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Biathlon Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 01:18:17 PM EST
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The 10k Biathlon (the cross country skiing/shooting event) is being televised right now (on the East Coast.)

It is one of my Winter Olympic favorites.

For West Coasters, you will want to watch the Nordic Combined event. Fantastic stuff.

This is an Open Thread.

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    Biathlon Open Thread | 55 comments (55 topical)

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    I had a friend who worked at (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 01:41:58 PM EST
    a medical spa here awhile back.  They have been reposted so she is gone, and around the same time my husband bought me the Clarasonic so I haven't really had the need for a professional facial since.  But I ran into another friend/client today who was talking about going before a big event and having the doctor run a scalpel over her face to exfoliate and get all the little tiny hairs off so her makeup went on like a dream.  I thought to myself that maybe I would go have this done the next time we have some kind of big deal to go to.  Was putting away groceries and then it hit me that someone in this house who doesn't even have a medical degree preforms this procedure five days a week when he's around and it's called shaving :)  The next time we have a big deal to go to I'll just pony up next to him at the basin and start smearing on the edge shave cream and save a hundred bucks :)

    Don't do it (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by Inspector Gadget on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 06:37:52 PM EST
    I'm a licensed esthetician and I wouldn't step foot in a medical spa. The best way to treat your skin is gently using the products that are designed specifically for your skin type. Anything abrasive or peeling will look great for a couple of days then contribute toward early aging.

    I got licensed for the knowledge and the fun I have with it for myself and close friends...it's a passion, and gentle works best.

    I know some excellent treatments your Buddist leanings would enjoy tremendously...acutonics sound treatments and jade rollers....beware of the rough stuff.

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    Concur on that (none / 0) (#39)
    by scribe on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 08:13:18 PM EST
    A former neighbor was (still is) a makeup artist for movies and TV.  You've seen her work.

    What tracy's suggesting would be absolutely anathema.  Don't do it - if you don't want your facial hair to come back in thicker and darker and faster.

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    Oh Inspector, I've already gone there (none / 0) (#53)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Feb 15, 2010 at 05:13:24 AM EST
    It is hard to tell your friend no, so I went in for a peel about four days before going to a wedding.  That was supposed to be the "perfect" time for a "mini". I had to spackle my face just to go to the wedding :)  And take some antibiotics to ease the redness and swelling.  What a mess.  I love my Clarisonic though.  My skin is super clean and then whatever facial lotion you use after that seems to disappear right in.  My skin is very very healthy now all the time, wish they had had this when I was a teenager.

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    The Clarisonic (none / 0) (#54)
    by Inspector Gadget on Mon Feb 15, 2010 at 11:00:11 AM EST
    is spectacular. It's made by the same people who created the Sonicare toothbrush (right here in my backyard). I wouldn't trade mine for anything, either. Gentle and safe.

    The other device I love is my Galvanic spa.

    Peels and microderm abrasion are favorites of dermatologists and medical spas who are trying to turn a quick dollar in the anti-aging business. They are generally sold in a series so people have to keep going back for more, and, of course, it doesn't last long, so they repeat the series...the injury eventually causes scar tissue to start forming. People with really oily skin may have a need now and then if their skin is starting to look thick.

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    My skin's response was terrible (none / 0) (#55)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Feb 15, 2010 at 12:56:55 PM EST
    almost as if I was allergic to it.  My face was very swollen and patches were oozing.  I have never had oily skin either.  I'd never do it again.  I got a Sonicare tooth brush when they first came out.  My family has a very difficult time with gum disease as they age and my father and grandfather both had to have their gums pulled back and the jaw scraped to save their teeth.  I shuddered just thinking about when I'd have to do it.  I was showing all the signs and symptoms and the sonicare tooth brush came out and I can't believe how it completely turned that around.  I have no problems at all now...zero.  My dentist couldn't believe it at first.  My husband saw in some invention mag that they had come out with and tested the Clarisonic and got me one because I swear by my toothbrush and I think I'm on my third toothbrush now.  I'm not afraid to wear them out and can't imagine how many thousands of dollars in dental bills they've saved me.  I use my first one that still works on my dogs :)  I will check out the Galvanic Spa.

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    In the western time zones (none / 0) (#1)
    by rdandrea on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 01:24:49 PM EST
    we're watching the Nordic Combined.  We get a 1 hr delayed feed, so don't spoil it for us!

    Like that one too (none / 0) (#2)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 01:26:01 PM EST
    Watched it earlier.

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    Wow (none / 0) (#3)
    by nycstray on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 01:28:19 PM EST
    I didn't realize they had to hit inside of a circle roughly the size of a silver dollar!

