Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics!!

Cardinal Richelieu

Will any Irish be going?

Dan man

Certainly we will send a team composed of a couple of alpine skiers and perhaps cross country skiers also. There has been no programme in place to get a team qualified in any of the sledding sports this time.
But watch out for young snowboarder Seamus O'Connor. He is still very young and among the best in the world if not the best from his age group. He's on course to make Sochi 2014 and should do the Irish flag proud. He has the potential to win Ireland's first ever Winter Olympic medal but I think Sochi will come a year or 2 too early for him. Pyeongchang 2018 could be his big stage and if he continues to progress as he has been then I think we could see a medal for Ireland. I'm really excited to see how he'll get on in Sochi should he make the Games.

Skid X

Yes, Seamus O'Connor is a very exciting prospect. Still only 15 but he is competing with the best in Snowboarding. Some more information about him here

http://www.worldsnowboardtour.com/riders/seamus-oconnor/

http://www.luckyenoughdocumentary.com/?page_id=20

Skid X

We haven't had many Winter Olympians, our most successful being Clifton Wrottesley (Lord Clifton Hugh Lancelot de Verdon Wrottesley, to give him his full title!). I remember turning on the Television to find an Irishman placed third after the first Skeleton run during the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics of 2002. I thought I was dreaming. He dropped to fourth after the final run so just missed a medal - but still a terrific achievement.

He has had an interesting life story, an article from the Irish Independent in 2002 is well worth a read. http://www.independent.ie/sport/how-...-26239540.html

Since then he retired from Skeleton, was Irish Chef de Mission at the 2006 Winter Olympics and is now President of British Skeleton.

locum-motion

This is really off topic (sorry!), but anyway;

I remember hearing at the time that 'Wrottesley' is one of those odd aristocratic English surnames like 'Featherstonehaugh' that is pronounced nothing whatsoever like how it is spelled. Apparently it's pronounced 'Wroxley'.

'Featherstonehaugh', by the way, is pronounced 'Fanshaw'.

Skid X

I did a search on Seamus O'Connor, not many articles about him recently but his results have been promising in both the Half Pipe and Slopestyle disciplines

http://www.fissnowboard.com/uk/top-athlete/connor-seamus,169674.html

That 11th place came yesterday (March 26th) in the Slopestyle at the Sierra Nevada round of the World Cup (out of 102 competitors)

With 30 places available in Sochi in the Halfpipe and 24 in Slopestyle hopefully he is well on track to qualify.

Dan man

Skid X wrote: »

I did a search on Seamus O'Connor, not many articles about him recently but his results have been promising in both the Half Pipe and Slopestyle disciplines

http://www.fissnowboard.com/uk/top-athlete/connor-seamus,169674.html

That 11th place came yesterday (March 26th) in the Slopestyle at the Sierra Nevada round of the World Cup (out of 102 competitors)

With 30 places available in Sochi in the Halfpipe and 24 in Slopestyle hopefully he is well on track to qualify.

Yes, amazing results, especially that 8th in the half-pipe event
He's going to qualify for Sochi almost without question should he do half as well again next season. I'm hoping for big things from him next year but 2018 will be possibly when he is at his peak Only born in 1997 :eek:

Skid X

Dan man wrote: »

Yes, amazing results, especially that 8th in the half-pipe event
He's going to qualify for Sochi almost without question should he do half as well again next season. I'm hoping for big things from him next year but 2018 will be possibly when he is at his peak Only born in 1997 :eek:

That is great news, Dan man - the 8th place was earlier today (since my previous post). Yes, hard to believe we are talking about a 15 year old!

Dan man

Skid X wrote: »

That is great news, Dan man - the 8th place was earlier today (since my previous post). Yes, hard to believe we are talking about a 15 year old!

