen Waters qualified in second in the women’s freestyle skiing moguls event, but later in the evening, let a medal slip away in the final, ultimately finishing sixth. What makes it even more painful for Waters is that the moguls event was the only event she was registered for.

“I let my country down, and I let myself down, and for that I’m truly sorry,” Waters said after the final.

Elsewhere, Dang Quang finished thirteenth in the men’s speed skating 5000m event, with a time of 6:19.11.

Kristopher Kaufman finished eighth in men’s individual luge in what was viewed as a surprise to many, but his effort was not good enough for a medal.

Jamal Roberson finished seventeenth in the men’s 20km individual biathlon event, while Rocky Miller finished in thirty second.

Day 2 Schedule
Alpine Skiing - Men's downhill
Alexandros Vassilikos, Scottie Prat, Bo Joyce, Benjamin Hancock

Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 30km pursuit
Numbers Johnson, Corey Miller, Brian Hampton

Curling - Group stage (MD1)

Short Track - Women's relay heats
Anna Ballard, Christy Graham, Nell Stanton, and Tori Lowe

Snowboarding - Men's halfpipe
Bruce Rizzuto, Brock Nordahl, Dustin Kawamura

Speed Skating - Women's 3000m
Julie Duckworth, Cathryn Alderson

Speed Skating - Men's 1500m heats
Klaus Shumacher, Faruq al-Salam

Speed Skating - Women's 500m heats
Caroline Sofia Pederson, Melody Francis, Arlene Concetta Tyler, Autumn Dowdell

A Team And A Dream, The Story Of The Taeshan Olympic Team

And now there is thirteen days left in the Fourth Winter Olympic Games in Alvaria, Kelssek. Unlike last Summer the team started the games off with a big bang. Gerogia Lennon, wife of Olympic Runner Jonathen Lennon, one the nations second bronze medal and second medal overall in Olympic competition in the Womens 15K Cross Country Skiing event. This was a suprise to many fans as this was not an expected medal in a sport many fans do not care about.

Well how about a sport that many Taeshani sports fans love. It's time for some hockey coverage. The Mens team had its first group stage game after beating Cassadaigua in q prelim yesterday. The Knights defeated the team from the Iglesian Archapelago 4-2 in an easy match which they won triumphently. The Knights were all over the ice, stealing, shooting, and passing the ball in every witch way ever thought up by a hockey player. It was an exciting and thrilling games, and many fans went away happy.

Bu thats not the only hockey team fans love in Taeshan. Thats right the Olympic Womens team took on archrival Qazox in a battle for Q Continuum womens supremisy. It was never close. The Knights handily defeated the Phoenix, shuting them out 4-0. The Knights rocked the rink and easily charged past the Knights, and are ready to play there next game. In the other group game Tocrowkia stunned Mainieacs, whitch should help the Knights going into the second round.

Hoji Metropolitan Daily Record

Victories in men’s and women’s hockey are highlight of first day

ALAVARIA, KELSSEK - The Fujisawan Territories men’s and women’s hockey teams won their first matches in Kelssek yesterday in what turned out to be the only thing Fujisawans had to cheer about.

The men’s team beat Sorthern Northland 2-1, while the women’s team defeated Iglesian Archipelago 4-0. While many are enthusiastic about the men’s team winning, most admit to being shocked and remain more than a little skeptical, as the team appears weak, at least on paper.

The men’s team will play Iglesian Archipelago next, and on the women’s side, the Territories will face Dannistan.

Elsewhere in Kelssek, Fujisawan athletes struggled mightily. Heihachiro Akaike qualified in eighth in the heats for the men’s 1500m short track event, only to finish last in semifinal 2. Basho Kawatake finished nineteenth and Shusui Kimiyama finished fortieth in the men’s 5000m speed skating event.

Day 2 Schedule
Alpine Skiing - Men's downhill
Kimimichi Sawamura, Kiyonobu Takashita, Tadafumi Shima, Mitsumasa Hirose

Curling - Group stage (MD1)

Short Track - Women's relay heats
Nana Fujiwara, Katsumi Doi, Ami Imagawa, and Toyoko Tsukioka

Speed Skating - Women's 3000m
Toyoko Tsukioka, Fujiko Kuramoto

Speed Skating - Men's 1500m heats
Heiji Sonoda, Heiji Kato

Speed Skating - Women's 500m heats
Kanjiro Furusawa, Junzo Kajiwara, Sen Tsugimoto, Torazo Yakuta

http://www.biezanow.net/~dominik/TVLovun/tvlovun-sport.gif
Day 1 - Nina Sander 4th in 15km pursuit

Lovisan athlets have no any colour medal in day1 4th Winter olimpic games in Alavaria, Kelssek. We hope day 2 get a some medal for Lovisa. Almost medal was in women Cross-Country Skiing in 15km pursuit where Nina Sander was 4th in finish lost 0.5 sec to 3rd Georgia Lennon from Taeshan.

Good present Torsten Corb in luge which was 6th in final.


Ice Hockey
Men's group stage

First match and big disapointed.Lovisa lost with Dannistaan 0-4.

Group 2
Miyager 4–3 Oiseaui
Dannistaan 4–0 Lovisa


P W L T F A Pts
Dannistaan 1 1 0 0 4 0 2
Miyager 1 1 0 0 4 3 2
Oiseaui 1 0 1 0 3 4 0
Lovisa 1 0 1 0 0 4 0

Women's group stage

the same happend with women team lost with Bluth Corp. 0-5

Group 2
Bluth Corporation 5–0 Lovisa
Bai Lung 0–6 Secristan


P W L T F A Pts
Secristan 1 1 0 0 6 0 2
Bluth Corporation 1 1 0 0 5 0 2
Lovisa 1 0 1 0 0 5 0
Bai Lung 1 0 1 0 0 6 0

Luge - Men's individual - final

Run 1 Run 2 Run 3 Run 4 Total
Silvio Gervasoni (RUC) 50.97 51.152 51.525 51.287 3:24.934 (1st)
...
Torsten Corb (LOV) 51.57 51.131 51.358 52.575 3:26.634 (6th)
Jens Muller (LOV) 51.646 51.964 51.62 53.163 3:28.393 (23rd)
Christian Prox (LOV) 51.699 52.456 52.474 53.363 3:29.992 (42nd)


Nordic Combined - Men's individual Gundersen - final


Yoshiro Harada (MAI) 40:42.9 (1st)
...
Marco Zarucchi (LOV) 41:43.6 (8th)
Jean-Yves Cuendet (LOV) 44:14.8 (18th)
Andi Hartmann (LOV) 49:49.1 (30th last one !!!)

Short Track - Men's 1500m final B


Edgar Hill (JSY) 2:26.667
Jay Nelson (ADN) 2:27.050
Kim Je-Jue (LOV) 2:27.103 (9th - general)
Geert Blanchard (LOV) 2:27.167 (10th - general)
Jason Easley (COO) 2:27.277
Josh Chambers (NEW) 2:27.296

Biathlon - Men's 20km individual - final


Mauro Miró (COM) 0:56:57.2 (1st)
...
Frode Loberg (LOV) 1:00:17.2 (22nd)
Mikael Lofgren (LOV) 1:00:24.4 (30th)

Cross-Country Skiing - Women's 15km pursuit - final


Dr. Melissa Carvalho (LID) 0:41:17.8 (1st)
...
Nina Sander (LOV) 0:41:50.2 (4th)
Anita Moen (LOV) 0:44:23.7 (11th)
Trude Dybendahl (LOV) 0:45:21.4 (17th)

Freestyle Skiing - Women's moguls - qualification

Turns Air Speed Total
Donna Santlers (LOV) 11.6 3.86 5.03 20.49 (46th - DNQ to final)

Ski Jumping - Men's NH - qualification


Toralf Englan (LOV) 116.5 ( 12th - Q )
Kaare Walhberg (LOV) 115.5 ( 17th - Q )
Kurt Elima (LOV) 100.5 ( 41st - DNQ)

Speed Skating - Men's 5000m - final


Xiu Fung (QOD) 6:18.08 (1st)
...
Peter Adeberg (LOV) 6:18.97 (10th)
Falco Zanstra (LOV) 6:21.49 (36th)

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day One Recap

Qazox' Results for Day 1 Afrernoon/Evening:
Men's Hockey

Secristan 0 0 0 0
Qazox 0 0 0 0

Qazox caught many breaks in the match, as Secristan outshot Qazox 37-21, but the brilliant goaltending of Greg Hamm kept the team in the match. In other Pool action, Liventia knocked off Newmanistan 4-1.

Women's Hockey

Taeshan 2 1 1 4
Qazox 0 0 0 0

Unlike the men, the women couldn't catch a break, as Taeshan scored two early goals and cruised to a 4-0 win. In other Pool play, Maineiacs edged Candelaria And Marquez 2-1.


Men's Individual Luge Runs 3/4:
Issac Ramussen: 52.342-51.605-51.299-52.334::3:27.580 (16th)
Mike Baer: 51.941-52.345-52.458-52.300::3:29.044 (30th)
Sean Baen: 52.452-52.725-53.101-52.545::3:30.823 (48th)

Qazox continued its unsual struggles in the luge as Mike Baer finsihed a very shocking 30th. Issac Ramussen finished 16th, posting a personal best in Run 3. Sean Baen never was a medal threat and finished in 48th. Silvio Gervasoni of Ruccola took home the gold.

Alan Depper of Kelssek took home the host nation's first Gold of the games in the 1500m ShortTrack, edging out Prof. Baltazar Farinha of Landau Institute.

So that's all for now from Alversia, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

Crosscom Beretania Olympic Coverage
One on One

Sheena Jacqueline Baker: Welcome back to Crosscom Beretania’s continuing coverage of the Fourth Winter Olympics in Alavaria, Kelssek. I’m Sheena Jacqueline Baker, and tonight we’ll interview Corazon Aglukark, so get ready to go one on one.

Corazon, thanks for coming on tonight.

Corazon Aglukark: Thanks for having me.

SJB: My pleasure. You know, as much as I’m bummed by the fact that you didn’t win a medal in the women’s 15km pursuit, I think it’s fair to say that you represented us quite well. A sixth place finish is respectable considering you are undoubtedly one of the best cross country skiers in Beretania and that you’re not only representing female athletes, but also the Inuit community, which are two groups of people that face a lot of stereotyping and prejudice. How do you feel about your Olympic experience?

CA: I’m pleased to have gotten the exposure and this opportunity which is really a once in a lifetime chance. I think because of what I’ve accomplished and have been able to do that I’ve earned a lot of respect, not only for myself, but for my people.

There are ignorant people out there who would look at me and think of me as a poor, illiterate “Eskimo” woman, because that’s the stereotype that is portrayed in the media and in pop culture. I’m not an Eskimo, I am Inuit. I think I have helped to change the perception of the Inuit community in the general public’s eyes, and to me, that’s worth more than an Olympic medal. I think I’ve had the same impact that you had as a black woman winning Unified Beretania’s first Olympic gold medal in Columbia.

And see the thing is, I’m Inuit, but I’m also a Beretanian. Everything I’ve done, I’ve done both for my people and my country.

SJB: That’s the kind of selflessness that we ought to see more of these days. I think though, that you made a bold, defiant statement to the naysayers, who early on said you would never make an Olympic team.

What does this do as far as opening up opportunity for Inuit athletes?

CA: Well as you know, less than 0.1% of the population in Unified Beretania is Inuit. That’s a very small number, and the Inuit population lives mostly in northern Beretania in some of the more remote colder regions, so it is a sort of segregation in a sense because we are seen as an outside community, and we’re pretty isolated from the rest of Beretania.

So it would be an uphill battle for Inuit athletes to be continually represented in something like the Olympics. There was a lot of resistance to me even being included in these Olympics, but as I said earlier, I think I have helped to change the perception of the Inuit people in Beretania. So hopefully, that will allow somebody from our community to do what I have and make an Olympic team.

SJB: Now there’s been a lot of frustration from our athletes on the first day, but we have to remember the Olympics just started and there are thirteen more days to go. What words of encouragement do you have for your fellow Beretanian Olympians?

CA: Well, this is the dream that a lot of us have had for a long time, and it’s finally come true, so we have to make the most of it and not take it for granted, because this is an opportunity that might not even come around again.

And then secondly, let’s not get discouraged by what other athletes did or didn’t do. Let’s not worry about Corazon Aglukark or Aileen Waters not winning a medal.

And I’m sure there’s personal motivation for each and every one of us here. We have to remember why we’re here. I’m representing the Inuit people, and Stephen Chang for example, is dedicating his Olympic appearance to his sister who passed away from cancer. So if we remember and stay true to what’s motivating us, we should be able to go that extra mile.

SJB: So now that your Olympics are over, are you planning to attend any other events in support of the other Beretanian athletes?

CA: Yes. I’m going to be watching as many of the other cross country skiing events as I can. I’ve made a lot of great friends with some of the other cross country skiers, like Chaniporn Wattanapanit and Bob Roeger, so I want to be there to support them.

SJB: Yes, two great athletes in their own right. Alright, I’m wondering what your future plan are. Is this the end of the road so to speak, or do you plan on giving the Olympics another shot in four years?

CA: I’m definitely going to try again in four years. I have put in a lot of effort to get to this point, and I want to go even further next time. It’s going to take a lot of time, and a lot of energy to remain at the level I am at, and prepare for the Olympics again, but I have confidence that I can do it.

SJB: Well, I wish you the best of luck in making it back, and winning a medal next time around.

CA: Thanks, and I wish you luck in going after another gold in the next Summer Olympics.

SJB: When we return to Crosscom Beretania’s continuing Olympic coverage, we’ll have an extensive preview of day two.

Weather
Currently: Cloudy, expected to clear in the evening, -2°C. Expected overnight low -7°C.
Monday: Cloudy, high 2°C.

Day 2 afternoon results up (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14463519&postcount=7)

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day Two Midday Recap
Qazox earns 1st medal

In the Men's downhill event, Payi Viashr, Qazox' best downhiller got an early draw for his run, and until Anthony Winder of Bluth Corporation skiied, as the 4th the last athlete, Viashr lead the Downhill. But Winder's run was 13/100th of a second faster, leaving Viashr as the silver medalist. But considering the sorry state of Qazox' men's alpine previously, this is a momentous medal. 2 of the other 3 skiiers did rather well, with Walter Asimov finishing in 13th, Greg olsen in 25th. Frank W. Jones finished in 88th place, after catching a ski on the 5th gate, but Jones managed to stay upright, though it cost him about 2 seconds.

Men's Downhill:
Payi Viashr: 1:47.01 (Silver medal)
Walter Asimov: 1:48.13 (13th)
Greg Olsen: 1:48.91 (25th)
Frank W. Jones: 1:51.83 (88th)

Snowboarding - Men's halfpipe qualification:
Sean Morey: 34.5-36.9::36.9 (t12th-Finalist)
Tyrone Ashton: 36.7-34.6::36.7 (t17th- Did Not Advance)
Dave Johnson: 16.7-22.7::22.7 (55th- Did Not Advance)

Suprisingly, Sean Morey, although tied for 12th, was not allowed to advance to the Finals, despite the IOC ruling that the top 12 and ties in Snowboarding Halfpipe are allowed to advance. the QOC has filed a formal protest with the IOC and the hosts to correct this blatant oversight. Tyrone Aston finsihed tied for 17th, after failing to land a 1080 stiffy, and Dave Johnson fell twice in both of his runs, ending his day early.

Speed Skating - Women's 500m (1st run):
Tiffary Stoer: 37.13 (t8th) QR
Tyra Juina: 38.05 (34th)
Lori-Anne Tyler: 38.07 (36th)
Michelle de Haveil: 38.44 (65th)


Tiffary Stoer has set her self up nicely for a medal run in the 2nd leg of the 500m. She will skate in the 3rd-to-last paring thanks to her Qazoxian Record time of 37.13. Tyra Juina and Lori-Anne Tyler are both over a second behind the current leader, and they are not expected to contend, while Michelle de Haveil is almost 2 seconds off the pace and would require a miracle just to crack the top 50.

So that's all for now from Alversia, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

SPECIAL UPDATE
The QOC protest of the failure to qualify the 12th placed boaders in the Men's half-pipe has been withdrawn, as a computer error in the scoring system miscalulated the final runs of the involved athletes. So Sean Morey, along with Howard Morrow of Commerce Heights and Cassadaigua's Barry Centra will be in the Halfpipe Final later tonight.

Albavona Capitol Sentinel

Olympics Midday: Vassilikos wins first Winter Olympics medal for Unified Beretania

ALAVARIA, KELSSEK - Beretanian athletes have had better luck in the early stages of the second day of competition. Alexandros Vassilikos won the first medal in a Winter Olympics for Unified Beretania when he picked up a bronze in the men’s downhill skiing event. Payi Viashr of Qazox won silver, and Anthony Winder of Bluth Corporation won gold in that event.

And in another encouraging sign, both Bruce Rizzuto and Brock Nordahl qualified for the next round in men’s snowboarding halfpipe event. Nordahl was fourth worst in his first run, but his second run was good enough to qualify.

Results
Alpine Skiing - Men's downhill
Alexandros Vassilikos 1:47.03 (bronze)
Scottie Prat 1:49.28 (49th)
Benjamin Hancock 1:49.29 (50th)
Bo Joyce 1:51.10 (83rd)

Cross Country Skiing - Men’s 30km Pursuit
Corey Miller 1:17:01.6 (25th)
Numbers Johnson 1:18:42.7 (45th)
Brian Hampton 1:19:12.2 (50th)

Short Track - Women’s 3000m relay heats
Ballard/Graham/Stanton/Lowe 4:22.470 (17th)

Snowboarding - Men’s halfpipe qualifying
Bruce Rizzuto 38.0 (Q)
Brock Nordahl 37.0 (Q)
Dustin Kawamura 33.4

Speed Skating - Women’s 500m
Autumn Dowdell 38.06
Melody Francis 38.36
Caroline Sofia Pederson 38.84
Arlene Concetta Tyler 39.43

Still to come...

Curling - Group stage (MD1)

Speed Skating - Women's 3000m
Julie Duckworth, Cathryn Alderson

Speed Skating - Men's 1500m heats
Klaus Shumacher, Faruq al-Salam

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Gervasoni wins historic gold medal

ALAVARIA, Kelssek - Silvio Gervasoni sped into the history books when he captured Ruccola's first ever Olympic gold with a victory in the men's individual luge event.

The 25-year old native of Montaglio finished in top position after his first two runs with a .3 second lead over Oiseaui's Thomas Hartley and a .5 second advantage over Allician Jason Taylor. Maintaining his lead over the second half of the competition, Gervasoni gained first place with a combined time of three minutes 24.934 seconds, ahead of Zwangzug's Tris Daley, 1.499 seconds behind, and Kelssek's Julian Satlos, who finished 1.522 seconds after.

"This is surreal. I can't believe it's happening," said Gervasoni, in response to questions about how it felt to be an Olympic champion. "A week ago, I was training on my favourite run back in Ruccola, and now I've won despite being up against the world's best."

At the medal ceremony in Alavaria's Olympic Stadium, Gervasoni wept as he stood on the podium, watching the Ruccolian flag being raised alongside those of Zwangzug and the host nation. One could hear the sound of voices emanate from both the podium and the seating areas as "Blessed Be Our Land" played from the many speakers placed throughout the stadium.

Kissing his medal at a press conference held afterwards by the Ruccolian Olympic Committee to celebrate his victory, Gervasoni said, "I have so many to thank for this medal. However, I'd like you all to remember my fellow compatriots Joseph and Carlo, as well as all the athletes I had the honour of competing against today. They all did their utmost, and deserve just as much praise for coming this far."

ONE EARLY MEDAL

The Olympics have begun in Alavaria, and despite significant controversy on the first day in a speed skating competition, followed by minor miscommunication after the halfpipe event of the snowboard, things have gone very well. The Secristan Department of Sports however, was not all the pleased with what happened in the 5000m of speedskating where two skaters representing Ad’ihan were originally turned away. That was unfortunate given their right to be at the event, but what got the SDOS upset was the allowance of their skaters, Carson Cox and Brian Bennett to set times by their lonesome. SDOS representative Katie Simpson explains, “They had an unfair advantage. They had completely fresh ice, to begin with. They didn’t have other competitors to have to deal with, and they had no pressure of having to set their times in front of thousands of cameras and a full to capacity arena. Then the one guy goes out there and gets a silver medal. I don’t really like how that all went down but it’s not a big deal as our guy finished 2nd. Second from the bottom, that is.” No one else really seemed to think this was an issue, and no actual protest was ever filed to the Olympic committee. The SDOS just likes to open up their big mouths about anything sometimes.

The medal won by the country last night came in the ski jump where Pete Garrison had two very consistent jumps, of 117.5 and 118 meters to get himself a bronze medal between Tima Orangeley of Taeshan and Ian Haskins of Kelssek. There were handful of athletes in this competition, the individual normal hill, who had one great jump and one subpar jump, so it was the consistency that Garrison displayed that allowed him to take home the medal. “I am very honored to win this medal,” Garrison said, “I am told it is the first medal that we have won as a country in a Winter Olympiad so it is extra special and makes me very proud. We saw a lot of great jumps today in what was an exciting competition and I will not think any less of this medal just because it is a bronze. Like I said I am honored.” Garrison will be expecting to profit off his medal due to the distinction of being the first medalist, but he’ll want to sign endorsement deals quick as the first gold medalist is what will really be what makes one man or woman profit immensely from their bid. There is one close call of note. In the 1500m of short track speed skating, Hugo Fredericks finished 4th, two-tenths of a second behind Ariddian Jean-Michel Chang for the bronze.

Chef-de-mission Hollow sets medal target

Alavaria, KELSSEK— Ad’ihan's chef-de-mission at the Alavaria Olympics, Dave Hollow, has finally broken his and the Ad’ihan National Olympic Committee (COIA)'s silence on a medal target from the Games.

Speaking to reporters after speed skater Lois Clark set a new national record in the women's 500-metre event, Mr Hollow said he and his bosses at the COIA had agreed on a medal target of one gold, two silvers and two bronzes from the Games, which would surpass Ad’ihan's return from the Third Summer Olympics of one gold, one silver and two bronzes.

Ad’ihan already have one silver medal, from Carson Cox's blistering but controversial run in the men's speed skating 5000 metres, which Mr Hollow praised. "Carson Cox managed to put the very distressing period of time during which he and his teammate were excluded from the competition.

"He did well and proved his doubters wrong. He's a credit to himself and to his teammates and he deserves the silver medal. The COIA and myself are very pleased that we've won our first winter medal at an Olympics, and of course we'll be pushing for a gold."

Clark set a time of 37.14s in the first race of the women's 500 metres, nearly 1.3s better than her time set at the Ad’ihan National Games, and eight-tenths of a second better than the national record of 37.92s set by Sheila Martin, who set a time of 37.49s on her run.

Meanwhile, earlier on the evening of Day 1, Jay Nelson's time of 2:27.050 in the men's short-track 1500 metres final B was only enough to place him second in his race and eighth overall.

The women's ice hockey team, the only Ad’ihani one at the Games as there was a clash with the professional league in Ad’ihan over the release of men's players, only managed a 2-2 tie against Oiseaui.

Later today, Ad’ihan will be in action in curling as well as the women's 3000 metres speed skating with Emily Meyers and Roberta Cook.

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Day 1 - Highlights

The first day of competition in Alavaria was truly memorable in more ways than one, with Ruccola's first medal of the Games and the fanfare that accompanied a gold medal victory. The events of the day were as follows:


Biathlon - Men's 20km Individual

Timoteo Gorgone placed eighth with a time of 57 minutes and 43 seconds, 45.8 seconds behind gold medalist Mauro Miró of Capitalizt SLANI. Meanwhile, Christopher Chiu placed 27th with a time of one hour and 20.9 seconds, three minutes and 23.7 seconds more than Miró.


Cross-Country Skiing - Women's 15km Pursuit

Brittany Tsui placed 36th with a time of 47 minutes and 19.3 seconds, six minutes and 1.5 seconds after gold medalist Dr. Melissa Carvalho of the Landau Institute. Meanwhile, Paola Venturi placed 46th with a time of 49 minutes and 18.8 seconds, eight minutes and one second more than Dr. Carvalho.


Freestyle Skiing - Women's Moguls

Melissa Tong and Debora Alessandri both failed to qualify, and were respectively ranked at 25th place with 21.27 points and 39th place with 20.88 points.


Ice Hockey - Group Stage

The Ruccolian men's team scored a 1-0 victory against Warre after a highly competitive match, while the women's team won 2-0 in their game with Capitalizt SLANI.


Luge - Men's Individual

Silvio Gervasoni was the star of the day, sweeping to a gold medal victory after gaining first place with a combined time of three minutes and 24.934 seconds. Fellow athletes Joseph Hon and Carlo Santangelo also performed well until crashing on their final and third runs respectively.


Nordic Combined - Men's Individual Gundersen

Damiano Stefanelli placed 20th with a time of 45 minutes and 18.8 seconds, four minutes and 35.9 seconds behind gold medalist Yoshiro Harada of Maineiacs. Meanwhile, Ryan Hui placed 23rd with a time of 45 minutes and 42.8 seconds, four minutes and 59.9 seconds more than Harada.


Short Track - Men's 1500m

Gaspare Amoroso and Nicholas Choi both failed to qualify for the semi-finals, and were respectively ranked at 28th place with a time of two minutes and 27.157 seconds, and 29th place with a time of two minutes and 27.164 seconds.


Ski Jumping - Men's Normal Hill

Kevin Yu placed 10th with 117 points, while Leonardo Ansermino placed 27th with 111 points. Both athletes qualified for the finals, which are scheduled for the next day.


Speed Skating - Men's 5000m

Timothy Chung placed 24th with a time of six minutes and 20.15 seconds, 2.07 seconds behind gold medalist Xiu Fung of the Quintessence of Dust. Meanwhile, Giraldo Zanetti placed 27th with a time of six minutes and 20.33 seconds, 2.25 seconds more than Fung.

Posted at QBS Olympic site at lunchtime.

Mixed bag morning

Today's afternoon events in Alavaria, Kelssek, brought varying results for the Quodite athletes on display.

There was disappointment in men's downhill alpine skiing, with no medals and only one of the supposedly strong team making the top 10. Anthony Winder of Bluth Corporation beat out Qazox's Payi Viashr for gold by 13/100ths of a second.

Speaking to QBS afterwards, alpine skiing team leader Wilhelm Biber, who came in 9th, admitted it had been a chastening experience. "Until we got out there and saw some of them carving up this icy run, I think we hadn't quite grasped the level of competition here. It's going to be a difficult Olympics, but no one came here expecting anything else."

The women's relay team in the short track speed skating failed to qualify for the final, but put in a creditable performance to come 18th with a time just 8/100th of a second off their season's best performance.

And in speed skating, the women's 500m team had 3 of their 4 athletes finish dead last in a strong field. The young competitors face another race in their afternoon, with Kim Yen and Ming Zhao also taking on the 3000m challenge. But Lucy Kim put in a personal best performance to take fourth place after race 1, setting up the outside chance of a shot at a medal in the evening.

Silver for Kelssek in ski jumping kept the hosts top of the medal table, while Quintessence of Dust slipped to 6th overall.

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I'm Mark McConnell here in PBN's News headquarters in Alavaria during the IV Winter Olympics. We're here in Kelssek at the IV Winter Olympics in the beautiful mountain community of Alavaria, where the weather has be harsh, and the mistakes even worse. In the opening evening of the Olympics we've seen the best, and the worst of Olympic memories made here in Alavaria. We're here with Allician Luge Olympic Athlete Jason Taylor.

Mark: Jason, on the opening afternoon you were in the top three spots, and had the chance to overtake the Ruccolian leader of the pack. Can you tell us what happened to you during your last run?

Jason: Well, all my runs that day were going really well. I was indeed set to just about overtake the Ruccolian leader who was ahead by just a few seconds in overall time of myself. I was coming around turn three when, I took it too sharply and fishtailed around the corner. I attempted to take some control, but failed.

Mark: Yeah, it looked like a pretty rough ending. I believe we have a still shot of the crash?

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Mark: Owch.

Jason: Yeah, I know. I was there.

Mark: Sorry.

Jason: SURE YOU ARE. Anyway, I fishtailed right until I hit the embankment on the left side and that was the end of my time here in Alavaria. Which is disappointing.

Mark: Right. I mean, all things considered you were in the top three, and making headway for an Olympic medal. Many pundits had you pegged as one of the premier contenders from the Alliance Star Confederation.

Jason: Well, it looks like I have an excuse to come back around next year, and earn back my identity, and take that top spot from Silvio. Ruccola better watch out for this Blue and White machine next year. I'll be back, and better than ever.

Mark: Well, we're sure to keep our eyes on your for next year! I'm sure you'll preform as you normally do, and we're excited to watch your career take off.

Jason: Thanks! And, I'm excited to. So, now I'll cheer on my fellow Allicians. I've got Hallon Fever!

Mark: So do we! Speaking of that, let me hand it back to the news room. Jen?

============================================================================

PBN Newsroom: Thanks Mark. That's right, Hallon Fever. It's spreading like wildfire through the fans and athletes alike as the premier athlete of the Alliance Star Confederation recently flagged an overall sixth place in the Men's Downhill in the Alpine Skiing venue here in Alavaria.

Missing the gold by just over a second, the skier commented right after the event, "I just wasn't ready for the slopes, and I didn't know the feel of the mountain. That's changed now, and expect me to bring home Alliance Star some medal!"

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He's set for his next event tomorrow, in the Men's Combined with teammates David McConnell and Gregory Smith of which he's considered by some to take home the Gold. We'll be keeping an eye on Seth during the on-coming days, as we now move on to our Men's Hockey team that has made the various nations fear its presence in the nation.

The team took an 3-0 victory against Candelaria And Marquez, in their debut in the Winter Olympiad, as they swept the ice, with team Captain, forward, and top scorer William Wallace put in two of the goals for the Allician team in the second quarter, with a third in the last quarter. William gave a brief comment about the win just after exiting the locker room.

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"They played amazingly. It might sound like those three goals were easy, but Candelaria and Marquez have one hell of a defense. We just got lucky, and have an amazing goalie. If it wasn't for that, I'd expect for them to have overtaken us 5-0. Watch out for them, and I wouldn't be surprised for them to show up in the final round.

Course, it'd be against us! GO ASC!"

They're scheduled for practice today, as they play again tomorrow against Maineiacs, in what all pundits view as a win for the Allicians as long as they compensate for their few flaws in the opening game, and prepare for the most notable competitors including national rival, Ruccola. In all fields, Ruccola seems to be head to head in all event against the Allicians, presenting the most notable challenge, as they progress through the games; creating quite the rivalry.

Finally, is the woman's Women's 500m, with a surprise lead by Rebecca Carter who placed first in the opening race of two for the event. Not pegged to do so well, she came as a welcome surprise with the just missed placement of Holland, and the loss of medaling in the Luge.

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She didn't make any comment, as she prepared for her final run later today which will determine wither she'll medal or not. With the placement atop the chart, many hope for the first gold to come from here, as our well wishes are with her. We'll now go to our current standings and overall placements today, before we turn to our commercial break. And remember to keep it here for your Allician Olympic Coverage, on Polaris Broadcasting Network.

"To your home, and the far beyond."

Day 2 evening results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14464013&postcount=8)

The next scorination will be 1200UTC tomorrow, where the full day will be scorinated (i.e., no afternoon scorination at 0600).

Also, if you'd like a fancier medal tally, I've got one on the KBC website - http://kelssek.tripod.com/kbc/alavaria09/medaltally.html - though the plain vanilla one posted with the results will be more reliably updated.

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Results from Day 1

January 31st, Day One

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Biathlon - Men's 20km individual: Charles Reynolds took home the Silver with an overall time of 56:57.8, missing Mauro Miró of Capitalizt SLANI by just .6 seconds. He's now the first Olympic athlete of any measure to win a medal at the Olympics, throughout the entire Allician history. Marcus West just missed bronze, finishing in overall fourth with a time of 57:06.2.


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Cross-Country Skiing - Women's 15km pursuit: Nicole Corato rounded off the top five, finishing at 41:55.9 in overall time placing her in fifth place in the pursuit. Meghan Wagner and Elaine Bess wrapped up the Allician team with 43rd and 47th place respectively.

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Freestyle Skiing - Women's moguls qualifying: None of the Allician athletes qualified for the finals with Nancy Wesson and Sarah Wessler just missing the qualifying team, and Deborah Cunningham bringing up the tail of the delegation.

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Ice Hockey - Men's: The Alliance Star Confederation overtook the Candelaria And Marquez hockey team 3-0 in their opening round of events at the Olympics. Noted scorers were forwards William Wallace with two and Sean Sores with a single goal. They advance to take on Maineiacs, February 2nd.

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Luge - Men's individual: With an early placement in third, a major upset for expected medalist Jason Taylor who fell to 56th place. Fellow teammates Mark Hall and Christopher Mulready did well in the event, placing 10th and 14th respectively.

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Short Track - Men's 1500m: Tuan Vinson and Eldon Burr both failed to qualify for the semifinals falling into 29th and 30th overall place in the first round.

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Speed Skating - Men's 5000m: David Porter took a close fifth place finish with an overall time of 6:18.37, missing a medal by two spots. David was trailed by fellow teammate Mitch Melton who finished in ninth with an overall time of 6:18.47.

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Results from Day 2

February 1st, Day Two

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Alpine Skiing - Men's downhill: Seth Hallon tied for fifth with a time of 1:47.19 against rival Guglielmo Piranesi in their opening event in the IV Olympics marking his strong position in future events throughout the games. Teammates Justin Chiles, Michael Killgore, and Jake Watson placed in 54th, 76th, and 25th respectively.

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Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 30km pursuit: Expected to do well, David McConnell fell to the middle of the group in an overall 28th placement, followed by fellow teammate Jake Watson in 37th. Justin Chiles made a surprising stride in the event taking an overall 15th placement in the event.

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Short Track - Women's relay heats: The Allician women's team took overall 12th place, and did not qualify for the semifinals.

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Snowboarding - Men's halfpipe: None of the Allician athletes qualified for placement in the finals as participants John Pratt, Chris Groenor, and Peter Maxwell finished in 33, 32, and 27th overall in the event.