    It's great isn't it? (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 01:28:48 PM EST


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    It is. (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by nycstray on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 01:33:02 PM EST
    Although I'm still trying to figure out the 'why' behind the sport {grin}

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    I find it realistic to a life skill (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 01:36:21 PM EST
    in cold climes and frontier.

    Shooting well and skiing well would seem to be important skills.

    Putting them together would seem to be important hunting skills.

    Parent

    It's the sprint part that throws me :) (none / 0) (#10)
    by nycstray on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 01:41:59 PM EST
    The hunting part I understand. I guess you would need to sprint at times while survival hunting though.

    I'll have to check and see if they do this up by the cabin. Maybe I can check it out in person next winter.

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    The weather change (none / 0) (#12)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 01:47:19 PM EST
    was completely unfair, but what can you do?

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    It was very unsubtle! (none / 0) (#13)
    by nycstray on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 01:50:53 PM EST
    True test of skills I guess . . .  

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    Here you go, BTD (none / 0) (#42)
    by scribe on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 08:32:31 PM EST
    Vacation plans for you, to watch the world cup in Maine next winter.

    Another nice article, about the Center.

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    Practicing (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 01:40:38 PM EST
    for the next Bond movie.

    It's what I love about the sport.  Real Life Bond....maybe a little lower-key.

    I watched the Women's last night (maybe DVR'ed, I don't remember).  It was fantastic.

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    It's like Bond meets Elmer Fudd (none / 0) (#20)
    by Ellie on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 04:31:21 PM EST
    I keep expecting kwazy wabbit to pop up. I love off-the-wall sports that you just don't get to see most of the time.

    Anyone else set their calendars for the impending Iditerod? It follows hot on the heels of the Olympics.

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    I'm a guessin' PETA has their calendar (none / 0) (#21)
    by nycstray on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 04:38:00 PM EST
    marked  ;) Easy hop from protesting the Olympic skater to Alaska . . . .

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    If PETA can make it on foot through the terrain .. (none / 0) (#24)
    by Ellie on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 04:47:32 PM EST
    ... more power to them!

    It was too nice in Alaska when I was there to catch a leg of the I, so I had to content myself with fishing.

    Parent

    They come to dog shows (none / 0) (#25)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 04:59:41 PM EST
    And open up the crates of the dogs waiting on the sidelines when nobody is looking and try to create mass chaos.  Most of the dogs though aren't for total chaos, they just seek out and find their owners or handlers.  I don't get it.  If they want to know how wild dogs live they are free to go watch them be shot every year in Iraq when rabies breaks out and the Iraqis have to survive them.  Maybe they could give mass innoculations....good luck with that and wild dogs PETA.  I used to respect them and their work, but not lately and not anymore.

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    Fam farm-raised (or Nordic clime) critters know (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by Ellie on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 05:31:34 PM EST
    ... that every critter works, and rarely are they treated cruelly. When I was on a long work + vaycay trek way up North, I met some awesome, beautifully kept dogs. Their relationship with the sledder was symbiotic and the race shows that (plus the tactical skills to survive an unbelievably harsh environment.)

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    Nuttin' like watch a 4-legged (none / 0) (#32)
    by nycstray on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 06:05:25 PM EST
    working animal do what it's bred to do! Most sledders take great care of their partners.

    When I get back to CA, I may start training my old gal for road trials. Not that we would ever do one, she's a bit old for that (she just turned 10 or 11 or 12 or older? EEP! yesterday), but the training should be a joy for her. I hope to lap the lake with her this summer. Me on bike, her doing what Dals do at my side.

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    Does the old gal have snow boots in her ancestry? (none / 0) (#33)
    by Ellie on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 06:10:30 PM EST
    Some dogs can't wait for a big snowfall and roll around in it. They can smell it coming, too.

    Parent
    Snow boots and fins! (none / 0) (#36)
    by nycstray on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 06:30:02 PM EST
    She turns into a puppy in the snow, loves to dolphin dive through drifts etc. Zoomies galore. And when she finds water deep enough, OY! She does a great impression of an alligator swimming through a swamp. Freaks me out a bit how she can keep her nose under . . . . This is a dog that was 'raised' tied to a radiator in a basement (by crack heads) for the first couple years of her life and was terrified of just being outside when I first met her.  

    I can't wait. In about 3 weeks, she's gonna have her own backyard! And we're just a couple blocks from the marina with lots of green to run on. And those are the days we won't be at the cabin in the mountains {grin}

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    You just reminded me . . . (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by nycstray on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 06:00:31 PM EST
    the Dals show at Westminster tomorrow at 1:45. I think I'll be there {grin} What better way to procrastinate a cross country packing/move that's stressing me out!

