Key Highlights
- Chloe Kim aims for third consecutive Olympic gold in halfpipe snowboarding.
- Nordic combined athletes prepare for cross-country element after ski jumping.
- Team GB men’s curling team faces China in their opening match.
- Einar Luraas Oftebro of Norway leads the Nordic combined standings.
The Big Picture: Winter Olympics Day Five
Winter Olympics day five, and the action continues with a mix of excitement and anticipation. NBC Sports is your window into the thrilling events, from halfpipe snowboarding to Nordic combined and beyond. Let’s dive in.
Chloe Kim’s Quest for Gold
Chloe Kim, the GOAT of women’s halfpipe snowboarding, is back on the scene, aiming for her third consecutive Olympic gold. Her journey so far has been nothing short of spectacular—two Winter Olympics golds, three World Championship golds, and a record-breaking eighth X Games gold. This year’s event in Milan-Cortina feels like a homecoming for Kim, who hails from South Korea but now represents the United States.
Kim’s first run is scheduled for 09:30 GMT, with a second attempt at 10:27.
The halfpipe itself is a work of art, measuring exactly 6.7m high and up to 200m long, carved into pure, rock hard ice. Preparations have been meticulous, with machines grooming the pipe day and night for over a week.
The current leader in the qualification round is Japan’s Rise Kudo, who scored an impressive 83.50 points. Kim will be the 15th of 24 athletes to take to the ramp today.
Her chances are good if she can replicate her form from previous competitions. But with the pressure high and a shoulder injury still lingering, Kim must navigate carefully.
Nordic Combined: A Battle of Stamina and Skill
The Nordic combined event is in its second round today, focusing on cross-country skiing after the ski jumping element. Norway’s Einar Luraas Oftebro leads the standings with 132.6 points, ahead of Austria’s Johannes Lamparter and Germany’s Vinzenz Geiger.
Oftebro, a seasoned athlete with multiple World Championship golds, faces the challenge of converting his ski jumping success into cross-country speed. The cross-country race will see athletes starting at staggered intervals based on their ski jump scores, giving each a unique time handicap. This means Oftebro, despite being first to set off, still has competitors to contend with as they catch up over the course.
Team GB’s Curling Debut
In other news, Team GB’s men’s curling team begins their campaign against China at 18:05. The match is part of a round-robin tournament that will decide who advances to the playoffs. The goal is clear: Britain aims for its first figure skating medal since Torvill & Dean in 1984, with Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson leading the charge.
Team GB faces an uphill battle here.
China has a strong track record in curling, but Fear and Gibson are determined to bring home glory. The match is crucial for their morale and standing in the tournament, making this a pivotal moment for British sports fans.
BBC’s Live Coverage
For those tuning in live, BBC Sport will provide comprehensive coverage of today’s events. Starting at 09:00 with Nordic combined, you can follow the action across multiple streams and platforms. The day promises to be packed with excitement, from halfpipe snowboarding to luge and figure skating.
Stay tuned for updates as the Winter Olympics unfolds in style, with key moments to watch out for including Chloe Kim’s qualification runs and the Nordic combined cross-country race. Enjoy the show!