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Speed Skating - Women's 3000m: Sally James of the Allician Women's speed skating team took 10th place and an overall time of 4:03.30. Fellow Allician Annette Simmons took 41st place in the event.
Speed Skating - Women's 500m race 1: Rebecca Carter took an awe inspiring lead in the first heat leading the world in her premier into the foray of Olympic events, with a set time of 36.93. Teammates Laura Shaw, Rachel Russell, and Michele Patterson placed 16th, 83rd, and 81st respectively.

(from the 'Sports' section of 'The Bear Necessities'...)


WINS, BUT NO MEDALS YET
(Slow Start for our Olympians)

Alavaria, Kelssek: 14th February 2009 AD.

The news from these Games has been rather disappointing for us so far, with Bears Armed still amongst those of the competing nations whose entrants have yet to win even a single medal (a category that admittedly still includes about half of the other countries involved, too...), but that doesn't mean that our people haven't won anything: Both of our Ice Hockey teams and both of the Curling teams have triumphed in the opening matches of their events' 'group stages'... and also, for one of those teams, in another match -- an even more important one -- as well...

And now, a look at the last two days's results sport-by-sport_

Alpine Skiing: In the 'Men's Downhill' event, on Day 2, Ranno Serrnarra's-son managed to make it into 11th place out of a field of 101 entrants, with a time of 1:48.07 as against 1:47.07 for 1st place (Payi Viashr [QZX]) or 1:47.18 for 3rd (Micheal Smith [COL]: 2nd place went to Alexandros Vassilikos on 1:47.03). Although that wasn't enough for a medal it was still quite a pleasant surprise, in my opinion, when one considers his lack of experience at this level of competition... and the fact that, if not for him, we wouldn't have had any male entrants in this particular sport at all.

Biathlon: In the 'Men's 20km Individual' event, on Day 1, Barrin o Westwood came in 13th and his cousin Largan 23rd from a field of 37. Their times were 0:58:52.4 and 100:17.9, as against 0:56:57.2 for 1st place & the 'Gold' (Mauro Miró [COM]) / 0:56:57.8 for 2nd & 'Silver' (Charles Reynolds [ASC]) / 0:57:05.4for 3rd & 'Bronze' (Jonathan Bustos ). We had hoped for a medal here, but hadn't really expected one, so the disappointment wasn't too great.

Cross-Country Skiing: In the 'Women's 15km Pursuit', on Day 1, Olga o Thuleann managed 7th place, Irritti o Greenwood 9th, and Urrsa Grimmr-o-Darkdale 14th, from a field of 38. Their times were 0:42:17.4, 0:42:57.1 and 0:44:44.4 respectively, as against 0:41:17.8 for 1st place & the 'Gold' (Dr. Melissa Carvalho [LID]) / 0:41:39.3 for 2nd & 'Silver' (Emma Beverly [BLU]) / 0:41:49.6 for 3rd & 'Bronze' (Georgia Lennon [LAE]). We really had a strong chance of medalling here, by everybody's reckoning, so this was a disappointment.
The [u]'Men's 30km Pursuit' event, on Day 2, didn't go any better for our skiiers. Orrlarf o Marrl-Thuleann managed 12th place, Urrgan Marrl-Thuleann 24th, and Borrs o Redwood 31st, from a field of 56. Their times were 1:16:19.5, 1:17:00.5 and 1:17:34.0 respectively, as against 1:15:25.3 for 1st place & the 'Gold' (Shawn Jarosik [NEW]) / 1:15:39.8 for 2nd & 'Silver' (Yuri Denisovich [COO]) / 1:15:52.8 for 3rd & 'Bronze' (Kurt Fosberg [MAI]). This was another event in which the strength of our team had given us serious hopes for a medal, so -- again -- these results were seriously disappointing.

(Continued on page 'S-3', inside...)



____________________________________________________

[b]OOC: Re the dateline _ Those people in Bears Armed who use the Christian calendar mostly, for various reasons, still favour its 'Julian' version rather than the 'Gregorian' one...
I'd have commented on more of the events involved, but family committments mean that I can't spend any longer online today...

QBS-1 evening programming.

Announcer: "Tonight, Later...with Jools Belgium sees a return for the Ukulele Orchestra of Quintessence of Dust, alongside indie pop hits Novae, sockgaze legends New Year's Evil, and bluesman Blind Willie Trotter. The late film is Four Colours: Fuchsia. First, Quintessence of Dust's leading culture show, The Evening Review."

The titles play: dramatic string music segues into cool jazz into thumping pop beats, while images of books, plays, and films, mixed in with talking heads of famous Quodite cultural commentators fly by. The titles fade to a studio setting with a neatly presented young woman sitting across from three middle-aged men and a large video screen.

Alyssa Banana: "Good evening, I'm Alyssa Banana. Tonight on The Evening Review, I'd like to welcome Professor Michel Fucko, Chair in the History of Systems of Thought at The Human University; Dr Jose Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador, Secretary General of the Quintessential Olympic Association; and Quod FM sports commentator Brian Gobbleson."

Michel Fucko: "A pleasure as always, Alyssa."

Dr Jose Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador: "Thank you."

AB: "Tonight, a special issue of The Evening Review, taking stock of events at the Fourth Winter Olympics. We're joined, live, by our reporter on the scene, Marie-Antoinette Cullotte."

The screen flashes to life. A young woman, dust and blood smeared across her cheek, ducks and weaves flak amid scenes of unimaginable carnage.

Marie-Antoinette Cullotte: "Mayday! Mayday! There's...oh my god...it's terrible, there's shooting, and I think...RPG! RPG incom-!"

The screen fizzles out. The camera pans back to the puzzled faces of the studio guests.

AB: "I'm sorry about that, we seem to be having technical difficulties just there..."

The screen returns. Ms Cullotte is now neatly attired and presented, with a woolly hat. Behind her, skiers sloosh past on a practice run. She grins happily.

MAC: "Hello Alyssa, from sunny Alavaria! The weather here is fantastic, and it's been another great day of competition."

AB: "Ah, wonderful. First, Marie-Antoinette, what can you tell us about the day's events?"

She begins reporting, and appropriate highlights play.

MAC (voiceover): "Well, it was all eyes on the curling, with some very exciting games being played. Ruccola looks the team to beat so far in the men's, while in the women's, Bears Armed, Candelaria And Marquez, and Qazox all put in strong showings. The Candelarian team, of course, involved in various disruptions earlier on, and I'm told that the Quodite flag bearer Han Chung today delivered a set of calming mood music tapes to their block in the Olympic Village, as a gesture of good faith.

"Meanwhile, hosts Kelssek are clearly topping the medal table now, with seven medals, including two golds. A silver in Nordic Combined skiing today, and then gold, silver, and fourth place in the men's snowboarding halfpipe. Certainly, being on home territory is suiting the Kelssekian athletes.

"Not a great evening for our athletes, I'm afraid. In the difficult women's 3km speed skating event, Kim Yen could only manage 38th in the field, with Ming Zhao coming in 50th out of 50 - her second wooden spoon, unfortunately. But they aren't dispirited, and are looking forward to supporting Lucy Kim in the second 500m run, in 2 days' time."

AB: "Thank you, Marie-Antoinette. And, can you give us a sense of what's coming up for the Quodite athletes?"

Camera back to her. She gesticulates wildly while speaking to camera, accidentally clothelining a passing skier.

MAC: "Yes, Alyssa. Tomorrow, it's the men's turn in the first 500m speed skating race. Xiu Fung, of course, has already picked up one gold, so he'll be full of excitement. But I think most of the attention will be focussed on the rather more serene, but no less dramatic, pairs figure skating - oops!"

AB: "Yes, of course, thank you Marie-Antoinette. Now, turning to our guests. First, Dr Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador, thank you again for joining us. Are you pleased, or disappointed, with how we've done so far?"

Dr G: "Thank you Alyssa, and excuse me but it is very early at the moment, and I do not think we can yet start saying how our athletes have done. As my mother, Maria Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador, used to say to my father, Manuel Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador, she would say, 'Manuel Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador! You cannot eat a cake until it is baked - now take your fingers out of there!'"

Brian Gobbleson: "You know, I think that's fair, that's fair 'nuff that's what that is. I think the young lad done well to get a gold, real unexpected like, bet the bookies went to bloody town on that one, eh, and maybe we wasn't so lucky in some of the skiing. Different type of snow and all, that's what that is."

MF: "I think what we are seeing is the inherent reductiveness of the psychosexual industrial rationality that pervades our supposedly 'Enlightened' nation through the metanorms of intransitive discourse. I would hypothesise that these Games, the apotheosis of the counterinhibitive pressures of modern metanormative counterpsychointuitive positivism will see a semiotic, or one might say, metascopic, valence of discourse rationality emerge as the unconscious and incommensurate forces of sado-psychosexualist irrationality pervade the discursive elements of the counterrational matrix."

AB: "Thank you for that, Professor Fucko. Turning to tomorrow's events, Dr Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador, can you guide us through what the pairs skating consists of, for viewers at home?"

As they speak, highlights of past figure skating events are shown.

Dr G: "Of course, Alyssa. My sister, Francesca Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador, was always a great fan of figure skating, so I have come to love and admire it. She would say to, 'Jose Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador! You cannot judge figure skating until the routine is finished - now take your fingers out of there!'"

BG: "If I might jump in, Alyssa, the pairs competition has two parts. First, the 'short program'. This has eight required elements - jumps, throws, spirals, spins. Then, the longer 'free skate'. What that is that it is actually just a longer version of the first bit. You have again to do required elements, this time 14."

AB: "Thank you, Brian. Now, our pairs are Cynthia Powell and Bob Kennedy, and Jodie Klein and Tim Finnigan. I wonder, any comment on their music selection?"

Dr G: "Absolutely. Now, my grandfather, Rodrigo Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador, would say to me, 'Jose Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador! You cannot judge a piece of music until it has finished playing - now take your fingers out of there!'"

AB: "Yes, on that note, Dr Jose Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador, could I please ask you to take your fingers out of there?"

MF: "If I may, Alyssa. I believe the choice of contemporary rock songs for the short programs and older pieces for the free skates symbolises the phallocratic ethnocentricity that structures the very immalleability of the ratiosyncratic psychodiscourse vibrating at the heart, or rather, the peripatetic gall bladder of symbiopsychosis, or rather, the psychonauseosexual tonsils, or rather..."

BG: "Alyssa, if I may. I think it's nice to see the pop music of Quintessence of Dust reflected at the games, you know, nice to have some tunes the young people like - get 'em interested in the sports, hopefully, if they like the songs, that's the plan that is. And Q-pop is good to skate to, nice rhythm, very expressive. Can't say I know much about the bands - the Anouilh Twins, and, erh, Die Sonntags. But for the free skate, they've both chosen good, traditional classical Quodite music, that's what I like that is, bit of Borde, bit of Hairdresser, very nice."

AB: "Thank you very much, Brian. Moving on, I'd like to turn to the controversial new production by the Republican National Ballet. Professor Fucko, your thoughts please..."

Orangley Wins Gold In Normal Hill

Just like the first to medals in Taeshani Olympic History, Brandon Wissenger's last year, and Georgia Lennon's yesterday, Tima Orangley's victory was not expected until after yesterdays preliminary round. Many Taeshanites had never heard of the young 22 year old Ski Jumper from the small Russian neighberhood on northern China Island Ruskei. The fans learned about him just yesterday when he finished second in qualifying for the Normal Hill final, and today with his two jumps Orangley has taken back to the village a Gold. His first jump was fantastic, his second not as good, but decent. He was able to beat the hometown hero from Kelssek, who got Silver, by only one full point in the combined score. He will forever go down in history as winning the first Gold Medal in Taeshan History, and for being one of the first three athletes to ever have the twine around there neck bearing a medal.

Albavona Capitol Sentinel

Two bronze trickle in on second day

ALAVARIA, KELSSEK - Things appear to be turning around for Unified Beretania after a disastrous first day in which nothing seemed to go right. Beretanian athletes picked up two bronzes yesterday in Alavaria.

First, Alexandros Vassilikos won bronze in the alpine skiing men’s downhill event, becoming the first Beretanian medalist in a Winter Olympics. Payi Viashr of Qazox won silver, and Anthony Winder of Bluth Corporation won gold in that event.

“I wish I could have done better, but in the end a bronze isn’t so bad,” Vassilikos said.

Then later in the evening, Julie Duckworth won Unified Beretania’s second bronze, in the women’s speed skating 3000m event. Stacie Holliday of Cassadaigua won gold and set a new Olympic record of 4:01.55. The previous Olympic record holder, Linda Uosh of Ariddia, finished in fourth. Jasī'yūn’s 'An 'I-jin finished won silver in that event.

“I’m ecstatic. This is everything I’ve dreamt of and more,” Duckworth said.

Results
Alpine Skiing - Men's downhill
Alexandros Vassilikos 1:47.03 (bronze)
Scottie Prat 1:49.28 (49th)
Benjamin Hancock 1:49.29 (50th)
Bo Joyce 1:51.10 (83rd)

Cross Country Skiing - Men’s 30km Pursuit
Corey Miller 1:17:01.6 (25th)
Numbers Johnson 1:18:42.7 (45th)
Brian Hampton 1:19:12.2 (50th)

Short Track - Women’s 3000m relay heats
Ballard/Graham/Stanton/Lowe 4:22.470 (17th)

Snowboarding - Men’s halfpipe qualifying
Bruce Rizzuto 38.0 (Q)
Brock Nordahl 37.0 (Q)
Dustin Kawamura 33.4

Snowboarding - Men’s halfpipe final
Bruce Rizzuto 36.8, 36.9 (8th)
Brock Nordahl 35.8, 28.4 (10th)

Speed Skating - Women’s 500m
Autumn Dowdell 38.06
Melody Francis 38.36
Caroline Sofia Pederson 38.84
Arlene Concetta Tyler 39.43

Curling - Group stage (MD1)
Taeshan 7, Unified Beretania 5 (M)
Bai Lung 9, Unified Beretania 8 (W)

Speed Skating - Women's 3000m
Julie Duckworth 4:01.82 (bronze)
Cathryn Alderson 4:12.68 (32nd)

Day 3 Schedule
Biathlon - Women's 15km ind
Joan Burgess, Samantha Long

Cross-Country Skiing - Women's 10km classical
Vicky Wolf, Colleen Hart, Erin Chase

Snowboarding - Women's halfpipe
Erin Labrador, Suzette Bisbee, Alta Hart

Speed Skating - Men's 500m race 1
Faruq al-Salam, Carl Stollings, Don Kuhn, Fred Gamble

Now that Sarzonia's run through the Cup of Harmony had ended, most of the nation's attention could turn to its entry into the IV Olympic Winter Games in Alavaria, Kelssek.

Unfortunately for many Sarzonians, results in the first few days weren't kind to the navy and silver. Only one Sarzonian came reasonably close to the medal stand, finishing fourth. The Sarzonian men's hockey team so far was the nation's highlight, and that's because it won a preliminary match for the right to take part in the Games.

Some Sarzonians took greater interest in World Bowl V, which saw Sarzonia open with a hard fought 20-17 win away to Scandavian States. However, some diehard hockey fans tuned in to watch the Sarzonian men's hockey team lose 2-0 to host nation Kelssek.

However, those who prefer the less violent women's team were more disappointed in Sarzonia's 4-0 loss in its opening match. Sarzonia's attempt to play to those supporters by having goaltender Clarissa Spencer-Rollins serve as flag bearer for the opening ceremonies looked like a desperate ploy to curry favour.

Sarzonians would still pay greater attention to the Olympics after their success in the inaugural Qazoxian Winter Sports Festival, but a poor Olympic showing might well bring any momentum that finish brought to a screeching halt.

Hoji Metropolitan Daily Record Online
IV Winter Olympics Day 2 Results

Alpine Skiing - Men’s Downhill
Kimimichi Sawamura 1:48.09 (12th)
Kiyonobu Takashita 1:49.24 (T 34th)
Tadafumi Shima 1:50.12 (64th)
Mitsumasa Hirose 1:53.12 (98th)

Short Track - Women’s 3000m relay heats
Fujiwara/Doi/Imagawa/Tsukioka 4:21.875 (14th)

Speed Skating - Women’s 500m
Mai Kawamata 38.29
Aya Tarumi 38.31
Romie Dan 38.46
Naomi Yamagata 39.22

Curling - Day 1
Fujisawan Territories 10, Sarzonia 8 (M)
Bears Armed 12, Fujisawan Territories 6 (W)

Speed Skating - Women’s 3000m
Toyoko Tsukioka 4:01.98 (6th)
Fujiko Kuramoto 4:19.37 (49th)

Day 3 Schedule

Figure Skating - Pairs
Toyoshima Sata and Juskei Tsumich, Sharina Hotoshoyuma and Iwatane Aro

Ice Hockey - Group stage (MD2)
Fujisawan Territories vs. Iglesian Archipelago (M)
Fujisawan Territories vs. Dannistan (W)

Speed Skating - Men's 500m race 1
Kanjiro Furusawa, Yozo Yamana, Taikan Okakura, Tanyu Saeki

Zwangzugian Olympic Merchandising Group
Interdepartmental Memoranda

FROM: Associate Junior Manager of Human Resources, Spiream
TO: Deputy Vice-President of Marketing, Aviank Co
RE: What part of this exactly is "under control"?

Did you even watch the cross-country skiing?

FROM: Deputy Vice-President of Marketing, Aviank Co.
TO: Associate Junior Manager of Human Resources, Spiream
RE: Yes.

It was quite a good race, too. Nice to see a plucky underdog like that succeed.

FROM: Deputy Vice-President of Marketing, Aviank Co.
TO: Mail list
RE: Cross-country skiing

In every enterprise involving transportation of individuals across, ahem, national boundaries, there is room for human error.

There are two weeks before the 50 km race. They will be put to productive use.

FROM: Associate Junior Manager of Human Resources, Spiream
TO: Deputy Vice-President of Marketing, Aviank Co
RE: Underdogs

Except when they're racing against Blake Pirih, of course.

----

It's the Olympic update with Yvette Honeycutt!

...Who doesn't seem to have realized that this particular series of updates really only deals with Zwangzugian athletes.

Shame.

"A thrilling day on the slopes, with Zwangzug the only nation to have two men finish in the top ten of the downhill race. Rod McElhany and Brian Antranig were seventh and eighth. There was also heated...okay, not heated...action in the curling rink. Both of Zwangzug's teams were drawn against Maineiacs in the pool stages, with mixed results. The Zwangzug men won 11-7, but the Maineiacs women won 8-6."

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
Maineiacs men 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 2 0 1 7
Zwangzug men 2 1 0 3 0 1 3 0 1 0 11

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
Zwangzug women 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 1 0 6
Maineiacs women 1 0 2 1 0 1 2 0 0 1 8

"Tracy Laroum is the skip for Team Zwangzug. Thanks for joining us."

"Hi, it's nice to be here."

"Tough loss today?"

"All losses should be tough. If they're not, you're doing something wrong."

Yvette raises, because we seem to have migrated into the present tense somewhere in the middle of the last update, her eyebrows. "Intense words."

Tracy laughs. "Guess that's why I'm in charge."

"Qazox is one of the best teams in the world. Ad’ihan had to beat an elite Liventian side to get this far. Considering how you fared against Maineiacs, is Zwangzug going to be able to make the necessary improvements in time to face the others?"

"Look, we're in a difficult group. No one questions that."

"Except for everyone in group seven?"

"But we can't use the skill of our opponents as an excuse. We need to bring our best to the ice, every day."

"Well, good luck with that. Curler Tracy Laroum there. Now, in cross-country skiing..."

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day Two Recap


Men's Curling
Qazox and Newmanistan mens teams battled each other in a high scoring affair, with the Rockets winning with 2 stones in the 10th to seal the deal 11-8.


QZX 0 2 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 8
NEW 2 0 2 3 0 2 0 2 0 2 11


Women's Curling
On the Women's side, Qazox dominated Ad'ihan 12-6, in a game that ended after the 9th end, due to the mercy rule.


ADH 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 x 6
QZX 3 0 0 2 3 0 2 0 2 x 12


Snowboarding - Men's halfpipe final
Sean Morey: 35.4-35.6::35.6 (11th)

Morey, who after the controversy ealier in the day about the quaifying, failed to land a 1080 backside tweak, twice, as he finished in 11th place.

Speed Skating - Women's 3000m:

Tiffary Stoer: 4:10.90 (22nd)
Michelle de Haveil: 4:18.07 (45th)


In an event that Qazox, to be honest didn't expect to medal in, Tiffary Stoer and Michelle de Haveil finished well back in the pack in the 3000m event. Perhaps the difference between the 500m and 3000m was the difference, as both only had about 45 minutes of rest after the 1st 500m heat.


So that's all for now from Alversia, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6363/rtvolympicskv7.jpg


Day 2 - Highlights

The second day of the Games brought largely mixed results to the Ruccolian athletes competing in Alavaria, with a few successes amidst a larger number of disappointments. The events of the day were as follows:


Alpine Skiing - Men's Downhill

Guglielmo Piranesi tied for fifth place with Allician favourite Seth Hallon, coming in at a time of one minute and 47.19 seconds, 0.31 seconds behind gold medalist Anthony Winder of the Bluth Corporation. Meanwhile, Alexander Lau placed 29th with a time of one minute and 49.08 seconds, 2.2 seconds more than Winder, and Matthew Wong placed 61st with a time of one minute and 49.81 seconds, finishing 2.93 seconds after the Olympic champion.


Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 30km Pursuit

Giuseppe Lombardo placed 46th with a time of one hour, 18 minutes and 43.1 seconds, three minutes and 17.8 seconds after gold medalist Shawn Jarosik of Newmanistan, while Andrew Ma placed 54th with a time of one hour, 19 minutes and 29.8 seconds, four minutes and 4.5 seconds more than Jarosik.


Curling - Group Stage

The men's curling team narrowly defeated Cafundéu 14-10 after two extra ends of play, while the women's team clinched a 6-0 victory in their match with the Landau Institute.


Nordic Combined - Women's Individual Gundersen

Teresa Zucchi placed 13th with a time of 43 minutes and 39.9 seconds, two minutes and 5.1 seconds behind gold medalist Prof. Leandra União of the Landau Institute. Meanwhile, Rachel Ching placed 22nd with a time of 44 minutes and 43.6 seconds, finishing three minutes and 8.8 seconds after Prof. União.


Short Track - Women's 3000m Relay

Francesca Genovese, Tiffany Pang, Emily Yuen and Gina Schiaparelli came in last in the relay heats with a time of four minutes and 23.848 seconds, failing to qualify for the women's semi-finals.


Ski Jumping - Men's Normal Hill

Kevin Yu fell from 10th to 13th place in the finals with a total of 228.5 points, while Leonardo Ansermino finished at 28th position with 215 points, falling by one rank from the qualifying round.


Snowboarding - Men's Halfpipe

The most significant upset of the day came when Jason Tin failed to qualify for the finals. Tipped as the most likely Ruccolian athlete to medal in the Men's Halfpipe event, he placed 43rd with a best of 34.7 points, lower than his compatriots Emiliano Tozzi and Steven Ting. Tozzi placed 34rd with a best of 35.2 points, while Ting placed 42nd with a best of 34.9 points. Similarly, both snowboarders failed to qualify for the finals.


Speed Skating - Women's 3000m

Kelly Lo placed 21st with a time of four minutes and 10.22 seconds, 8.67 seconds behind gold medalist Stacie Holliday of Cassadaigua, while Irene Farrugia placed 23rd with a time of four minutes and 11.05 seconds, finishing 9.5 seconds after Holliday.


Speed Skating - Women's 500m

Francesca Genovese placed 28th with a time of 37.79 seconds in her first run, 0.86 seconds after leading skater Rebecca Carter of the Alliance Star Confederation. Meanwhile, Gina Schiaparelli and Tiffany Pang tied for 63rd place with a time of 38.41 seconds in their first run, 1.48 seconds more than Carter.

OLYMPIC ROCKET REPORT

OLYMPICS UNDER WAY

Alavaria, Kelssek- Time can just fly by. We’re already two days into the Kelssek games, and medals have already been handed out. Like every other nation participating in the Olympics, Newmanistan has had their share of great triumphs and big disappointments, and are currently on the medal board with two earned thus far, a gold and a bronze.

The gold came early, won by Shawn Jarosik in cross-country skiing. That’s right, that Shawn Jarosik. His tale is a remarkable one, born in North Charlotte but grew up in the Olympia mountains about 50 miles east of the main city of Olympia. His entry was considered an afterthought. Everyone in the competition was supposed to be better then him, and the 30 km pursuit was one of the final events that the Empress elected to send a competitor in. Jarosik was not supposed to even sniff a gold medal, thought many experts. So much so, that on a scale of 0-1, Jarosik’s talent level in the event was ranked as 0.01. That was a number that Jarosik hung up in his room in the Olympic village. He wrote it on his skis as a reminder of this is what your home nations thinks about your chances. A publication from an unknown country ranked the participants in the event and Jarosik’s name was very close to the bottom. This man was supposed to crossing the finish line while the winner was already giving his post-race interview. But Jarosik was not going to be denied. These Olympics, after all, are not played with a fancy spreadsheet program on a computer, but rather with the heart and determination of the human drive to compete. Jarosik went out there, and did his best. Shawn decided he would try to join the front runners early in the event, and take an early lead. This would be in the hope that his competitors would simply disregard him and focus on who they thought would be the serious contenders. But Jarosik remained in front, and as the race approached the finish, the others knew that just maybe this man was not going to fall back to them. They turned on the heat, with Yuri Denisovich making a valiant comeback effort, but much to his dismay, Jarosik sill had something left in the tank. He held on to his victory, raising his arms in victory and leading all the media wondering just who this guy with bib number 41 was. His girlfriend was there to greet him immediately with a big hug. It was a triumph of remarkable proportions. 0.01 Shawn Jarosik? No way. How about Olympic Gold medalist Shawn Jarosik. He could not hold back the tears as the sky blue and white rose above the flags of Coocoostan and Maineiacs. He dreamed this would happen, but whether it would be a reality seemed far more far fetched. But he is a gold medalist, and there is no one that can take that away from him. Of this triumph he said, “Man this is amazing. No one believed me. They thought I was going to be one of the worst finishers in this, but I believed in myself. I knew that I could do this no matter what the odds seemed to be. I wanted to get out early, that was my strategy, to take the lead and try to hang on. They seemed to be happy with just letting me get out there. A couple of them closed pretty well late, but as I got closer I just turned out the pain telling me I was getting tired and I needed to slow up. I could see the finish line and knew the gold medal was there for me. Olympic Dreams can come true. I am living proof!” Congratulations certainly, from all of us here at the Rocket Report.

Newmanistan then earned a bronze medal in the individual gundersen on the ladies side, with Sarah Roberson bringing it home. This isn’t quite the major upset that Jarosik’s gold medal was. Roberson was expected to be a contender, although some people may have wondered if she would quite be gold medal worthy. Roberson came in with high hopes and delivered, and even though she was a little disappointed not to get a gold medal, there’s nothing wrong with being a bronze medalist. Sarah was a bit behind the top two, and her biggest challenge was against Cassadaigua’s Cathy Shupo for third place, but a strong late push by Roberson kept her ahead of her Dagan rival and into third place. Congratulations go out to her as well. “Everyone wants to win gold, but Uniao and Chettiere were very strong. I knew their times would be pretty tough to beat. For a while I thought I could get to Chettiere, but then it just seemed to be more about holding on to third for the bronze. I am happy with it. On another day maybe I could have finished first, but it was not meant to be and I congratulate Leandra and Ariel.”

Those are the only medals so far. Let’s take a look at the other individual sports that have handed out medals so far that had Newmanistanian participation. Diane Canders was well off the pace in the 15km cross country pursuit, a good five minutes behind the gold winning time. Dave Whittle and Albert Scholl had very disappointing runs in the 5000m of speed skating, an event that had some controversy to it. They were expected to be stronger threats. Caitlin Esson finished in the middle of the pack of the women’s moguls with across the board average times. A little more speed could have led to a better finish. There was major disappointment in the men’s individual luge competition. Newmanistan was supposed to be a serious medal threat here and you will recall that they dominated the luge during the Qazox Winter Sports Festival. Not only did our men not medal, they were not even remotely close. Pascal Lamoreux blamed it on overconfidence. “We probably didn’t prepare as well as we should have. We thought we would do much better, and the reality set in. We disappointed the Empire and we apologize to everyone.” said Pascal in stating the obvious. If you would have said that Shawn Jarosik would win a gold medal but the highest individual luge participant would be 40th, we probably would have admitted you to the Landau Institute. Elsewhere, the Nordic Combined, Men’s Individual Gundersen saw Josh Gibbs briefly threaten for a medal but fall off towards the end, and Michael Roberson (Sara’s brother) was mid-pack. Josh Chambers made the meaningless B Final of the short track 1500m final in a decent but not quite good enough effort.

Moving on to the next day now, in the individual men’s downhill none of the Newmanistanian competitiors posed much of a threat. In the ski jumping, normal hill both jumpers performed fairly well, but not enough to medal. Scott Ronning placed 10th with Lawrence Geisser right behind him in 11th. Kevin Briggs was not a factor. In the event where Sarah Roberson won the bronze, the women’s individual gundersen, Newmanistan also got a pretty strong performance from Kourtney Clinghan, who placed sixth. Newmanistan did not do well in the 3000m of speed skating, but that wasn’t too much of a surprise as we are expected to be better in the shorter distance and not these longer ones.

In the team events, Newmanistan defeated Lovisa 11-10 in the first game of women’s curling. The men were also victorious, defeating Qazox by the score of 11-8. In hockey, the men have a lot of explaining to do after they were completely outplayed by Liventia, 4-1. Newmanistan was considered the favorite in that game, and now will have to do some serious regrouping before they face stronger competition in Qazox and Secristan. The women played like Bears in defeating Kosovoe 4-0. They outshot their opponent 44-12 in a score that could have been much more lopsided.

So this is where we stand so far. Two medals, one gold and one bronze thus far but perhaps our strongest events are yet to come. Kelssek is on top of the medalboard much to the delight of the hometown fans with seven medals, two golds, four silvers and a bronze.

Stay tuned for more Olympic updates here from Alavaria!

Weather
Currently: Cloudy, -7°C
Tuesday: Cloudy with sunny periods, high 1°C

Day 3 results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14467441&postcount=9)

The Albrecht Herald Online>Sport>Olympics In Brief

Pre-op Amber stuns friends, colleagues in Men’s Five Hundred bid ~ Clotaire native Amber Sherwood was far from expected to be one of the Candelariasian stars of the games, but the Gassett College student will likely draw most of the morning headlines in the C&M press tomorrow after making an appearance in the early heat for the Men’s 500 metre Speed Skating – despite having lived as a woman for the past six years.

Born Adam Sherwood, Amber told TV1 this afternoon that she had ‘left Adam behind’ after leaving home at age sixteen, and was currently undergoing gender reassignment surgery – but, with SRS therapy unavailable on the NHS, had yet to save up enough rupees to ‘go the whole hog’; hence her shock participation in the men’s draw.

Sherwood ultimately finished the first race with a time of 38.21 – leaving her last in the field, in which Paul Hayens of Qazox set a new Olympic record. Her time would have put her comfortably mid-table in yesterday’s women’s run however, in between Hon Ha-jin representing the Capitalizt SLANI and Jackie Snyder of Lurikastan, and Sherwood confirmed her plans to represent C&M as a woman at the next Winter Games following her race.

Though some LGBTGATH groups in the Candelarias criticised Sherwood this lunchtime for failing to trumpet her status at an earlier opportunity, her involvement in Alavaria is widely seen as a positive move for the transsexual community in C&M, who have long campaigned for easier access to surgery and changes in employment law. However, though Sherwood is expected to become the first transsexual to represent the country, at the next Games, studies over the past decade have suggested that attitudes to individuals with the condition endure less stigmatism and a more positive public response than self-declared genderqueers and others of ‘third way’ sexuality.

Elsewhere, it was another difficult day for Team C&M’s other athletes, with the men’s hockey team heavily beaten by Tocrowkia, and the women taking only a draw from a must-win match with Qazox. Castillo’s Antonia López finished in the top half of the women’s 10k classical cross-country skiing, while Adelaide Richardson wasn’t too far from reaching qualification for the halfpipe after an excellent second run, but the Saunderson-Hodge pairing on the ice ended in deep disappointment following an error-strewn free programme of cartyesque proportions.

The New Cleethorpes Enquirer
Heartbreaks and headaches on the ice

Quintessence of Dust's Olympic disappointments continued today as both pairs in the figure skating made crucial errors to leave them out of medal contention. After a daring, superb short programme, Cynthia Powell and Bob Kennedy slid from 2nd to 17th after a disastrous free skate. And in a reversal of fortunes, young pair Jodie Klein and Tim Finnigan atoned for a mistake-riddled short programme with a flawless free skate, for which they were ranked first.

The final points table left them an agonising .78 points off bronze place, which went to the illegally admitted team from Bears Armed. A women's similar pair from Alliance Star took gold, and a strong Ruccolan pair silver. Though Finnigan was philosophical in defeat, his partner was not, blubbing helplessly into her trainer's shoulder.

Although the complex judging system used by figure skating panels is still undergoing evaluation by the Quintessential cryptological agency, the Central Signals Service, - I mean, 'FCCoSp3', really? - it was clear from the beginning that Powell and Kennedy, the senior pair who have been national champions a record four times, set themselves a demanding routine, which they executed with aplomb in the short programme, dancing to "Uncertainty" by Q-pop act Die Sonntags. Elements included their first competitive triple axel throw jump, and an axel lasso lift.

The confident performance left them in second place, and they were forced to watch as youngsters Klein and Finnigan, hoping to follow up, instead suffered a series of unfortunate slips, ending badly out of synch with their music, "Herbaceous Hog" by The Anouilh Twins. These included a separation during the death spiral that sent Klein flying into the advertising hoarding,
and a stumble on the relatively easy double salchow throw jump to finish.

But strange are the ways of the Olympic Games, and no sooner had the juniors returned, tails twixt legs, than they were putting their elders to shame with a stunning free skate to the well known Quodite classical piece, "Hairdresser's Adagio for Strings". Gliding from parallel triple toe loop jumps through a pair spin to a quadruple twist lift, they brought the arena to a standing ovation, earning strong technical marks across the board, save for half a point clipped on transitions. But their delight turned to dismay as three teams edged ahead of them, to leave them in fourth, "the worst place to *sniff* finish in an bl-Olympic waaaaah!" according to Klein.

