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As some of you already know, on Sunday I went to Planica. I am regular guest of Ski Flying for 25 years, so though I heard, how high they put prices and there is not a lot of home crowd, I decided to visit our treasure in heart of national park. Luckily I am quite frequent Totallympian, and with that I had an honour to meet in person our star, future Olympian. I know I have already thank you, but once more, @brunamoura, thanks for those five minutes of your time and of course, though I would come to see competitions anyway, thank you for tickets. Only thing I regret is we did not have time for a bit longer talk, because your story is fascinating, but did not wanna bother your pre race time. So, @heywoodu, take good care of her, when she comes back home, and when you are next time around (maybe both), do send me a PM, and maybe will grab a coffee.

She's DOOOOONEEEEE ITTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Alexandria Loutitt is World Champion!!!

Topicmaster1010's 2023 WBC Power Rankings: Part 1 With one week to go, I thought now would be a good time to rank and do a mini-preview for each team in the WBC especially for those of you how aren't too familiar with baseball. Tier 5: The Teams that are just happy to be here 20. China WBC History: 2006 - 15th, 2009 - 11th, 2013 - 13th, 2017 - 16th 2023 Schedule: 3/9 - @ Japan, 3/10 - vs. Czech Republic, 3/11 - @ Australia, 3/12 - Off, 3/13 - vs. South Korea Notable Absences: I literally have no idea Players to Watch: I literally have no idea. Alan Carter I guess? The fact of the matter is that nobody knows anything the Chinese team or any of its players. It's national league hasn't been active since 2019 because of COVID and they recently lost 16-0 to a Japanese amateur team. I honestly don't even know how they've managed to qualify to every single WBC so far. They do however, have a few heritage players that could be interesting including current LA Angels minor league player Alan Carter and former NPB players Yusuke Masago. 19. Czech Republic WBC History: Debut 2023 Schedule: 3/9 - Off, 3/10 - @ China, 3/11 - @ Japan, 3/12 - @ South Korea, 3/13 - vs. Australia Notable Absences: No idea Players to Watch: Marek Chlup, Martin Schneider, Martin Cervenka You got to give credit to the Czechs. Unlike other European nations, they are fielding a team of homegrown players (with the exception of 2) and beat a tough Spanish team with those players to qualify for this tournament. Most of those players currently play in the Czech Extraliga where a lot of them work separate part time jobs to go along with playing baseball. Unfortunately, this results in them having a weaker team than most teams in this tournament. They do have many exciting players to watch though. Marek Chlup has been lighting it up in the NCAA so far and made a game saving throw in the qualifiers to help the Czechs win. Martin Schneider is one of two players who can both hit and throw well. You can expect him to be there best pitcher for this tournament. Martin Cervenka is probably the most notable Czech player of all time being the only player to play in the minor leagues and Boris Vecerka recently signed a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball. 18. Great Britain WBC History: Debut 2023 Schedule: 3/11 - @ United States, 3/12 - @ Canada, 3/13 - vs. Colombia, 3/14 - @ Mexico, 3/15 - Off Notable Absences: Jazz Chisholm, Ian Lewis, Players to Watch: Harry Ford, Trayce Thompson This will be one of the more interesting teams to watch in the tournament. They consist of mostly American and Bahamian players who have British ancestors and play all over the world including the MLB, Mexico, Taiwan and independent leagues in the US. Ultimately this team only has a handful of good players lacking depth at every position, especially on the pitching side. Harry Ford will be the most exciting player to watch for the Brits. The Seattle Mariners prospect is currently the 49th ranked prospect in the MLB. Trayce Thompson (brother of Klay Thompson for any basketball fans reading this) is their most experienced hitter and he had a great season last year with the LA Dodgers. Both Thompson and Ford will be expected to be the focal point of the offense. Lucius Fox is also another young player to watch out for. 17. Australia WBC History: 2006 - 13th, 2009 - 12th, 2013 - 16th, 2017 - 9th 2023 Schedule: 3/9 - @ South Korea, 3/10 - Off, 3/11 - vs. China, 3/12 - vs. Japan, 3/13 - @ Czech Republic Notable Absences: Liam Hendriks, Curtis Mead Players to Watch: Aaron Whitefield, Tim Atherton I was heavily debating whether or not to put Great Britain or Australia ahead of the other but ultimately, even though Great Britain has the best player between the two, Australia has the better depth and they are in an easier pool. However, they will be without their best pitcher in Liam Hendriks (undergoing cancer treatment) and their best hitter in Curtis Mead (shoulder injury I believe). Their current roster all come from the Australian Baseball League and minor league baseball. Aaron Whitefield is the one player who had MLB experience but he didn't do well when he played there. He will still be expected to be a key part of their offense though. 16. Nicaragua WBC History: Debut 2023 Schedule: 3/11 - @ Puerto Rico, 3/12 - @ Israel, 3/13 - vs. Domincan Republic, 3/14 - @ Venezuela, 3/15 - Off Notable Absences: Mark Vientos Players to Watch: Jonathan Loaisiga, Erasmo Ramirez, Carlos Rodriguez, Dwight Britton, Alex Blandino, Cheslor Cuthbert On paper, Nicaragua's team isn't that terrible especially compared to the 4 teams below them in these rankings. The problem is that they are in the Pool of Death with 4 other really good teams and most people has them at least a tier below the other 4 teams in the pool. Their strength is on the pitching side. Jonathan Loaisiga is currently the best Nicaraguan baseball player and when healthy, is one of the better relief pitchers in baseball. Expect him to be used for 9th innings. Erasmo Ramirez is also a very good relief pitcher and Carlos Rodriguez is one of the top prospects in the Milwaukee Brewers system. On offense, they will be lead by the likes of former major leaguer Cheslor Cuthbert and Dwight Britton, who had a great qualifying tournament. Alex Blandino, an American of Nicaraguan heritage will also play a big part in the team. Unfortunately another Nicaraguan American, Mark Vientos, was unable to play in this tournament and also would have been a big part of the offense.