Yes, he's potentially the future star of world snowboarding. At the moment he is comfortably lying inside the quota allocation slots for Sochi 2014. The lists are a little complicated at present as we don't know how many quota places countries like USA and Japan will select in those events. 4 is the maximum they can have per event but there are restrictions per nations overall across all snowboarding events so it is unlikely they would use 4 in one event. But even so, as it stands he is well inside the quota placings regardless. Barring injury or a total swing in fortunes he'll make Sochi 2014.

Qualification system here (pages 18-20)

Skid X

Here is a brief article about another of our Sochi hopefuls - Ice Skater Clara Peters

http://sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/ice-skating-clara-peters-looks-ahead-to-sochi-2014-2013-05-06/

I don't know much about Clara, but apparently she is ranked 29th in the World. 30 Skaters will qualify for Sochi, it would be great to see Clara make it.



http://isai.ie/figure-skating/national-team/clara-peters/

Skid X

Here is another potential Sochi Team Ireland athlete.




Skier Victoria Bell has been awarded an IOC scholarship in her bid to reach the next Winter Olympics. Victoria is based in England but she has represented Ireland in the Junior Alpine World Championships and the World Alpine Ski Championships.

"It is so rewarding to have that hard work acknowledged by the International Olympic Committee and it has given me a big boost psychologically to have that kind of recognition.

"I will be going to New Zealand again next month to spend my summer training and racing there.

"I will do my absolute best over the summer, autumn and winter in order to be selected to go to Sochi.

"I have been to the European Youth Olympics but it is my goal to compete at the main Winter Olympics which would be such a great experience," added Bell (pictured).

http://www.suttoncoldfieldobserver.co.uk/Streetly-ski-star-Bell-handed-boost-bid-Winter/story-19351554-detail/story.html

http://www.victoriabell.co.uk/about

Pherekydes

Happy birthday, Victoria! 19 today.

Skid X

RTE will have some limited coverage of Sochi 2014 on their News Now Channel. I think this will be the first time they have had any significant broadcasts of the Winter Olympics.

As part of the agreement, RTÉ has also made a commitment to broadcast coverage of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on RTÉ News Now, with the news channel featuring live coverage of the opening and closing ceremonies as well as a daily highlights programme.

http://www.rte.ie/presspack/2013/08/16/rte-secures-comprehensive-broadcast-rights-for-2016-olympic-games/?platform=47

The Lost Sheep

At this stage does Ireland have any confirmed qualifiers for Sochi? O Connor in Snowboarding is very close to qualifying but many others?

Skid X

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

At this stage does Ireland have any confirmed qualifiers for Sochi? O Connor in Snowboarding is very close to qualifying but many others?

I'm not sure, to be honest. Hopefully we will get a clearer picture as the Winter Sports season resumes

Here is another one for the 'hopeful' list - Jan Rossiter is a Cross Country Skier. He is based in Canada, but he was born in Cork and is trying to represent Ireland at Sochi.

His website is worth a look

The goal will be to race as many qualifying races before January 20th, 2014 when the Sochi qualifying period ends. At that point I hope to be within the Olympic standard, and also to be the fastest Irishman within it, in order to secure a spot on the Irish Olympic Team. There promises to be some excitement and much hard work along the way.

http://xcchelseamasters.com/2013/09/02/club-member-jan-rossiter-aiming-for-sochi-2014/

http://janrossiter.com/the-athlete/

Skid X

There was disappointment for Clara Peters and Conor Stakelum at the Nebelhorn Trophy. Both of them have missed out on qualification for Sochi, unfortunately.

http://sportsnewsireland.com/other_sports/irish-skaters-miss-out-on-winter-olympic-qualification-2013-10-07/

Peters made some uncharacteristic mistakes in her short and, although she came back strong in the free, there was too much ground to make up and she finished in 27th out of the ladies seeking to qualify a place for their country in Sochi. It was a similar story for Stakelum who finished in 28th of those trying to advance to the Olympics.

Skid X

The Irish Independent has an article about our Sochi hopefuls today

http://www.independent.ie/sport/irish-hopes-remain-modest-for-sochi-29697030.html

The Olympic Council of Ireland hope to send a team of up to five athletes to Sochi, hewn from a mixture of distant familial links and young athletes intent on pursuing their chosen disciplines a long way from home.