Powell and Kennedy's hopes for a medal, meanwhile, evaporated after an error-prone performance to the "Pavane" by noted Quodite composer Samuel Borde. First Powell slipped badly out of a throw lift, forcing a stoppage of the music, then Kennedy touched the ice with his hand during a spin, and by the culmination he accidentally missed a jump, then accidentally skidded during a throw, and finally accidentally repeatedly punched Powell in the face. The error may have cost them points with picky judges.

Speaking to The New Cleethorpes Enquirer, Bob Kennedy admitted his disappointment, having announced his retirement at the end of the Games. "It wasn't the way I wanted to leave," he said. Powell, head held back and nose grasped firmly in a tissue, said that she, "Gnonted to gnish gne gnother blgnaters kwell, ouch."

Day 3 Round-Up

Hosts Kelssek continued their domination of the Games, with gold and silver in the women's halfpipe. Their tally from snowboarding alone would put them at the top of the medal table, while their hockey teams rounded out the day with 8-0 and 5-0 victories. And a gold in the women's 10km classical cross-country ski moved the Landau Institute into clear second place.

Paul Hayens of Qazox claimed the third Olympic Record of the Games thus far, smashing Mike Leisten's time in the men's 500m speed skating by almost two tenths of a second. The fast heat left the Quodite team straggling in 50th, 60th, 77th and 95th place, Xiu Fung dropping from his first place in the 5000m to two places shy of last over the shorter distance.

Preview

Day 4 will see the skiers back on the slopes for the men's alpine combined. The event consists of one downhill and two slalom runs, although the exact details for the Alavarian competition have not been disclosed. Quodite hopes lie with 2008 national champion Wilhelm Biber, veteran Han Chung, and newcomer Alexei Salis.

Fellow Alexei, Burbatov, will be tackling the short programme event of the men's individual figure skating. And Lucy Kim will hope not to be the third national athlete to end up in 4th position, meaning she will need a second good run in the women's 500m speed skating, in which she is paired with Irina Maltseva of Coocoostan.

SNTV online>Sport>Winter Olympics

Olympic chief calls for improvement in performance

Speaking in public for the first time since the opening of the fourth winter Olympics in Alavaria, Kelssek, the Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Sorthern Northland (NOCSN), Tom O'Brian condemned the efforts of Sorthern athletes at the games so far.

O'Brian, exclusivly speaking to SNTV as part of our unrivalled* coverage of the games, O'Brian said, “I'm disappointed we're still yet to medal, although to be fair to the athletes, not many have competed yet. The fact is though, that thus far, we've only had three top ten finishes and only one of those was a top five finish. Arguably that also means we've only challenged for a medal in one event so far. If we're going to meet our medal target then we are going to need to start winning medals. And soon.” He however refused to reveal what target had been set for the athletes in Alavaria saying, “It's the athletes job to meet it and therefore for them to know.” Critics claim he refuses to publicly announce the medal target due to not setting one, although it is commonly thought that the target is around ten medals.

The call for improvement came following the close of the third day of the games, a third day in which one Sorthern athlete finished in the top ten in their events. Despite having two athletes thought of as amongst the favourites for the event, Sorthern Northland will leave the games without a medal from the women's normal hill ski jumping event. Harriet Williams put in a decent if not great first jump to put her in contention for a medal. Her second jump however was poor and resulted in her finishing in sixth place, a finish she was clearly disappointed with. Even more disappointing however was the performance of flag-bearer at the opening ceremony, Ríona Ní Fhlannagáin. Widely accepted to be amongst the best athletes on the Sorthern team, Ríona failed to place above Caitria Kruger, who is notoriously one of the worst members of Sorthern Northland's team in Alavaria. Whatever targets the NOCSN set, failing completely to medal in this event will have seriously hurt the teams aims at meeting it.

Elsewhere today Fanny Bryce narrowly avoided winning a wooden spoon by finishing second last in the women's fifteen kilometre individual biathlon, a result she was said to be happy with having only recently recovered from a career threatening injury. Speaking after the race she said, “I'm still recovering from the injury and this was a part of that recovery. I only came here to see if I could still do a 15k, and even if I did finish second last, I did manage to last the whole course, so I'll just build from there, and hopefully in four years time, I'll come back a lot stronger.”

Other events today with Sorthern activity were the men's Ice Hockey, where Taeshan beat the Sortherners 2-0, Stephanie Wilson finished 11th in the women's snowboarding halfpipe, Coriander Hillow and Katelynn Llemo also took part in the event, but neither was able to qualify for the final.

(from the 'Sports' section of 'The Bear Necessities'...)


GARRON AND ISMARRA DO IT

Alavara, Kelssek: 15th February 2009AD.


No, not just carry our national flag in the opening parade.
No, not "that" either... Well, not just "that", anyway...
No, what they have done is win our entrants' first medal of these Games.
In the 'Figure Skating: Pairs' competition, yesterday, this famous duo topped the list after the initial 'Short Programmme', and although they didn't fare so well in the 'Free Dance' stage their overall score of 184.40 was still enough to give them third place and thus the Bronze. The two pairs who overtook them were Sara Anne Greene and Christine Wilders (ASC), in first place overall on 187.13 points, and Daniele Cavallini and Megan Sung (RUC) just marginally ahead on 184.53 for second place. Our other pair of entrants, Urthorran and Denna, came in 13th of the 41 entries with a score of 175.37.
"We obviously hoped for the 'Gold' for us, and maybe even the 'Silver' for Urthorran and Denna too, but there was a very high standard of competition and that just wasn't to be", Ismarra commented when our reporter asked her how she felt about this result. "It does seem very appropriate that our country's first medal here should be from Figure Skating, though, considering that it was this sport in which we won four of our eight-plus-three medals back in the second Winter Olympics at Keto in the UCS: One 'Silver' and three' Bronzes' then, but maybe we'll manage even more than that this time..."

(Editor's note: Those medals at Keto were the Bronze in the 'Pairs' contest, for Urrthorran and Denna [with Garron and Ismarra, on that occasion, in fourth place]; both the Silver and the Bronze in the 'Men's Individual' contest, for Thunnarr Thuleann and Garron respectively; and the Bronze in the 'Ice Dancing' contest, for Garron and Harrlo, with Thunnarr Thuleann and his partner 'Silver' then in fourth place.)


OTHER OLYMPIC NEWS

Another victory in Ice Hockey for our Men's team, who beat Capitalizt SLANI by 4 goals to nil and are now definitely through to the 'knockout' stage, but the Women's team lost their match against Lurikastan by 2 goals to 4.


(Full details inside, on pages S-3 to S-12.)

A Team and A Dream, The Story Of The Taeshan Olympic Team

And we're know halfway through Day 3 of the Fourth Winter Olympiad in Alvaria, Kelssek. Two more games down for the Ice Hockey Teams. The Mens team shutout, for there second straight game, the Sorthern Northland squad 2-0. The Women however were not as lucky losing 4-1 to expected group winner Mainiacs. In other news the two Knight Womens Halfpipe contenders, who were the last two to make it out of the first round, finished there runs for Gold in that event emptyhanded. And nothing else really important happened. Stay Tuned to your favorite only source for Taeshani Sports.

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day Three Midday Recap


Men's Hockey

Liventia 1 3 0 4
Qazox 0 0 0 0

The U-21 team got balsted by Liventia 4-0, pushing them to the brink of elimination. Liventia outshot Qazox 34-19. Now the team must beat Newmanistan and hope that Liventia demolishes Secristan.

Women's Hockey

C.A.M. 0 1 0 1
Qazox 0 1 0 1

A hard fought game for the ladies as they earn a 1-1 tie with Candelaria And Marquez. Qazox' goal came from Jennifer Hungate at 7:15 of the 2nd period. Now the ladies have to beat Maineiacs to advance, and hope Taeshan and Candelaria And Marquez tie.

Snowboarding - Women's halfpipe qualification

Hayley Griffin: 38.1-36.6::38.1 (5th- Qualified for final)
Joanna Heatly: 30.7-35.8::35.8 (25th)
Erica Dineen: 24.5-29.6::29.6 (50th)

Unlike the men, Qazox' best woman didn't have to wait until a computer glitch was fixed to earn a Finals berth. Hayley Griffin, easily qualifed in 5th, landing two 900's in her 1st run. Joanna Heatly and Erica Dineen landed everything they tried, but the lack of height on their tricks resulted in their poor scores.

Snowboarding - Women's halfpipe FINAL

Hayley Griffin: 36.8-37.1::37.1 (4th)

In the final, Hayley Griffin landed a 1080, but it wasn't enough as Elena Delfino edged her out for bronze by 0.5 points.

Speed Skating - Men's 500m race 1

Paul Hayens: 34.84 (1st) OLYMPIC RECORD
John Freeman: 35.83 (25th)
Sean Dillard: 36.44 (70th)
Mike Craig: 36.46 (73rd)

The 1st three Qazoxian skaters got off to bad starts and finished with bad times. Then stepped in Paul Hayens, who set a new Olympic Record by becoming the first man to break the 35 second barrier with a time of 34.84 seconds, 0.16 seconds ahead of the competition. Hayens looks almost a medal lock at this point, but don't count out John Freeman either. If it weren't for a stutter going around the first turn, Freeman might be in the top 10.

So that's all for now from Alversia, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

From MSPN--


We apologize for the technical difficulties that has kept our podcast off the net. Here is a recap of Days 2 and 3:

Alpine Skiing:

The first day on the slopes was not kind to our team. In a crowded field in the Men's Downhill, Toby Meyers finished 52nd, and Lodi Davenport was 74th.

Nordic Skiing:

Cross-country was better for Maineiacs. Kurt Fosberg took the bronze in the Men's 30k Pursuit, posting a time of 1:15:52.8; teammate Roger Freeman was 27th. In the Women's 10k Classical, Emily Hart finished 29th, and Olivia Stevens was 46th. In the Women's Nordic Combined, our Women's team failed to match the multi-medal success of out Men's team; Camille Dubois was 9th, Caitlin Harris was 20th, and Helen Farmer was 26th.

Shorttrack Speedskating:

Our Women's team did not get a chance to vindicate their disqualification in the 3000m relay Jasi'yun; they failed to qualify for the semi-finals.

Ski Jumping:

Our team failed to live up to expectations in the Men's Normal Hill. Darrin Porter was a disappointing 21st, while "Kamikaze" Tanaka was 25th. Our Women's team fell short of the mark as well; Lydia Riley was 11th, Harriet Molson was 20th.

Snowboarding:

Neither Jim Hollings nor Greg Tate qualified in Men's Halpipe. Chrissy Stevens finished 9th in Women's Halpipe; Marnie Taylor did not qualify.

Speed Skating:

After one heat in both the Men's and Women's 500m, Sheila Smith is 37th, and "Skeet" Shorter is 51st. In the Women's 3000m, Helga Björnsdottir finished 44th.

Curling:

Our Men lost Zwangzug 11-7; our women opened the Group stage with an 8-6 victory against the same opponent.

Biathlon:

In the Women's 15km individual, Ariana Smith was 20th, and Hillary Holden was 25th.


Figure Skating:

In the Pairs competition, the bother/ sister team of Brett and Andrea Wallach was 28th, while Denis Poulin and Jennie Sellers will return to Monteal empty-handed again, coming in 31st.

Hockey:

Our Men's team bounced back after their unexpected loss by beating Alliance Star 4-1. L'avoie stopped 36 of 37 shots aimed his way. Our Women's team remains undefeated in the Group stage, moving to 2-0 after beating Taeshan, also by a score of 4-1.

Our medal count stands at 3: 1 gold and 2 bronze.

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/1183/larepubblicafx2.jpg

Ruccola takes silver, bronze at Olympics

Mandy Liu in Alavaria

Ruccola won a silver medal in figure skating and a bronze in snowboarding on Monday, the strongest showing for the Olympic team since Silvio Gervasoni's gold medal victory on the first day of competition.
-----Figure skating pair Daniele Cavallini and Megan Sung finished second overall to Allician duo Sara Anne Greene and Christine Wilders, who clinched the gold with 187.13 points in total. Ranked in 17th position in the short programme with a score of 58.54 points, Cavallini and Sung surged to third place in their free skate with 125.99 points, putting the pair at 184.53, 0.13 points ahead of Bears Armed' Garron and Ismarra, who took the bronze. "We wanted nothing less than to do our nation proud and stand atop that podium," said Cavallini. "The fact that we managed to more than compensate for our mistakes in the short programme and get this far proves that you can do amazing things if you just believe. And one more thing: watch out for those Allicians. They're turning out to be our biggest rivals at these Games."
-----Meanwhile, on the slopes of Caunidhrenon Mountain, snowboarder Elena Delfino won the country's first bronze medal in the Women's Halfpipe event with a best of 37.6 points on her first of two runs, completing the finals behind Kelssekians Angela Premyakov and Lyndis Lemaire, who swept the gold and silver with their respective scores of 38.3 and 38.2. Delfino had qualified for the event with a best of 38.9 points on her first run of the qualifying round, placing her second among the 59 athletes present at the competition. "Despite the possibility of getting silver," said Delfino, "I'm satisfied with what I won." Referring specifically to fellow snowboarder Jason Tin in the Men's Halfpipe event, who finished with a disappointing result a day earlier, she added, "I'd especially like to dedicate this to Jason, and I wish Salvatore, Michelle, Stefano, Katherine and all our other athletes the best in their events."

Weather
Currently: A few clouds, expected to clear overnight. -1°C.
Wednesday: Mix of sun and cloud. High 5°C, low -2°C.
Chance of flurries later in the week.

Day 4 afternoon results up (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14471091&postcount=10)

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day Three Recap


Alpine Skiing - Men's combined
Downhill-Slalom Run1::total
Frank W. Jones:1:47.17-57.22::2:44.39 (5th)
Walter Asimov: 1:48.79-58.09::2:46.88 (28th)
Greg Olsen: 1:50.21-57.33::2:47.54 (31st)


With just the 2nd slalom run left, Frank Jones sits in 5th place, but as the Slalom is his weaker event, a medal is unlikely, unless he can put up a great time. Asimov and Olsen are in the top 31, but thanks to some problems on the downhill portion for both athletes, neither skiier is expected to make a charge to a medal.

Luge - Women's individual
Runs 1 and 2

Jean David: 47.060-47.517::1:34.577 (27th)
Erica Banden: 47.197-47.390::1:34.587 (28th)
Milkala Rusmanov: 47.394-47.255::1:34.649 (31st)


A bad day on the Luge track as all 3 of the lugers are mired around 30th place, almost 1/2 second behind. While 1/2 a second can be made up, it would take either a run or two of just under 47 seconds or a few crashes involving lugers ahead of them for any of the three ladies to medal.


So that's all for now from Alversia, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6363/rtvolympicskv7.jpg


Day 3 - Highlights

The third day of the Olympics was filled with Ruccolian sporting achievements, capped by the country's first silver and bronze medals of the Games. The events of the day were as follows:


Biathlon - Women's 15km Individual

Amanda Chan placed 9th with a time of 55 minutes and 34.2 seconds, two minutes and four seconds behind gold medalist Angela Hüsch of Capitalizt SLANI. Meanwhile, Mirabella Fiorentino placed 33rd with a time of 59 minutes and 1.5 seconds, finishing five minutes and 31.3 seconds after Hüsch.


Cross-Country Skiing - Women's 10km Classical

Paola Venturi placed 35th, coming in at 31 minutes and 33.7 seconds, two minutes and 33.5 seconds after gold medalist Dr. Melissa Carvalho of the Landau Institute. Meanwhile, Brittany Tsui placed 41st with a time of 31 minutes and 51.5 seconds, two minutes and 51.3 seconds more than Dr. Carvalho.


Figure Skating - Pairs

Daniele Cavallini and Megan Sung won a silver medal in their event with 184.53 points, 2.6 points less than Olympic champions Sara Anne Greene and Christine Wilders of the Alliance Star Confederation. Meanwhile, Robert Lo and Leonora Tibaldi placed 21st with a total of 162.09 points, ranking 29th in the short programme with a score of 42.22 and 7th in their free skate with a score of 119.87.


Ice Hockey - Group Stage

The national men's team tied 0-0 with Coocoostan after an exciting game fraught with near-goals by both sides, while the women's team beat Ad'ihan 1-0, resulting in their subsequent qualification for the next stage of matches.


Ski Jumping - Women's Normal Hill

Kimberly So rose from 21st to 18th place in the finals with a total of 215.5 points, while Loretta Ungaro finished at 26th position with 209 points, falling by three ranks from the qualifying round.


Snowboarding - Women's Halfpipe

Elena Delfino earned a bronze medal after scoring 37.6 points in the final, 0.7 points less than Olympic champion Angela Premyakov of Kelssek. Meanwhile, Graziana Lamberti placed 13th overall with 31.7 points, after qualifying for the final at 11th position with a score of 37.2. Fellow compatriot Rebecca Sum placed 36th in the first round with 34.4 points, failing to qualify for the final.


Speed Skating - Men's 500m

Nicholas Choi placed 38th in the rankings, coming in at 36.05 seconds, 1.21 seconds behind gold medalist Paul Hayens of Qazox, who set a new Olympic record of 34.84 seconds. Meanwhile, Beniamino Moretti placed 62nd with a time of 36.38 seconds, 1.54 seconds more than Hayens, while William Tsang placed 76th with a time of 36.48 seconds, finishing 1.64 seconds after the Qazoxian skater.

Posted online at http://skimonthly.co.qd/bob-whittaker/030209.

Ski Monthly Magazine - Bob's Blog
Great morning sets up exciting finish

BOB WHITTAKER, ALAVARIA - Tensions are high in the Olympic Village as, beneath cloud-banked skies, Wilhelm Biber skied into pole position in the men's alpine combined event. Alexei Salis, who led after one of his best downhills of the season, now lies in fourth, and Han Chung, who began the slalom in a disappointing 10th has moved to sixth overall. All will need excellent runs in the second slalom event if they are to hold onto medal chances this evening.

Salis, the youngster from western Sconch, was the only downhiller to go inside 1:47, 17 hundredths ahead of Biber, who was second. But the junior had a poor slalom event, kicking off his skies in frustration at the end after being docked a time penalty on a mid-course pole. He slid to fourth with a time of 57.32, now lying over 3 seconds off the lead.

But there were no flies on Biber, his large green bobble hat zigzagging crazily in the warm mountain air as he charged into the lead after a flawless run, 6 hundredths of a second quicker than Myedvedeya's Ilya Ivanovtich Solyekov. He holds a lead of 8 tenths of a second over Jean-Luc Lacroix, gold medallist in the slalom at the 2nd Winter Olympics, and will need every ounce of strength and luck if he is to keep ahead.

Han Chung lies in a disappointing sixth, his performance a shadow of his better days. A hairy moment at the top of the downhill course saw him almost skid out of contention entirely, and he too incurred a gate penalty, on the very last slalom pole. Speaking exclusive to Ski Monthly Magazine Online, he said, "It is a shame, but all I can do is try for a great finish now. The course is beautiful, and there was no excuse for lifting my ski in the turn at the beginning. It goes to show that however many times you get out on the piste, you still have to concentrate on the basics."

Skiers from Kelssek lie 2nd, 10th, and 17th after another good day for them: they took home two more skiing golds, for Brandon Shelley in the men's biathlon 10km sprint, and their suitably multiethnic Nordic Combined sprint team comfortably beat out the rest of the field.

Here on Caunidhrenon Mountain, all eyes will be fixed on Biber, to see what he can do in the second slalom event - and how quickly he can do it.

Day 4 evening results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14471616&postcount=11)

The afternoon scorination might be a little late tomorrow, maybe by 2 or 3 hours.

"This is Marrla Lightning, for the BABC, from the Winter Olympics at Alavaria in the nation of Kelssek. Still to come today, the second of three 'group stage' matches for both of our Curling teams and the final round of the Women's 500m Speed Skating, as well as an event or two in which we don't have any entries.
The Men's Curling team are to play against the team from our hosts Kelssek, who won their first match -- which was against the team from the Iglesian Archipelago -- by 9 to 2 while our own team's first game was a 6-4 win over Secristan's team who'd entered the group as a result of a 'preliminary round' victory. The Women's Curling team are to play against the team from our the nation of 'Warre', who lost their first match -- which was against the team from World Cup hosts 'Candelabras and Marquees' -- by 7 to 12 while our own team's first game was a 12-6 win over the team from the 'Fujisawan Territories'.
In the Speed Skating, meanwhile, we have four entrants and it could still be anybody's race after the first stage's results..."

"Hello, welcome to Quod FM, broadcasting live from Alavaria, Kelssek. I'm Brian Gobbleson, and I'm joined by Ron McMarsh, who will be communicating entirely through the medium of John Updike quotations."

"There's a crystallization that goes on in a poem which the young man can bring off, but which the middle-aged man can't."

"Thankyou Ron. We're at the Theoren Oval for the finals of the women's 500m speed skating. Lucy Kim, the young talent from the State University of Pulona team, is currently in fourth place, and waiting to go. Ron, what will be running through her mind before the biggest race of her career?"

"Sex is like money; only too much is enough."

"Quite possibly, quite possibly. The other three Quodite athletes have already run, and not great finishes by any of them, I'm afraid. First to go were trailing pair Cao Ying and Ming Zhao, and while Ying managed to pull herself up to 85th place, Zhao remained dead last. Which is at least consistent, as she's been last in every race so far. Points for consistency, Ron?"

"Being naked approaches being revolutionary; going barefoot is mere populism."

"True, true, of course her habit of going barefoot probably putting her at something of a disadvantage in this event. Kim Yen, skating with Maria Serra of Iglesian Archipelago, managed to beat her out, but still finished three hundredths of a second short in the overall times, in 84th. So really, all our hopes resting on Lucy's shoulders."

"Inspiration arrives as a packet of material to be delivered."

"I agree, certainly Ron, I agree. Now, she's pair with Irina Maltseva of Coocoostan. I wonder, what can Fred Bindall, our bearded wonder statistician, tell us about her?"

(bassy voice) "Well, she came in 15th in Revena, so perhaps a surprise to see her so high in the rankings."

"Thanks, Fred. Ron?"

"We are most alive when we're in love."

"Yes, that's a perceptive insight on the race. Ok, and...they're off! Great start by Maltseva, Kim left hanging behind already as she begins on the outer curve. Maltseva swinging round the inside bend fast, steadying hand outstretched, then back behind for that curious, swaying motion of the speed skaters. Kim still really trailing, a big gap opening up. Into the home strait...Ron?"

"Each morning my characters greet me with misty faces willing, though chilled, to muster for another day's progress through the dazzling quicksand the marsh of blank paper."

"Oh, yes, you're right: it's a fantastic time for Maltseva, and Kim finishes, I'm looking at the clock, oh dear, 38.29, way off, and way out of medal contention. Disappointment for Kim, glory for Maltseva, who - why, yes, I don't believe it - she has drawn level with Carter of Alliance Star, who of course set a new Olympic Record in the opening race, so that's a great result for her."

"By the time a partnership dissolves, it has dissolved."

"Hmm, yes Ron, I think that may indeed be the explanation for Kim's disappointing time. And I'm told we have an interview with her now. Let's go to Alyssa, down at the trackside."

"Hi, I'm Alyssa Banana, and I'm with Lucy Kim. Lucy - perhaps disappointing?"

"No, I really wanted to lose."

"Alright, alright. What do you think happened?"

"She was faster than me."

"Interesting, well, that's certainly one explanation. Back to you, Brian."

"Thank you Alyssa. Now for a round up the day's other events. Ron?"

"Every marriage tends to consist of an aristocrat and a peasant. Of a teacher and a learner."

"Yes, true, that one was very exciting. Also today, Alexei Burbatov posted a disappointing score in the men's individual figure skating short programme, a very conservative effort, we're told, failing to land a single quadruple jump successfully. But he has qualified for the free skate, so we'll have to see what he can do. And, on the slopes, Wilhelm Biber won Quintessence of Dust's first ever gold in alpine skiing, with a superb performance that left the rest of the field standing. The two quickest slalom times, second after the downhill, over one and a half seconds clear. He'll be delighted, won't he Ron?"

"If men do not keep on speaking terms with children, they cease to be men, and become merely machines for eating and for earning money."

"I suppose that's true. Interesting analysis, Ron."

We still didn't win any medal, but I think we can have at least three medals, one gold, one silver and one bronze. Let's wait with the results...

"This is Marrla Lightning, for the BABC, here to bring you up to date with today's results from the Winter Olympics at Alavaria in the nation of Kelssek."

"In the sport of Alpine Skiing, specifically its 'Men's Downhill' event, our only entrant -- Ranno Serrnarra's-son, who comes from the 'VeraVokksur' Fox-People -- ended up in 22nd place out of a field of 67: His overall time was 3:44.49, whereas the three medallists managed times of _
3:34.71 for Wilhelm Biber (QOD), for first place and 'Gold';
3:36.41 for Jean-Luc Lacroix (KSK), for second place and 'Silver';
and 3:38.36 for Frank W. Jones (QZX), for third place and 'Bronze'.
A medal here would have been nice, but wasn't really expected: Still, Ranno has other chances at winning races yet ahead of him during these Games, so who knows?"

"We had no entrants in either the Biathlon's 'Men's 10km Sprint' or the Cross-Country Skiing's 'Men's Team Sprint', although of course we do have people competing in various other events within both of those sports on other days of this tournament... and, for that matter, we have no entrants at all in the "Nordic Combined" form of Skiing, whose 'Men's Team Sprint' and 'Women's Team Sprint' competitions were also both held today..."

"There was mixed news from the Curling matches, in the second of their three days of 'group stage' competition...
On the one paw, although our 'Men's Curling' team fought hard against the team from our hosts Kelssek they were eventually forced to concede defeat 8-6: However they do stand at second place in their group (which is 'Group 7'), behind Kelssek, by virtue of their head-to-head result against third-placed Secristan... whose game today was an 11-6 win over the team from the Iglesian Archipelago. The final day of matches within this group will see our boys facing those Iglesians, with the boardies saying that the odds favour a clear Ursine victory, whilst Kelssek battles Secristan in what is widely expected to be a much closer contest.
On the other paw, our 'Women's Curling' team, in their contest's 'Group 3', beat the team from a nation called Warre by what I think most people would call a very convincing score of 11-0. The match in their group today saw the Candelabrans beat the team from the Fujisawan Territories -- whom our girls had already defeated, just as the Candelabrese had already beaten the Warre-iors -- in a rather more evenly-balanced game whose final score was 2-8. The remaining day of 'group stage' competition for these teams will see our girls face the Candelabraids in what is thought likely to be quite a closely-fought contest -- if and only if those rivals actually prove capable of recognising our entrants as fellow athletes, of course -- whilst the Fujisawan and Warrean teams struggel with each other to see who gets listed as third and who as fourth... I gather that a lot of our Olympians fans plan on giving the Women's Curling a higher priority for attendance than any of the other events on that day, so expect to hear quite a bit of drumming in the background in our 'live' broadcast from that match...
Our forecast remains that both of our teams will progress to the next stage of their competitons".

"Good news too from the Figure Skating, where the 'Short Programme' stage of the 'Men's Individual' event saw all three of our entrants amongst the three-eights of challengers who qualified for the 'Free Skating' stage and a medal chance. Although first place today went to Stephan Chung (UBT), on 96.87 points, our own Garron and Thunarr Thuleann were in second and third places on 90.98 and 90.11 points respectively... and Urthorran, on 82.48 points, was in a very respectable eighth place out of those three-eights finalists-to-be... When asked how well he expected them to fare in the remainder of their competition, Garron smiled: 'If luck and the Spirits are with, us,' he replied, 'then I think that we're probably good enough to make a "clean sweep" of the medals: after all our neighbours the Roumberrois managed one back at the last Summer Olympics, in the'Men's Discus Throw', so it clearly isn't impossible...."

"In the 'Women's Individual' contest for the Luge, however, none of our trio of entrants got anywhere near a medal. Berri Hshau came in 22nd place overall out of a field of 65, with her older sister Bessi at 45th and younger sister Benni eliminated early when she crashed during her second run... although we're pleased to report that she's been examnined by team doctor Merryon White MD and found to be uninjured apart from a few minor scrapes and bruises. Still, the fianl scores in this event were so close that it's hard to believe skill played a greater role than luck in the placings, and all of these siblings from Clan Lurra seem to have enjoyed their attempts anyway as this footage shows_"

(The screen blinks, and a film of events at the start of the Luge course during that competition is now being shown. We see a trio of anthropomorphic Otters, all between 4' & 5' in height and wearing Bears Armed's colours, standing together. After a few seconds the name 'Benni Hshau, Sept Lurra' is called and one of them walks over to begin her run. Tipping her face to the sky, she calls out "Tarka, Tarka, TARKA!" and then, as she starts down the slope, "Wheeeee!")

"And finally," Marrla Lightning resumes, "the Speed Skating. We had four entrants (which was the maximum number allowed) for the 'Women's 500m' contest in this sport, which also took place today, but the best that any of them managed overall was 40th place... although admittedly that was out of a field of ninety-three, and -- again -- the differences between the scores at that level of competition are only measured in hundredths of seconds so that, although they did better than this in relative terms against the less impressive ranks of rivals at the Qazoxian Winter Sports Festival nobody really considers these results to be 'bad'..."

"Now, on a lighter note, I've just been informed that our Figure Skaters and our Curlers have agreed to hold a 'Tug-o-War' match between these two sets of athletes at the end of these Games. I don't know for sure what led to this, but a little bird tells me that the two groups came close to a brawl earlier -- shortly after the male Curlers lost today's game -- and that BAOC Chairbear Siggurr Thuleann apparently persuaded them to settle theis differences in this way instead...
And now, over to Borrin o SeaBear in the studio:"

"Thank you, Marrla," says the suited male Ursine whom we are now shown sitting behind a desk. "And here is the list of tommorrow's scheduled events at the Winter Olympics."

"In the Alpine Skiing, the 'Women's Downhill' contest, we have two entrants -- the Serrnarra's-daughter sisters, from the VeraVokksurr Sept -- but don't know enough about this sport to give any forecasts.
we have no entrants at all in the 'Women's Team Sprint' contest for the Cross-Country Skiing, or in the[/i]'Men's Moguls' event -- whatever that is -- in the Freestyle Skiing.
It's the third and final day of matches in the 'group stage' for the Ice Hockey: As our 'Men's' team won both of its previous games it has already qualified as one of the two teams from its group that will go on to the tournament's next stage, although obviously a third win -- and so a 'clear record' -- for them would be nice: Its match tomorrow is against the team from Rynyl, who are also unbeaten so far in this tournament, so that should definitely be a game that's well worth wathcing. However as our 'Women's team lost its second 'group stage' game, in a closely-fought match against Lurikastan, it really needs to win tomorrow's match against the currently-unbeaten team from the Landau institute to be sure of staying in the contest.... although if both that match and the group's other one (which is between Luirkastan and the Ariddian Isles) is a draw, or if our girls tie against their opponents but the Ariddians beat Lurikastan, then qualfiication on the basis of goal-difference might still be possible... Expect to hear some drumming there, even though performing the full harrdiharr isn't really feasible on ice-skates..."
Over at the Luge it's the'Doubles' contest, and we have two entries in that. Wait a minute, I've just been handed a note saying that it's actually supposed to be the 'Men's Doubles', so our "mixed" entries will presumably be disqualified from entry..."`


_______________________________________________________________________________________

OOC: I had a bit more written, but unfortunately the computer's just swallowed that and I don't have time available to re-type it...

Albavona Capitol Sentinel

Commentary: Chang tops short program

ALAVARIA, KELSSEK - The withdrawn look on Stephen Chang’s face following the men’s figure skating short program said it all. He had just secured the best score of the night, yet there was no celebration, and a dark mood seemed to settle around him. He nonchalantly brushed off media interviews, and left fellow figure skaters Ryan Leibowitz and Adam Shanks to speak for him.

Of course Chang knows his goal of bring home a medal for his sister - who recently passed away from cancer - is far from over. There is still the free skate to come. And Chang knows he can’t resume any sort of normalcy in his life until he brings home a medal.

To Chang, a medal is as much a confirmation of greatness, as it is giving back posthumously to the sister who gave him unconditional support in making his Olympic dream come true. It is about honoring the life of a young women still in college, whose life was just beginning, and it’s about the strength of a family.

In the Qazoxian Winter Sports Festival, Unified Beretania won half of the figure skating medals on offer. That was without Chang. Or Leibowitz, or Shanks. All three advanced here in Kelssek. Chang hopes the success in Qazox can be parlayed into success in the Olympics and help to establish Unified Beretania as an international figure skating powerhouse.

Chang also knows it’s much bigger than that. Just being on the Olympic stage was never a given. If not for the support of people like Susan Chang, he very well may have not been here in Kelssek at all. As the first male Asian-Beretanian figure skater to break into the elite ranks, it took courage to defy the establishment and shatter prejudice.

It’s about knowing that an Olympic dream is not irrational at all, that in fact, if it’s what you set your heart and mind and being to, it can be done. Whenever the pressure was too much to Stephan, when he told himself he would quit for good, when he had contemplated suicide, it was Susan who had been there to set him right every time.

Now, only the free skate separates him from a medal. A lifelong dream will be fulfilled. A chapter in Chang’s life will be finished, and he can start writing the next, or start writing a whole new book entirely if he so chooses. But before any of that, he has to get his emotions in check and prepare for one of the most important nights of his life.

So it seems only natural that Stephan Chang would spend a moment in solitary contemplation, soaking in the moments that make up his life, digging deep for the extra inch that will set him apart from the rest. If there was any doubt that this was Stephan Chang’s destiny, it has been all but erased.

It's the Olympic update! Well, for two dates, actually. But just one show.

"More skiing success of a sort, with Charlton Vidence coming in sixth during the men's combined race. Congratulations!"

"Thanks."

"Were your attitudes different going into the different runs?"

"Eh, I was worried a little more about the downhill part, slalom's really my best sort. But my result was fine, so I knew I could hang with the best. It's a good feeling."

"And as you alluded, you still have the individual slalom, but that won't be until near the end of the Olympics. How will you spend the next several days?"

