While you were sleeping: Canada wins its first medal in Sochi

McMorris Medals

The wait for Canada’s first medal at the Sochi Games didn’t take long. Mark McMorris, who many see as the future of snowboarding, won the bronze medal in slopestyle snowboarding, an inaugural event at these Games. It was a long journey from Regina to the podium for the 20-year old. Two weeks ago, McMorris broke a rib in competition, earning him the nickname “McRib.”

Then in qualifying on Thursday, McMorris was disappointed with the judges’ scores after the qualifying round where he finished 7th, forcing him to ride again in Saturday’s semi-finals before he could advance the finals. And now, he’ll be coming home with a medal for Canada.

Amazing job to come back from the McRib incident, good to see you out on the podium repping Canada @markmcmorris

— Kaya Turski (@kayaturski) February 8, 2014

“To get on the podium is a dream come true.”-@markmcmorris Watch his journey: http://t.co/DZ6Jrvc34N #WeAreWinter pic.twitter.com/jRKragv1Ey

— CDN Olympic Team (@CDNOlympicTeam) February 8, 2014

Congrats to @markmcmorris No idea where u learned to snowboard in Regina

— Jordan Eberle (@ebs_14) February 8, 2014

Fellow Canadian Maxence Parrot had a chance to bump McMorris off the podium in his final fun, but finished 5th. Team USA’s Sage Kotsenburg took home Sochi’s first gold.

Stoked for @sagekotsenburg @stalesandbech & @markmcmorris!! Had a lot of fun today riding the slope even if I didn’t get the Gold!! — Maxence Parrot (@MaxParrot) February 8, 2014

Norway’s golden girl

Marit Bjoergen also took home her fourth career gold medal for Norway on Saturday, winning the women’s 15-kilometre skiathlon.

Our first gold medal! YAY!!Marit #Bjørgen #TeamNorway #sochi 2014 pic.twitter.com/T66ZWszByV — Kathrine (@a_kathrine) February 8, 2014

There can be only one.. what a women.. @maritbjoergen Take my hat off for you. #Thequeen

— Olaf Tufte (@OlafTufte08) February 8, 2014

The magic of television

A little technical glitch can be fixed with a little editing. Those who watched the opening ceremony yesterday saw a spectacular performance with one notable error after a snowflake didn’t open to complete the Olympic rings.

Four rings Sochi you cannot be serious!!! pic.twitter.com/F6Y2YpUqr2

— John McEnroe (@McEnroeTweets) February 8, 2014

Those watching from Russia may not have noticed, however. State television reportedly cut away from the live feed to show earlier footage from rehearsals where all five rings opened as planned.

At least fans of the original four rings can buy the commemorative t-shirt.

There’s already a shirt #Sochi pic.twitter.com/LkYAsTm88p

— Christopher J. Ortiz (@ChrisJOrtiz) February 8, 2014

Wake up! Still to come today: hockey, speedskating and the Dufour-Lapointe trio

It may very well be a blowout, but it’s tough to stop Canadians from watching Olympic hockey. Canada’s women’s team starts off their quest for gold against Switzerland. Pucks drops at 8am EST/5amPST.

Canada may not be favoured to medal in 5000-m speedskating, but the Olympics are about watching the best athletes in the world—not just the red and white. Keep an eye out for the flying Dutchman Sven Kramer, who hopes to add another gold medal to his trophy case after winning in Vancouver 2010. Coverage starts at 6amEST/3amPST.

A podium sweep is tough to ask of the Dufour-Lapointe sisters, Canada’s first family of moguls in Sochi, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see at least either Justine, Chloé, or Maxime take home a medal. Canada’s Audrey Robichaud also cracked the top 10 in the first round of qualifying on Thursday. Medals finals start at 1pmEST/10amEST

What are the five things to watch? Check out our daily preview.

From the ground in Sochi:

Ken MacQueen on how the opening ceremony attempts to portray “real Russians”.

Be sure to follow: @ChasGillis, @JonGatehouse and @kmqyvr.

 

Editor’s note: Some of the event times have been updated.