US HIGH SCHOOLER TAKES 32ND IN SKI JUMPING
WHISTLER, British Columbia - Peter Frenette arrived at Whistler Olympic Park in Callaghan Valley at 8 a.m. Saturday well before most other ski jumpers.
He had to wax his own skis and rip apart a few seams from his ski suit - the same ski suit he personally sewed a few weeks ago while training in Park City, Utah.
Such is life for cash-strapped U.S. ski jumpers, who are not funded by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association"We're the first athletes here every morning because we have to wax our own skis," said Frenette, who turns 18 Wednesday. "Everyone else has people that do everything for them. It'd be a lot easier to focus on just our jumping than, 'I've got to go there and wax my skis and make sure my suit's legal and do all this stuff.'"
Frenette, considered the future of U.S. ski jumping, barely missed the cutoff to advance to the finals in the large hill ski jumping event Saturday. He finished 32nd out of 50 jumpers with a score of 90.6 after soaring 114? meters at a top speed of 92.2 kilometers per hour.
"Definitely regrets," Frenette said. "There's so many little things. You're like, 'OK, if I could have done that, I could have gone a couple meters farther.' It's kind of hard being that close because you know you can be in with the top-30."
Switzerland's Simon Ammann won his fourth career Olympic gold medal by soaring 144 meters in the first round, then 138 meters on his second jump. "Hopefully, next Olympics I'll be right there," said Frenette.
Still, not too shabby for a 17-year-old who a month ago thought his first shot at the Olympics would be 2014 in Sochi.
Despite Frenette never competing in a major international competition or World Cup event, U.S. coach Jochen Dannenberg saw talent in the Saranac Lake, N.Y., native on the Continental Cup circuit. He was the top American during a recent event in Japan and finished 12th at world juniors in Germany last month.
So in late January while training in Austria, Frenette received a call from U.S. Nordic Director John Farra that he was an Olympian.
"It's been really exciting, and kind of intimidating, too, being my first big international competition," Frenette said. "I'm jumping against the best guys and it's definitely a lot harder than other competitions I've been in. But it's a cool experience."
Between world juniors and Olympic training, Frenette returned to his home just outside Lake Placid for two days. He celebrated by catching up on homework - math - because he's been away from school since early January.
But the Olympics make the lofty investment from Frenette's parents worthwhile. Frenette comes from a family full of skiers and his parents, who are school teachers at the same high school he attends, have to work two jobs to support their son's career.
His dad, Peter Sr., a computer teacher by day, does carpentry. His mother, Jennie, a music teacher by day, works at a restaurant.
"It's definitely hard not having any funding," said Frenette. "It's just another thing to worry about when you really don't need to be worrying."
Frenette guesses that between a few donations, sponsorships and his parents own money, he's spent $30,000 since last summer.
"Ten thousand on plane tickets alone," said Frenette, who has taken three trips to Europe and one to South Korea and Japan since last year. "Skis are $1,000. Suits are $500. Europeans have like 30 suits. We sew our own when they rip. Boots are $300. Hotels in Europe, training costs. It adds up quick.
"Hopefully the plan is to keep getting better results and someone will sponsor us or fund us."
Frenette then put his hand over the USA logo on his warmup jacket.
"Not them. Not them yet," Frenette said, disappointedly. "I feel it's going to happen. But you just don't know. It's definitely a tough situation."
But 30 grand? Sochi is four years away. How are Frenette's parents and a few sponsors going to continue to support him, especially since he plans to continue ski jumping in lieu of college?
Frenette noted how the USSA has invested money in recent years to biathlon and Nordic combined, and "it's paid off." Frenette was there last week when Johnny Spillane won the Americans' first Nordic combined medal.
"Someone's got to see it," Frenette said. "What it'll take to make ski jumping more popular in the U.S. is just consistently good results. Podium at Olympics. Podium at World Cups. Nobody knows about ski jumping in the U.S.
"Having good results here is making me want to keep doing it, get better, try to be the best one day and put ski jumping on the map."