The five potential athletes are named as

Victoria Bell (Skiing)
Conor Lyne (Skiing)
Seamus O'Connor (Snowboarding)
Jan Rossiter (Cross-country Skiing)
Sean Greenwood (Skeleton)

Skid X

There is a good article in today's Irish Mail on Sunday about our potential Winter Olympians (Pg 90, I don't think there is an online version).

It says snowboarder Seamus O'Connor has already qualified for the Half Pipe Snowboard event, and is hopeful of gaining a place in the new Slopestyle event too.

The qualification process for the other events continues, but the writer (Mark Gallagher) seems confident we should get one male and one female ski-er to the Olympics (most likely to be Conor Lyne and Victoria Bell)

With realistic chances for other athletes including Sean Greenwood (Skeleton) and Jan Rossiter (Cross Country Ski-ing), hopefully we should have a few representatives in Sochi.

Dan man

Skid X wrote: »

There is a good article in today's Irish Mail on Sunday about our potential Winter Olympians (Pg 90, I don't think there is an online version).

It says snowboarder Seamus O'Connor has already qualified for the Half Pipe Snowboard event, and is hopeful of gaining a place in the new Slopestyle event too.

The qualification process for the other events continues, but the writer (Mark Gallagher) seems confident we should get one male and one female ski-er to the Olympics (most likely to be Conor Lyne and Victoria Bell)

With realistic chances for other athletes including Sean Greenwood (Skeleton) and Jan Rossiter (Cross Country Ski-ing), hopefully we should have a few representatives in Sochi.

I'm not sure if you saw it, but Seán Greenwood had some good performances this weekend in the North American Cup at the Utah Olympic Park.
Here is his website with lots of interesting background info about his career and how he got started:
http://seangreenwoodirishskeleton.com/

Dan man

A good start to the World Cup season for Irish skeleton racer Sean Greenwood as he finished 17th in the first World Cup event of the 2013-2014 season in Calgary, Canada. Sean is targeting Olympic qualification and this performance will help him gain crucial points in his quest to represent Ireland in Sochi 2014.

Skid X

An interesting audio interview with Sean Greenwood and his Mother, from Drivetime with Mary Wilson on Radio 1 a few days ago. He says he should know on January 19th if he has qualified for Sochi.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/player/734/497211/

Dan man

Irish snowboarder Seamus O'Connor had a magnificent result at the World Cup in Stoneham, Canada, claiming 8th place in the slopestyle discipline. Seamus was the youngest competitor finishing at the top of the standings so this is very encouraging for the future.
I think this is his 2nd top 10 finish at a World Cup event.

walshb

May I just say that IMO downhill skiers are the most courageous and brave and talented athletes on earth.

Skid X

It looks like Sean Greenwood has qualified for the Skeleton in Sochi, after he was placed 27th in the Official Rankings. I can't see official confirmation, but there are a lot of reputable reports on Twitter



https://twitter.com/lisaocarroll/status/425645468706562048

http://www.fibt.com/races-results/results/rankings.html?rankname=5

Dan man

Yes he's qualified for sure. We've qualified 5 athletes provisionally for Sochi.... 2 quotas (man and woman) in alpine skiing, Jan Rossiter in men's Cross-Country Skiing, Seán Greenwood in men's skeleton and Seamus O'Connor has 2 quotas in snowboarding (slopestyle and half-pipe).
Potential for top 15 performances there with Seamus and Seán with some luck.

Skid X

Dan man wrote: »

Yes he's qualified for sure. We've qualified 5 athletes provisionally for Sochi.... 2 quotas (man and woman) in alpine skiing, Jan Rossiter in men's Cross-Country Skiing, Seán Greenwood in men's skeleton and Seamus O'Connor has 2 quotas in snowboarding (slopestyle and half-pipe).
Potential for top 15 performances there with Seamus and Seán with some luck.

