Anyway, today’s women’s race was really exciting. I find the “chase ‘em down” variety of biathlon a lot more exciting than the “race the clock” variety. And since biathlon and cross country are the main things on during the day and some of the only things broadcast in their entirety and live, I guess I’ll have to learn to love them.

Magdalena Neuner of Germany won gold. Silver went to Anastazia Kuzmina of Slovakia, and Marie Laure Brunet of France won the bronze. American Sarah Studebaker finished 46th. Considering she wasn’t even expected to qualify for pursuit, that’s a pretty good accomplishment.

In men’s biathlon, there was a mistake with the start. Bjoern Ferry of Sweden won gold, followed by Christoph Sumann of Austria and France’s Vincent Jay, who started the day in first place. Ultimately, this race boiled down to who shot better. American Jeremy Teela was in the hunt for a while, but finished 24th. Lowell Bailey finished 36th. Tim Burke finished 46th.

Today was supposed to be Super Combined in men’s downhill, but due to poor weather conditions (blowing now and low visibility), that event has been pushed to Friday. At this rate, Alpine skiing will finish up sometime in March or April.

Presumably, the snow won’t stop biathlon (it’s still on the schedule, as of this writing). For today’s women’s 10 km pursuit and men’s 12.5 km pursuit, the athletes qualify by placing in the top 60 in a sprint competition. No American women are expected to qualify. For the men, Tim Burke and Lowell Bailey stand a decent chance of qualifying, even though this is not the best event for either of them.

CURLING Curling, a favorite in the Manty household, starts today. The American men are scheduled for two matches vs. Germany and Norway, and the American women are scheduled for one match vs. Japan. The American men won bronze in Torino. Will they be able to match or better that in Vancouver?

Men’s figure skating starts tonight with the short program. All three of the American men are strong contenders for a medal. Evan Lysacek is the reigning world champion and finished fourth in Torino after battling the flu. Jeremy Abbott is a relative newcomer but has won two U.S. titles. And then there’s Johnny Weir. Hopefully, the only drama surrounding his performances will be the performances, themselves. American men haven’t won gold since Brian Boitano in 1988. They’re hoping to change that this year.

Both the men’s and women’s hockey teams will be competing today. The men will be taking on Switzerland. The women will be playing Russia.

Women’s luge will be awarding a medal today. Americans Erin Hamlin and Julia Clukey are currently in 15th and 16th place after two runs—long shots for a medal but not out of contention. American Megan Sweeney is currently in 27th.

More snowboard cross today, as Lindsey Jacobellis tries to win the gold that eluded her in Turin, when she fell practically at the finish line. She is joined on the team by Olympic newcomers Callan Chythlook-Sifsof and Faye Gulini.

Finally, women’s speed skating races the 500m— hopefully with fewer problems with the ice than the men experienced yesterday. Elli Ochowicz, Jennifer Rodriguez, Heather Richardson and Lauren Cholewinski represent the United States. None are favorites to medal.