# 2026 Winter Olympics - follow along and discussion thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** olympic-sports\ **Created:** [January 11, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575 "2026-01-11T22:27:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/201 "2026-02-13T23:41:34Z")
Here’s her complete routine. She falls at 1:08, backflip at 3:55 [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/mreoWzjej8k/maxresdefault.jpg "History made! Surya Bonaly lands a Backflip during her free skate!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mreoWzjej8k) ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/202 "2026-02-14T04:31:38Z")
Well the men’s figure skating was interesting to say the least. I was rooting for Kazakhstan guy after they kept criticizing his artistry. Meanwhile the golden child who is truly a phenomenal jumper can barely spin. If we are judging purely on jumping ability then don’t complain about artistry. Even when he is completely on, Ilia’s spins are weak to me. I’ll be honest, Ilia struck me as a little arrogant. I don’t like the way he uses him own voice over the music to spew “deep thoughts”. I also didn’t like all of the costume changes in the men’s program. Yes I felt bad that everybody fell but handling the stress is part of the game. If you don’t want to be spoiled stop here-although it’s already even aired in the US. In short, the American skater Ilia Malinin, who can do a quadruple axel and up to 7 quads in a program and was heavily favored for gold completely fell apart and ended in eigth. Everyone else made some mistakes except for the skater from Kazakhstan who started in fifth but skated cleanly, did I think at least 4 quads including one as the second jump of a combination and was completely in shock as he ended up winning. Meanwhile, halfpipe is insane. I can’t follow all the flips and turns although I’m pretty sure that the triple 1440 the winner did is 4 complete rotations with 3 flips. Got to love a sport where your stance is Regular or Goofy (apparently after the way the Disney character surfs?) and that has an element called The Crippler. BTW the backflip is now legal in skating and two men landed it today although it doesn’t give them any points. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/203 "2026-02-14T05:30:58Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > > [@LurkMeister](#): > > > > Has a skater ever had a fall (or multiple falls) and realizing that their score was so badly affected decided that there was no point in continuing with their routine just quit? > > Not _quit_ but in 1998 Surya Bonaly didn’t have a good short program and was realistically out of medal contention. I think she might have fallen in the early part of the long program. But she knew she was out of medal contention and had a pretty contentuous relationship with biased judging against her over the years, so she did a backflip which was a banned move. She took the deduction, all part of an F you to the judging establishment. I remember that. And i lived her move. I was really shocked to see a guy do a backflip this year, but apparently it’s now legal. I wonder what she thought when she saw that. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/204 "2026-02-14T07:01:18Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > Got to love a sport where your stance is Regular or Goofy Can anyone actually tell the difference with this? I’ve been looking and the feet look the same to me. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/205 "2026-02-14T07:44:05Z")
> [@iamatractorboy](#): > > Can anyone actually tell the difference with this? “Regular” is with your left foot in front; for most people, their right foot is their dominant foot, and they would want that foot in back, for steering. “Goofy” is the opposite, with your right foot in front. > [@](#): > > Generally, your more dominant foot will be in the back to power the board and control steering while the front foot provides the balance. Interestingly, there is a strong correlation between handedness and footedness, resulting in more people riding regular (right foot back, left foot forward) than goofy, but there are no rules that say this is required. > > Note: Snowboarding “switch” means riding the opposite of your normal stance. For example, if you normally ride goofy (right foot forward, left foot back) and you spin around to ride with your left foot in front, you are riding switch. > **[Burton Discover](https://www.burton.com/discover/s/article/goofy-vs-regular)** The terminology apparently originated from surfing, and _may_ come from the Disney character. > ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/206 "2026-02-14T07:59:34Z")
Ah so it’s not how the feet are fixed into the board, it’s just which way round you are facing relative to the slope? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/207 "2026-02-14T08:07:59Z")
> [@iamatractorboy](#): > > Ah so it’s not how the feet are fixed into the board, it’s just which way round you are facing relative to the slope? Yup. It’s not unlike batting righty versus lefty in baseball, it just has an odd name for the “lefty” stance. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/208 "2026-02-14T13:28:46Z")
