Team GB Daily: Day 10

[Jon 59]

I agree any decisions should be taken in the round and the context that this is our most successful ever Winter Olympics, irrespective of what happens after this point.

 

I don’t understand the mentality of giving the big funding to snow sports when we are not an alpine nation, never will be an alpine nation and cannot ever compete on a level playing field with them due to our geography. The aim of being a top 5 snow sports nation is cool, but we can’t change the environment. Why not focus on speed skating which you actually can 100% control because it’s indoors, and run a programme like we did with cycling and pump the money into that. There are also upwards of 20 medal events in short and long track speed skating - the Netherlands is 4th in the medal table with 12 medals, all from speed skating.
 

Alas discussions for another day - we still have the Games to enjoy!

Edited 7 hours ago by Jon

[Grassmarket 4,217]

23 minutes ago, Jon said:

Judging by what the commentators said, she was going to try and clean up her higher scored run? But that could’ve only squeezed another 3-4 points out of it which would’ve put her into bronze? I don’t understand why she didn’t go for a bigger jump on her lower scoring run. At least then you go out going for gold.

Same thing happened last week, both Kirstie & Maisie got into the trap of over-thinking things & trying to finesse the judges rather just getting on with the jumps.

[Epic Failure 364]

16 minutes ago, Jon said:

I agree any decisions should be taken in the round and the context that this is our most successful ever Winter Olympics, irrespective of what happens after this point.

 

I don’t understand the mentality of giving the big funding to snow sports when we are not an alpine nation, never will be an alpine nation and cannot ever compete on a level playing field with them due to our geography. The aim of being a top 5 snow sports nation is cool, but we can’t change the environment. Why not focus on speed skating which you actually can 100% control because it’s indoors, and run a programme like we did with cycling and pump the money into that. There are also upwards of 20 medal events in short and long track speed skating - the Netherlands is 4th in the medal table with 12 medals, all from speed skating.
 

Alas discussions for another day - we still have the Games to enjoy!

I completely agree that funding for skating should be massively increased. Although I guess in these more austere times there isn't the political will to support the building of ice rinks etc.

 

You need to get that system built first and then you can justify it afterwards with the results. Getting the National Cycling Centre built led to so many other opportunities. 

 

There's also no real reason we couldn't become more competitive at things like ice hockey. Especially as it is a freaking excellent sport. 

 

I don't have a problem with snowboarding/skiing to a degree. We do have some pedigree in the x sports side of things. So I get that more than the traditional alpine skiing events.