Analysis:
I think this is so cool, i wouldn't be able to do something like this. I have way too many problems with my back and my knees even though I'm barely starting out in life! I would be more worried about my schooling but if it gets my attention and i like it i might just go for it. I don't like to lose, that's my biggest problem. If i am going to get some kind of prize, I'm going to go for it. I know its bad and everyone is a winner but there is only ONE prize, not 5 but 1. So good job to him and i hope he proceeds and does well in skiing.
By Brian Rhoads
Canada’s dreams of ice hockey gold on the line
VANCOUVER, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Canada’s hopes of a medal in Olympic men’s hockey live or die on the ice on Tuesday as the hosts, stung by their shocking loss to the United States, face off against Germany.The ice hockey-mad Canadians dropped goalie Martin Brodeur after he struggled in the 5-3 upset by the Americans and now it will be Vancouver favourite Roberto Luongo in the net.With Alpine skiing under way, Swiss sensation Carlo Janka led the men’s giant slalom after the first run. Italian giant slalom specialist Massimiliano Blardone was in fourth and another favourite Austrian Benjamin Raich was sixth.American Bode Miller’s hopes of a fourth medal from four races disappeared when he almost fell and then skied out on a cold and cloudy morning.All eyes will be on the ice at Canada Hockey Place, where the Olympic hosts seek to redeem themselves against winless Germany after losing to the U.S. on “Super Sunday”. Even with a win, the Canadians must face Russia to keep their gold dreams alive.Taking no chances, Canada replaced Brodeur in goal after the game’s most successful goalie struggled against the United States.LOOSE GOALSBrodeur, who led Canada to gold in the 2002 Salt Lake City Games and has the most wins and shutouts ever in the National Hockey League, allowed some loose goals and was outplayed in Sunday’s defeat by American goaltender Ryan Miller.“We’re in the winning business,” Canada coach Mike Babcock said. “And to win at any level you need big saves, you need momentum-changing saves. I think (Luongo) gives us a real good opportunity to win.”The 30-year-old Luongo—Bobby Lou to Vancouver fans—is a three-times NHL All-Star who has played the last four seasons in Vancouver for the Canucks. He was between the pipes for Canada’s opening 8-0 win over Norway.Babcock indicated that he would sink or swim with Luongo.“One thing about this tournament now, if you’re changing goalies, you’re probably out of the tournament,” the coach said about the knockout phase of the competition.Russia took the first of the day’s five golds in the women’s 4x6km biathlon relay, overcoming the German favourites who competed without exhausted double gold medal winner Magdalena Neuner. Germany settled for bronze behind France.Golds were also due to be decided in the men’s 10,000m speed skating, Nordic combined team 4x5 km relay and women’s ski cross finals.Dutch speedskater Sven Kramer is favourite to add a 10,000m gold to the 5,000m one he has already secured in Vancouver. Kramer is the world record holder at both distance events and winner of the last three world all-round titles.Canada hope to add another gold with Ashleigh McIvor a strong hometown favourite in the women’s ski cross, but she will have to head off former Alpine skier Ophelie David of France and other challengers.
Analysis:
I really don't watch the Olympics as much as i should, it just does amuse or get my interest. I would rather watch a movie. But i think its dumb that i don't like it when I'm a huge sport fan. I don't know if its the snow that i don't like or it reminds me of the time the whole school got into trouble that snowy Thursday or, if its just the idea of people all over the world competing for something valuable to the eye. I don't know much of the other countries but of USA'S I do know more than i should know, it helps make other people understand what kind of crisis we are in and what we are coming to in the future. I like hockey, i cant play it, i cant even skate, but i like the idea of sliding a puck into a net with a stick, sounds like fun. I hope USA wins, i checked how many medals we have and its the most but we have the most in gold too. It doesn't matter if we win or lose but it's better to win, i like Canada but not for their Canadian bacon, its just like ham to me!
Snow Blows Through Western Edge Of North Texas
It wasn't quite the winter blast many North Texans experienced just a few weeks ago. Nonetheless, mother nature gave a healthy dusting of snow to many cities just south and west of the Dallas/Fort Worth area.In Stephenville, Bill Lowrance found an innovative way to scrape the collected snow off his Cadillac.