    If I catch a PETA freak messin' with the doggies . . . six o'clock news here I come, lol!~  They really went around the bend and over the edge. Sad because they also tarnished animal welfare folks with their craziness. We want the doggies out of the wild (off the streets) and in loving homes, but some folks equate us all with the loons over at PETA.

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    Wow is it Westminster time too? (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Ellie on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 06:17:34 PM EST
    Man, this year started off strong with an eerily watchable Stupor Bowl, portending a banner year for sports potatoes.

    Then again, if you ARE a sports potato, when isn't it a banner year? But spuds know what I mean. (Olys, World Cup Actual FUTBALL etc)

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    Yup. (5.00 / 2) (#37)
    by nycstray on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 06:36:58 PM EST
    Fun thing about going during the day part is when you sit by the ring you are surrounded by strangers who love the breed just as much as you do. Lots of fun. And then taking a wander around the bench area to meet and greet with the doggies.

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    Kridler's Nutmeg is there (none / 0) (#52)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Feb 15, 2010 at 04:50:10 AM EST
    this year with the Shepherds.  I will be watching.  Her breeder/co-owner is a very nice person.  All of Nutmegs photos have looked great as she has gone from win to win, but I haven't seen her in person...just one sister out of the litter that was showing down her after Nutmeg finished her Championship.

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    It made a great chase scene in a Bond movie (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by andgarden on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 01:40:53 PM EST
    For Your Eyes Only.

    Parent
    Except that, as usual, the person (none / 0) (#11)
    by andgarden on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 01:46:31 PM EST
    who put the scene up on Youtube decided that he knew better than the creators which music to use. Ick.

    Parent
    Well, let's have an olympic (none / 0) (#14)
    by observed on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 01:51:53 PM EST
    contest who can do the best wheelie with an 180-wheeler tanker.
    No CGI allowed.

    Parent
    Must Have: Living Daylights 'Hercules' sequence (none / 0) (#22)
    by Ellie on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 04:44:07 PM EST
    ... from The Living Daylights. CD-4 from the 4-CD John Barry "Greatest Hits" pack is an outstanding collection of score music done by the City of Prague Philharmonic.

    Voted best score by the couch panel. :-)

    The action sequence on the airplane with Timothy Dalton is still one of the best ever. (Plus, how about that getaway on ice in the cello case?)

    It also had sniper action for us Biathlon fans!

    Parent

    Agreed, The Living Daylights is one of the best (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by andgarden on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 04:47:00 PM EST
    Bond soundtracks. Barry at his best.

    "Mujahadin And Opium" is beautiful, and "Where has Everybody Gone" by Barry and the Pretenders would have made a far better title track.

    Parent

    According to Wikipedia... (none / 0) (#16)
    by rdandrea on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 03:04:46 PM EST
    The sport has its origins in an exercise for Norwegian soldiers, as an alternative training for the military. The world's first known ski club, the Trysil Rifle and Ski Club, was formed in Norway in 1861 to promote national defence at the local level.


    Parent
    This is how the Norse ate after (none / 0) (#29)
    by Salo on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 05:43:22 PM EST
    The invention of firearms. Before this? Ski and bow.  

    Parent
    Wiki Russian Finish war of 1940. (none / 0) (#31)
    by Salo on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 06:05:19 PM EST
    A few divisions of ski troops held off a million + Russian infantry and thousands of tanks.

    Parent
    CF also theTelemark Turn and Telemark Landing (none / 0) (#35)
    by Ellie on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 06:24:40 PM EST
    and the flick, Heroes of Telemark. Tricky stuff.

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    The "why" is that it (none / 0) (#40)
    by scribe on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 08:18:48 PM EST
    pretty well simulates, in the context of a race, how one would hunt (or soldier) in the winter.  There are any number of epic true stories, usually out of WWII and the Norwegian Resistance, about Nazis on skis chasing Norwegians on skis and the chase coming down to who could shoot straight when wholly exhausted after a 50 km race.

    Or, for that matter, the US biathalon training center is in far northern Maine (Fort Kent), where people do hunt deer while on snowshoes.  They'll be having the world cup/championship there in 2011.

    Parent

    I really need to check out some of these winter (none / 0) (#43)
    by nycstray on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 08:53:18 PM EST
    sports more. The skiing they are doing alone is pretty heavy duty! I also need to check out some of the true stories you mention. Thanks!