"Hanging out...keeping in shape. Nothing world-shattering."

"Well, enjoy the Games!"

"Thanks, they've been going well so far."

"That race won by Wilhelm Biber, a skier as well as footballer on the Quintessential national team, one of Zwangzug's first international opponents in the sporting world." Yvette was (no, we're not going to bother with consistency) possessed of enough tact to keep her And if you remember that you have no life off the air.

"In the team sports, the Zwangzug men lost to Sarzonia in ice hockey, but Diane Mergar's goal was enough to beat Kosovoe. The men's curling team also faced Sarzonia's, leaving it to an eleventh end to break out. The women blew a lead to Qazox."

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Total
Sarzonia men 0 2 0 0 1 0 3 0 3 1 0 10
Zwangzug men 2 0 1 2 0 3 0 2 0 0 4 14

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
Qazox women 0 2 0 0 0 3 1 2 1 2 11
Zwangzug women 2 0 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 9

DIÁRIO DUNBOORITANO
A verdade fria na hora em que ela acontece!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAFUNDÉU WINS FIRST GOLD MEDAL

The Fourth Olympic Winter Games have already started in Alavaria, Kelssek. You probably are now asking: "why nobody told me this before?" Well, the answer is that, with Cafundéu recent good performance in the World Cup, the sports newspapers and magazines gave too much attention to the football and forgot to make many comments about other sports. Volleyball still gets one or two articles, I know. But other sports, like basketball and handball, lost all their media coverage during the World Cup, and the same situation happened with the Winter Olympics. Now, with the football competitions over (both the World Cup and the Cafundelense league), the other sports finally appear in the media. And, of course, the Winter Olympics are involved too. We are already in the fourth day of competitions, and Cafundéu has already won three medals.

Of course this leads you to ask another question, being this now: "what have I missed?" Well, many different events, I must say. First, there was the opening ceremony, in which the Ski Jumping competitor Letícia Giardini was the flag holder. Later, the first events starter, with Cafundéu losing in the ice hockey (as expected). There were speed skating events, which Cafundéu didn't do well (as expected), Alpine Skiing (there was some hope in this one, but the lack of medals wasn't a disappointment), Luge (poor Godofredão...). The first disappointments came with Ski Jumping (men's), arguably Cafundéu's best event, and more in Snowboarding. But the good results came too. The first medals came in the Ski Jumping: a silver with Letícia Giardini and a bronze with Marina Castro Altino. Later, a silver in the Luge with Camilla Alves.

But the biggest result yet came in the Nordic Combined event. After Cafundéu won the silver medal in the men's team sprint, the women did even better: Ana Beatriz Palhares, Laura Valente, Aline Kruger and Natália Terêncio won the event and conquered the first gold medal for Cafundéu. Things seem promising for our athletes, and, although we can't expect the same performance of the Summer Olympics, we can hope to see a good result. There is only one bad news: those ridiculous insane doctors from the Landau Institute are, at the moment, in the second position in the medal tables. Only Kelssek is in front of them, and it's difficult for us to understand how can these doctors participate in sporting competitions... well, we hope to keep improving in order to overcome them, as we wouldn't be able to stand their medical jokes... also, who can stand hearing the "Doctors' Oath", their anthem? It is ten minutes of medical terms being sang!

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day Four Recap


Alpine Skiing - Men's combined Slalom run 2 FINAL
Downhill-Slalom Run1-Run 2::total
Frank W. Jones:1:47.17-57.22-53.97::3:38.36 BRONZE MEDAL
Greg Olsen: 1:50.21-57.33-56.99::3:44.53 (23rd)
Walter Asimov: 1:48.79-58.09-57.73::3:44.61 (25th)


With just 4 skiiers behind him, Frank Jones skiied the Slalom of his life, finishing in 53.97 seconds, and after the next two skiiers failed to beat his time, Jones jumped up and down in jubilee, as he clinched a medal. While the next 2 skiier beat his combined time to win the gold and silver, Jones still earned Qazox' 2nd medal of the games.

Men's Curling
The Qazox and Colburne mens teams battled each other in yet another high scoring affair, with Qazox winning 11-10, as every team scored in their end. Ariddian Isles is the next match, and with a win Qazox would advance to the next round.


COL 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 10
QZX 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 3 0 2 11


Women's Curling
On the Women's side, Qazox came back to stun Zwangzug 11-9 to improve to 2-0 in group play and the team has all but clinched a spot in the next round. The last preliminary round game is againgst Maineiacs, with the winner of that match topping the group.


QZX 0 2 0 0 0 3 1 2 1 2 11
ZWG 2 0 3 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 9


Luge - Women's individual
Runs 3 and 4
Jean David: 47.060-47.517-47.198-47.134::3:08.909 (18th)
Erica Banden: 47.197-47.390-47.248-47.589::3:09.424 (33rd)
Milkala Rusmanov: 47.394-47.255-47.495-47.627::3:09.771 (43rd)


Thanks to the bad runs on day 1, Qazox failed to medal in the Luge for the first time ever at the Olympics.

Speed Skating - Women's 500m

Lori-Anne Tyler- 38.07-37.16::1:15.23 (13th)
Tyra Juina- 38.05-38.19::1:16.24 (41st)
Michelle de Haveil- 38.44-38.16::1:16.60 (48th)
Tiffary Stoer- 37.13-39.60::1:16.73 (57th)

Tiffary Stoer, who was 8th going into the fianl run of the 500m, literally fell flat on her face, as she tripped just after the start, and she wound up finishing in 57th. Lori-Anne Tyler finished 13th overall, having the 4th fastest time in the 2nd run.


So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

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Surprise result as skiers claim bronze medal

Giacomo Peretti in Alavaria

The Ruccolian Nordic combined team won an Olympic bronze yesterday in the women's team sprint, beating hosts Kelssek to third place in the overall rankings.
-----Skiers Samanta Gagliano, Lauren Fung, Rachel Ching and Teresa Zucchi finished with a combined time of 53 minutes and 50.40 seconds, coming in 49.9 seconds behind Maineiacs' team and three minutes and 6.6 seconds after the champions from Cafundéu, who won gold with a time of 50 minutes and 43.80 seconds.
-----"Today's performance was testament to the strength of our bonds as a team," said Ching. "We've trained tirelessly and have done our best to build on our capabilities as individuals and as a team, working in tandem with each other to achieve the fastest possible times. That said, I am incredibly delighted that we ranked in the top three. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Teresa cross the finish line!"
-----The bronze medal result surprised most pundits and commentators nationwide, who had previously speculated that the Nordic combined events offered relatively low chances for medal wins in comparison to more popular sports such as alpine skiing and snowboarding, due to the focus national sporting associations have placed on other winter sports seen as traditional Ruccolian strengths.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6363/rtvolympicskv7.jpg


Day 4 - Highlights

The fourth day of competition will be remembered as one of unexpected outcomes, both good and bad, capped by a bronze medal victory. The events of the day were as follows:


Alpine Skiing - Men's Combined

Matthew Wong placed 19th with a total time of three minutes and 43.97 seconds, 9.26 seconds behind gold medalist Wilhelm Biber of the Quintessence of Dust. Meanwhile, Ruccolian favourite Calvino Abbruzzi placed 29th with a time of three minutes and 45.01 seconds, 10.3 seconds more than Biber, and Guglielmo Piranesi placed 34th with a time of three minutes and 45.6 seconds, finishing 10.9 seconds after the Quodite champion.


Biathlon - Men's 10km Sprint

Girolamo Di Bella placed 11th with a time of 28 minutes and 36.6 seconds, one minute and 16.2 seconds after Kelssekian gold medalist Brandon Shelley. Meanwhile, Michael Yeung placed 19th with a time of 28 minutes and 53.7 seconds, one minute and 33.3 seconds more than Shelley.


Cross-Country Skiing - Men's Team Sprint

Arturo Marchetti and Daniel Kwok placed 7th in their event, coming in at 17 minutes and 46.9 seconds, 14 seconds behind gold medalists Antonio Dunagan and Shawn Edison of the Bluth Corporation.


Curling - Group Stage

The men's team won 7–1 over Ad'ihan, while the women's team clinched a similar victory over Unified Beretania, resulting in a score of 7-1 in favour of Ruccola.


Figure Skating - Men's Short Program

Star skater Daniele Cavallini placed 7th in the short programme with a score of 83.35 points, qualifying for the Men's Free Skate event on February 5. Meanwhile, Enrico Tedesco and Robert Lo failed to qualify for the next round of competitions after respectively placing 40th with 63.76 points and 44th with 61.09 points.


Luge - Women's Individual

Danielle Tso placed 16th with a combined time of three minutes and 8.897 seconds, 0.778 seconds after gold medalist Richelle Libby of Oiseaui. Meanwhile, Ines Annunziata placed 28th with a time of three minutes and 9.234 seconds, 1.115 seconds more than Libby, and Amber Tang placed 36th with a time of three minutes and 9.470 seconds, finishing 1.351 seconds behind the Olympic champion.


Nordic Combined - Men's Team Sprint

The Nordic combined men's team, consisting of Ryan Hui, Damiano Stefanelli, Luigi Barbero and Brandon Siu, placed 7th with a total time of 51 minutes and 45.8 seconds, one minute and 0.8 seconds after the winning Kelssekian team.


Nordic Combined - Women's Team Sprint

Samanta Gagliano, Lauren Fung, Rachel Ching and Teresa Zucchi collectively won a bronze medal after coming in with a combined time of 53 minutes and 50.4 seconds, three minutes and 6.6 seconds more than the Cafundelense champions.


Speed Skating - Women's 500m

Francesca Genovese placed 34th with a time of one minute and 16.02 seconds, 1.84 seconds behind gold medalist Elaine Walker of Colbourne. Meanwhile, Tiffany Pang placed 63rd with a time of one minute and 16.81 seconds, 2.63 seconds after Walker, and Gina Schiaparelli placed 64th with a time of 16.82 seconds, 2.64 seconds more than the Olympic champion.

Day 5 afternoon results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14475195&postcount=12)

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day Five midday Recap


Alpine Skiing - Women's downhill
Denise Potluck- 1:55.50 (29th)
Rene Potluck- 1:55.87 (43rd)
Kylie Davidsson- 2:00.86 (79th)

Rough day on the slopes as the Potluck sisters were just outclassed today in the downhill. Davidsson caught three gates on the upper portion, which slowed her time down considerably.


Short Track - Men's 1000m heats
Mike Quinlan- 1:29.184 (8th Qualified for next round)
Joseph Mikal- 1:29.439 (15th Qualified for next round)
Harold R. Smith- 1:30.490 (47th)

Good day on the shorttrack as Quinland and Mikal both advanced to the quarterfinal runs, with Quinlan just missing setting a new Qazoxian record.

Short Track - Men's 1000m quarterfinals
Quarterfinal 3:
Joseph Mikal- 1:29.280 (3rd, Did not advance)
Quarterfinal 4:
Mike Quinlan- 1:28.795 QR (2nd, Advanced to Semis)

Mikal was edged out for 2nd on the final turn, while Quinlan set a new Qazian record and easily advanced to the semifinals.

So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

Hollow admits underperformance

ALAVARIA OLYMPIC UPDATE— Ad’ihan's chef-de-mission to the Alavaria Games, Dave Hollow, has admitted in a radio interview given to host broadcaster KBC that the Ad’ihani delegation has been underperforming at the Games.

His remarks came after the two Ad’ihani 1000 metre short track speed skaters, Peter Bradley and Jamie Webster, both failed to make it out of the heats in their event. Their poor performances had been preceeded by similar underpar showings in the women's 500m speed skating, women's luge, and women's curling. Shortly after, doubles lugers Derrick Gregory and Marc Briard only served to reinforce his comments, finishing 22nd out of 33 pairs.

In fact, Ad’ihan has not won a medal in the four days of competition since its controversial silver in the men's 5 km speed skating event.

Speaking in an interview broadcast on the KBC World Service, Hollow said the COIA's medal target of one gold, two silvers and two bronzes was starting to slip out of reach.

"It's not a stretch of the imagination by any means to say that we've not lived up to what was expected. Nothing is really going right for us at this time and it's starting to look like we won't be meeting our expectations. One lone silver would be a very disappointing return from our first Winter Games.

"That's not to say our entire delegation hasn't performed well though. You only need to look at our long distance long track speed skaters, like Carson, who's already won the silver, to see what I mean. The men's pursuit team have done well to qualify from the preliminaries, full credit to Carson and the Coopers."

The Albrecht Herald Online>Sport>Olympics in Brief

More Candelariasians fall by the wayside on Day 5 morning ~ Team C&M’s only competitors this morning were all bounced out of the Men’s 1000 metre short track speed skating heats, following which Jamie Collins required medical treatment after Beorrn o Errhabarra had skated over his fingers.

Collins shrugged the incident off as an occupational hazard in the discipline, but he must now concentrate on next week’s relay heats, with four years’ worth of preparation in his solo event down the drain. Collins certainly had few expectations of qualifying, but his colleagues in other heats fared little better, Albrecht’s Yücel Ayan and Dancougan-born Satoshi Kido also comfortably missing out on quarter-final places.

Team C&M could then retire back to the Athletes’ Village to continue to digest yesterday’s highs and lows. Jessica Partner’s fifth place in the luge was perhaps the most unfortunate near miss, with a superb effort in her final run disrupted by a bad late smack and sending her plummeting from the bronze medal position, taken instead by Newmanistan’s Amy LaTourettefckoff. Andrea Nicastro and Revena veteran Kenneth Espinoza missed out of the chance to perform their free programmes in the men’s figure skating, but youngster Tom Parsons made it comfortably – even if a medal looks well out of his reach.

The most remarkable performance of all however came from Freddie “The Falcon” Thompson, whose dreadful effort in the men’s twenty kilometre individual biathlon on Day One had prompted the memorable TV2 commentary “It’s Konstantin there… Konstantin misses… Benito’s missing, Konstantin misses again… And Freddie has shot himself!” Yesterday however saw a complete turnaround, with Thompson finishing an astonishing fourth despite ridding much of Eryn Firith of its low-flying avifauna in the process.

Elsewhere, the women’s curling team enjoyed a second group stage victory despite several warnings for swearing and making lewd gestures, and could yet prove to be one of the few Candelariasian success stories of these games. The Foreign Office meanwhile has reported that travelling supporters have for the most part behaved themselves admirably, though have in the last half hour reiterated the need for Candelariasian visitors to avoid entering the province’s national park owing to the growing bear problem.

Weather
Today: A few clouds, currently -4ºC. Low of -6ºC overnight.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud, high 5ºC

Day 5 evening results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14475675&postcount=13)

No afternoon scorination tomorrow.

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"WHAT THE F[Beep]! I SWEAR TO GOD, I WILL SHOVE THIS HOCKEY STICK SO FAR UP YOUR MOTHERF[Beep]ING B[Beep] A[Beep] AND MAKE IT FEEL AS YOU LIKE IT WITH THAT GIANT PLASTIC C[Beep] YOU SHOVE UP YOUR A[Beep] EVERY F[Beep]ING NIGHT! OH! WHAT? SO AFRAID I WAS COMING YOU HAD TO KICK US THE F[Beep] OUT OVER A TIE! YOU F[Beep]ING C[Beep]S!"

Just some of the words coming from the Allician hockey team, after they played the undefeated team from their home region of Haven. The game tied three-three in the end, but as according to Olympic regulations, Alliance Star was out of the Men's Hockey Semifinals.

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Allician Hockey player, Travis Marshal, being taken down during rant on ice

"OH! I'M SURE YOU LOVE IT WHEN PEOPLE SHOVE THIS UP THE PRETTY B[Bee] A[Beep] OF YOURS, EH? YOUR MOTHERF[Beep]ING, WHITE TRASH, INBREAD, BACK HILLS, SISTER RAPPING, GOAT MOLESTING, RETARDED F[BEEP]ING C[BEEP] WHORES."

The teams coach, had a bit of a different approach to the Allician team, as he addressed a small press gathering right out of the locker room.

"Yeah, they're angry for sure. But it's our fault. We should have played harder, and not have lost that match to Maineiacs. We're going to need to recuperate, and come back in force next year. We wish the best of luck to the other teams out there. Don't worry, we'll be back."

With the Alliance Star's defeat in the rink, and the lack of garnering any medals in the various events of day five in the Olympics; the nation is currently clinging on those that managed well in semifinals throughout various events. And alongside, were a day of near missed for Alliance Star, as Olympic medal opportunities were missed time and time again.

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Allician short track Skater Clay Gossett during his first heat.

In the realm of speed staking, we've been watching the amazing tenacity of Allician Clay Gossett, as he fights tooth and nail to stay in the top three of the Men's 1000m Short Track; as he's currently in a fight for the top against current leader, Brian Kinser of Newmanistan. He's primed for the finals, and currently not giving any comment; however his coach had the following:

"It's quite the adventure, and we'd love to bring it to and end with a Medal. Keep us in your prayers, and best wishes. Thank you."

Moving on, many defeats came across the Allician athletes as many misses for metal spots were encounters the the Luge teams, the Women's Speed Skating team, and the Men's Speed Skating teams all felt losses today in the Olympics. With the men's Speed Skating team advancing, gave the only hope for the Speed Skating delegation in the coming days, as tomorrow's events are sure to focus solely on Speed Skating for the Alliance Star Confederation as tomorrow's events either have no athletes or are unlikely to fare well at all.

With more to come, stay with us, as we keep you updated on the days events. Now, we'll break for a commercial, as we continue to give you footage from the IV Olympic Games here in Alavaria, Kelssek.

Downhill skier, lugers miss out, ski jumper qualifies strongly

Sorthern Northland today went another day medal-less at the Winter Olympics in Alavaria. Luge pair Tyler Thomas & Todd Johnson, went the closet to medaling as they finished tenth in the luge doubles event. However they were close in position rather than time as they finished nearly 0.8 second behind bronze medallists Pascal Lamoureaux and Jennifer Paiement from Newmanistan and over a second behind the silver and gold medallists. Also in the luge doubles event for Sorthern Northland were Gérard Aubuchon and Odilon Motté who would have easily won had it been a contest to see who could complete the course in the slowest time. Another medal hope for Sorthern Northland had been the downhill skier Libby Westfer. She however put in a below par performance to finish in a not that bad but not that good twenty second place. Also competing in the women's downhill event was Áine Chuilinn, Brígh Ní Dhomhnaill, and Muirín Ní Chorráin who all finished so low this reporter can't be bothered to count down to work out their final positions.

The Sorthern performance of the day came in qualification for the women's large hill ski jumping event with Caitria Kruger putting in an excellent jump to qualify with the third highest score. Also competing in the event for the Sorthern team were Harriet Williams and Ríona Ní Fhlannagáin who both also qualified. Elsewhere at the games today, Jim Heslo failed to qualify in the men's moguls, Carine Harper and Beatrice Cain both failed to qualify in the women's 500m speed skating which was delayed from yesterday, Léon Watson and Benjamin Jones likewise to failed to qualify in the men's 500m speed skating event.

The New Cleethorpes Enquirer
Arnott ready for new challenges

Women's skiing star Rebecca Arnott tonight says she "remains determined" in the wake of a highly disappointing 15th place finish in her first event, the downhill. The 19 year old, who won an unprecedented five golds at the National Freezing-to-Cold Games in 2008, said the experience had helped get to grips with the course, on which her stronger events are still to come. Meanwhile, Mandy Kohl, in one of her first competitive outings since returning after a long abeyance nursing a badly fractured leg, came in 7th to the delight to QOA Secretary General, Dr Jose Guatemala de Salvador von Salvador san Salvador el Salvador con Calvador. "This is exactly the kind of spirit we hoped for," he said.

Kohl's performance brought cheer on anotherwise gloomy day for Quintessence of Dust. Jill Bodin and Alice Kent fared poorly on the slopes, with Kent almost flying out of the race at the top of the hill, her recovery costing valuable seconds. On the rink, the skaters continued their abysmal form, with rumours circulating that after another catastrophic showing, gold medallist Xiu Fung is to be investigated for doping in the wake of his 5000m victory. "I don't see how else someone so clearly incompetent could have won," mused one anonymous source with links to ALAVOC.

Adding to their problems is the ongoing political dispute back home, with Secretary of State George Madison seemingly intent on sabotaging Quodite participation in the Games. His latest ingenious legal trick has seen him ask Congress to suspend all financial assistance to the QOA under the Sedition Act, arguing that the QOA's participation in the Games in Kelssek is 'providing aid to a foreign enemy'. Prime Minister Erica Ornan, while dismissing the charge as 'ridiculous', will be powerless to act if the Senate, in which the Social Democrat majority is waning fast, agrees to convene hearings. Writing on the team blog, mogul skier and legal expert Samantha Benson said, "Everyone here is just concentrating on the Games, enjoying the spectacle and drama, and looking forward to the day off. We all hope, of course, that George grows up, but we're not about to bet the bank on it. In the meantime, pfffffrrrt to him, nyerh."

Arnott was never a favourite in the downhill event, with the giant slalom commonly agreed to be her best chance of a medal, but she will still be ruing costly top-course errors that left her flailing at the finish line. But she showed obvious delight when Kohl's top 10 finish was confirmed, saying, "This definitely shows she's fully recovered, and ready to compete at the top level. It's very difficult to ski with confidence when you're coming back on an injury, but she clearly wasn't daunted. We're all very proud."

Day 5 Round-Up

There were golds today for Ruccola in the Nordic Combined women's team sprint, Jasī'yūn in the Luge doubles, Newmanistan in the men's moguls, where Eito Noriyuki's bronze brought the hosts' tally to 13, and a gold/bronze for Capitalizt SLANI in the women's 500m short track. And Olympic Records continue to topple, as Gim Bo-jin of Jasī'yūn became the first man to skate inside 1:28 in the 1000m short track heats, only to watch Brian Kinser of Newmanistan shave a quarter of a second off his time in quarterfinals. The Landau Institute's women's pursuit team broke the speed skating Olympic Record by over half a second, and Denise Ruybens for Qazox improved on Gaŋ Tā-la's time in the women's 500m short track prelims, only to be mysteriously excluded from the quarterfinals. Fellow Olympic Record holder Paul Hayens had to settle for silver in the men's 500m speed skating final. The ice hockey group stage finished with Kelssek, Myedvedeya and Taeshan the teams to beat in the men's, and the Landau Institute and Bluth Corporation looking strong in the women's. It was another bad day for the Quodite speed skaters, all of whom failed to make it past the heat stages.

Preview

A prediction of warmer weather tomorrow, with 8 events. All eyes will be on the team pursuit finals, for which both our teams failed to qualify, while Alexei Burbatov, currently ranked last, will need a strong free skate if he is to pull himself up into a more respectable position in the evening session.

Day 7 is a rest day for the Quodite athletes, who have been permitted by the government of Kelssek to tour the Museum of the Uniä People, and visit Alavaria's famous hot springs. And on Day 8, all focus will be back on the Games, with three skating and two skiing events.

It was another great day for some winter sports in Alvaria, Kelssek. Although very few Knights made it through to the next round of there individual sports, but the two most important teams of the hour punched their tickets two the second round with two more wins. The Mens Hockey team defeated the Fujisiwan Territories 6-1 in an epic blowout, over on the womens side the Knights locked in a gripping battle with Candelaria and Marquez to decide who would make it to the round of 16. The Knights won 4-3. The Mens team will now play runner up from the Group right above theres Warre, andf the Womens team will play group winner Ruccola in a big game. Both teams will look to control there individual games and lead our nation into a glorious hockeying futer. The Knights love ice, and now its time to love us some medals.

Zwangzugian Olympic Merchandising Group
Interdepartmental Memoranda

FROM: D. C. Ritchhart
TO: O. R. Pisciotti
RE: Nice job!

No, seriously, I need someone to make me look good.

FROM: O. R. Pisciotti
TO: D. C. Ritchhart
RE: Shut up

I'm a faster skiier than you are and you know it. I would have been fine if it wasn't for those bumps.

FROM: D. C. Ritchhart
TO: O. R. Pisciotti
RE: FYI

They're called moguls.

FROM: O. R. Pisciotti
TO: D. C. Ritchhart
RE: What?

I thought we were the moguls?

FROM: D. C. Ritchhart
TO: A. P. Scheidegger
RE: Mogul skiing
FWD: four messages

It's skiing by moguls, right?

----

It's the Olympic update!

"But it's downhill skiing that's on the minds of Zwangzug fans, with Maureen Hegna earning the nation's first ever winter gold in the women's downhill. Congratulations!"

"Thanks!"

"How did your run feel?"

"I was building myself up as I got ready, telling myself I'd do really well, so I didn't think much of it as I went down. Only after I finished did I see how well I'd done."

"And then it was just waiting."

"The hardest part!"

"How did you become a skier?"

"Well, all my friends were slalomers growing up. I was too for a while, but once I tried downhill I could never go back. It's so simple, in my opinion one of the purest sports here."

"An unbiased source, I'm sure."

"No! You know what I mean...you're racing down a hill. That's what skiing is about." On oversized pieces of plastic, mmhmm.

"What does it mean to you to be the first Zwangzugian to medal in the Winter Games?"

"I'm incredibly blessed that it was me. It could have been Tiffany or anybody. But I'm glad to show that women have as many opportunities as men, that our, uh, our mountains are a great...natural resource, or whatever..."

"I don't want to keep you too long, but thanks for joining us. Hope the celebrations are fun."

"Oh they will be."

"In other news, the hockey teams were both shut out and failed to advance to the knockout stages. Maureen Hegna's gold medal has moved Zwangzug to a lucky thirteenth in the medal tally."

Welcome to MSPN's continuing coverage of the Winter Olympics. Let's see how our team has fared:

Alpine Skiing--

Toby Meyers was 17th in the Men's Alpine Combined. In the Women's Downhill, Mary Donaldson-Shorter was 72nd and Theresa Miller was 76th.

Biathlon--

Jasper Otley was 39th and Fred Johnson was 47th in the Men's 10k Sprint.

Curling--

Our Men's team beat Fujisawan Territories 9-7. Our Women's team beat Ad'ihan 11-6.

Nordic Skiing--

Roger Freeman and Paul Xavier were 9th in the Men's Team Sprint, while Carla Chapman and Olivia Stevens 13th in the Women's Team Sprint. Our Men's team was an unbelievable 12th out of 13 teams in the Team Nordic Combined. The one remotely bright spot was a silver in the Women's Team Nordic Combined.

Figure Skating--

Neither Christian Gaudler nor Jack Garrison qualified for the Long Program.

Luge--

In the Women's competition, Marge Stanton was 13th, and Rosine Dupry was 14th. Berkeley O'Bannon and Marge Stanton were 23rd and Craig Shackleford and Steve Hunt were 27th in the Doubles Luge.

Speed Skating--

Sheila Smith was 46th in the Women's 500m. "Skeet" Shorter was 90th in the Men's 400m. We did not qaulify in either the Men's or Women's Team Pursuit.

Short Track--

Gold Medalist Denis Lectoure did not qualify in the Men's 1000m; Toji Kaneda did, but failed to advance from the quarterfinals. Betsy Parker did not qualify in the Women's 500m.

Ski Jumping--

Lydia Riley qualified in the Women's Large Hill, Kim Stewart did not.

Freestyle Skiing--

Willaim Jeter was 14th in Men's Moguls, but Chazz Orton did not qualify.

Hockey--

Our Men's team beat Candelaria And Marquez 4-1 and will advance to the medal round where their first opponent will be Dannistaan; our Women's team shutout Qazox 1-0 and will advance as winners of Group 4. Their first opponent in the Medal Round will be Ad'ihan.

We have 1 Gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze.

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day Five Recap


Men's Hockey

Newman 1 0 0 1
Qazox 0 0 2 2

The U-21 team finally scored, as their 162m:16s steak of scorelessness ended with Charles Palimero's goal which tied the match at 1-1. Matthew Gratton provided the winner just 5 minutes later to make it 2-1. But the team was eliminated thanks to Secristan's tie with Liventia. At 1-1-1, this was a very dissapointing finish for the team.

Women's Hockey

Qazox 0 0 0 0
Maineiacs 0 0 1 1

A goal with 3 minutes left eliminated the women from the Hockey competition.

Short Track - Women's 500m preliminaries
Denise Rubens: 43.938 (1st Qualified for Quarterfinals) Olympic Record
Jayde Kilas: 44.799 (21st)
Dorothy Jensen: 46.351 (45th)
Helga Olsen: 46.505 (65th)

Denise Rubens bested the old Olympic record by 0.065 seconds to earn the top spot in qualifing. Jayde Kilas missed advancing by only 0.001 of a second or by about 1/32nd of an inch.

Short Track - Women's 500m Quarterfinals
Denise Rubens: 45.395 (9th, Did not advance)


In the Quarterfinals however, Ms. Rubens slipped on the 3rd lap, costing her a semifinal berth, a huge dissapointment considering her first run of the day.

Speed Skating - Men's 500m race 2
Paul Hayens: 34.84-35.60::1:10.44 Silver Medalist
John Freeman: 35.83-36.92::1:12.75 (53rd)
Sean Dillard: 36.44-36.36::1:12.80 (60th)
Mike Craig: 36.46-37.48::1:13.94 (92nd)


Skating in the final pairing, Paul Hayens saw Ricky Erickson slip at the start and quite possibly due to his big lead, cruised a bit more than he usually would have. That lack of urgency cost Hayens the gold as he was edged out by 0.02 seconds by Bluth Corporation's Bruce Woodbury. The other 3 skaters finished well back in the pack and were never a factor in the medals.


So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

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Ski team strike gold

Mandy Liu in Alavaria

The women's ski team scored a coup yesterday in the cross-country team sprint event, winning the country's second gold medal of the Olympic Games a day after clinching a surprise bronze medal in the Nordic combined team sprint.
-----Stephanie Chu and Elisabetta Petrucci, both of Porto Verde, completed the course in 17 minutes and 16.8 seconds, ahead of Unified Beretania's Rebekah Bray and Joyce Snow, 5.4 seconds behind, and Edward City's Samantha Thomson and Rebecca Grahams, who finished 8.3 seconds later.
-----"I think we were really encouraged by yesterday's results," said Petrucci. "The idea that our team picked up a seemingly unlikely bronze medal really spurred us on, and made us realise that anything is possible at these Games."
-----Ruccolian Olympic Committee president Monique Tsao was elated by yet another gold medal victory, and said, "I am constantly amazed by our athletes. Time and time again, they prove to us that no matter the challenge, we can always exceed our own expectations, as long as we believe. They are doing our nation a great service, and their mere presence here in Alavaria speaks volumes about their achievements."

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Day 5 - Highlights

The fifth day of the Games was a day of triumph, heralding Ruccola's second gold medal victory and a variety of other successes. The events of the day were as follows:


Alpine Skiing - Women's Downhill

Jessica Li placed 9th with a time of one minute and 53.93 seconds, 1.79 seconds behind gold medalist Maureen Hegna of Zwangzug. Meanwhile, Lorenza Onofrio placed 13th, coming in at one minute and 54.21 seconds, 2.07 seconds more than Hegna, and Chiara Agostino placed 30th with a time of one minute and 55.51, finishing 3.37 seconds after the Zwangzugian Olympic champion.


Cross-Country Skiing - Women's Team Sprint

Stephanie Chu and Elisabetta Petrucci were the athletes of the day, winning Ruccola's second gold medal with a combined time of 17 minutes and 16.8 seconds.


Freestyle Skiing - Men's Moguls

John Tse placed 27th in the qualifying round with a total score of 21.17 points, while Samuele Garofalo placed 43rd with a score of 20.52. Both athletes failed to qualify for the final.


Ice Hockey - Group Stage

The men's team qualified for the next round after winning 3-1 in a match with Bai Lung, while the women's team clinched a 4–1 victory over Oiseaui.


Luge - Doubles

Gold medalist Silvio Gervasoni and teammate Joseph Hon placed 5th in the overall rankings with a total time of one minute and 31.401 seconds, 1.086 seconds after gold medalists Noah Matthews and Charles Carrillo of Jasī'yūn. Fellow compatriots Danielle Tso and Ines Annunziata also performed well, and were placed in 9th position with a time of one minute and 31.702 seconds, 1.387 seconds behind Matthews and Carrillo.


Short Track - Women's 500m

Francesca Genovese placed 48th with a time of 46.382 seconds, 2.444 seconds more than leading skater Denise Rubens of Qazox, who set a new Olympic record of 43.938 seconds. Meanwhile, Tiffany Pang placed 67th with a time of 46.514 seconds, finishing 2.576 seconds after Rubens. Both Genovese and Pang failed to qualify for the quarter-finals.


Short Track - Men's 1000m

Gaspare Amoroso was eliminated in the quarter-finals with a time of one minute and 30.412 seconds after qualifying in 12th place with a time of one minute and 29.277 seconds, 1.618 seconds after top-ranked Gim Bo-jin of Jasī'yūn, who set a new Olympic record of one minute and 27.659 seconds in the qualifying round. Meanwhile, Nicholas Choi placed 40th in the first round and failed to qualify with a time of one minute and 30.419 seconds, 2.76 seconds more than Gim.


Ski Jumping - Women's Large Hill

Evelina Grimaldi placed 13th in the qualifying round with a score of 69.9, while compatriot Laura Lui placed 14th with a score 68.9. Both skiers have qualified for the next round of competition, and will advance to the final tomorrow.


Speed Skating - Men's 500m

William Tsang placed 33rd with a total time of one minute and 12.16 seconds, 1.74 seconds behind gold medalist Bruce Woodbury of the Bluth Corporation. Meanwhile, Beniamino Moretti placed 63rd with a time of one minute and 12.85 seconds, finishing 2.43 seconds after Woodbury, and Nicholas Choi placed 83rd with a time of one minute and 13.45 seconds, 3.03 seconds more than the Olympic champion.


Speed Skating - Men's Team Pursuit

Gavino Vagnozzi, Thomas Kong and Giraldo Zanetti finished last in the preliminaries with a time of four minutes and 1.32 seconds, failing to qualify for the quarter-finals held later in the day.


Speed Skating - Women's Team Pursuit

Crystal Fu, Nicola Balbi and Kelly Lo placed 16th in the preliminaries with a time of three minutes and 8.01 seconds, failing to qualify for the quarter-finals held later in the day.