With plastic placemat in hand, Lowrance shoveled about two inches of the powdery stuff from his windshield. All the while, acknowledging, this isn't a typical North Texas winter.
"Might as well be in Pennsylvania or Michigan," Lowrance said. "I tell you, it's just amazing."
Amazing to have yet another round of heavy snow move through the area within just weeks.
It may not have had the same consistency we experienced a few weeks ago, this time the snow was wet and not as fluffy. Yet those who live in Stephenville said they still loved the sight of snow.
"I think they should cancel school so we can play in the snow," Tarleton State University student Karin Wasner said.
By mid-day Tuesday, a couple of inches of snow covered cars, tree branches and blanketed the ground. The streets turned a bit slushy, but the environment still created and enticing playground for some Tarleton State University students.
"Once my friends get out of class, I'll definitely play in the snow and stuff with my fraternity," student J.J. Griltz said.
An opportunity to remember and enjoy the winter of 2010. "It is what it is - it's mother nature," Lowrance said. "It does what it's going to. We just have to go along with the flow."
Analysis:
It has been cold these past weeks, or even this whole month of Jan. I hope it quits soon because I'm ready for spring to come and i can wear everything but my big jackets and scarfs. Its boring now, yes i know what snow looks like now and no i don't want anymore of it, if i would want more i would go to Canada or some place where there's always going to be snow. I want it to snow in December not January!
Charlie Sheen Headed To Rehab
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Charlie Sheen is heading to rehab.
A rep for the actor confirmed the news to Access Hollywood on Tuesday.
"As a preventative measure, Charlie Sheen has entered a rehabilitation facility," the rep said in the statement.
A source, however, told Access Hollywood Sheen has not yet checked into a facility and is still at home. He is planning to check in soon, the source said.
Through his rep, Sheen, who is currently facing charges in Aspen, Colo., over a December 25 incident where wife Brooke Mueller claimed her husband threatened her with a knife, (something he has denied), said his rehab stint will affect his job.
"He will take some time off his series 'Two and a Half Men,'" the rep's statement continued.
CBS was expected to release a statement on Tuesday afternoon about the actor's situation.
Sheen's rep said the actor is asking for "privacy" in light of the news.
"He has asked that his privacy be honored. No further statements are planned," the statement concluded.
The news comes just two weeks after Sheen's rep told Access Hollywood, "Charlie Sheen is not headed for rehab," back on February 10.
According to another insider, Sheen's rehab move is not a surprise to those close to the actor.
As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Sheen was officially charged earlier this month with one felony count of menacing, a misdemeanor count of assault in the third degree and a misdemeanor count of criminal mischief, as a result of his Christmas day arrest.
Following Sheen's arrest, the insider claimed the actor was heavily encouraged to seek help as the charges carry a potential three years in jail, and many people's jobs at his CBS sitcom, "Two and a Half Men," are on the line if he receives that sentence. Additionally, the source claimed, he was encouraged to to show the court in Aspen he was trying to seek help.
Sheen's last public appearance was at the Los Angeles opening of "The Subject Was Roses," a play starring his father, actor Martin Sheen, on Sunday.
On Monday, Sheen's wife, Brooke Mueller, left a Malibu, Calif., rehab facility after an alleged patient confidentiality breach. She was reportedly staying at a home in Los Angeles, but on Tuesday, a person close to the situation told Access Mueller is back in a rehab facility.
A rep for Sheen also confirmed on Monday that the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services visited Sheen and his twins with Mueller - Max and Bob.
"CPS went to Charlie['s] home as a matter of routine procedure," the rep said.
Additionally, the person close to the situation told Access Hollywood, the couple has help taking care of their twins in the form of two nurses and two nannies while they seek treatment.
Analysis:
Okay, who cares about this guy?? I do not want to open the web page with this doh-doh on the front page. You sir need to get anger management classes, a new hair-do, just get a new life, good your going to a place where you can become human again. I didn't like him from the start and i don't think he will every get my attention for movies or t.v shows!