It's great to see the team taking shape. The Irish Times has an article about our new Olympians today

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/diaspora-gets-its-skies-on-to-represent-ireland-in-the-winter-olympics-1.1663491

Dodge

Dan man wrote: »

Yes he's qualified for sure. We've qualified 5 athletes provisionally for Sochi.... 2 quotas (man and woman) in alpine skiing, Jan Rossiter in men's Cross-Country Skiing, Seán Greenwood in men's skeleton and Seamus O'Connor has 2 quotas in snowboarding (slopestyle and half-pipe).
Potential for top 15 performances there with Seamus and Seán with some luck.

On ranks, Sean is actually 16th/17th as some above him in the world rankings miss out because of national limits

With Seamus finishing so close o top 16 in last year's worlds, he'd be very disappointed not to improve on that

Dan man

Dodge wrote: »

On ranks, Sean is actually 16th/17th as some above him in the world rankings miss out because of national limits

With Seamus finishing so close o top 16 in last year's worlds, he'd be very disappointed not to improve on that

Yes, that's why I was specifically pointing out top 15 performances as that would be an improvement....anything above that would be a bonus.
Seamus is the most likely to have our best result and he's capable of top 10 on a very good day.

Dodge

Dan man wrote: »

Yes, that's why I was specifically pointing out top 15 performances as that would be an improvement....anything above that would be a bonus.
Seamus is the most likely to have our best result and he's capable of top 10 on a very good day.

I wasn't disagreeing with you Dan, just fleshing your predictions/hopes out a little

feargale

Dan I'm sure you recall posting a picture of the Czech team in the London 2012 thread in their very fetching uniforms, looking as if they were all set for Puck Fair. Would you think of posting a pic of Norway's team for Sochi, in their regulation pyjamas?

Dan man

feargale wrote: »

Dan I'm sure you recall posting a picture of the Czech team in the London 2012 thread in their very fetching uniforms, looking as if they were all set for Puck Fair. Would you think of posting a pic of Norway's team for Sochi, in their regulation pyjamas?

I do indeed remember the Czech uniform, fully kitted out in their wellington boots!
Of course, I'll take a look at that later, the Norwegian curling team kit is usually quite flamboyant.

Dan man

And sure enough, the Sochi 2014 Norwegian curlers didn't disappoint .

Skid X

Documentary about the History of the Winter Olympics coming up on BBC Two (Thursday at 9pm, repeated Sunday at 6pm). Might be interesting

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03t4szg

Skid X

Dan man wrote: »

Yes he's qualified for sure. We've qualified 5 athletes provisionally for Sochi.... 2 quotas (man and woman) in alpine skiing, Jan Rossiter in men's Cross-Country Skiing, Seán Greenwood in men's skeleton and Seamus O'Connor has 2 quotas in snowboarding (slopestyle and half-pipe).
Potential for top 15 performances there with Seamus and Seán with some luck.

The OCI have now confirmed the Sochi team, as expected Seamus O'Connor will compete in both of his Snowboard events ...


Florence Bell – Women’s Downhill slalom and Giant Slalom

Conor Lyne – Men’s Downhill slalom and Giant Slalom

Sean Greenwood – Skeleton

Jan Rositer – Skiing Cross County

Seamus O Connor – Snowboard (half pipe and slope style)


http://www.olympics.ie/winter-games/sochi-2014/9250-sochi-bound-irish-team-selected-for-the-winter-olympic-games.html


Congratulations to them all.

Dan man

Skid X wrote: »

The OCI have now confirmed the Sochi team, as expected Seamus O'Connor will compete in both of his Snowboard events ...


Florence Bell – Women’s Downhill slalom and Giant Slalom

Conor Lyne – Men’s Downhill slalom and Giant Slalom

Sean Greenwood – Skeleton

Jan Rositer – Skiing Cross County

Seamus O Connor – Snowboard (half pipe and slope style)


http://www.olympics.ie/winter-games/sochi-2014/9250-sochi-bound-irish-team-selected-for-the-winter-olympic-games.html


Congratulations to them all.