FAULK TO PREPARE LAWSUIT

After being told that she would be able to participate in the quarterfinals of the Women’s 500m Short Track speed skating event after she allegedly performed special favors for the timeskeepers, Denise Faulk was livid to hear that the judges were going back on their promise of making an adjustment on her time because of what she claimed was, “a blinding light flashed in my eyes by fans that throw me off”. Faulk was originally clocked going around the course in 45.099 seconds, but after she presented evidence to track judges of a fan point a flashlight in her face, they told her she would agree to shaving a half second off of her time, which would allow her to qualify for the quarterfinal, a complaint was made by some other national delegations, and Faulk was not allowed to participate, as her original time held up. While Faulk says it was a flashlight, other members of the Secristani delegation, such as fellow speedskater Stacie Connelly, who did qualify, said that there was no such light. “Denise told me that they agreed to go with the flashlight story if she did certain things that I will not mention for them. And she did. They went back on their word but she can’t go back on you know what.” Faulk has filed a 20 million rusa lawsuit in an Amherst court against two officials in particular. We’ll have to see how this will all pan out.

Not much else is going on for Secristan in the Winter Olympics. This has been a far cry from the success that they experienced in Columbia for the Summer Olympiad. Three medals. Two silver and one bronze and nothing more to speak of.

"Good evening, I'm Alyssa Banana, and I'm live from Alavaria, Kelssek, with a special Quod FM broadcast for the Fourth Winter Olympics."

Jaunty theme music plays for an irritatingly long time.

"We were planning to bring you the highlights from the men's figure skating, to see if Alexei Burbatov, with the famous Quodite jazz standard "Honeydew Woman" as his accompaniment, could improve on a disappointing first round through which he barely scraped into qualification.

"Unfortunately, though, technical difficulties at the Laineá Centre have forced a delay in that event. So while Alexei waits nervously to compete, we've arranged for a special interview with Emily Sanderson, from the women's alpine skiing team. Emily, welcome to Talk Sport Gort."

"Thank you, Alyssa. Can I just say hi to my mum?"

"No, I'm sorry, she's dead. Now, Emily, you're one of the youngest members of the Olympic team. Does that make it more exciting, or more nerve-wracking?"

"A bit of both, I think. But, this is the first time any of us have been at an international competition on this scale, so everyone's a little wired, even if they're riddled old hags like Sally and Jill."

"Do you have much contact with the other athletes?"

"In the team as a whole? Yes. We all hang out, and I've got to know some of the speed skaters quite well. It's a tough Games for all of us, and I know they've got some bad press, which is really unfair as they're definitely trying their hardest - and have already won one Gold. But athletes from other teams? No, not really: it's a bit insular in that respect, maybe."

"To be expected..."

"Yes, perhaps, I think it's obvious everyone's just concentrating on their own events. This isn't a social gathering, it's a competititon, and I didn't really expect to make a lot of friends!"

"Now, Emily, you're in the Super G. What can you tell us about that event, to listeners at home who are unfamiliar with the event?"

"Well, firstly, if they're unfamiliar with the event, they're probably from the South, and thus Liberals, so they can go choke on one. But, beyond that, the Super G is a 'speed' event. We have to make all the gates, but they're very spaced out, like in the downhill really."

"What do you think are the team's chances?"

"Well, there's lots of great athletes out there, everyone's in it to win it, haha. And this is a good course, but a little unpredictable, so really, I think anything could happen. I hope we do well, of course."

"What a lucid and penetrating answer. Do you by any chance do Media Studies at university?"

"Yeah, I'm planning to do Media and Riting! But of course, I have my national service first."

"Of course. What about your fellow Quodites?"

"Hmm, well, it's all eyes on Beccs, of course, but she handles the pressure really well. And everyone was pleased that Mandy came in 7th in the downhill; that's a great recovery after such a bad injury."

"Closing question: Emily, you won silver in this event at the National-Freezing-to-Cold Games. Hopes for the Olympics?"

"To do my best, that's all. And can I just say hi to my boyfriend."

"No, I'm afraid he's left you for a man. Ok, that's all for now, we'll be back later once things get underway this evening in Alavaria. I'm Alyssa Banana, good night."

Announcer talks over equally irritating closing music: "Now on Quod FM, a chance to catch up with all the action from Umbrage Farm, on The Sagittarians."

Voice 1, gruff rural accent: "Ooh argh, I've just chopped off me hand in the rotary cul'ivator, ooh argh."

Voice 2, gruffer rural accent: "Nevermind Ernie, let's go down the pub and complain about our children being homosexual meth freaks, ooh argh ooh argh."

Announcer: "That was The Sagittarians. The agricultural story editor was Petunia Clarence-Amritsar-Orpington-Migraine. Tune in tomorrow when the vicar has an affair with A MUSLIM!!"

Weather
Today: Cloudy periods, increasing cloudiness overnight. Currently -1ºC.
Friday: Cloudy. 60 percent chance of flurries in the morning and afternoon. Clearing in the evening. High 2ºC.

Day 6 results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14480685&postcount=14)

"What have you got there, Borro?" one of the Ursine spectators asked another as they walked away from watching their team's narrow defeat in the Women's Curling.
"Hr'rmm, it seems to be some leaflet that the Candelabran officials have been handing out to their team's supporters: You read English better than I do, see for yourself..."
"Blah, blah, blah... advised to avoid going too far outside of... blah, blah... poisonous mushrooms... blah, blah... bears. Oh, I see: They're trying to explain us away, rather than admit our existence to their people, by claiming that large numbers of ordinary bears are wandering around in the woods near here..."
"Large number of ordinary bears that just happen to be wearing clothes?!? Somehow, I don't think that that explanation will work very well... RORFFLE!"
"Harr, harr, harr!"

The New Cleethorpes Enquirer
Shock double outbursts from Olympic team

The Quintessential Olympic Association tonight issued an "unreserved apology" for comments by figure skater Alexei Burbatov, whose 13th place finish in the free skate event this evening consigned him to an overall 18th in the men's individual event. Reacting badly to his disappointing finish, he showered a stream of racist invective, criticising the "animals" he was competing against.

While thought to refer to the Bears Armed skater who picked up silver in their traditionally favoured sport, his comments seemed to be aimed more generally at all non-human participants in the Games, who he derided as "freaks, weirdos, and half-breeds, who should be eaten, not applauded". Politicians back home were quick to disavow the remark, though they received a ringing endorsement from Quintessential People's Party leader John Williamson, who said they revealed "a hard truth".

Prime Minister Erica Ornan labelled the outburst "disgusting", while Secretary of State George Madison pointed to his strong record of support for World Assembly legislation to guarantee rights for non-humans. President James Dwight said that while he was not aware of the specifics of the case, he found all such comments to be "completely deplorable, and not representative of the tolerance for which Quintessence of Dust is so rightly revered".

While QOA officials recanted, they emphasised the "tremendous pressure" of the Olympics, and the unfortunate circumstances that left Burbatov waiting over two hours rinkside owing to unspecified technical problems. "Not that it excuses it, but I think he was very frustrated," said figure skating coach Ivan Bogoff. Quick to praise ALAVOC's swift resolution of the crisis, and showing pleasure that there was no planned disruption to the ice dancing and women's individual events, Bogoff added that, "Alexei knows he crossed a line, and we can guarantee he will be apologising in full tomorrow."

But no sooner had one controversy erupted than another appeared ready to blow, after bizarre comments from men's speed skater Xiu Fung, gold medallist in the 5000m event. The first Quodite athlete to win an Olympic medal, the youngster was tonight informed that his urine sample was to be subject to a second round of tests by anti-doping experts. "We repeat our earlier position: there is no way someone this comically bad at speed skating could have won," one official said.

In response, Fung said that he won the medal "fair and square. The gold is mine. GOLD LIKE YOUR FACE!" He gave a strongly anti-doping message, saying that he found the use of drugs for sporting enhancement to be sickening. "They made me throw up," he said, before his trainer hastily backpedalled, saying that the remark clearly referred to nausea induced by the spectre of cheats. "Xiu has never broken any rules, and we have every confidence he will emerge from this clean, and the deserved victor."

Day 6 Round-Up

Day 6 was quiet for Quintessence of Dust, but elsewhere the big winners were the United Beretania and Bluth Corporation teams, the latter claiming the first 1-2-3 of the Games to solidify their second place rank in the medals table. They won all three medals in the women's biathlon 7.5km sprint. United Beretania won gold with Chang in the figure skating, gold in the women's speed skating team pursuit, and bronze in the men's. Qazox, Newmanistan and Alliance Star all picked up golds to add to their tallies, while the Dagans moved clear of Quintessence of Dust in the medal table after bronze in the women's team pursuit and silver in ski jump.

Preview

After the rest day, full competition resumes for Quodite athletes, who face their biggest challenges yet. Gold medallist Wilhelm Biber, national champion Johann "The Jorgenator" Jorgen, veteran Han Chung and newcomer Mathias Abendroth tackle the men's Super G, while Rebecca Arnott leads the women's alpine ski team in her second event, the combined, alongside Christy Morgan and Li Peng Xiu. And on the ice, there are men's 1000m events for both short and long track skaters, with Fung's participation in the latter as yet uncertain, while Chu Dao and Lo Min feature in the women's short track 1500m.

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day Six Midday Recap
Higgins Gets Qazox' First Gold of Games


Skeleton - Women's
Paulette Higgins- 59.33-1:00.03::1:59.36 GOLD MEDALIST
Shawna Eracil- 1:01.51-1:00.74::2:02.25 (16th)
Wendy Hall- 1:01.25-1:01.10::2:02.35 (18th)

Paulette higgins rode a sub-1:00 time in the first run to the gold medal as she won the competition by over a second. Shawna Eracil and Wendy Hall, both finished in the top 20, and were in medal contention through out.


Men's Curling
Leading 8-6 with one end left, Qazox looked all but assured of a win, which would advance them into the quarterfinals of the Men's Curling competition. However, a bad throw by Oliver Jackson let Arridian Isles get 3 stones throught to steal the win. Now the team awaits tie-brekers to determine if they advance at all.


AI 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 3 9
QZX 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 1 2 0 8


Women's Curling
On the Women's side, Qazox easily defeated Maineiacs 7-3 to clinch the top spot in the group and a quarterfinal berth. Can this team do what the last 3 have failed to do, and make a semi-final?


MAI 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 3
QZX 0 2 1 0 2 0 1 1 0 0 7


Snowboarding - Men's snowboard cross qualification:
Dave Johnson- 1:19.46 (7th, Qualified for Round of 32)
Davis Elkwood- 1:23.67 (34th, Did not Advance)
Harold Fenner- 1:25.35 (40th, Did not Advance)
Snowboarding - Men's snowboard cross 1/8 final
Dave Johnson- 1:21.18 (t12th, Qualified for QuarterFinals)

Only Dave Johnson has qualified for the quarterfinals for Qazox, as Elkwood and Fenner both went off course early in their runs, costing them valuable time. Johnson just sneaked into the quarters, after a couple of riders crashed ahead of him in the round of 32.


So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

Albavona Capitol Sentinel

Chang wins gold

Alavaria, Kelssek - Medals poured in for Unified Beretania on the sixth day of the IV Winter Olympics in Alavaria, Kelssek, but the medal that held the most significance was Stephan Chang’s gold in men’s figure skating. Not only did it carry the historic note of being the first Olympic gold medal won by a Beretanian in a Winter Olympics, but Stephan Chang’s personal story behind his Olympic appearance has captivated the nation.

The day after qualifying for the Olympics, Stephan Chang’s sister Susan passed away after a battle with cancer. Chang told reporters prior to the start of the Olympics that his sister had always been in the stands to watch him at his many competitions up to the last weeks of her life, and that he knew without a doubt that his sister would be watching him in the Olympics from up above.

Chang opted not to take interviews following the first night of figure skating, instead choosing to spend time in reflection. After winning gold, Chang opened up to reporters.

“I’m so overwhelmed. Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever imagined myself as an Olympic champion. Words can’t express this feeling. Hearing the national anthem and knowing that this gold medal is real, and knowing my sister is up there watching me, I can’t describe that. It’s indescribable,” Chang said.

Asked if he would attempt to defend his gold in the Olympics four years from now, Chang answered “I’m taking things one day at a time. I’ll make that decision when the time comes.”

“This one’s for Susan,” Chang said as he showed reporters his medal.

Chang wasn’t the only Beretanian to win gold. Arlene Concetta Tyler, Caroline Sofia Pederson, and Michelle Kistler won gold in the women’s speed skating team pursuit event. Secristan’s Brittany Cottrell, Ashley Rindali, and Courtney Galinak won silver in that event, while Cassadaigua’s Kara Mueller, Connie Izzo, and Shannon Johnston won bronze. Mark Middleton, Keith Scarborough, and Susumu Nakamoto won bronze in the men’s version of the event.

Day 7 Schedule
Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 15km classical
Broderick Benson, Jose Hernandez, Scott Farmer

Skeleton - Men's heats
Weston Korpi, Lynwood Cummings, Rory Yaw

Snowboarding - Women's snowboard cross
Gwen Georges, Sue Wildermuth

Mistake costs speed skating pursuit team bronze

ALAVAIRA OLYMPIC UPDATE— The men's speed skating pursuit team of Adrian Cooper, Joe Cooper and Carson Cox missed out on bronze in their B Final late last night after a mistake by Joe Cooper left the team struggling to make up for ten lost seconds.

Skating the second leg, the younger of the Cooper brothers slipped and fell, allowing the Unified Beretania team to skate well ahead into an unassailable lead. The Ad’ihani team finished with a time a second shy of four minutes, well off their best of 3:47.84 set during the preliminaries.

Cooper was almost inconsolable after the race, knowing full well it had been his slip that led to the medal being lost. It was initially feared that Cooper may have fractured his hand trying to break his fall, but it has been diagnosed as a minor wrist sprain which should heal in time for Cooper to race in the 10 km on the penultimate day of competition.

It was not a good day for Ad’ihan on the whole, as both the men's and women's curling teams were eliminated from competition and the two competitors in the women's skeleton both finished well off the mark.

After six days of competition, Ad’ihan is 22nd in the medal standings, with two silvers.

There is not much to look forward to for Ad’ihan on Day 7, with the only action coming from the men's skeleton and the women's ice hockey.

Day 7 afternoon results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14483558&postcount=15)

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day Six/Day Seven midday Recap


We here at QBC apologize for the lack of coverage of last night's events, as a satellite malfunction prevented us from showing the scheduled programming on QBC. Once again, we apologize for the dealy in yesterday's programming, which will be replayed at 2pm today on QSPN2.

Day 6 results:

Snowboarding - Men's snowboard cross QuarterFinals
Dave Johnson- 1:20.78 (5th, Qualified for SemiFinals)
Snowboarding - Men's snowboard cross semifinals
Dave Johnson- 1:18.22 (Won Semifinal 2, advanced to Final)
Snowboarding - Men's snowboard cross Final
Dave Johnson- 1:21.91 (Bronze Medalist)


Dave Johnson rode a bit of luck into the finals of Snowboard cross, as in the semifinals, Rueben Clapther of Kelssek, the odds on favorite to win in front of his countrymen, fell on the 2nd jump, allowing Johnson to win the Semifinal heat and advance to the finals. But alas, Stefano Evangelista of Ruccola got the holeshot and cruised to the gold, as Johnson edged out Vladimir Dolohov of Myedvedeya for the bronze.

DAY 7 RESULTS:

Men's Curling tiebreaker
Qazox fell behind early 0-5 to Colburne, whose win allowed them to advance into the next round.


COL 2 2 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 2 11
QZX 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 2 1 0 7


Skeleton - Men's heat 1
Luke Jansen: 59.24 (t16th)
John Jensen: 59.26 (20th)
Matthew Jensen: 59.61 (38th)

Not a good day on the track as the Jensen brothers and Luke Jansen finished well behind the ealry leaders, meaning there's work to be done on the 2nd run later tonight.


Snowboarding - Women's snowboard cross qualification:
Michelle Tynes: 1:35.80 (26th, Qualified for Round of 32)
Arbury Opalo: 1:36.03 (29th, Qualified for Round of 32)
Zaet A'uahn: 1:39.98 (38th, Did not Advance)

Snowboarding - Women's snowboard cross Round of 32:
Michelle Tynes: 1:35.22 (18th, Did not Advance)
Arbury Opalo: 1:35.32 (19th, Did not Advance)

Quick day on the slopes for the women, as they struggled in both qualifying and the Round of 32. Michelle Tynes was the best of the 3, finishing 26th in qualifying and 18th in the Round of 32.


So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

Albavona Capitol Sentinel

Midday Olympic Results: Georges qualifies for snowboard cross semifinal

Alavaria, Kelssek - Both Sue Wildermuth and Gwen Georges had both done well in the various stages of the women’s snowboard cross event, but ultimately Wildermuth fell short of qualifying for the semifinal. Georges however had luck on her side and did manage to qualify. Georges isn’t expected to medal, but remains one of the more popular Beretanian athletes. The semifinal and final are scheduled to take place later today.

Results
Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 15km classical
Scott Farmer 41:48.4 (26th)
Broderick Benson 42:57.9 (36th)
Jose Hernandez 43:19.3 (38th)

Skeleton - Men's heat 1
Lynwood Cummings 59.32 (27th)
Rory Yaw 59.46 (T 33rd)
Weston Korpi 59.48 (T 36th)

Snowboarding - Women's snowboard cross quarterfinals
Gwen Georges 1:32.16 (Q)
Sue Wildermuth 1:36.88 (13th)

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/1183/larepubblicafx2.jpg

Evangelista wins Olympic gold

Giacomo Peretti in Alavaria

Stefano Evangelista captured the gold medal in the men's snowboard cross yesterday, bringing Ruccola's medal tally to three gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
-----The 23-year old national champion claimed the top position by a razor-thin margin, finishing 0.38 seconds ahead of Tocrowkia's Leonie Melcher with a time of one minute and 19.07 seconds in the final. Qazox's Dave Johnson took the bronze, completing the course 2.84 seconds behind Evangelista.
-----"That was a really close call," said the native of Saragna. "If it wasn't for the timekeeping technology we use nowadays, I would've thought we tied for first place. Of course, I was overjoyed to find that I won by mere fractions of a second, and am happy to know that I kept up my performance throughout the five rounds of competition."
-----The snowboarder consistently maintained his first-place ranking in the qualifying and second rounds of the event, as well as the quarter-finals and the final itself. Melcher qualified for the final round just ahead of the Ruccolian, while Johnson and fourth-placed Vladimir Dolohov of Myedvedeya came in with faster times in a separate heat of the semi-finals.
-----"I will never forget this," said Evangelista. "Everything about this competition just blew me away. I am so honoured to have competed against such amazing counterparts."

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6363/rtvolympicskv7.jpg


Day 6 - Highlights

Team Ruccola continued the momentum of the previous day, winning the nation's third gold medal and securing yet more accomplishments in a number of sports. The events of the day were as follows:


Biathlon - Women's 7.5km Sprint

Donata Bortolami placed 40th with a time of 26 minutes and 24.8 seconds, two minutes and 48.3 seconds behind gold medalist Flora Hammonds of the Bluth Corporation. Meanwhile, Ashley Cheung placed 52nd, coming at a time of 26 minutes and 48.9 seconds, three minutes and 12.4 seconds after Hammonds.


Curling - Group Stage

The men's team claimed a 9-1 victory over Coocoostan, while the women's team defeated Bai Lung 13–6 after two extra ends of play. Both teams successfully qualified for the next round of matches.


Figure Skating - Men's Free Skate

Pairs silver medalist Daniele Cavallini scored 154.53 points in his free skate, placing him 4th overall with a total score of 237.88, 15.48 points less than gold medalist Stephan Chang of Unified Beretania.


Skeleton - Women's Heats

Christina Tung placed 14th with a combined time of two minutes and 2.14 seconds, 2.78 seconds more than gold medalist Paulette Higgins of Qazox. Meanwhile, Liliana Caruso placed 20th with a time of two minutes and 2.56 seconds, finishing 3.2 seconds after Higgins, and Catarina Rizzuto placed 25th with a time of two minutes and 2.85 seconds, 3.49 seconds behind the Qazoxian Olympic champion.


Ski Jumping - Women's Large Hill

Evelina Grimaldi scored 65.7 points in the final, placing 12th with a total score of 135.6, 39.8 points less than gold medalist Stephanie Brighton of Newmanistan. Meanwhile, fellow compatriot Laura Lui scored 59.1 points in the same round, placing her in 20th place with a cumulative score of 128.0, 47.4 points lower than Brighton.


Speed Skating - Men's Team Pursuit

The Allician speed skating team clinched gold in the finals with a time of three minutes and 47.19 seconds. Ruccola's speed skaters failed to qualify for the event.


Speed Skating - Women's Team Pursuit

Unified Beretania won a gold medal in the finals with a time of three minutes and 5.70 seconds. The Ruccolian women's team failed to qualify for the event.


Snowboarding - Men's Snowboard Cross

The star of the day was Stefano Evangelista, who took the country's first gold in snowboarding after completing the final with a time of one minute and 19.07 seconds.

WHERE’S THE GOLD?

Halfway into the Alavaria games, and the wonderful fans have still yet to be treated to our national anthem. “How many more national anthems are pure heavy metal?” asked speed skater Ashley Rinaldi who left the podium with a silver around her neck following the team pursuit’s loss to the team from Unified Beretania in the gold medal final. This is the closest that Secristan has come to a gold in this Olympiad, which is disappointing given the higher expectations that we had for our athletes at the beginning of the games. Or as Rinaldi puts it, “We need to treat them to ‘Rock on, Secristan!’ before this is over. Nothing against Unified Beretania but their anthem is kinda boring, like most of them are.” Brittany Cottrell, relay teammate was much more modest, “Ashley is just being Ashley. She’s all into that hard rock like crazy. We listen to it before every practice as it gets her in the mood. I don’t think ever see her without her ipod.” Maybe Pete Garrison can bring one home in the ski jump. He was third in qualification, albeit a long way behind Carlos Alberto Sagatiba, who made everyone’s jaw drop. Good qualifying doesn’t always mean a good finish, so Garrison still has a chance. We tried to get an interview with Garrison, but he did not return our phone calls. He was seen leaving with Cassadaigua’s Caitlin Conroy moments after the event. Teammate Randall Stewart may have blew his cover though when he made the following comment, “If you saw him leave with her then where do you think he is, idiots.” When asked to clarify, and be nicer about it, he obliged, “Everyone wants to hear the tear-jerker stories. How some athlete overcame a disability or a family tragedy a week before the Olympics. “Those are great, sure. But you wanna know what’s really going in the Olympic Village? Haha, I don’t wanna say, there might be kids listening.” We get the idea.


The Secristan Department of Sports reports that despite the ineffectiveness of the Secristani delegation, that ratings for the Olympics have remained steady, and pay-per-view purchases (the only way a Secristani can view the Olympics) have remained in their window of expectations. Katie Simpson, our SDOS representative explains, “Because a lot of people purchased the entire Olympic package before the start of the games, we really have not seen the lack of medals be a purchasing deterrent. In fact, our advertising has geared to a “This may be the event!” focus where we try and get our fans to believe that they might miss out on our first gold medal if they do not purchase the event. The numbers are strong, and the advertisers have continued to purchase space to keep us at a rate of 35 minutes of commercials per hour. We’re aiming for 40, but that’s something that we are happy with.”

Weather
Today: Light flurries. Currently -4ºC. cloudy, clearing overnight. Expected low -15ºC.
Saturday: Sunny. High -1ºC.

Day 7 evening results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14484321&postcount=16)

Posted on the team blog at http://olympics.org.qd/team/interblag.

Not a 'rest' day
by Samantha Benson

Today no Quodites were competing in the Games, so the QOA arranged a trip for some of us around some tourist spots in Alavaria. We would like to thank everyone involved. Some media reported the event as a 'rest day', which is a misconception. Everyone is still training hard, and the excursion was simply a diversion to avoid getting stir-crazy in the Olympic Village. There is definitely no rest to be had.

The main attractions were the hot springs and the Museum of the Uniä People, fascinating reminders of the fragile geological and anthropological forces that have shaped our world. Around 30 of the athletes went, and it was a good way to relax some of the nervous younger competitors, beginning to feel the pressure from the big event.

When we got back, it was wonderful to hear that, apart from unusual amounts of 'fail', Xiu's sample contained no irregularities, and hence his gold medal is definitely in the clear. While it a shame our country's first Olympic medal was briefly tainted by suspicion, it is very gratifying to have Xiu's victory confirmed as he worked very hard for it. Many of us will be turning out tomorrow to watch him get royally dicked on in the men's 1000m race, I mean, try his very best.

I don't want to dwell on the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Alexei Burbatov being sent home. We all felt he should have apologised for his uncalled-for remarks, but we understand he is still angry with his performance. We hope, on his return home, he will be given some time for reflection, which media privacy would certainly abet. We also all look forward to the other figure skating events.

We wish Wilhelm, Han, Johann, Mathias, Beccy, Christy, Li Peng, Yo, Chen, Liu Pin, Lo, Chu, Lao, Xhua and Xiu look in their events tomorrow.

Siggurr Thuleann, the Chairbear of the BA Olympic Committee, was sitting at the table in his room trying to work out whether the Committee’s unofficial target of medals to be won by their country’s athletes during these Games was still credibly attainable. At least sixteen medals, with at least four Golds and four Silvers in that mix? That hadn't originally seemed to be too much of an increase over BA’s wins in the second Winter Olympics (which were three Gold, two Silver, and six Bronze), and the number of events in which they had entries was significantly higher this time around than it had been back then, but the ‘medal-rate’ here so far was no better than it had been there… and the Men’s Curling team having just been eliminated (narrowly) through a ‘tie-breaker’ clearly wouldn’t help, especially as the ‘Gold’ that they’d won at Keto had led to expectations that they’d get at least some grade of medal this time as well: Still, at least the Women's Curling team had qualified for the next round… He was actually rather relieved when there was a knock at the door.

“It’s not locked!” he called out.
“Can I ask a favour, Serr?” enquired short-track skater Beorrn o Erhabarra, as he entered the room.
“You can certainly ask,” Siggur replied, “but I’m not promising anything before I’ve heard just what it is that you want.” He waved a paw in the direction of a parcel, wrapped in brightly-coloured paper, that Beorrn was carrying.
“And if that’s going to be offered to me as a present, as an incentive to do something that I wouldn’t want to, then whatever’s inside the gift-wrap had better be something pretty good!”
Beorrn blinked, and held the parcel more closely.
“No, it isn’t for you,” he said, “but it is involved in the matter with which I need a bit of help. You remember that during my race I accidentally skated over a fallen competitor’s hand?”
“Yes, and the fact that that obstacle slowed you down slightly was probably what cost you qualification for the next round.”
“Well, be that as it may, I felt that I owed the poor fellow, Jamie Collins, some compensation for his injury — even if no court would actually assess any ‘bere-gelt’ in this case — and so I’ve packaged up this one-trerm jar of honey from my own ‘cabin stores’ as a consolation present for him. What I was wondering was simply whether you’d ask the ‘Olympic Village’ officials to see that this, and the attached note, reaches him hokay.”
“But why can’t you just take it around to him yourself? Not worried that he and his team-mates might try to attack you, I hope?” Siggur asked in a slightly scornful tone… and then: “Wait a minute! He’s a furless Candelabran, isn’t he? Are you really seriousabout giving him this stuff?”
“Sure, I know where he’s from, but I wouldn’t blame the athletes for their government’s actions: After all, it was ordinary people, like those athletes’ families, who suffered when the authorities clamped-down on the Green Islanders when our Soccer team went there…”
“How very forgiving of you,” snarled Siggur, and then continued in a surprised tone: “Not turning into some kind of Christian, are you?”
“Perish the thought!” Beorrn replied, “Like many members of my Clan, I’m an ‘Ursion’, and Artos Ursios didn’t just come to Earth to save Bears — not even to save Bears no matter how grumpy some of them might be —” (Siggur chuckled at this stab…) “he lived, and died on the stake, to save all of the ‘Talking Peoples’!” Beorrn reached inside the top of his tunic, and pulled out a wooden image (suspended on a silver chain) that depicted an Ursine — with a ‘noble’ expression on his face — “sitting” on the top of a tapered wooden shaft, with his wrists linked by ropes to a pulley overhead and his outstretched feet resting precariously on a board that bore the inscribed letters ‘A.N.R.U’…
“Alright, hokay, keep your pelt on…” said Siggur. “Leave the present and letter here, and I’ll pass them on this evening…”


_________________________________________________

(OOC: one 'trerm' is equivalent to about 3 pounds in weight. The honey with which Beorrn is presenting his injured rival isn't from one of the really "top" varieties, but would definitely be considered better-than-average by most people's reckoning...)

Olympic update(s), la la la...

"Zwangzug's curling teams have been dominant in the last couple of days. The men's team defeated the Fujisawan Territories 10-1 to sail into the round of 16 against Dannistaan, who advanced through the tiebreak rounds.

It wasn't so fast for the women. They beat Ad’ihan 12-7 to take third in Group 5, and then it was over to the tiebreakers. Two successive shutouts--8-0 against St Samuel and 6-0 over those Fujisawan Territories--saw Zwangzug reach the knockout stages. They'll most likely face Cassadaigua.

While the triumphs should have been unequivocal, a dark cloud marred the women's playoff appearance. Perhaps we should have seen it coming eight sets into the men's game. With Zwangzug up by nine points, skip Dwayne Milroy was momentarily baffled by his opponents' offer to shake hands. He quickly rose to the occasion and shook them gracefully, with the rest of the team following suit.

But when the St Samuel side tried to concede after eight consecutive 1-0 ends went to Zwangzug, outspoken skip Tracy Laroum was stunned. After several awkward moments on the ice, an official hastily explained international curling custom to the unwitting victors, who surlily shook hands in a disrespectful manner as far as international curling custom is concerned. Marred by this incident, they were distracted during the evening match, and managed comparatively few shots in the house. The Fujisawan team had even fewer, though. Ironically, 6-0 is the sort of scoreline that would normally require a concession, but all ten ends were played anyhow with four blanks. Not the sort of play that you're looking for on this level.

Laroum joins me to discuss the tiebreakers."

"Hi."

"What went wrong out there?"

"St Samuel's curling ability?"

"Um. Well. How about the, erm, concession?"

Laroum rolls her eyes. "I don't know what was such a big deal about it. There were only two more ends to get through."

"Curling is traditionally a model of good, ah, of people being good sports."

"Curling is traditionally a cold strategy test. We might not be the most well-known teams, but Zwangzug curlers have had plenty of time to develop our own traditions, uphold our own values."

"Did you really think St Samuel could come back?"

"Of course."

"By...beating you by nine points over two sets?"

"Yeah."

"That doesn't seem very likely, uh, you're quite a good team..."

"Thank you."

"Er...you know what? That's all we have time for, thanks for joining us."

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
Fujisawan Territories men 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 X X 1
Zwangzug men 1 1 0 1 2 1 2 1 X X 10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
Ad’ihan women 0 1 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 1 7
Zwangzug women 2 0 2 1 0 0 2 3 2 0 12

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
Zwangzug women 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 X X 8
St Samuel women 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X X 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
Fujisawan Territories women 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Zwangzug women 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 6

Weather
Currently: Cloudy, -3ºC. High of 0ºC today. Cloudy overnight, low -8ºC.
Sunday: Sunny, high 2ºC.

Day 8 afternoon results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14486906&postcount=17)

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day Seven evening/Day Eight Afternoon Recap


Day 7 results:
Women's Curling- Qazox found out who they'll play in the Round of 16, Dannistan.

Skeleton - Men's heat 2:
Luke Jansen: 59.24-58.99::1:58.23 (14th)
John Jensen: 59.26-59.45::1:58.71 (26th)
Matthew Jensen: 59.61- 1:02.70::2:02.31 (46th)


The bad starts by the skeletoners lead to bad finishes, as only Luke Jansen cracked the top 20.


DAY 8 Morning Results:
Alpine Skiing - Men's super-G
Payi Viashr: 1:31.74 (9th)
Greg Olsen: 1:33.47 (28th)
Frank W. Jones: 1:37.45 (63rd)
Walter Asimov: 1:41.44 (83rd)


Payi Viashr had the lead after the early session, but slipped to 9th overall, missing a chance at winning a 2nd medal. Greg Olsen and Frank W. Jones each struggled with the course, finsihing well over 3 and 7 seconds, respectively, behind the medalists. Walter Asimov finished dead-last in 83rd, almost 10 seconds behind.

Alpine Skiing - Women's alpine combined: (thru Slalom Run 1)
Denise Potluck: 1:52.55-52.39::2:44.94 (4th)
Rene Potluck: 1:53.99-51.73::2:45.72 (8th)
Kylie Davidsson: 1:58.16-53.73::2:51.89 (50th)

Both Potluck sisters are in the top 10 thru the 1st Slalom run of the Alpine Combined event, with both struggling in the 1st run. If they can avoid the same struggles in the 2nd slalom run, perhaps they can get 2 medals. Kylie Davidsson is in 50th and isnt expected to improve her placing.


Bobsleigh - Two-man heats
(Runs 1 and 2)
David Schuls/Victor Seriang: 56.89-56.68::1:53.57 (23rd)
Lyle Kive/Wesley Ivanav: 56.64-57.41::1:54.05 (38th)

Has Qazoxian sledding fallen this far in just 4 years? Or has the rest of the world caught up? Either way, both of Qazox' teams are mired deep in the pack, and with just 2 runs left, it might take a miracle to medal.

Short Track - Women's 1500m heats:
Helga Olsen: 2:33.915 (16th, Qualified for Semifinals)
Denise Rubens: 2:34.928 (23rd, Did not Advance)
Short Track - Women's 1500m semifinals:
Helga Olsen: 2:31.628 (2nd Semifinal 3, Qualified for Final)

Helga Olsen just barely qualified for the semis, at the expense of her teammate, Denise Rubens; but dominated in her semifinal until being passed by Linda Uosh of Ariddia, who set a new Olympic record. Olsen will race int eh finals tommorrow.

Short Track - Men's 1000m semifinals:
Semi 2: Mike Quinlan: 1:29.235 (2nd heat, qualified for Final)
Mike Quinlan edged Lee Ho-Ping of Lovisa to advance to the Finals of the Men's 1000m.



So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

SNTV online>Sport>Winter Olympics

Suicidal athletes secure first Sorthern medals.