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    Finnish sniper (none / 0) (#44)
    by Salo on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 09:37:28 PM EST
    Russians called him  White Death. Ski and shoot.   500 kills. Creepy stat but it's a world  record.  

    http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo_Häyhä

    remember never to go to war with the Finns. If you remember nothing else.  

    Parent

    Sprout Wings and Fly (none / 0) (#15)
    by Dadler on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 02:27:37 PM EST
    The first three minutes of one of my favorite little documentaries, by the legendary Les Blank.

    Just makes me smile.  You can order the whole thing at his Flower Films website.

    watched part of the biathlon (none / 0) (#17)
    by desmoinesdem on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 04:13:13 PM EST
    but it seems so unfair that people who started the race later basically had no chance to win, because it started snowing. I understand that it's not practical to have everyone start at the same time with some events, but your starting position shouldn't determine the medals.

    Felt similarly (none / 0) (#18)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 04:16:22 PM EST
    but have no solutions.

    Watch the Nordic Combined event today. Fantastic.

    Parent

    Happy Chinese New Year's (Year of the Tiger!) (none / 0) (#19)
    by Ellie on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 04:24:32 PM EST
    I'm still emitting serious Valentine's Day hearts and flowers vibes today to the point where people (and cats) have started running away at full scream. Maybe that can be an Oly demo-sport in future.

    So, even if the local cherubs and cats can outrun me, not even a billion Chinese are spared (or the planet overall) from my affection. :-)

    Here's how to show the planet some serious love: by using perma=chopsticks for your takeout or even hoovering down non-Asian fare. (Add a porcelain short spoon to your work drawer and say no to disposable utensil packs and keep reusing those till they're done and DONE.)

    Here are some cool ways to use your backlog of disposable chops, or support artistic recycling, and here are some more.

    well, shoot. I'm watching Daytona. (none / 0) (#26)
    by jeffinalabama on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 05:17:22 PM EST
    Track problems today. A big pothole appeared. Not hood at 200 mph. Stopped to patch...

    good* (none / 0) (#27)
    by jeffinalabama on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 05:17:50 PM EST


    The end of the Nordic Combined (none / 0) (#41)
    by scribe on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 08:21:01 PM EST
    was just plain epic.  I was standing in the living room, skating along with the racers.

    And, FWIW, I thought the choice of Al Trautwig to call that race was perfect.  He does the Tour de France every year for Versus and he fit the race today perfectly.

    Off to the airport (none / 0) (#45)
    by oculus on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 09:38:43 PM EST
    afer buying one last irrestible raku pot womder when the Japanese celebrate New Year?

    January 1 (none / 0) (#47)
    by ruffian on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 10:44:55 PM EST
    I had t look it up: from wikipedia:

    ...in 1873, five years after the Meiji Restoration, Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar, so the first day of January is the official New Year's Day in modern Japan.


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    Oh yeah - have a good flight home! (none / 0) (#48)
    by ruffian on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 10:45:20 PM EST


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    Thanks Makes me (none / 0) (#51)
    by oculus on Mon Feb 15, 2010 at 12:06:28 AM EST
    sad though. Hope to return.

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    like so many "reality" shows, (none / 0) (#46)
    by cpinva on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 10:18:58 PM EST
    the winter olympics biathalon would be a lot more exciting if the participants shot at each other. i feel the same way about the javelin; want to spice that even up? have the contestants throw that spear at each other. we'll see just how accurate they really are!

    otherwise, it's just a bunch of guys on skis, with fancy guns, shooting at pieces of tin, or something.

    I'm way behind on the Olympics (none / 0) (#49)
    by ruffian on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 10:51:12 PM EST
    Just speed-watched my recorded opening ceremonies. Too busy this weekend.

    Probably missing something good sportswise...but the NBC guys drive me nuts. Same gripe I had about the last Olympics - the life of privilege these reporters lead is just astounding and getting to be disgusting. Bob Costas and Matt Lauer and their 'when we were together in <olympic town> in <year>' buddy act grate on me so much. I should just get over it, I know.

    I'm busy packing . . . (none / 0) (#50)
    by nycstray on Sun Feb 14, 2010 at 11:10:59 PM EST
    so I'm missing all the B.S. banter and my brain only seams to tune in when an event is actually happening that's notable. I have noticed the guy in the chair talking to various other people in the other chair. Tad pathetic  . . . .

    they did show one funny clip earlier today. It was of a years ago broadcast and all I can say is thank gawd they 'powder' now!!!!! It was painful.lol!~

    Parent

    Biathlon Open Thread | 55 comments (55 topical)

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