Men’s Figure Skating was so shocking, my wife, daughter, and I sat in silence for a bit after it was over. I was happy for the winner, but have never been so shocked at the terrible performances from the other top men. I wonder if the ice was somehow different. They share with short-track speed skating. The winner deserved it, though. He did a smooth program with no falls. all of the top 4-5 men fell, which has got be less than 1% chances. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/209 "2026-02-14T13:42:30Z")
Historical moment for the Winter Olympics (spoilered for those who want to watch it later) : > **Summary** > > Lucas Pinheiro Braathen wins the first Winter Olympics medal for Brazil ever, a sensational gold medal in the men’s Giant Slalom. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/210 "2026-02-14T13:43:30Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > The winner deserved it, though. He did a smooth program with no falls. all of the top 4-5 men fell, which has got be less than 1% chances. After watching him I said that was the best performance so far, but no way he could medal. A couple of skater falls later, the camera showed someone whispering to him. I jokingly said, “someone is telling him he’s got a shot”. The emotion on his face was unbelievable. Result was unexpected, but watching his performance again, it’s surely gold-medal caliber. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/211 "2026-02-14T15:19:56Z")
I’m a little disappointed that there wasn’t an old fashioned curling brawl between Sweden and Canada… ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/212 "2026-02-14T15:27:22Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > After watching him I said that was the best performance so far, but no way he could medal. A couple of skater falls later, the camera showed someone whispering to him. I jokingly said, “someone is telling him he’s got a shot”. The emotion on his face was unbelievable. It was kind of amazing. I saw the moment they said “bronze or better” and he began to breakdown a bit realizing he had medaled. I also jokes, “Hey, maybe he’ll end up with gold.” Then…watched that actually happen. I’ve seen many sports moments, but this one of those ones that lasts in memory for along time. Illia did do the right thing and went right up to him after it was over and congratulated him and I think I heard him say, “You deserve this.” Illia will be back in 4 years. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/213 "2026-02-14T15:39:26Z")
> [@iamatractorboy](#): > > Ah so it’s not how the feet are fixed into the board, it’s just which way round you are facing relative to the slope? Thanks No, it is about how your feet are attached to the board. If you ride regular, your left foot is attached in the front. Now, most (but not all) snowboards are designed to be ridden in both directions, so you can “switch” around and ride backwards. But typically there are slight differences with front and back bindings so it’s not the exact same and most riders have a stronger side, hence whether they ride regular or goofy. There’s a difference between riding regular vs goofy switch, even if they look very similar. You can ski “switch” as well, you’ll often see skiers going backwards, even taking jumps skiing backwards. Park skis have twin tips so they work in either direction, even if they are easier to ski forward. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/214 "2026-02-14T15:41:58Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Illia did do the right thing and went right up to him after it was over and congratulated him and I think I heard him say, “You deserve this.” Yes. And I’ve seen it in other events, especially the alpine skiing, where even completing a run is not a given, competitors congratulate the winners. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/215 "2026-02-14T16:45:44Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > I’m a little disappointed that there wasn’t an old fashioned curling brawl between Sweden and Canada… When they drop their brooms, watch out. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/216 "2026-02-14T19:11:47Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > When they drop their brooms, watch out. …because the next thing they start doing is throwing rocks. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/217 "2026-02-14T19:17:06Z")
Is there a good YouTube daily summary for each day’s events? I don’t need to see every gold medal performance. I’m looking for highlights for each day, maybe a 15-20 minute daily recap. I’ve searched YouTube and if there’s a good channel for daily recaps I’m not finding that. Thanks in advance. I have not been following this thread. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/218 "2026-02-14T20:58:17Z")
Gotcha - thanks. (When I was talking about how I thought the feet positioning might be different, I was thinking more in terms of being parallel/ in a V shape, etc. But your, and the previous posters explanations have helped, thanks) ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2026, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/219 "2026-02-14T21:51:50Z")
Take a look at the boarder cross setups, they aren’t designed for riding switch. Also, carving boards are angled even more and can only be ridden in one direction. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2026, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575/220 "2026-02-15T02:38:02Z")
AIUI it’s the first winter Olympic medal of any kind for the continent. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-winter-olympics-follow-along-and-discussion-thread/1026575.md?page=12)