Freestyle skier Caldwell out after taking chance
American freestyle skier Ashley Caldwell admits it: She loves the risk because she loves the reward.
On Thursday night at the Olympics, there was no prize for her daring.
The foremost envelopepusher in the dangerous sport of aerials failed to cleanly land either of her triple-f lipping jumps in qualifying. She failed to crack the top 12, and will watch today’s final from the sidelines. It’s a loss for her, but also for the sport, where Caldwell is the only jumper in the field who consistently tries triples, whether in qualifying or the final.
“When you seize the reward, everyone’s all happy, dandy, go-lucky,” Caldwell said. “And when you don’t, either it hurts, or it hurts ... physically or emotionally, and this is an emotional pain.”
A physical one, too. Though Caldwell was reluctant to use it as an excuse, she was victimized by the harsh winds that have whipped through the action park all week. Two days before qualifying, a swirling wind caught her during a practice jump and threw her off line, and she landed hard on her shoulder.
U. S. coach Todd Ossian said it was remarkable Caldwell was able to return in time to compete.
“She runs on adrenaline,” Ossian said. “Certainly, with her (degree of difficulty), she has to. She was really jumping amazing.”
She’s only 24 young enough to get another chance on the sport’s biggest stage.
“She’s the world champion and she’s done the hardest trick in the world,” Ossian said. “She’s certainly not done. You’ve got a lot left to see.”
Austrian breaks neck
Markus Schairer of Austria is heading home for treatment after breaking his neck in a frightening crash during the Olympic men’s snowboardcross quarterfinals.
Schairer lost control in the air on the final jump of the treacherous downhill course on Thursday. He slammed into the snow on his back, sending his goggles flying.
He was able to get to his feet before being taken for a medical exam.
The Austrian Olympic Committee says Schairer fractured the fifth vertebrae in his neck. It says there is no indication the 30-year- old Schairer experienced any neurological impairment or long-term damage.
U.S. men bounce back
Ryan Donato scored two power-play goals and Troy Terry dominated with his speed as college players led the United States to an important 2-1 victory over Slovakia. Donato, Terry and American Hockey League scoring star Chris Bourque were all additions to the U. S. after the pre- Olympic Deutschland Cup in November, during which the U. S. struggled to score.
Goalie Ryan Zapolski made 21 saves for his first Olympic victory, which is crucial considering only the top four of 12 teams avoid the qualification round. With the regulation win, the U.S. vaults to the top of Group B with four points. Slovakia was second with three, followed by Slovenia and Russia.