After six medalless days of competition Sorthern Northland was finally able to celebrate seeing a Sortherner step up on to the podium thanks to the efforts of a suicidal bunch of athletes who hurl themselves head first down a bob-sleigh track on a sled at speeds reaching nearly 130km/h. Just like any sane person would, then.

The first of the skeleton medals came on day six of the competition, as the women took their turn to try and make it to the bottom of the track alive. Olive Fremboi, did just that, and was given as a silver medal as she managed to do it just a little bit faster than Molly Hatchell from the lovely Canderlaria And Marquez, who won a bronze, Canderlaria And Marquez's first medal at these games. Hip, hip, hooray! Speaking after the medal ceremony Fremboi told us how she won a historic chunk of silver-coloured medal saying, “There's not a lot to bob skeleton really. You should run fast with a sled at the start and then jump on and hope you manage to stay on it till the end. It's a bit scary really as you don't have that much control and it's not the most pleasant feeling in the world when you crash at 130km/h. Hurts a bit. But yeah, it's great to win this medal for being pulled down faster by the gravity than nearly every one else. It's taken a lot of work to get here really, a lot of sacrifice but it's all worth it now.”

Sorthern Northland's women's skeleton team featured two other members, Tatjana Ivanović, and Meaghan Richardson, who finished 30th and 50th out of a field of 51 athletes. Or in other words, they finished somewhere in the middle and second last, well done to them.

The second medal came almost exactly twenty four hours later as the men were given their chance to hurl themselves head first into a wall of ice. Possibly. Or not really, as no one it seems did actually manage to crash and get themselves disqualified. The men's event saw two Sortherners finish in the top five, with fifth placed Kerry Cummings left to rue a missed opportunity. “I put in a good time, but you always feel you can do a bit better, and Neil getting the gold, it would have been great to finish a couple of places higher and have two Sortherners on the podium” Cummings mused after the event. Gold medal winner Neil Klien in his post-race interview expressed a similar view saying, “Individually I am very delighted, this is something I've dreamed of much. I've spent many years working towards this, and have had to sacrifice some things to reach this level. It's been a long and something hard journey, and today for me, the destination justified all the work the journey has been. The race itself was a difficult one, the track is very hard, it takes a lot of effort to do well you, and you have to strain your every muscle just to stay on the sled. From a team point of view, Kerry's performance was both pleasing and disappointing. Pleasing in that, fifth is a very good finish and we as a team can say we have two of the top five skeleton racers in the world, and disappointing in the sense that he's a great guy and if there's anyone that deserves a medal it's him. And from the nations point of view, having two Sorthern flags above the podium would have been special.”

The only other Sorthern athlete competing on day eight of the Games was the third member of the men's skeleton team, Harry Black, who finished 21st.

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/1183/larepubblicafx2.jpg

Ruccolian slides to bronze in skeleton

Mandy Liu in Alavaria

Anthony Poon won a bronze medal in the men's skeleton event yesterday, beating Cafundelense favourite André Luiz Torcida to third position in the overall rankings.
-----The skeleton racer completed his two runs with a total time of one minute and 57.05 seconds, 0.16 seconds after Taeshan's Xaveir Toll and 0.3 seconds behind Neil Klien of Sorthern Northland, who won gold with a time of one minute and 56.75 seconds. Poon finished the first heat with a time of 57.92 seconds, recording the fastest run of the event and placing him in top position for the first round of competition.
-----"I was a little disappointed with my performance in the second heat," said Poon. "After coming in first, I thought I would be able to maintain my position at the top of the rankings. I'm still glad that I managed to medal though, and I hope to do even better in future competitions."
-----Poon's medal win confirmed predictions that Ruccola's Olympic team would not return home empty-handed from both the skeleton and luge events at Alavaria, particularly after the increased funding and support allocated to the two sports by the government and the Ruccolian Olympic Committee in recent years.

Day 8 evening results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14487633&postcount=18)

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6363/rtvolympicskv7.jpg


Day 7 - Highlights

Although relatively tempered in comparison to the past few days, the seventh day of the Olympics was generally positive, and added a bronze medal to Ruccola's medal count. The events of the day were as follows:


Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 15km Classical

Arturo Marchetti placed 33rd with a time of 42 minutes and 38.6 seconds, four minutes and 13.9 seconds behind gold medalist Justin Chiles of the Alliance Star Confederation. Meanwhile, Daniel Kwok placed 46th with a time of 44 minutes and 12.6 seconds, five minutes and 47.9 seconds after the Allician Olympic champion.


Curling - Tiebreakers

Ruccola did not participate in the day's curling matches, as both the men's and women's teams had already qualified for the upcoming round of sixteen.


Ice Hockey - Round of 16

The men's team won out 4-1 over Iglesian Archipelago, eliminating them from the competition, while the women's team suffered its first ever defeat against Taeshan, knocking them out of the tournament after a 3-2 loss.


Skeleton - Men's Heats

The athlete of the day was Anthony Poon, who took the country's third bronze medal after completing both heats with a total time of one minute and 57.05 seconds, 0.3 seconds more than gold medalist Neil Klien of Sorthern Northland.


Ski Jumping - Men's Large Hill

Giulio Pellegrini placed 26th with a score of 71 points, qualifying for the next round of competition scheduled for tomorrow. Fellow compatriot Brian Yip scored 64.8 points, placing 34th in the rankings and failing to qualify for the final.


Snowboarding - Women's Snowboard Cross

Katherine Fan and Angela Sammartini both progressed to the quarter-finals before being eliminated, coming in at one minute and 35.58 seconds and one minute and 43.35 seconds respectively in their last round. Tocrowkia's Erica Felten won gold in the event with a time of one minute and 28.05 seconds.

The New Cleethorpes Enquirer
Skiers claim best day in national history

Han Chung, Christy Morgan and Li Peng Xiu all claimed medals as Quintessence of Dust's Olympic team yielded their best day ever. The alpine skiers won gold in the men's super G and a silver-bronze combo in the women's combined to move the team to joint 7th in the overall medals table. They currently lead hosts Kelssek in the alpine skiing events, with four medals. But the women's medals will not be confirmed until, in another mistaken case of exclusion, Zwangzug's team are allowed to record times - which could mean bitter disappointment for one or both of the medallists.

"We don't want to think about that possibility," said Morgan after the medal ceremony. "We just want to enjoy, for the moment, what we've accomplished." Asked whether she was disappointed to have slipped from 1st place to 2nd, losing out to Kelssek's Karen Kapinsky, she demurred: "Of course a little - but really, I'm just so pleased to have skied that well, and won an Olympic medal. Perhaps it'll give me something to work for, next year!"

Returning from a day off competition, and setting the ugly controversies of outbursts from speed skater Xiu Fung and figure skater Alexei Burbatov behind them, the team made a strong impact from the start when ski veteran Han Chung, who in 2004 became the first Quintessential-Chinese athlete to win a National-Freezing-to-Cold-Games gold, roared to a six tenths of a second victory over Secristan's David Rice in his nominally weakest event, the super G. It was the time to shine for the older Chung as his younger teammates struggled on the course: Johann "The Jorgenator" Jorgen continued his disappointing Games with a limpid 22nd place, Wilhelm Biber could not repeat his form from the combined event as he finished 40th, and Mathias Abendroth could only muster a dismal 47th.

Elated by his victory, Chung was quick to acknowledge his colleagues and competitors: "There are no easy victories at these Games." During the medal ceremony, the 28 year old was visibly emotional as "I Have Wondered Alone" began playing, afterwards running to the stands to show his medal to his teammates, who had turned out en masse in support.

Not to be outdone, the women took on the most challenging event, the combined. After quick downhill runs, Christy Morgan (26) was third to United Beretania's Christine Economus and Ruccola's Samantha Cheng. "I couldn't believe my time when I got to the bottom," said Morgan, previously considered one of the weaker members of the team. "At that point, I knew I had to throw everything into the slalom."

That she did, posting one of the quickest times of the day on her first run - second only to teammate Li Peng Xiu (23). The only two women to go inside 49 seconds in the afternoon, Morgan moved into first place while Xiu, improving on a dreadful downhill performance, was now sixth, but less than three quarters of a second behind third-placed Economus. "It was so close, anything could have happened. It was all about concentration", said Xiu.

The floodlit slopes were the stage for the dramatic evening's second slalom run, which ultimately took gold out of Morgan's reach as she posted a disappointing 52.44 after clipping an early gate heavily and struggling into the recovery. "Right from the start, I think, I knew it wasn't a perfect run." But she was still in 2nd by a comfortable margin, and delighted with her performance. Most of the non-competing Quodite athletes had turned out on the slopes. "It was a fantastic noise once I'd finished - I knew from the cheers I'd won at least bronze."

Bronze in fact went to Xiu, who conjured up what was by almost a whole second the best second run, with 49.02, as many competitors took more cautious descents amid banking fresh snow. She vaulted up past Qazox's Denise Potluck and both Beretanians, holding out over Economus by over a quarter of a second. It is her medal that will be most directly threatened if Zwangzug's athletes, who complained after being mystifyingly omitted from competition, are allowed to post times, which has been the standard practice after similar errors earlier in the Games.

The major disappointment was for Rebecca Arnott (19), who spoke briefly after the race to urge the media "not to hype me up too much - it's silly". The national champion in all five alpine events could only manage 20th place in Alavaria, atoning only marginally for two very poor early runs with a slightly better second slalom, the product, she admitted, of "taking too many risks too early". Perhaps wilting under pressure, she was nonetheless obviously elated by her colleague's successes, and was invited to join them for a photo alongside Kapinsky at the medal ceremony.

Day 8 Round-Up

Chu Dao and Lo Min both failed to progress past the heats in the hugely exciting women's 1500m short track, as Myedvedeya's Natasha Istayenkerova smashed the Olympic record only to see Linda Uosh of the Ariddian Isles beat her time in the semi-finals - and improve even further in the final as she claimed gold ahead of Alliance Star's Krista Hutchings. All told, 9 times were faster than the existing record across heats, semis and finals.

Warre put themselves into strong contention for a medal in the two-man bobsleigh after their teams came second and third in the heats, both less than a second off Cafundeu's Éverton Menezes and Gustavo Silva Beltrão. Bluth Corporation's strong Games continued as they picked up two golds to remain a strong second in the overall table: their women's relay team triumphed in cross-country skiing, and then Leonard Purnell skated to an Olympic Record in the men's 1000m speed skating. The event saw Fung, finally confirmed victor of the 5000m, record a personal best time to place 29th in a very strong field.

Secristan also picked up two gold medals: their women's team won in the Nordic Combined, comfortably beating out teams from the Landau Institute and Newmanistan, while Pete Garrison posted an astonishing 108m jump in the men's large hill final. In the evening, Clay Gossett of Alliance Star skated to victory in the men's short track 1000m. Newmanistan's collection of bronzes loomed to 8 after a silver-bronze double in the speed skating.

Preview

After a cold night, tomorrow is predicted as warm and sunny, but Quodite attention will be turned away from the skies, indoors, for the women's 1000m speed skating, featuring Kim Yen, Ming Zhao, and Lucy Kim, while Toni Menzies and Alex Warner, and Camilla Short and Josh Peroinnen face a tough field in the ice dancing compulsory and original dances. Monday sees the conclusion of the event in the free skate, as well as the men's giant slalom and women's super G on the slopes.

*CLICK*

“…aughing so hard, a little bit of wee came out…”

“Aw… That’s just the kind of feel-good story we need this kind of year, Greg!”

“Absolutely Jenny, and to that end let’s move on to sport, and the Winter Olympics. It was a quiet day for C&M’s men, women and… er; but everyone’s still on a high after Thursday’s first ever Winter medal for Team C&M, and there’s still plenty to look forward to during the rest of week two… Well, Lizzy Capper’s in Alversia for us, Li–”

“Alavaria.”

“Ala… Really? Okay. Going t’cost us a bloody bomb to get her back, then… Er, no matter, because Ráichéal Coogan is in Alavaria for us… Ráichéal?”

“es Greg, I’m in Alavaria, home to the famous vodka, hot springs, a museum in honour of some random ethnics, more potatoes than you can shake a curling broom at – and, for just two brief weeks, the third…ish biggest event in world sport!”

“Er… Yes. We’re well awa… So Ráichéal, how’s everything going in the C&M camp?”

“…stablishing mood, Greg… Yes, here in Camp Team C&M Camp everyone’s still buzzing from Molly Hatchell’s stunning bronze medal in the women’s skeleton, I –”

“You were there for the presentation; that must have been quite a moment. Molly of course following in the footsteps of Pip O’Sullivan by taking the first Candelariasian medal of a Games, and given everything she’s been through that must’ve been an emotional moment?”

“Yes, Jenny, it was an emotional moment, given everything she’s been through, and from a personal perspective there’s nothing quite like seeing one of your own up on that plinth, even if it wasn’t for the gold itself… To know that her face will be beamed around the world, to see that beautiful flag fluttering proudly in the artificial breeze… To be honest, it brought a little tear to my eye.”

“And, of course, the Candelariasian athlete deserves some praise as well.”

“Eh? Yeah, she wasn’t bad, either.”

“Breaking a new national record in the process of course, but how long will that last now? How aware are Molly and the team of just what a perfect time this is for their successes to capture the imagination of a snow-covered nation?”

“Oh, they’re well aware that they have a grave, once-in-a-lifetime, responsibility to get the masses back home interested in winter spo… as Noah Lee just comes past, here…”

“Ooh, can you get us a quick natter there, Ráich?”

“eah, hi, Noah! Ráichéal Coogan, TTO News – how d’you fe… Oh? Okay? Okay, you’re not wearing a towel, sorry… Well anyway, Jenny, it was a pair of slightly difficult runs that Noah and Nathaniel gave us this afternoon in the two-man bobs… As Nathaniel just comes past behind me, there… Also… Also not… Okay, well anyway, the Lee brothers were among C&M’s outside hopes to medal in Alavaria, but it’s looking difficult for them now, with getting on for two seconds to make up if they even want to snaffle a bronze on tomorrow’s runs.”

“Disappointing though that was, C&M certainly still have chances to double their tally before the Games are out, including those lady curlers, who are still very much in with a shout. Er. Don’t they?”

“They are absolutely Greg, and while their boisterous style hasn’t won them too many friends here–”

“Indeed, according to reports this morning their hotel windows were bottled and two men were arrested for urinating on their kit bags?”

“Yeah, it’s a distressing incident, and we believed that two members of the C&M men’s curling squad are indeed being held on suspicion of… something, but that didn’t deter our gir… our women, from making it through to the quarter-finals, and at this stage you just never know what might happen.”

“A nervy encounter though, with the Iglesian Archipelago?”

“Indeed, but we really expected nothing less. Iglésias is, as we know, the greatest country in the known world, renowned for its vast financial might, many millions of world-class schools and hospitals, and a sporting scene that’s just second to none. It’s simply a travesty that we haven’t heard the Democratic Hymn, perhaps the most instantly recognisable national anthem on the planet, ring out yet in Alavaria, but no doubt we’ll all be staying tuned into IGTV waiting that glorious moment with bated breath. In the meantime, we’ll have to make do with watching our lot scrape around for medals, but as far as the curlers are concerned Kelssek themselves stand in their way. I’m sure we’ve got every confidence in the gir… in the ladies, but this is simply going to be the biggest test of their lives, against the highly-rated hosts.”

“That’s tomorrow of course, and also tomorrow is another of those events we’ve been waiting for, and surely we have a chance here, in the ice dance.”

“Yes Jenny, this is certainly one of the more controversial of Candelariasian entries, with Albrecht cousins Beni and Mandy Patel expected to be one of the major medal contenders here in Alvaria up until two weeks ago, when their long partnership was brought to a sudden halt after what his mother said about our Sanjay. Cue a shake-up in the Candelarias pairs scene, with Mandara’s sixteen year-old third cousin Sakara now partnering Beni, and Dave Smith dragged off the street in Neorvins, having C&M citizenship rushed through, and stuck out onto the ice.”

“No bad blood between these two pairs now though?”

“Actually Greg, the general consensus is that someone will almost certainly get killed if any of these four are allowed to be alone in the same room. Both couples are believed to be preparing Bollywood-inspired free dances, but of course this competition can be won and lost in the compulsory dances and the original routine, the latter of which we believe has to reflect the ‘rhythms of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s’ this year, so expect a bit of tap, a bit of foxtrot, the occasional black bottom and, if we’re lucky, a good hard collegiate shag. But it’s worth pointing out that this event is nothing if not competitive – favourites also include Lina Schmidt and Tadeu Gonzaga of Cafundéu, Jeffrey Malloy and Michelle Sullivan of Cassadaigua, James Duquette and Jennifer Martin, also of Cassadaigua, Josh Peroinnen and Camilla Short of Quintessence of Dust, Daniel Roma and Laura Adamanti of Edward City, Sara Anne Gree–”

“Arright, thanks Ráichéal…”

“…arner and Toni Menzies, also of Quintessence of Dust, Amy Eight Chiang and Park Jae-Hwa of Alliance Star, Kelly Bianchi and Dave Persson of Newman–”

“Ráichéal…?”

“… ark Ludvik, also of Newmanistan, Garron o Westwood and Isma–”

“RÁICHÉAL!”

“Sorry… Anyway, don’t forget also that coming up tomorrow we’ve also got the… er… Arthur and/or Martha situation to iron out…”

“We’re not talking about Lovisan skier Arthur Schweinberger and Cafundelense short track star Martha Antonini here, are we?”

“No, we’re really not… But history should be made whe… And I can just, if I can break off, try and grab a quick word with Jamie Collins here… Jamie? Ráichéal Coogan, TTO News? Been a couple of days since your event, quite a few more until you go in the relay, how’re you feeling now, how’s the fingers?”

“Yeah, good, better… Thankfully, y’know, it’s not my leaning hand as far as the relay goes, so touch would everything’s going t’be okay…”

“Fantastic, that’s what we like to he… Is that a jar of honey under your arm?”

“Er… No?”

“S’got ‘honey’ on the side.”

“I… No… It’s just a reused jar…”

“Has someone been giving you honey, Jamie? Who would give you honey?”

“It’s not honey! No-one would give me honey! Why would anyone think of giving me honey, that’d be ridiculous! It’s just… er… Methamphetamine.”

“Methamphetamine?”

“Yeah… Can’t get enough of them stuff. Anyway, thanks Ráichéal, I’ll just be…”

“Is that man behind you carrying a picnic hamper filled with items of Candelariasian cuisine, cutlery, condiments, a corkscrew, and other things beginning with C?”

“No… s’my… laundry…”

“Okay Ráichéal and Jamie, we’ll leave it there, I think… Ráichéal Coogan, in Alavaria, there.”

“Okay, well staying with sport , and this weekend was all about smokin’ hot bocce action, with the quarter-finals of the women’s nationwide singles championship…”

*CLICK*

Over at the ice-rink that's being used for the Figure Skating events, those of Bears Armed's skaters who are entered in the events that have yet to take place have arrived -- in a group -- to make sure that the right music has been arranged for each of their performances. They've brought spare copies of the recordings required along, just to be on the safe side...

In the Ice Dancing:
Garron and Harrlo will perform the first time to a piece of 'Classical' (or, more precisely, 'Bearroque') music, the second movement of Grregh Ferred Pawwr's "Music for the Royal Fireworks", and the second time to the Miller's Glen Orchestra with a 'swing' tune called "In The Wood".
Thunarr Thuleann and Silver will perform the first time to a piece of 'Classical' (or, more precisely, 'Bearroque') music, Jay EffBark's "Pigs May Safely Forage", and the second time to Behrnee GoodBear's Orchestra playing a newly-composed 'swing' tune that's called "Mission to Myedvedeya".

In the Women's Figure Skating:
Ismarra will perform the first time to a tune called "Teuhrm-tar-teuhrm", which was recorded by a group called 'the Sunflecks', and the second time to "River Wide, Mountain Tall" by 'Deep Green-ness'.
Denna will perform the first time to a tune called "Goodbye Blackberry Glade", recorded by a group called 'The Wander', and the second time to Dawn-Marra's "Smokey Don't Preach ('cos I'm Lighting This Bonfire)".
Harrlo will perform the first time to a piece of fairly modern 'Classical' music, LeBarre o WestFells's "Winter Sunrise", and the second time to Herb Alberre & His Tirrawahna Brass and "A Taste of Honey".

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/kelchek/alavaoc.png

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

ALAVOC would like to take this opportunity to apologise for the continual screw-ups, particularly errors in the start lists. We have ascertained that this has largely been due to many of our staff drinking too much, and have therefore implemented strict guidelines strongly reccomending that staff not have more than four standard drinks during working hours. As you can imagine this situation is not helped by the proximity of the Alavaria Vodka Gift Shop.

Prostrating ourselves at your feet and craving your forgiveness,

Brian Potter
Public Relations Officer

[OOC: Seriously, though, I really should've been more careful. The issues have been rectified with apologies to Zwangzug.]

Weather
Currently: Overcast, 0ºC. Expected high of 2ºC. Cloudy periods overnight, low -8ºC
Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. High 0ºC.

Day 9 afternoon results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14489931&postcount=19)

Zwangzugian Olympic Merchandising Group
Transinterdepartmental Memoranda

FROM: Deputy Vice-President of Marketing, Aviank Co.
TO: Associate Junior Manager of Human Resources, Spiream
RE: I need your help, now

What's that commie stuff those people are obsessed with? Some cult of the lovers or something?

FROM: Associate Junior Manager of Human Resources, Spiream
TO: Deputy Vice-President of Marketing, Aviank Co
RE: You owe me one

You mean the celebration of the amateur ideal?

FROM: Deputy Vice-President of Marketing, Aviank Co.
TO: Associate Junior Manager of Human Resources, Spiream
RE: Yeah

That.

FROM: Deputy Vice-President of Marketing, Aviank Co.
TO: Brian Potter, Public Relations Officer, ALAVOC
RE: Stand up please, that's a little awkward

On behalf of my associates, I'd like to personally express our appreciation for the ALAVOC's rapid reparations of the...intermittent incidents that have occurred to date. The Games have been an overall success so far, and we look forward to continual celebration of the amateur ideal.

On a personal note, if you happen to run across a cross-country skiier without one of those number-identification tags, could you maybe direct him to the Zwangzug delegation in the Alavaria village? Just on the off chance and all.

----

And now, the Olympic update. Prime time, or so for Zwangzug, no matter what sort of hour it is in Kelssek...

"After a day of delays, Zwangzug's women's combined skiers took to the slopes. Much like the Ad’ihani speed skaters on the first day of competition, flagbearer Saunder Teich and gold medalist Maureen Hegna, along with Lissa Giller, had been erroneously excluded from competition. Although the two Quintessential medalists feared for their places on the podium, they'd be a piece of work to beat. Ultimately, Hegna finished fifth, a hundredth of a second behind Christine Economus of Unified Beretania. Teich came in ninth, although Zwangzug's placement of two skiers in the top ten was outshone not only by Quintessence of Dust but the Potluck sisters of Qazox. Karen Kapinsky came in first.

Zwangzug went two-for-two in curling. The men defeated Dannistaan 11-5, while the women had no chance of a concession either way. They finished tied with the highly regarded Dagans after ten ends, with each team winning alternating ends. But a three-ender saw Zwangzug through to face Ruccola; the men will take on Secristan."


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
Zwangzug men 2 1 0 3 1 1 0 2 0 1 11
Dannistaan men 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Total
Cassadaigua women 2 0 3 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 11
Zwangzug women 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 2 0 3 3 14

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day Eight evening/ Day 9 morning


Day 8 results:
Alpine Skiing - Women's alpine combined (slalom run 2):
Denise Potluck: 1:52.55-52.39-51.21::3:36.15 (7th)
Rene Potluck: 1:53.99-51.73 -50.86::3:36.58 (8th)
Kylie Davidsson: 1:58.16-53.73-52.44::3:44.33 (60th)

The Potluck sisters had great 2nd runs, but they were not good enough to win a medal.

Women's Curling
Thw ladies defeated Dannistan 11-7 to advance to the Quarterfinals, where they'll take on Colburne.


DAN 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 2 0 7
QZX 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 1 11


Short Track - Women's 1500m final
Helga Olsen: 2:35.332 (5th)

Olsen was solidly in 3rd place with 2 laps to go, but was overtaken in the final lap by Olga Vadyskaya of Myedvedya for the bronze. Replays showed that Olga Vadyskaya pushed Olsen out of the way, but the officals on the scene didn't DQ Vadyskaya. the QFA is not going to protest the result.

Short Track - Men's 1000m final
Mike Quinlan: 1:28.569 (Silver Medalist)

Quinlan was edged out by Clay Gossett of Alliance Star for the gold. Both skaters traded the lead back-and-forth until the final lap, when Gossett pulled away by 3 lengths, enough to win the gold.

Speed Skating - Men's 1000m:
Paul Hayens: 1:10.36 (17th)
Sean Dillard: 1:10.77 (t30th)
Mike Craig: 1:13.24 (75th)

In a very fast skate which saw the difference between 10th and 41st place decided by 1.00 seconds, Hayens and Dillard posted great times, but the speed of the ice saw them finish in the middle of the pack.

DAY 9 Morning results:
Bobsleigh - Two-Man heat 3:

David Schuls/Victor Seriang: 56.89-56.68-56.43::2:50.00 (15th Qualified for 4th run)
Lyle Kive/Wesley Ivanav: 56.64-57.41-56.03::2:50.08 (20th Qualified for 4th run)

With both teams jumping into the top 20 and having good 3rd runs and qualifying for tonight's 4th and final run, Maybe a very late charge to a medal isn't out of the question, but still it would take a miracle to do so.

So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6363/rtvolympicskv7.jpg


Day 8 - Highlights

The eighth day of competition was largely disappointing, marking the first time the Ruccolian Olympic Team failed to medal after five consecutive days of medal wins. The events of the day were as follows:


Alpine Skiing - Men's Super-G

Matthew Wong placed 4th with a time of one minute and 30.94 seconds, 2.33 seconds behind gold medalist Han Chung of the Quintessence of Dust. Meanwhile, Guglielmo Piranesi placed 65th with a time of one minute and 37.81 seconds, 9.2 seconds after Chung, and Alexander Lau placed 81st with a time of one minute and 41.10 seconds, 12.49 seconds more than the Quodite Olympic champion.


Alpine Skiing - Women's Alpine Combined

Samantha Cheng placed 10th with a time of three minutes and 36.91 seconds, coming in 3.49 seconds behind gold medalist Karen Kapinsky of Kelssek. Meanwhile, Chiara Agostino placed 13th with a time of three minutes and 37.55 seconds, finishing 4.13 seconds after Kapinsky, and Erin Liu placed 25th with a time of three minutes and 39.72 seconds, 6.3 seconds more than the Kelssekian Olympic champion.


Bobsleigh - Men's Two-Man Heats

Cesare Luzzatto and David Suen placed 8th with a total time of one minute and 52.95 seconds after the first two heats, 1.95 seconds behind the leading Cafundelense duo. Meanwhile, Ruccolian favourites Mariano Zamboni and Joshua Ng placed 9th with a time of one minute and 53.03 seconds, 2.03 seconds after the fastest team.


Cross-Country Skiing - Women's 4x5km Relay

Paola Venturi, Brittany Tsui and gold medalists Stephanie Chu and Elisabetta Petrucci placed 9th with a time of 57 minutes and 53.2 seconds, one minute and 38.7 seconds more than the winning team from the Bluth Corporation, who took gold with a time of 56 minutes and 14.5 seconds.


Curling - Round of 16

The men's team won 13–8 against Taeshan, eliminating them from the round, while the women's team knocked Coocoostan out of the running with a 9–7 victory.


Nordic Combined - Women's Team

Bronze medalists Samanta Gagliano, Lauren Fung, Rachel Ching and Teresa Zucchi placed 5th in the women's team event, coming in at a combined time of 55 minutes and 14.4 seconds, four minutes and 28 seconds behind Secristan's team, who won gold with a time of 50 minutes and 46.4 seconds.


Short Track - Women's 1500m

Gina Schiaparelli advanced to the semi-finals before being eliminated, recording a time of two minutes and 38.311 seconds in her last round. Fellow compatriot Emily Yuen failed to qualify for the second round, recording a time of two minutes and 37.294 seconds in the event heats. The Ariddian Isles' Linda Uosh captured the gold with an Olympic record of two minutes and 29.211 seconds, smashing the Olympic record she set in the semi-finals.


Short Track - Men's 1000m

No Ruccolian athletes qualified for the semi-finals in the 1000m event. Allician skater Clay Gossett took the gold with a time of one minute and 28.066 seconds.


Ski Jumping - Men's Large Hill

Giulio Pellegrini placed 28th overall with a total score of 131.2 points, 65.1 points less than gold medalist Pete Garrison of Secristan, who topped the rankings with a score of 196.3.


Speed Skating - Men's 1000m

Massimo Bianchini placed 27th with a time of one minute and 10.69 seconds, finishing 3.19 seconds after gold medalist Leonard Purnell of the Bluth Corporation, who set a new Olympic record of one minute and 7.5 seconds. Meanwhile, Gavino Vagnozzi placed 60th with a time of one minute and 11.53 seconds, 4.03 seconds more than Purnell, and Thomas Kong placed 65th with a time of one minute and 11.63 seconds, 4.13 seconds behind the Olympic champion.

Day 9 evening results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14490965&postcount=20)

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day 9 evening


Bobsleigh - Two-Man heat 4:

David Schuls/Victor Seriang: 56.89-56.68-56.43- 56.05::3:46.13(11th)
Lyle Kive/Wesley Ivanav: 56.64-57.41-56.03-56.52::3:46.52 (16th)

While the two teams struggled in the first couple of runs, the last two runs for each showed that maybe it was just inexperience that cost them medals this time around.

Speed Skating - Women's 1000m:
Tyra Juina: 1:16.67 Silver Medalist
Tiffary Stoer: 1:19.75 (54th)
Michelle de Haveil: 1:22.16 (72nd)

Juina just missed out on Qazox' 2nd gold medal as Newmanistan's Shannon Maloney edged her out by 7/100ths of a second.


So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6363/rtvolympicskv7.jpg


Day 9 - Highlights

The ninth day of the Games was another quiet day on the medal front, with a near-miss in the men's bobsleigh event and a lack of stellar performances in other sports. The events of the day were as follows:


Bobsleigh - Men's Two-Man Heats

Mariano Zamboni and Joshua Ng placed 4th with a total time of three minutes and 44.87 seconds, 1.73 seconds behind gold medalists Albert Smith and Martin Martin of Warre, after qualifying for the final heat in 11th position. Fellow Ruccolians Cesare Luzzatto and David Suen also qualified for the final round, falling to 9th position in the third heat before placing 19th with a combined time of three minutes and 46.89 seconds, 3.75 seconds after the winning team.


Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 4x10km Relay

Andrew Ma, Giuseppe Lombardo, Arturo Marchetti and Daniel Kwok placed 6th with a total time of 42 minutes and 57.1 seconds, one minute and 50.3 seconds more than the gold medalists from the Landau Institute.


Figure Skating - Ice Dancing

Silver medalist Daniele Cavallini and Leonora Tibaldi placed 15th overall with a combined score of 92.65, after scoring 34.49 points in the compulsory dance and 58.16 in the original dance. Meanwhile, Enrico Tedesco and Elizabeth Ko placed 16th with a total score of 91.00, scoring 38.19 points in the compulsory dance and 52.81 points in the original dance.


Freestyle Skiing - Women's Aerials

Melissa Tong placed 27th with a combined score of 146.42, failing to qualify for the next round of competition. Fellow compatriot Debora Alessandri also failed to advance, placing 34th in the event with a cumulative 140.92 points.


Speed Skating - Women's 1000m

Iolanda Taliaferro placed 62th, coming in at one minute and 20.42 seconds, 3.82 seconds behind gold medalist Shannon Maloney of Newmanistan. Meanwhile, Crystal Fu placed 64th with a time of one minute and 21.11 seconds, finishing 4.51 seconds after Maloney, and Nicola Balbi placed 66th with a time of one minute and 21.48 seconds, 4.88 seconds more than the Olympic champion.

Weather
Today: Overcast. Currently 4ºC. Clouds clearing overnight, expected low -7ºC.
Tuesday: Sunny. High -4ºC.

Day 10 afternoon results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14493601&postcount=21)

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day 10 Morning recap


Alpine Skiing - Men's giant slalom Run 1:

Walter Asimov: 1:17.28 (5th)
Frank W. Jones: 1:24.08 (78th)
Greg Olsen: 1:29.68 (91st)


Walter Asimov, at 35, is trying to be the oldest winner of a medal in the Super-G, and after his performance today, he only sits just over 1.50 seconds off a podium finish. Jones and Olsen might as well just quit now, as they are over 10 seconds off the pace.

Alpine Skiing - Women's super-G :

Erica Deneen: 1:23.72 (14th)
Deanna Kolb: 1:23.81 (t17th)
Jeanette Lee: 1:24.71 (63rd)
Shawna Kolb: 1:25.37 (t73rd)


Erica Deneen is now 0-fer-2 in her attempts, though her time was a personal best in the Super-G. Deanna Kolb ran well finishing in the top 20, while Jeanetet lee and Shawna Kolb were well back in the pack.


So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

Day 10 evening results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14494072&postcount=22)

The New Cleethorpes Enquirer
Bronze and bathos on snow and ice
The Monday edition: now with even more cripplingly bad subbing

The Olympic team in Alavaria, Kelssek, won two bronze medals over the weekend, bringing their combined tally for the Games to 7 and moving them up the medals table to joint 6th. But more than one athlete was forced to admit disappointment, as Quodite athletes looked set at several stages to bag distinctly more lustrous hordes.

The Monday edition: the only national paper to use the word 'lustrous' in its sports coverage.

Things began well for the figure skaters. Atoning for Alexei Burbatov's racist outrages, student pair Toni Menzies and Alex Warner took a strong lead in the ice dancing after a technically flawless compulsory dance that left them a point and a half clear of the field. Camilla Short and Josh Peroinnen, their more experienced colleagues, finished a distant 13th after a costly loss of synchronisation. Meanwhile the Landau Institute, Bluth Corporation and Alliance Star continued their medal-rich Games, sharing in the glory in the men's cross country skiing relay. And the two-man bob teams from Warre retained their 1-2 lock in qualification, going on to win gold and silver in the evening.