I wonder who will be the Irish flagbearer....might be Jan Rossiter.

KevIRL

Never mind the Norweigan curlers, I think the Mexican skiing uniforms win the Winter Olympics

KevIRL

Whatever became of Clifton Hugh Lancelot de Verdon Wrottesley? Our close call with a winter olympic medal

Skid X

KevIRL wrote: »

Whatever became of Clifton Hugh Lancelot de Verdon Wrottesley? Our close call with a winter olympic medal

Clifton has hung up his blades, but he is still involved in the sport as Chair of British Skeleton.

feargale

The O'Wrottesley was Ireland's Chef de Mission at the 2006 Winters. He is now working in finance and making buckets of money, which is a change from circumstances when, at age two, his father died in a car accident and his mother couldn't pay the bills. Both sides had disapproved of his parent's marriage. He is now chairman of British skeleton.

Dan man

KevIRL wrote: »

Never mind the Norweigan curlers, I think the Mexican skiing uniforms win the Winter Olympics

That is actually what their guy is going to wear during competition....you might forgive him if he was a figure skater. But he will competing as a downhill skier!
It's super though!

EDIT: Here is a pic of him in his outfit!

feargale

He's a German aristocrat born in Mexico. If I were born on Pitcairn Island I'd get to compete in the Winter Olympics too.

Dan man

feargale wrote: »

He's a German aristocrat born in Mexico. If I were born on Pitcairn Island I'd get to compete in the Winter Olympics too.

No, you still need to achieve a certain standard.....many other countries attempted to qualify too but didn't achieve the required points.

feargale

Dan man wrote: »

No, you still need to achieve a certain standard.....many other countries attempted to qualify too but didn't achieve the required points.

No minimum quota per country?

Dan man

feargale wrote: »

No minimum quota per country?

Unfortunately not, there aren't that many quota places going around in each sport and the non-winter sport countries are usually all in a scrap to pick up the remaining few in each discipline.

Cosmo Kramer

A little disappointing to read that Seamus O'Connor probably isn't going to be throwing his lot in with Ireland for the long haul. It's good to have him in the team this time around but unfortunately by the time he reaches his peak and potentially contends for medals it sounds like the US will be the beneficiaries of his talent. However, given that he is from San Diego, it is hard to have any complaints about his long term allegiances.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25968421

Dan man

Team Ireland at the Irish flag raising ceremony in Sochi:

Skid X

I see Seamus O'Connor is in action in the Slope Style qualification rounds tomorrow (two days before the Opening Ceremony!) I think it starts at 2pm 6am Irish time.

http://olympics.ie/winter-games/sochi-2014/9309-team-ireland-competition-timeline.html

http://www.sochi2014.com/en/snowboard-men-s-sbs-qualification

feargale

Skid X wrote: »

I see Seamus O'Connor is in action in the Slope Style qualification rounds tomorrow (two days before the Opening Ceremony!) I think it starts at 2pm Irish time.

Is it on tv, Skid?

Skid X

feargale wrote: »

Is it on tv, Skid?

The only place I can see it listed is on the BBC Red Button, feargale

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/17151954

Eurosport don't have the rights this time, and I don't see any official EBU stream (as they did for London 2012).

RTE are showing an hour long highlights programme on their News Now Channel every evening, but not until the Games officially open (I think)

http://www.rte.ie/sport/features/2014/0123/499734-winter-olympics/





Also, I see the qualification starts at about 6am our time (I added the time difference instead of taking it away )

Skid X

Dan man wrote: »

I wonder who will be the Irish flagbearer....might be Jan Rossiter.

Just announced, Conor Lyne will carry the flag

http://www.rte.ie/sport/winter-sports/2014/0205/502448-lyne-named-as-flag-bearer-for-ireland-in-sochi/

feargale

What time is the opening ceremony on Friday?