As the sun dipped below Alavaria's snow-clad hills, Lucy Kim and Kim Yen put in creditable runs in the women's 1000m speed skating, but were vastly outmatched to finish 40th and 42nd respectively, with Ming Zhao trailing in 71st. Newmanistan's Shannon Maloney claimed gold. But it was a more graceful application of skates that captivated Quodite attention, in the original dance. None could match the superlative - obviously, duh, it's grammatic-al innit - showing by the Newmanistani pair Nicole Harber and Mark Ludvik, who rocketed into first place, but while Short and Peroinnen moved up to 7th with a solid dance, Menzies and Warner slipped down to 3rd after clashing skates.

The excitement mounted this morning as the men's giant slalom team packed an astonishing four of the top seven places on the first run. Quintessential-Swedes Bjorn Svenssen and James Sundqvist grabbed first and second, while gold medallists Han Chung and Wilhelm Biber slotted into 6th and 7th. Things were set for a dramatic final evening, with six legitimate medals chances - and perhaps three great shots at gold.

Auspicious, in retrospect, then, was the tragic agony of the women's super G, which saw the strong team gain three top 10 finishes, only to be smashed by the incredible Dagans, who took gold, bronze, and 4th place. Mandy Kohl gained her second 10 top finish, 18 year old Emily Sanderson came in one behind her in 9th - but Beccy Arnott was tearful after a dreadful run placed her in 37th, with domestic media - perhaps unfairly if accurately - already dubbing her the 'real disappointment' of the Games thus far.

After that, it all came tumbling down. Only the experienced Chung could keep up the pace on his second run, to hang in for a bronze - his second medal of the Olympics, making the trailblazer the first Quodite athlete so honoured. Sundqvist was left grasping air in fourth, while Svenssen and Biber slipped way down, though all four still ranked in the top 20, making it the best overall team finish for the men's team. Chung acknowledged the young skiers were "devastated to have given up their chances", but he warned that "they'll be back". Alright, so it's not exactly Milton, bite me.

And then, in the dramatic denouement, a similar pair from Alliance Star put in a 107 point free skate to claim gold. A flurry of triples saw the young Quodites hot on their tails - only for the 19 year old Menzies to stumble after a lift. Forced to watch as their nominal bronze looked clearly in danger, they suffered the indignity of watching their teammates surpass them, making for a scene of terrible and awkward celebration. Their 102 point free skate was set to one of the classics of Quintessential opera, the appropriately tragic scene from Fettucini's The Romany, when Cassius discovers that he has incorrectly filed his annual tax return and will have to dip into the money he had saved to buy Juliette a guidebook to ethical living after seeing her wasteful dinner habits.

"We felt a little guilty, in a way, but it was really just a shame that in such a strong field, only one of us could get a medal," said Josh Peroinnen afterwards. "But I think this is probably our one shot, whereas - yeah, that's right bitches, whereas - Alex and Toni will of course have many more years. So we wish them luck." Warner and Menzies were quick to applaud Short and Peroinnen, saying "they stayed the course: we let go of our lead because we let clumsy errors distract us".

The incident actually sparked a rare, albeit small-scale and pleasantly civil, riot in Highmark City, as onlookers battled with paper cups in the Square of the Fountain of Martyrs' Blood. Peroinnen, of Finnish ancestry, became the first Quintessential-Scandinavian to win a medal, while Sunqvist and Svenssen, both with Swedish grandparents, missed out. Though the rioting was unrelated to this - it was over the best legislative approach to mileage standards - it's an interesting bit of trivia, really.

Preview

Tomorrow will see the men's speed skaters once again pit themselves against the world's best, and in all likelihood suffer a humiliation for which the team coach might ordinarily be prosecuted for crimes against humanity. More optimistic, perhaps, will be the women's figure skaters, who take to the ice for the short programme of one of the most intensely competitive events at the Games.

On Wednesday, medallists Christy Morgan and Li Peng Xiu take on the slalom alpine skiing, while Beccy Arnott, winner of the 'Most Overhyped Phenomenon of 2009' in a recent webpoll, will seek one more chance at redemption. And while there are two short track heats and one long track race in speed skating, the increasingly competitive ice hockey and curling action should distract from the inevitable embarrassment.

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day 10 Evening recap


Alpine Skiing - Men's giant slalom Run 2:

Walter Asimov: 1:17.28-1:15.65::2:32.93 Gold Medalist
Frank W. Jones: 1:24.08-1:26.05::2:50.13 (85th)
Greg Olsen: 1:29.68-1:23.91::2:53.59 (90th)


Walter Asimov, at 35 years old became the oldest person to win a giant slalom gold medal as his 2nd run time of 1:15.65 was the fastest run of the day and it was enough to beat Steven Halter of Bluth Corporation by almost 1.5 seconds for the gold. Jones and Olsen struggled again and finished over 18 seconds behind their teammate.

Curling - Women's quarterfinals
Finally! Qazox dominated Colbourne 8-4 to advance to its first semifinal in Curling. The ladies will take on Cafundeu in the semifinals, while the other semifinal will see Zwangzug take on the hosts Kelssek.


Col 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 4
QZX 1 2 1 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 8



So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

Weather
Currently: Mix of sun and cloud, -3ºC. Becoming cloudy in the afternoon, clearing overnight. Overnight low -15ºC.
Wednesday: A mix of sun and cloud. High -5ºC.

Day 11 afternoon results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14497130&postcount=23)

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

A relatively quiet morning for Qazox, as the comeptition near a close later this week.

Day 11 Morning recap


Bobsleigh - Two-woman: (Runs 1 and 2
Lisa Handey/Rebecca Issen: 59.40-59.56::1:58.96 (30th)
Paula Sean/Heather Seba: 59.51-1:00.61::2:00.12 (40th)


The teams failed to impress anyone, languishing in 30th and 40th place, with little chance of winning a medal.

So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6363/rtvolympicskv7.jpg


Day 10 - Highlights

The tenth day of the Olympics brought more disappointment and missed opportunities, with little in the way of victories to celebrate. The events of the day were as follows:


Alpine Skiing - Men's Giant Slalom

Rodney Lee placed 12th with a total time of two minutes and 37.54 seconds, 4.61 seconds behind gold medalist Walter Asimov of Qazox. Meanwhile, Calvino Abbruzzi placed 22nd with a time of two minutes and 39.57 seconds, 6.64 seconds after Asimov, and Vittore Novello placed 59th with a time of two minutes and 44.86 seconds, 11.93 seconds more than the Qazoxian Olympic champion.


Alpine Skiing - Women's Super-G

Jessica Li placed 30th with a time of one minute and 24.05 seconds, coming in 2.25 seconds behind gold medalist Andrea Alfonso of Cassadaigua. Meanwhile, Chiara Agostino placed 39th with a time of one minute and 24.3 seconds, finishing 2.5 seconds after Alfonso, and Lorenza Onofrio placed 72nd with a time of one minute and 25.32 seconds, 3.52 seconds more than the Olympic champion.


Curling - Quarter-finals

The men's team clinched a narrow 11–10 victory over Lovisa, knocking them out of the tournament, while the women's team was eliminated 7–8 by Zwangzug after a highly competitive match.


Nordic Combined - Women's Individual Sprint

Rachel Ching placed 15th with a time of 20 minutes and 11.4 seconds, one minute and 24 seconds behind gold medalist Dr. Gabrielle Vermont of the Landau Institute. Meanwhile, Teresa Zucchi placed 19th with a time of 20 minutes and 38.4 seconds, one minute and 51 seconds after Dr. Vermont.


Figure Skating - Ice Dance Freestyle

Silver medalist Daniele Cavallini and Leonora Tibaldi placed 10th with a combined score of 190.13, 22.21 points less than Allician gold medalists Sara Anne Greene and Christine Wilders, who also won gold in the pairs figure skating event. Fellow compatriots Enrico Tedesco and Elizabeth Ko placed 16th, scoring 179.85 points, 32.49 points less than the Olympic champions.


Freestyle Skiing - Men's Aerials

John Tse qualified for the final after placing 8th with a total score of 211.60 points, while Samuele Garofalo failed to qualify after scoring 204.64 points, placing him 16th in the overall rankings.

Day 11 evening results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14497591&postcount=24)

Posted at QBS Olympic site.

Blau places fourth after record skate

Rachel Blau smashed the national record for the short programme in the women's individual figure skating at the Fourth Winter Olympics in Alavaria, Kelssek, becoming the first Quodite woman in history to pass 70 points. But in what many have considered one of the strongest fields across all events at the Games, that was only enough to place her fourth in qualifying.

Teammate Wendy Chang, champion in 2008 at the National-Freezing-to-Cold-Games could only manage 14th, despite an astonishing triple flip-triple toe opening jump. And there was disappointment for Tiffany Albright, whose more conservative routine, though technically adequate, did not earn a high enough score for her to compete in the free skate, surely now set to be one of the most exciting finals of the Games thus far.

Blau came within one judging score of a +2.00 GOE on her opening jump, a triple lutz-double toe, but was marked down by some on her following triple lutz during which she lost posture. She recovered strongly for an adept quadruple spiral sequence, adding two quad spins and a triple flying camel spin, at which point many point began leaving as the arena as the names for her move became progressively more ridiculous.

She closed - and I swear, I SWEAR, this is a real thing - with a quadruple combination spin with change of foot, though, not being Ariddian, she had no artificial limbs handy for the final move. The unbelievable score catapaulted her into first place, but she was forced to watch as three athletes move above her.

Speaking to QBS, Blau was ecstatic. "Yes, I was really happy. The national record is amazing, of course, but what's more important now is for me to concentrate on the free skate, and try to do even better. We're tired of fourth places!" While Chang has opted for the classic "Mumble" by New Year's Evil, seminal Quintessential sockgaze artists, as her music, Blau is adding a modern touch by choosing current pop hits BCRC's number one single, "Children".

Click for her final protocol:

Women's Individual Figure Skating
* * * * *
Short Programme Protocol

BLAU Rachel (QOD)

Executed Elements

BV GOE SoP
1. 3Lz+2T 7.30 1.88 9.18
2. 3Lz 6.00 0.00 6.00
3. SpSq4 3.40 1.44 4.84
4. 2A 3.30 1.22 4.52
5. SeSt4 2.40 1.00 3.40
6. LSp4 3.00 0.33 3.33
7. FCSp3 3.10 0.89 3.99
8. CCoSp4 3.50 0.89 4.39
32.00 39.65

Program Components

SoP
Skating Skills 7.68
Transitions 7.32
Performance 7.82
Choreography 7.72
Interpretation 7.86
Total (factored) 30.75

Total Deductions: 0.00

39.65 + 30.75 - 0.00 = 70.40

BV = Base value
GOE = Grade of execution
SoP = Scores of panel

Zwangzugian Olympic Merchandising Group
Interdepartmental Memoranda

FROM: Associate Junior Manager of Human Resources, Spiream
TO: Mail list
RE: Who is Gwyneth MacIntosh?

And how did she manage to beat Bea Moreau? She's an actual skier! (Don't say the token Bigtopian either, Gwyneth was born in Mondly district.)

FROM: A. P. Scheidegger
TO: Associate Junior Manager of Human Resources, Spiream
CC: Mail list
RE: Gwyneth

Aw, she's a real sweetie. She's outgoing, likes to tell people that she is both "super" and "g." So it was a perfect fit.

FROM: D. C. Ritchhart
TO: A. P. Scheidegger
RE: Just out of curiousity

Is there any skiing event that we've actually managed to interpret correctly?

----

It's the Olympic update! Yay!

"Daisy Keirnan won silver for Zwangzug in the women's super-giant slalom race, with a time of one minute, twenty-one point ninety-one seconds. Congratulations!"

"Thanks!" grins Daisy.

"How does it feel to win a medal?"

"Really great!"

"Yes. Um. That's...good. Did you think you had a shot?"

"Well, I wasn't sure, all those aquatic Caissans..."

"Er, skiers from Cassadaigua, who occupied the first, third, and fourth positions?"

"Yeah them. They were doing really well. Obviously. But, I just went out there, gave it my best."

"Wonderful. Did you ever expect to win a medal, training back home?"

"Well...yeah, I sort of did. Um..." She twitches nervously.

"Was it as exciting as you imagined?"

"Uh, couldn't have been really. Once you start living with that sort of dream long enough, you can't exactly be really surprised." She pauses. "But it's worth it."

"Congratulations once again. Now, in the curling, the Zwangzug men were trounced by Secristan, 11-1...and yes, they played all ten sets. The women edged out Ruccola in a tense 8-7 battle, the latter actually winning a majority of the sets. They'll face Kelssek in the semifinals, who eliminated the...controversial...Candelariasians."

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
Zwangzug men 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Secristan men 1 2 1 0 1 1 2 1 1 1 11

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
Ruccola women 1 0 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 7
Zwangzug women 0 2 0 1 0 0 2 0 3 0 8

Siggur Thuleann had called all of the Bears Armed athletes who still had events left in which to compete together, and was addressing them_
"Hokay, folks, we have a problem. Not just the fact that our people have only won two medals here so far, with the Games almost two-thirds completed, but political problems back home as well because of this. You all remember the argument about funding that kept us out of the Second Summer Olympics and Third Winter Olympics, yes?"
"Yes," replied figure-skater Harrlo, with a hint of nervousness in her voice. "Are they talking about taking away our government grants again now?"
"They are indeed," Siggur confirmed gloomily "Ranna o BloodyPaw, who's Second Voice for the 'Eastern Hills' clan, has formally proposed it in the High Council on the grounds that we aren't a good enough advert for the nation to justify so much support and that anyway the Committee for The Strangers' constitutional mandate about handling foreign affairs doesn't really extend to sponsoring teams in international competitions... So our friends who are working against her need ammunition for their arguments. I don't want to put you under any more pressure than is already the case, but... go out there and WIN SOME MORE MEDALS, folks!"

___________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Bears' section of the Olympic Village, figure-skater Garron noticed short-track skater Beorrn o Errhabarra returning from outside the complex.
"Been anywhere interesting, Beorrn?"
"Indoors picnic with some skaters from a couple of other delegations, Human ones, and talking about the differences and similarities between our countries..."

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

A relatively quiet Evening for Qazox, as the comeptition near a close later this week.

Day 11 Evening Recap


Bobsleigh - Two-woman: (Runs 3 and 4)
Lisa Handey/Rebecca Issen: 59.40-59.56-1:00.04-59.31::3:58.31 (38th)
Paula Sean/Heather Seba: 59.51-1:00.61-1:00.45-58.20::3:58.77 (40th)


The teams finished Qazox' worst showing in any Olympic Event, as they finished over 7 seconds behind the leaders, in 38th and 40th.

Speed Skating - Men's 1500m:
Paul Hayens: 1:47.54 (t14th)
Sean Dillard: 1:48.82 (37th)

Not a good day on the ice, as Paul Hayens slipped going around the final turn, dropping him from a medal pace to 14th place. Dillard did will in his first ever skate at 1500m.

So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6363/rtvolympicskv7.jpg


Day 11 - Highlights

The eleventh day of competition was another quiet day for Ruccola, with a lack of inspiring results in all sports. The events of the day were as follows:


Biathlon - Men's 4x7.5km Relay

Michael Yeung, Girolamo Di Bella, Christopher Chiu and Timoteo Gorgone placed 5th with a total time of one hour, 25 minutes and 30.8 seconds, 47.1 seconds behind the Bluth Corporation's winning team.


Bobsleigh - Two-Woman

Berenice Girandola and Jennifer Wong placed 9th overall with a combined time of three minutes and 54.67 seconds, 2.69 seconds after gold medalists Danielle Barone and Natália Fonseca of Cafundéu. Meanwhile, Rosalinda Maffei and Sarah Chow placed 30th with a time of three minutes and 57.56 seconds, 5.58 seconds more than the Cafundelense duo.


Cross-Country Skiing - Women's Individual Sprint

Stephanie Chu placed 22nd with a time of two minutes and 19.6 seconds, coming in 4.1 seconds behind gold medalist Viviane Pinheiro of Cafundéu. Meanwhile, Elisabetta Petrucci placed 27th with a time of two minutes and 20 seconds, finishing 4.5 seconds after Pinheiro.


Figure Skating - Women's Short Programme

Leonora Tibaldi placed 19th in the short programme with a score of 60.56 points, successfully qualifying for the next round of competition. Fellow compatriots Megan Sung and Elizabeth Ko failed to qualify, placing 41st with 52.95 points and 46th with 51.23 points respectively.


Nordic Combined - Men's Individual Sprint

Brandon Siu placed 9th with a time of 18 minutes and 39.7 seconds, 50 seconds more than gold medalist Larry Griffin of Secristan. Meanwhile, Luigi Barbero placed 13th with a time of 18 minutes and 47.1 seconds, 57.4 seconds behind Griffin.


Speed Skating - Men's 1500m

Gavino Vagnozzi placed 27th with a time of one minute and 48.22 seconds, 2.32 seconds after gold medalist Klaus Shumacher of Unified Beretania. Meanwhile, Thomas Kong placed 32nd with a time of one minute and 48.48 seconds, 2.58 seconds more than Shumacher.

Weather
Today: Cloudy periods, currently -7ºC. Overnight low -15ºC.
Thursday: Sunny. High -7ºC.

Day 12 afternoon results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14500525&postcount=25)

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Busy Morning today!

Day 12 Morning recap


Alpine Skiing - women's slalom (Run 1):
Erica Deneen: 49.87 (8th)
Deanna Kolb: 52.31 (39th)
Shawna Kolb: 52.33 (41st)

Deneen is running out of chances to win a medal, and after today's early run, she is just half-a-second off the pace for one. The Kolb sisters, Joe bless them, they try hard, but their inexperience is showing.

Short Track - Women's 1000m qualification:
Dorothy Jensen: 1:35.142 (20th, Did not qualify)
Helga Olsen: 1:35.908 (38th, Did not qualify)
Jayde Kilas:1:35.911 (39th, Did not qualify)

In Qazox' weakest short track event, it was no suprise that none of the skaters qualified for the quarterfinals.

(ooc: DAMN, there goes my best record :()
Short Track - Men's 500m qualification:
Harold R. Smith: 42.327 (9th, Qualified for Quarterfinals)
Joseph Mikal: 42.460 (32nd, Did not qualify)
Mike Quinlan: 42.483 (41st, Did not qualify)
Harold E. Smith: 43.747 (84th, Did not qualify)
Short Track - Men's 500m Quarterfinals:
Harold R. Smith: 42.423 (10th, Did not advance)

A good start, but crappy finish for Harold R. Smith, as he was the only Qazoxian male to make it into the Quarterfinals, but he missed out on the semifinals by 0.061 seconds, ending his day. The other skaters had difficulty, due to the poor ice conditions of the later rounds.

Snowboarding - Men's parallel giant slalom qualification (2 Runs):
John Schmidt: 34.40-34.95::1:09.35 (6th, Qualified for round of 16)
Lyle Carter: 36.03-36.08::1:12.11 (t33rd, Did not qualify)
Ike Grange: 36.66-36.17::1:12.83 (44th, Did not qualify)
Snowboarding - Men's parallel giant slalom round of 16:

John Schmidt def. Terry Trotter (Alliance Star)

Snowboarding - Men's parallel giant slalom Quarterfinals:

John Schmidt def. def Eric Ngai (Ruccola)



So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

DIÁRIO DUNBOORITANO
A verdade fria na hora em que ela acontece!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MORE GOLD MEDALS COME AFTER MANY DAYS

No one expected to see Cafundéu having the same performance of the Summer Olympics in the Winter Olympics (first because both are completely different). After all, the country is known for its beautiful beaches and warm climate in most of its territory. But, although it is certain that the country isn't an expert in winter sports, it has cold places, excellent for practicing these sports. Of course, the state of Dunboor is the most known place, but there are also the high mountain areas of Serra dos Santos (Old Cities State) and Serra Cabral (Central State), as cold as in Dunboor. And their existence makes the country's citizens hopeful that Cafundéu can win many medals in the Winter Olympics, as it did in the last edition. The beginning mixed good results and some deceptions, and this situation continues, with the country failing to perform better in the decisive moments, as many silver medals came.

The bronze and silver medals, although not the main objective of the athletes, were much commemorated by the ones who won it. The six silver and four bronze medals conquered by the Cafundelense came thanks to the hard work of the athletes and, although they don't help much the country in the medal tally, are a personal achievement. Well, at least we can say that we have already won many bronze medals, while those crazy irresponsible doctors from the Landau Institute still didn't win. Okay, they have more gold medals, but we aren't talking about this right now. By the way, checking the medal tally we can conclude that the "Doctors' Oath" was played five times! How could the Kelssek citizens resist such torture? And the games haven't ended, which can mean that this insane anthem may be played again... soon we'll all know the basic rules to practice medicine, and the ethics code surrounding them, as that's all the anthem says.

And Cafundéu has won two more gold medals in the games. Yes, it took some time for we to hear again the lovely Cafundelense anthem. The medal came in the Cross-Country Skiing, with Viviane Pinheiro. No one could come even close to her in that event, and she won the individual sprint with nearly two seconds of difference over the second placed, with 2:15.5. The other medal came in the Bobsleigh, an event in which Cafundéu has good athletes (although Ski Jumping, Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard are seen as the country's best winter sports). In the two-women competition, Danielle Barone and Natália Fonseca improved along the event, and got the gold medal thanks to their wonderful last heat. But there are more events for Cafundéu to have good results. The women's Curling (the men's retirees club lost), Snowboard with Miguel Lancelote, the Freestyle Skiing... lots of good sports for you to follow!

Day 12 evening results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14501075&postcount=26)

The New Cleethorpes Enquirer
Grey day as skaters' ploy ends in humiliation

Li Peng Xiu crashed from first place in the afternoon to seventh overall in the women's slalom, while Beccy Arnott continued her dreadful form with a glum 33rd place finish, on Quintessence of Dust's lowest day of the Olympics. But the real humiliation was in the short track skating where the men's team, who have thus far not won a single medal, crashed the women's 1000m qualifying heats - only to still all be eliminated in the first round. QOA officials were quick to decry the stunt, while the skaters themselves were too ashamed to be available for comment.

It was a bizarre scene as the skaters lined up, with three Quodite men jostling their way in amongst the female skaters, while the women's team looked on horrified. Chen Wang and Liu Pin Da were both knocked out in the first heats in the men's event earlier in the Games, and perhaps hoped to steal an odd vindication tonight by beating the slower women - yet they still ended up trailing the field by some 5 seconds, Da finishing well behind Lo Min of the women's team. Fellow skaters ended the race creasing their ultratight outfits in laughter while the redfaced men trudged off the ice.

It is not yet known whether disciplinary action will force the skaters out of their remaining short track races, but team trainer Andy Chan said, "They know they shouldn't have done that, and let me assure you, they've already learned their lesson." Permitted to register provisional times in the men's 500m, they finished some way behind Yo Tao, who was tenths of a second off qualification. On the long track, Kim Yen and Ming Zhao both finished several seconds behind the SLANI athlete Joy Farmer in the 1500m sprint.

And it was a grim experience for the women's ski team on a tricky slalom course. Silver medallist Christy Morgan finished way back in 44th, while Beccy Arnott's unprecipitous slump in form looked increasingly permanent as she came in 33rd. "It's all down to the giant [slalom] now," she admitted. "I just want to prove that I'm not in over my head."

Li Peng Xiu, surprise bronze medallist in the combined, led the field with a superb 49.04 run in the afternoon, but fell way behind in the evening as the pressure mounted. Needing to stay inside 50.22, she lost almost two seconds, and was placed seventh overall. "It was very disappointing," she said. "I will learn from the experience."

Preview

Tomorrow and Friday all eyes will be on the curling finals, but for Quodite athletes, few events remain. The women's giant slalom on Friday will be Beccy Arnott's last shot for redemption, while Xiu Fung will be a strong contender in the 10,000m - oh, who are we kidding. And Rachel Blau and Wendy Chang will have to summon their all if they are to place well in the free skate final, and let me tell you, summoning your all is no easy task.

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Day 12 evening recap


Alpine Skiing - women's slalom (Run 2):
Erica Deneen: 49.87-49.40::1:39.27 (Gold Medalist)
Shawna Kolb: 52.33-52.15::1:44.48 (39th)
Deanna Kolb: 52.31- 52.95::1:45.26(56th)


Deneen finally claimed her medal, having the fastest 2nd run of the day, which was enough to boost her into the gold medal. The Kolb sisters struggled once again.

Women's Curling:
CAF 0 2 2 3 2 1 2 x x x 12
QZX 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 x x x 1

Qazox was dominated by the Cafundeulese team 12-1, a match conceded after 7 ends.

Snowboarding - Men's parallel giant slalom:
Semifinals:

John Schmidt def Paco Oliveira (Sorthern Northland)

Gold Medal Race:

Miguel Lancelote (Cafundeu) def John Schmidt (Schmidt wins Silver)

After dominating in the semifinals, Schmidt was edged out by Miguel Lancelote of Cafundeu by 0.002 seconds for the gold.

Speed Skating - Women's 1500m
Michelle de Haveil: 2:01.86 (37th)
Tyra Juina: 2:02.27 (39th)
Both skaters failed to qualify, after de Haveil barely made her start time on time. and Juina false started on her run.

So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

Weather
Today: Currently light snow, -8ºC. Overcast tonight, low -15ºC
Friday: Sunny. High -9ºC.

Day 13 afternoon results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14503757&postcount=27)

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

The final medal push as the end is only a few days away.

Day 13 Morning recap


Nothing involving any Qazoxian athletes, as most of the delegation has finished their competitions. Only a handful remain and Qazox will only send the Women's Curling team, with Jasmine Symthe as the Flag-bearer, to the closing ceremonies.

So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

In the IV Olympic Games, which have been less than stellar to this point for the Reich, Erica Felten and Rebecca Jaberg, two young women, not even out of college yet, have given the Tocrowkian people something to be proud of with their performance in the snowboarding. While you can expect to see Erica's and Rebecca's smiling faces on cereal boxes around the Reich, the staff of this years olympic team may be in trouble. Olympic directors said today that "no one" was untouchable and that the next Olympic games would be coached by a significantly different staff.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6363/rtvolympicskv7.jpg


Day 12 - Highlights

The twelfth day of the Games saw the drought of medals and exceptional performances continue, with little good news to celebrate. The events of the day were as follows:


Alpine Skiing - Women's Slalom

Flora Evangelisti placed 20th with a total time of one minute and 43.12 seconds, 3.85 seconds behind gold medalist Erica Deneen of Qazox. Meanwhile, Erin Liu placed 49th with a time of one minute and 45 seconds, 5.73 seconds after Deneen, and Samantha Cheng placed 76th after failing to finish her second run.


Cross-Country Skiing - Men's Individual Sprint

Daniel Kwok placed 37th with a time of two minutes and 31.9 seconds, 9.4 seconds more than gold medalist Antonio Dunagan of the Bluth Corporation. Meanwhile, Arturo Marchetti placed 43rd with a time of two minutes and 35.3 seconds, coming in 12.8 seconds behind Dunagan.


Curling - Semifinals

The men's team lost to Myedvedeya 11-3 in their latest game, placing them in the bronze medal match with Cafundéu on February 13.


Freestyle Skiing - Women's Aerials

No Ruccolian athletes qualified for the final in the women's aerials event. Secristan's Kimberly Fox took the gold with a combined score of 161.85 points.


Ice Hockey - Quarterfinals

The men's team was knocked out of the running after a 4-1 defeat by Warre.


Short Track - Women's Relay

The Ruccolian team failed to qualify for the event's finals. Jasī'yūn took the gold with a total time of four minutes and 19.312 seconds.


Short Track - Women's 1000m

Gina Schiaparelli placed 16th in the initial round with a time of one minute and 35.006 seconds, successfully qualifying for the event. However, she was eliminated in the quarter-finals after placing last with a time of one minute and 36.818 seconds. Fellow compatriot Emily Yuen failed to qualify after placing 20th in the first round with a time of one minute and 35.188 seconds.


Short Track - Men's 500m

William Tsang and Beniamino Moretti both failed to qualify for the next round of competition, placing 52nd with a time of 42.701 seconds and 75th with a time of 43.482 seconds respectively. Jean-Michel Chang of the Ariddian Isles set a new Olympic record of 41.351 seconds in the qualifying round.


Ski Jumping - Women's Team Large Hill

Kimberly So, Loretta Ungaro, Evelina Grimaldi and Laura Lui placed 6th with a combined score of 757.6 points, 93.7 points lower than the winning team from Cassadaigua.


Speed Skating - Women's 1500m

Crystal Fu placed 31st with a time of two minutes and 1.19 seconds, finishing 1.87 seconds after gold medalist Joy Farmer of Capitalizt SLANI. Meanwhile, Nicola Balbi placed 44th with a time of two minutes and 2.91 seconds, 3.59 seconds more than Farmer.


Snowboarding - Men's Parallel Giant Slalom

Eric Ngai and Salvatore Iorio both qualified for the round of sixteen, placing 5th in the qualifying round with a total time of one minute and 8.93 seconds and 8th with a time of one minute and 10.05 seconds respectively. Ngai was knocked out in the quarter-finals by John Schmidt of Qazox, while Iorio was eliminated by Brent Asenholm of Sorthern Northland in the round of sixteen. Niccolò Baglioni placed 50th in the qualifying round with a time of one minute and 13.02 seconds, failing to advance to the next round of competition. Miguel Lancelote of Cafundéu won gold in the event.

Day 13 evening results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14504657&postcount=28)

"Good evening, and welcome to Quod FM, broadcasting live from Alavaria, Kelssek, on Day 13 of the Fourth Winter Olympics. I'm Brian Gobbleson, and I'm joined by Ron McMarsh, who today will be communicating solely through repeated use of the word 'spatula'."

"Spatula."

"You too Ron. Well, with most of the medal action decided, we're here at the Laineá Centre for the very competitive women's free skate. Wendy Chang skated earlier today, registered a very creditable 115.49. Her total of 177.03 leaves her in a provisional 16th place. So disappointment perhaps for the national champion, but this is one of the strongest events at the Olympics. Certainly nothing to be ashamed of. Your thoughts on her performance, Ron?"

"Spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula. Spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula, spatula spatula spatula, spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula. Spatula spatula."

"Indeed, indeed. Well, now it's time for Rachel Blau, Quodite wunderkind who will need a strong performance to improve from 4th place. She's skating to "Children" by BCRC*. What can she do?"

[The music begins playing.]

You were a kid,
toddling on your knees toward it.
Making papa so ill,
but your voice is too shrill...

"And she's away. Sweeping round for her first jump, triple lutz, good clean landing there. Winds up for a combo: triple salchow, double toe, double loop! Excellent skating from Blau, holding her posture well, possible bringing her second foot down too early in the salchow there, though."

"Spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula: spatula spatula spatula spatula."

"Certainly the judges may have noticed that, Ron, as she moves straight into a flying camel spin - one, two, three...four rotations, her leg straight throughout, and into a triple flip, ah, and definitely the hammer toe that has plagued her throughout her early career returning, definitely points deductions there."

...The library.
Take only what you read from it.
A family of trees wanting,
Not to pulped...

"Quadruple layback spin, triple -"

"Spatula."

"Yes, otherwise known as a serpentine step sequence, and that mistake certainly hasn't shaken her, great confidence and superb posture, and now into another combo, hmm, just a double toe to a double loop, rather conservative there, skating round, and -"

"SPATULA!!"

"Oh dear, she's fallen to the ice. Tumbled out of a triple loop there, terribly disappointing for Blau. That'll be a -3 GOE, and a point deduction for the fall, and surely now her medal hopes have tumbled to the ice with that. Really shaken as she picks herself up. Is it all over now, Ron?"

"Spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula: spatula spatula spatula spatula."

"Hmm, quite. Well, she's quickly off again, throwing more jumps in this second half of her routine, showing perfect skating skills, I must say, some sloppiness on the transition out of that - triple toe, double toe - but well executed. That combination spin away with aplomb, and she's using the music well, a very expressive performance here tonight."

"Spatula spatula spatula spatula - spatula spatula."

...Incisions to incisions are made and not cauterised,
This really hurts a lot.
Oh my Quod...

"And now, closing in on the finish, still giving it her all as she's out of a double axel into a straight line step sequence, arms poised in balance, skating through to the finish her, still giving it everything."

...The library.
Take only what you read from it.
A family of trees wanting,
Not to pulped...

"Spatula spatula spatula: spatula!"

"And a superb combination spin with change of foot to finish! The crowd are on their feet, it's been a wonderful skate by Blau, such a shame about that mid-series fall. She waves, and skates off, to hear from the judging panel. Can she remain in medal contention? While we wait for the panel scores, Ron, just summarise that free skate performance from Rachel Blau for us."

"Spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula. Spatula spatula, spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula, spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula. Spatula, spatula, spatula: spatula spatula spatula. Spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula? Spatula spatula - spatula spatula spatula spatula! Spatula, spatula spatula spatula spatula, spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula spatula."

"Thank you Ron. Now the scores are in, and...117.38! That's a terrific score, and without those 4 deductions it would have been even better. And...she's just received the news that she's in silver medal position! That's a fantastic result for the youngster from Highmark City, a terrific result. Quintessence of Dust's second figure skating medal of the Games, brings their overall tally to 8 medals. Well, what an exciting evening. That's all from us for now, join us later for the highlights of the day's events on QBS-1, where Ron and I will be joining Alyssa Banana on Sport Gort. Thank you, and good night."

"Spatula spatula, spatula spatula spatula."


OOC: * Obviously, the lyrics are just a thinly changed version of "Kids" by MGMT.

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

The final medal push as the end is only a few days away.

Day 13 Evening recap


Women's Curling: Bronze medal match:

ZWG 2 2 0 0 1 0 1 3 0 2 11
QZX 0 0 2 1 0 2 0 0 2 0 7

Zwangzug got revenge for a pool stage match winning the bronze medal 11-7 with 2 stones in the 10th end. Qazox remains the best women's curling team not to have medalled at the Olympics.

With only 3 days of competition remainning, Qazox will not reach its hopeful totla of 20 medals, but still can surpass the 11 won 8 years ago, if they gain at least 2 more medals. Qazox's best chances to do so ar in the 4-man Bobsliegh, Men's slalom, Short Track - Men's 500m and Short Track - Women's 1000m.

So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

DIÁRIO DUNBOORITANO
A verdade fria na hora em que ela acontece!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAFUNDÉU LAUNCHES TO THE TOP LIKE A ROCKET

Cafundéu is a sporting nation by nature. After the outstanding performance in the Summer Olympics and the excellent run in the World Cup, now it's our athletes in Kelssek that are doing a job to make all the Cafundelenses proud. Their showed everyone their true talent in these last two days, the days in which a "boom" of medals happened to Cafundéu, putting the country in the second place of the medal tally. In the last two days, the Cafundelense anthem was heard three times, nearly the same number of the times it was played during the other eleven days. So, we can finally say that the Cafundelense rocket was launched, sending the country to higher and deserved positions. But this isn't the end: the Olympics aren't finished, and maybe Cafundéu can overtake Bluth Corporation (the first) in the medal tally. If this doesn't happen, surely this won't change the people's view that Cafundéu's performance in this Winter Olympics was (I mean, is being) great.

The ones that love to see their country winning gold medals must be excited right now, while the ones that enjoy the sports and the healthy competition involving the countries even more. And, if you read well the first part of this article, you'll see that Cafundéu is now in the second place in the medal tally, above... yes, above those negligent critically absurd crazy doctors from the Landau Institute! So, even the patriots that aren't interested in sports will be happy with the country's success in the Winter Olympics, as this means that Cafundéu will stay in front of a part of Estresse Intenso (we know that the Landau Institute isn't really controlled by Estresse Intenso, but the rivalry is the same), our main rivals (rebels, we should say). They are stuck in nine medals, and (to make us laugh even more) they don't have a single bronze medal. Yes, we know that they don't value much in the medal tally, but they don't have any!

Next events include Bobsleigh, Cross-Country, Alpine Skiing... well, many important events in which Cafundéu has chances of getting more medals. But before thinking about the future, we must comment about the past (not a long past, just one or two days!). It seemed that Cafundéu's rocket launch start would happen in the Ski Jumping with the women team, but they ended only winning a bronze. Soon after, it was Miguel Lancelote in the Snowboard who gave Cafundéu a gold medal, with a brilliant (and fast) performance. In the other day, finally a gold in Freestyle Skiing, with Jesus Motta, surely one of the most famous winter athletes. In women's curling, the University Girls played well again, defeating Kelssek to win the gold medal. And, of course, we couldn't miss another gold in our main sport, Ski Jumping, with the men's large hill team winning the gold medal having simply the best scores of the entire event. Snowboard nearly give us our eighth medal, but Jaqueline lost in the final. Now we have seven gold, seven silver and five bronze medals... good, isn't it? Well, let's see if we can get more!

I used to have something clever here, but I overwrote the clipboard. So instead, we'll take you straight to...The Olympic Update!

"Mariah Paxton was third after the first run of slalom skiing, but fell--though not literally, of course--to sixth overall after the second. But Zwangzug did earn a bronze, its first of the winter games, in curling. After losing 9-1 to the hosts, Kelssek, the women's team defeated group-stage foes Qazox eleven stones to seven. Not to be confused with the Qazoxian skip Cheri Stone, or indeed vice-skip Barbara Stone, both of whom scored in the fourth end.

And with me now is Tracy Laroum. Congratulations, once again."

Tracy smiles, comparatively relaxed. "Thanks."

"What was the semifinal like, first off?"

"Eh...frustrating. We hung in there, though, I'm proud of that."

"Quite. Uh. So, Qazox, was defeating them particularly special because you'd already faced them?"

"Not really. We were ready to beat whoever came out there."

"What will the team take with them from these games?"

"The medals," Tracy smirks. "Sometimes I still ask myself if it's real." She glances down. "Horrible, isn't it?" she laughs.

"I meant in the metaphorical sense, but that's okay."

"Oh. Yeah. Well, I guess we learned plenty about international curling, a little more quickly than I would have liked to."

"Hmm. Well, sometimes there's more to life than only what your nation wants, or believes."

Tracy grins. "There's your Olympic spirit."

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
Zwangzug women 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Kelssek women 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total
Zwangzug women 2 2 0 0 1 0 1 3 0 2 11
Qazox women 0 0 2 1 0 2 0 0 2 0 7

Weather
Currently: Flurries, -10ºC. Expected high -9ºC. Cloudy overnight, 30% chance of flurries. Low -17ºC.
Saturday: Cloudy with 30% chance of flurries. High -10ºC.

Day 14 afternoon results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14507648&postcount=29)

<Reserved for upcoming newspaper article>

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6363/rtvolympicskv7.jpg


Day 13 - Highlights

The thirteenth day of the Olympics brought new hope for Ruccola, as the nation's Olympians snapped their winless streak with a gold medal in women's snowboarding. The events of the day were as follows:


Biathlon - Women's 4x6km Relay

Donata Bortolami, Ashley Cheung, Mirabella Fiorentino and Amanda Chan placed 11th with a total time of one hour, 24 minutes and 21.3 seconds, four minutes and 52.1 seconds behind the winning team from Jasī'yūn.


Curling - Women's Gold/Bronze Medal Match

Cafundéu took gold and Kelssek won silver after a 10-8 victory in Cafundéu's favour, while Zwangzug took the bronze after defeating Qazox 11–7 in the bronze medal match.


Figure Skating - Women's Free Skate

Leonora Tibaldi placed last in the final, scoring 163.31 points overall, 27.39 points less than gold medalist Harrlo of Bears Armed.


Freestyle Skiing - Men's Aerials

John Tse placed 8th in the final with a combined score of 214.91, 29.78 points lower than gold medalist Jesus Motta of Cafundéu.


Ice Hockey - Semifinals

In women's hockey, Bluth Corporation beat Maineiacs 4–1, and Newmanistan clinched a 4-2 victory over Kelssek. In men's hockey, Dannistaan won 4–2 against Myedvedeya, while Secristan similarly defeated Warre, scoring 4–2.


Ski Jumping - Men's Team Large Hill

Ruccola's team did not advance to the event final after failing to qualify. The Cafundelense team won gold with a total score of 844.8 points.


Snowboarding - Women's Parallel Giant Slalom

The star of the day was Michelle Tseung, who took the gold medal after qualifying in second place with a combined time of one minute and 18.76 seconds and successively eliminating the competition in each consecutive round of the event. Fellow compatriot Carolina Ruffo placed 4th in the initial round with a time of one minute and 19.57 seconds, qualifying for the round of sixteen before being eliminated by Tocrowkia's Hannah Wieck. Meanwhile, Amy To placed 17th in the qualifying round with a time of one minute and 23.55 seconds, failing to advance to the next round by mere fractions of a second.

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

The final medal push as the end is only TWO days away.

Day 14 Morning recap


Alpine Skiing - Women's giant slalom (Run 1)
Shawna Kolb: 1:17.45 (4th)
Deanna Kolb: 1:19.51 (18th)
Erica Deneen: 1:22.30 (61st)
Jeanette Lee: 1:25.35 (85th)


Maybe we've finally found the Kolb sister's event. Both Kolbs turned in great times during the 1st run of the day, while Mz's Deneen and Lee struggled on the course, due to the 15 mph winds and the moderate snowfall of the ealry runs.

Bobsleigh - Four-man
Chandel/Symons/Tyre/Haller: 56.89-55.81::1:52.70 (20th)

Qazoxian bobsled is dead at least at these games are the team of Chandel/Symons/Tyre/Haller is in 20th place through 2 runs, the worst postition any Qazoxian 4-man team has ever been in. Although they are just over 3 seconds off the lead, that is too much time to make up in just 2 runs.


So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

Day 14 evening results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14508051&postcount=30)

(From the ‘Sports’ section of ‘The Bear Necessities’…)


HARRLO STRIKES GOLD!

Alavaria, Kelssek: 26th February 2009.

HURRAHR! Thanks to ice-skater Harrlo, ‘Team Bears Armed’[/i] is no longer completely lacking in Gold medals at these Games.
Yesterday, in the second or ‘Free Skating’ stage of the Women’s Figure Skating event, Harrlo managed to improve on the third place that she had previously managed (in what was widely acknowledged to be a very tough field) during the first or ‘Fixed Programme’ stage, a couple of days earlier, and did so by enough to WIN!
Silver went to Rachel Blau, from 'Quintessence of Dust', and Bronze to Sharina Hotoshoyuma from the ‘Fujisawan Territories’, who had been in fourth and fifth places respectively after the first stage. The two skaters who’d held the leading positions after the ‘Set Programme’, Meghann Brantley of ‘Secristan’ and Alexandria Walden (ASC), dropped from first to thirteenth and from second to ninth respectively.
Unfortunately our other two entrants in that event, Ismarra and Denna, had both failed to qualify for progression from the ‘Set Programme’ to the ‘Free Skating’. This is a bit of a change from the situation at their previous Olympic venture, to the Second Winter Olympics which were held at Keto in the ‘Unified Capitalizt States’, when all three of them qualified but their final places were Denna in 10th, Ismarra in 11th and Harrlo in 12th … although on thatoccasion Harrlo shared the Bronze for Ice Dancing with her partner Garron, and this time around they only managed to come fifth in that event…

Harrlo (BRS) 70.83 + 119.87 = 190.70
Rachel Blau (QOD) 70.40 + 117.38 = 187.78
Sharina Hotoshoyuma (FJT) 67.27 + 116.55 = 183.82

And that one single 'Gold' medal has already moved our team quite a way up the table of winners, too, from joint-28th (with one other nation) to joint-20th (again, with one other nation).


* * * * *

Congratulations are also due to our Harshaa Grimmr-o-Darkdale, who managed fourth place — and thus, by Olympic rules, just failed to win a medal (although, of course, by our own rules she would have won a Wooden one) — in Snowboarding, in the Women's Parallel Giant Slalom' event, but was narrowly beaten to Bronze by the Candelabran ’boarder ‘Katie Pettit’. Hr’rmm, I wonder what she told her people about her competitor…


(Full details on page 'S-3'; Olympic news roundup, pages 'S-8' to 'S-12'.)

Posted online at http://skimonthly.co.qd/bob-whittaker/130209.

Ski Monthly Magazine
Friday 13th proves unlucky for women as men hope for Valentine's day surprise
Subeditors seek additional ways to squeeze headlines from calendar dates

BOB WHITTAKER, ALAVARIA -- It was an unfortunately familiar story for the Quodite ski team today as, yet a-fucking-gain, their athletes stormed into the lead on the first run only to squander their places through nerve-wracked second runs. They were the left with the rum consolation of bronze for Mandy Kohl, whose two other top 10 finishes make her the pick of the women's team these games, marking a remarkable recovery from her broken leg two years ago.

But it was less than Kohl had hoped for, and less than the team as a whole had imagined possible after pitching three skiers into the top seven on the first run. Kelly Winther and Kohl sat second and third to the Dagan Jill Coulter, with Sally Chivers in 7th. But they squandered the opportunity, again, as Winther slipped out of medal contention to 5th and Chivers to 15th, in what will probably be the only Olympic appearance for the aging ski veteran.

Kohl hung on for a third place finish, her first Olympic medal and a vindication for her after her lengthy lay-off with a broken leg, which caused her to miss the 2008 National Freezing-to-Cold Games. But her joy was clearly tainted by the knowledge that it could have been more. "I don't know what's been going wrong, but it seems like this has happened once too often," she admitted afterwards. "Whether it's pressure or something, it's clearly a problem to be worked on."

Worst perhaps was the 26th place finish for Beccy Arnott, marking the end of a dreadfully disappointing Games for the young heroine of Quodite athletics, who failed to record even a single top ten place across her five events. "I hadn't realized, perhaps, what a steep learning curve this would be. But it's not going to be a setback: it just makes me realize how much more training is going to be needed to seriously compete next year."

Tomorrow, the final men's team event comes in the slalom. Gold medallist Wilhelm Biber, double medallist Han Chung, and Alexei Salis, who placed good runs in the combined event, will be up against a strong field in the last chance for Quintessence of Dust to gain medals, and keep their grip on the top of the alpine skiing medals table.

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

The final medal push as the end is only TWO days away.

Day 14 Evening recap


Alpine Skiing - Women's giant slalom (Run 2)
Shawna Kolb: 1:17.45-1:19.40::2:38.91 (14th)
Deanna Kolb: 1:19.51-1:24.84::2:42.29 (43rd)
Erica Deneen: 1:22.30-1:22.01::2:44.31 (53rd)
Jeanette Lee: 1:25.35-1:22.88::2:48.23 (79th)


With the snowblowing, Qazox chances were gone with the wind as the Kolb sisters struggled in the snowfall, dropping to 10th and 43rd overall. Deneen and Lee improved a bit, but not enough to crack the top 50.

Bobsleigh - Four-man Runs 3 and 4
Chandel/Symons/Tyre/Haller: 56.89-55.81-55.98-55.61::3:44.29 (14th)

The team of Chandel/Symons/Tyre/Haller finished 14th, Qazox' worst finish in the 4-man ever, although they did have one fo the faster runs of the day in their final run.

Speed Skating - Men's 10000m
John Freeman: 13:15.91 (5th)
Freeman was edged out by Neal Askew by 0.08 seconds for the bronze medal. Freeman was in 3rd place behind Prof. João Henrique Pinheiros of Landau Insitute, who set a new Olympic Record, until the final pair of Askew and Jean-Michel Chang skated.



So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

<Reserved for upcoming newspaper article>

<Reserved for upcoming daily highlights>

Weather
Currently: Cloudy with sunny periods, -9ºC. Cloudy tonight with a 60% chance of flurries, low -17ºC.
Sunday: Cloudy with 60% chance of flurries. High -10ºC

Day 15 afternoon results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14510978&postcount=31)

Posted on the team blog at http://olympics.org.qd/team/interblag.

The grand finale
by Rachel Blau

Well, it's almost over for all the Quodite team here in Alavaria, and so I've been asked by the other athletes to write our final blog post. We hope you've enjoyed reading our thoughts as the Games have progressed. Tomorrow will be some of the final events in which our athletes aren't taking part, and then the closing ceremony, which we'll all be attending.

Today, Kim in the speed skating and the men's team in the short track relay put in very creditable performances, but unfortunately they weren't good enough to be in medals contention. Still, everyone here is very proud of Xiu for winning his gold, and we hope that taking part this time will stimulate interest in the sport back home.

It looks like we will end up about 13th overall, with our nine medals, which is a pretty good showing for our first ever Games, I think. And obviously, it's not just about winning medals. I think everyone here will remember lots of different events. And of course, Kelssek now has a special place in my heart, after I won silver earlier this week.

We'd like to thank Alavaria for having us, ALAVOC for their organization, and all the other competitors for all the fun we've had. And we wish special luck to Wilhelm, Han and Alexei, who all finished inside the top 20 on this morning's slalom run, and so all stand a good chance of a competitive finish this evening.

Until next time!

Day 15 evening results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14511167&postcount=32)

And now, the Olympic update. This was brought to you by a bunch of groups, but they're not advertising. They're just telling you who they are, catchphrase included.

There's a subtle distinction, but I don't know what it is.

"Biara Diepholz rose from 20th to 7th between the two giant slalom runs, while Rudy Tamarack fell from 7th to 21st in the normal-sized slalom runs. Skaters Liam Atwell and Veronica Mulaney finished in the middle of the packs in the longest races...slight disappointments for those who'd expected more, but I've never believed in some Zwangzugian capacity for long rather than short races. Not since Noah Mxho, anyway. The men's 10,000 meter race was won by Jean-Michael Chang, which in combination with his short track victory brings the total Medals Won By People Named Chang count to 5. This would be nineteenth in the medal table, assuming we do it the total-medals way. Otherwise that's a bit hypercompetitive."

----

Zwangzugian Olympic Merchandising Group
Transinterdepartmental Memorandum

FROM: Deputy Vice-President of Marketing, Aviank Co.
TO: Yvette Honeycutt
RE: Hypercompetivity

And your point is?

http://www.biezanow.net/~dominik/TVLovun/tvlovun-sport.gif
Day 15 - waiting for a gold

In day 15 Lovisan athlets do not get still any gold medal. Lovisan Olimpic Comittee (LKO) decide that everyone who get a gold medal for Lovisa give a extra bonus, 20 000 lovisan Dag and new luxury car. LKO hope it will be good motivation for our atlets to presenting better.
At the moment we have 5 silver and 2 bronze medals, but LKO want more. Silver and bronze medallists have a bonus as well.


Today results:

Alpine Skiing - Men's slalom

Run 1 Run 2 Total
Gustav Goch (LOV) 59.56 55.65 1:55.21 (26th)
Arthur Schweinberger (LOV) 58.20 58.34 1:56.54 (37th)

Biathlon - Women's 12.5km mass start


Anne Briand (LOV) 44:37.3 (28th)
Petra Schaff (LOV) 44:45.3 (30th)

Short Track - Men's 500m final B

Sin Ju-çun (COM) 42.223
Parker Browne (UBT) 42.308
Kim Je-Jue (LOV) 42.641 (7th)
Vincent Turner (COM) 42.675


Alpine Skiing - Men's slalom run 1


Arthur Schweinberger (LOV) 58.20 (39th)
Gustav Goch (LOV) 59.56 (62nd)

Biathlon - Men's 15km mass start


Tomasz Sikora (LOV) 49:23.8 (37th)
Jens Steiningen (LOV) 50:19.3 (45th)
Mark Kirchner (LOV) 50:29.1 (47th - last one !!!!)

Short Track - Men's 5km relay - qualification


Blanchard/McMillen/Kim/Lee (LOV) 7:00.604 DNQ

Speed Skating - Women's 5000m


Carla Zijlstra (LOV) 7:11.45 (11th)

Medal tally

Nation G S B T
1 Bluth Corporation (BLU) 9 6 6 21
2 Kelssek (KSK) 7 11 4 22
3 Cafundéu (CAF) 7 7 6 20
4 Landau Institute (LID) 7 4 1 12
5 Cassadaigua (CDG) 6 1 7 14
6 Secristan (SEC) 5 8 3 16
7 Alliance Star (ASC) 5 3 3 11
8 Newmanistan (NEW) 5 2 10 17
9 Capitalizt SLANI (COM) 4 4 3 11
10 Jasī'yūn (JSY) 4 4 1 9
11 Ruccola (RUC) 4 2 3 9
12 Qazox (QZX) 3 5 2 10
13 Quintessence of Dust (QOD) 3 2 5 10
14 Unified Beretania (UBT) 3 2 4 9
15 Ariddian Isles (ARI) 2 2 2 6
16 Colbourne (COL) 2 0 0 2
17 Edward City (USE) 1 2 4 7
Warre (IKW) 1 2 4 7
19 Lurikastan (LUR) 1 2 1 4
Tocrowkia (TOC) 1 2 1 4
Zwangzug (ZWZ) 1 2 1 4
22 Maineiacs (MAI) 1 1 2 4
23 Bears Armed (BRS) 1 1 1 3
Taeshan (TAE) 1 1 1 3
25 Sorthern Northland (SNO) 1 1 0 2
26 Oiseaui (OIS) 1 0 3 4
27 Lovisa (LOV) 0 5 2 7
28 Ad'ihan (ADN) 0 2 0 2
29 Myedvedeya (MYE) 0 1 3 4
30 Coocoostan (COO) 0 1 1 2
31 Candelaria And Marquez (CAM) 0 0 2 2
Fujisawan Territories (FJT) 0 0 2 2
33 The Archregimancy (ARC) 0 0 1 1

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

Next to last day of the Olympics and it was very busy, so let's get right to it.

Day 15 recap


Alpine Skiing - Men's slalom Run 1
Frank W. Jones: 54.20 (2nd)
Greg Olsen: 56.14 (10th)
Walter Asimov: 1:00.88 (70th)

Alpine Skiing - Men's slalom Run 2
Frank W. Jones: 54.20-58.30::1:52.50 (12th)
Greg Olsen: 56.14- 56.66::1:52.80(14th)
Walter Asimov: 1:00.88-58.18::1:59.06 (62nd)


Jones, who was 2nd after the morining run, had a horrible 2nd run, almost missing 3 gates, which dropped him into 12th. Olsen had 2 good runs, but needed a great 2nd run to medal, and didn't get it. ASimov stuggled all day long, and never was in serious contention.

Speed Skating - Women's 5000m
Tiffary Stoer: 7:11.06 (9th)

Stoer, though having a great time, just wasn't fast enough to earn a medal, as she was over 5 seconds behind the medal winning pace.

So with Qazoxian athletes almost done at these games, the chances of at least tying the haul from 8 years ago is almost gone.

So that's all for now from Alavaria, stay tuned to the networks of QBC for all your Olympics coverage.

QBC
Winter Olympic Coverage

(QBC Olympic Homepage (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/Qazox_at_the_Fourth_Winter_Olympics))

So ends another edition of the Winter Olympics.

Qazox failed in thier attempt at 20 medals, but for the 2nd time ever broke into double-digts, with ten total medals.
Overall Qazox finished 12th in the medal standings, with 10.
Bluth Corporation and Kelssek tied for the most medals with 22 each, but Kelssek finished 2nd in the standing, thanks to the 9 golds from Bluth.

We're just only 2 1/2 years away from the next Summer games, which will be broadcast on the QBC networks, Until then.

(ooc: I'd give you a 9.4 on hosting this Kelssek. Very good job with very little problems, other than Qazox not getting 20 medals... LOL ;) )

Weather
Currently: Flurries, -13ºC. Expected high -10ºC. Chance of flurries in the evening, low -16ºC

Day 16 results (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14513572&postcount=33)

<Reserved for upcoming daily highlights>

[OOC: Thank you all very much for participating. It's been fun and I've actually quite enjoyed doing this.]

A hurried announcement had gone out to all those attending the closing ceremony to be there early, but inevitably a good number hadn't gotten the message - or knew the reason why and had decided not to put themselves through the national anthem of The Archregimancy, which surely would be outrage if that were the case.

The tradition of holding the medal ceremonies for the 50km cross-country skiing event, the winter equivalent of the marathon, during the closing ceremony had already proven problematic once before at Aeropag, and once again it threw a spanner into the plans for the closing ceremony as following the awarding of the medals, the crowd were warned bilingually to seek medical attention if they felt unwell and then invited to rise for the two-hour-long Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Several people did indeed faint or become otherwise temporarily incapacitated in the frigid conditions as a result, although a local Orthodox clergyman would later assert that these lucky people had experienced the Holy Spirit first-hand.

The crowd was understandably somewhat subdued as more of the ice-rink-based performances took place but they soon recovered following a brief overuse of pyrotechnics. At one point a deep voice informed them that "les hivers de mon enfance etaient des saisons longues, longues. Nous vivions en trois lieux: l'école, l'église, et la patinoire; mais la vraie vie était sur la patinoire". More pyrotechnics and fireworks were utilised.

The flagbearers then marched in again, followed by the other athletes, this time in a mass without the distinction of nationality in the opening ceremony. The speeches, again, and then members of the Uniä people, indigenous to the region, performed their traditional farewell dance. The national anthem of Kelssek, and the Olympic hymn, the Olympic flame in the cauldron was extinguished, and then that was it. The IV Olympic Winter Games had concluded.

*A shameless Canadiana reference: This quote is from the original French of "The Hockey Sweater" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hockey_Sweater) (read by the author in English (http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/clips/1546-10372/)) and appears on the back of our $5 notes.

(OOC: Thanks for hosting!)

Zwangzugian Olympic Merchandising Group
Transinterdepartmental Memoranda

FROM: Associate Junior Manager of Human Resources, Spiream
TO: Deputy Vice-President of Marketing, Aviank Co
RE: I'm calling in that favor

Just thought you might want to know.

FROM: Associate Junior Manager of Human Resources, Spiream
TO: Mail list.
RE: This explains a lot

http://moon-tribune.net.zz/sports/oly/w4/cross-country.html?

FROM: A. P. Scheidegger
TO: D. C. Ritchhart
RE: About those skiing events

One less than we suspected, evidently.

----

And now, the Olympic update.

"Yes, we've got live coverage of the 50-kilometer ski race. And it's, uh, close up front there, um..." Why couldn't we have gotten the ice hockey? Zwangzugians...not to generalize or anything...aren't that provincial, this channel is full of hockey anyway. "Uh, you know what? We're gonna be right back after these...words from the wonderful people who are helping us pull this off." Barely.

Several anything-but-advertisements later, we see Yvette again, and Mona Ribero on the other side of the split screen. The lag makes it obvious that Yvette is still in Lamuirean and Mona is staring at a hastily-constructed tripod in the People's Square. "Mona Ribero! Zwangzug's contestant in the demonstration event of, yes, snow angel making, fifth place. Congratulations."

"Thanks," Mona grins, and gestures towards her angel. Or tries to. The scene is dominated by Anita Farías' sculpture, with Father Alexy's artwork nearby. Finally, Mona seizes the camera and points it at her two-dimensional angel on the ground.

What's presumably a halo adds to the head score, no doubt, while the wings are predictably preschoolesque. The angel hovers above a city, its skyscrapers traced by those weird patterns on the bottom of Mona's boots. One hand is stretched high above, as if to hold a thunderbolt for casting vengefully. It's not, though. It's holding a snowball.

"L'église et la patinoire?" suggests Yvette under her breath.

The mutteredness, the lag, and the being-in-French make it essentially impossible for Mona to understand, so she gleefully continues. "Anyhow, yeah, I loved it. It was great to meet Farías, I got her autograph, and I would have gotten Father Alexy's only he had to leave."

"Yeah, he's in the cross-country race."

"Oh. Right."

Still an hour and a half to fill. "Yes, Father Alexy the Breathless competing in this race...his compatriot Father Anatoly the, erm, Far-Sighted expected to do well, already a medal under his belt...we'll be back in a moment."

One moment, an hour, and a half later...

"...approaching the end of the race, no Zwangzugian success to speak of--or indeed participation, that'll sink the endurance myth if anything will--and here comes the winner! Father Anatoly of the Archregimancy, the rest of the pack on the way. Um. Not literally..." Yvette beckons the camera somewhere else. "And it looks like those ice hockey scores are final. Perhaps."

At the edge of the screen, the pious monk celebrates in a humble way.

There's the cross. What about the country?

In the middle of Zwangzug's Homler district, there is a desolate, snowy trail. More than one, actually. But on one particular one, a telephone (brought to you, and me, and everybody else, including but not limited to Siegfried Aikens, by Amber Phones) rings.

Siegfried is an idealist. His truest passion, his greatest strength, involves moving forward for no other reason than to do so more quickly than anybody else. He does not realize how strange it should be that there should be cell phone service out here. He answers the call. "Hello?"

"Hey. You can stop now, Blake made it."

"Already?"

"Yeah."

"Might as well keep going, neither of us were going to win anyway."

"Eh," sighs Edmund Ozark. "You seen any media people in the last couple days?"

Siegfried snorts. "Not for a week!"

"Me neither, I'm just asking because I only heard from some radio dude that Blake finished. Apparently they've been keeping track of him."

"Makes sense."

"Cross-country my foot. We'da got more coverage in the Olympics."

"In the what?"

"The Olympics." And there's that awful beat of a silent clock when doubt begins to seep in. "You know, in Kelssek?"

"Um, I didn't really."

"That's okay, I'm not sure the guy who signed us up did either."

"But you've got a point. Nobody's seeing us, so nobody's seeing these lovely sponsorships on our uniforms."

"Ah, they're just sponsors. What do they know?"

"Not too much."

Edmund laughs. "All right. Just wanted to make sure you heard."

"Yeah. See ya."

Siegfried pauses for a moment, puts away his phone, and proceeds over the snow with the unconcerned gait of a champion.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/6363/rtvolympicskv7.jpg


Day 16 - Highlights

The final day of the Olympics heralded the end of an exciting sixteen days of sporting achievements, where the world came together to compete and attain goals that were faster, higher and stronger. The events of the day were as follows:


Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 50km Freestyle

Giuseppe Lombardo placed 17th with a time of two hours, four minutes and 57.7 seconds, coming three minutes and 56.9 seconds behind gold medalist Father Anatoly the Far-Sighted of The Archregimancy. Meanwhile, Andrew Ma placed 20th with a time of two hours, five minutes and 31.9 seconds, finishing four minutes and 31.1 seconds after Father Anatoly.


Ice Hockey - Gold Medal Matches

In women's hockey, Newmanistan won the gold medal after a 1–0 victory over Bluth Corporation, delegating them to silver. In the men's match, Dannistaan took gold after scoring 3-2 against Secristan, placing them in second place.


Snow Angel Making

Father Alexy the Breathless of The Archregimancy topped the rankings in the exhibition event with 23.4 points in total. Ruccolian entrant Elizabeth Ko did not make it to the top five positions.

NO MEDALS GIVEN TO THE IGLESIAN ARCHIPELAGO

The Iglesian Olympic Committee was expecting at least three medals - one gold, one silver and one bronze - but nothing was given. Today, the Iglesian athletes arrived to the Los Vientos North International Airport, but sad with the notice. Many also knew that they wouldn't win a medal. Despite this, the Iglesian Archipelago still has very high influence on the Olympic Games.

Albavona Capitol Sentinel

Extended stay for Chang as Olympics close on a bitter note for some Beretanians

Alavaria, Kelssek - The Unified Beretanian delegation have boarded flights home, but Stephan Chang opted to book an extra week in Alavaria, Kelssek. Chang, the gold medal winner in men’s figure skating told reporters he needed extra time recuperate from the emotionally draining Olympic experience before catching a flight back to Albavona. He revealed his true motivation early this morning. Chang had his sister’s ashes airdropped atop the mountain peaks surrounding Alavaria as dawn broke on the horizon, in a display of triumphant symbology. Chang had made the arrangements without the knowledge of Beretanian or Kelssek Olympic officials.

“This is nothing short of destiny. I know God and my sister were there every step of the way in these Olympics, and I want my sister to forever be a part of my Olympic dream. I want her final resting place to be in the place where my ultimate dreams came true and the place where I won Olympic gold for Susan. This is where she would have wanted to be, watching me,” Chang said.

Unified Beretania had won gold and silver in men’s figure skating, and bronze in women’s figure skating, in the Qazoxian Winter Sports Festival, and Olympic organizers had hoped to use the Olympics to establish a Beretanian dominance in the sport. But Chang’s gold was the only figure skating medal in the Olympics for Unified Beretania. Katie Yang, a top tier gymnast who failed to medal for Unified Beretania in the III Summer Olympics in Columbia, UCS, also failed to medal in these Olympics in Alavaria, Kelssek as a figure skater. She was considered one of the best chances at a Beretanian figure skating medal besides Chang.

Crosscom Beretania and a handful of companies are set to pony up one million dollars (USD) toward cancer research in an agreement reached prior to the start of the Olympics. And private donations to the Susan Chang Memorial Fund have exceeded five hundred thousand dollars (USD).

The modest Chang turned down an offer to be a Crosscom celebrity spokesman, but applauded the company’s efforts to help cancer research, saying one million dollars will go far in the war against cancer. Gold medalist Arlene Concetta Tyler was eventually named as a new Crosscom celebrity spokeswoman, joining Sheena Jacqueline Baker, a gold medalist in Columbia.

These Olympics were full of ups and downs, but almost as important as who was present in Alavaria, were those who weren’t. Due to limitations on delegation size, Unified Beretania couldn’t send men’s and women’s ice hockey teams, and Nordic Combined athletes like they had wanted. This has prompted some in the Unified Beretania National Olympic Committee to suggest rotating the sports that Unified Beretania sign up for during each Winter Olympics to allow athletes to participate in sports that Unified Beretania wasn’t able to compete in.

“We’d like to see hockey teams. We’d like to see pairs figure skating, and nordic combined. We could bump entires that didn’t yield much success this time round,” UBNOC President Sofia Waldeck said.

Joëlle Schwartz missed the Olympics after she broke her leg during qualifying for Alavaria in women’s downhill skiing. Schwartz was considered the best Beretanian skier before her injury, which required surgery to repair. Indira Dahlstedt, Priyadarshini Battacharjee, Melanie Meadows, and Coreen Saturday eventually qualified for the Olympics in the event. Schwartz said she’s not committed to making an attempt at the next winter Olympics four years from now, but if her recovery goes smoothly, she would seriously consider it.

Another face absent in Kelssek was Billie Jo Kross, sister of snowboarder Bobbi Kross. A serious injury didn’t keep her from qualifying for Alavaria. Chalk it up to a little bit of bad luck, and a lot of tough competition. Erin Labrador, Suzette Bisbee, and Alta Hart all qualified for the Olympics in the women’s halfpipe event, while Billie Jo Kross barely missed qualifying. Bobbi Kross did qualify for the Olympics in the women’s parallel giant slalom event, but in a disappointment, finished without a medal, behind Vivian Pasquini, who many considered to be weaker than Bobbi Kross. The uniquely named sisters say they’ll both be back in four years time.

Online poll results

Who was the biggest surprise of the Olympics for Unified Beretania?
Kathy Copeland, women’s biathlon 29%
Rebekah Bray, Joyce Snow, women’s cross country skiing 28%
Alexandros Vassilikos, men’s downhill skiing 22%
Julie Duckworth, women’s speed skating 13%
Klaus Shumacher, men’s speed skating 8%

Who was Unified Beretania’s biggest Olympic bust?
Cathleen Kim, women’s figure skating 42%
Chaniporn Wattanapanit, women’s cross country skiing 34%
Bobbi Kross, women’s snowboarding 11%
Bob “Sasquatch” Roeger, men’s cross country skiing 9%
Katie Yang, women’s figure skating 4%

Medals

GOLD
Stephan Chang, men’s figure skating
Arlene Concetta Tyler, Caroline Sofia Pederson, Michelle Kistler, speed skating women’s team pursuit
Klaus Shumacher, mens 1500m speed skating

SILVER
Rebekah Bray, Joyce Snow, cross country skiing women’s pursuit
Kathy Copeland, women’s biathlon 12.5km mass start

BRONZE
Alexandros Vassilikos, men’s downhill skiing
Julie Duckworth, women’s speed skating 3000m
Jon Greg Brown, men’s biathlon 10km sprint
Mark Middleton, Keith Scarborough, Susumu Nakamoto, men’s speed skating pursuit




OOC: Thanks Kelssek for a great Winter Olympics.