Laegreid and Simon both tested positive on Covid-19. Laegreid will definitely miss the races this weekend, Simon is unsure.

We are allowed to celebrate this gold as ours, considering that Canadians have their home base in Slovenia, they live in Slovenia, they jump on Slatnar skis and their coach is Slovenian.

Silver for Esteve Altimiras in the non-asthmatic category.

Not the best pack I wanted, but its the possible right now. I prefer secure a few tickets at this stage than don´t have any opportunitie to buy again. Canoe finals to see (i hope) the portuguese kayak's and an athletics session to be at Stade de France. The football is just for complete the pack with the cheapeast tickets available.

@Sindo Some more direct qualification events with confirmed/scheduled dates and venues for 2023. Slalom Canoening at the European Games Jun. 29 - Jul. 02 2023 Krakow Men's Rugby Sevens RAR Africa Olympic Qualification Tournament Sep. 16-17 2023 Harare Sailing Formula Kite European Championships Sep. 16-24 2023 Portsmouth Women's Handball CAHB African Qualification Event Oct. 10-12 2023 TBC Sailing 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 European Championships Oct. 10-15 2023 Vilamoura Asian Canoe Slalom Championships Oct. 27-29 2023 Tokyo Sailing at the Pan American Games (all classes except 470) Oct. 28 - Nov. 05 2023 Santiago/ Algarrobo Shooting Oceania Shooting Championships Oct. 30 - Nov. 6 2023 Brisbane Asian Archery Championships Nov. 4-12 2023 Bangkok Men's Rugby Sevens RAN North America Olympic Qualification Tournament Nov. 10-12 2023 TBC Women's Rugby Sevens RAN North America Olympic Qualification Tournament Nov. 10-12 2023 TBC Sailing South American 470 Championships Nov. 18-24 2023 Porto Alegre Asian Sailing Continental Regatta (all except Windsurfing and Kite) Dec. 10-21 2023 Chon Buri Sailing Oceania Qualification Sail Sydney Dec. 11-17 2023 Sydney

Women's Individual Large Hill Final Results Alexandria LOUTITT 264.4 Maren LUNDBY 254.0 Katharina ALTHAUS 245.9 Full Final Result HERE Full Qualification Result HERE

By God Watson, Canada can fly! First ever medal at WC, men or women. Imagine, that random Olympic medal being the turning point for these and upcoming successes.

Just a crazy achievement by Loutitt. This sport gets no support and no coverage in Canada. This team is really doing it on their own, that they could produce a world champion is insane.

Wang Xiyu and Wang Xinyu in the same tournament at Monterrey. How confusing.

Basket semifinal hospitality Category A games is 3414 euros. Final is probably gonna be over 4k. Egalite` MY ASS.....

It isn’t somewhere where novice jumpers can practice. It can be used as a practice facility for elite jumpers, but that doesn’t help at all for the grassroots.

No way!!!! I was hoping that one of our girls could bring home a medal here but I never expected this. This is incredible! Really hope this helps bring in some more funding

The women played in the B division to be promoted to the A tournament.

Women’s Large Hill Final Results: Gold- Alexandria Loutitt Silver- Marin Lundby Bronze- Katharina Althaus Full Final Result Here Full Qualification Result Here

@NearPup Yes, Polish coach Kazimierz Bafia is involved in training Canadian kids & teenagers for decades now, he has coached basically every Canadian ski jumper at some point due to lack of domestic resources and one might argue without him there would be zero Canadian ski jumpers even at FIS Cup level right now. Ski jumping is like track cycling, you have to have facilities to be any good and live nearby them as well. Or move into another country like Canadians do living in Slovenia...

Best result for ski jumping in years, I always cheer for Westman and Canada to shake up the order, I picked Loutitt for bronze on NH IIRC, I didn't expect she could win gold here against the Althaus/Pinkelnig might but she wins LH gold by over 10 points

Panam Sports confirmed the addition of team kyorugui to the taekwondo event program today.

But even more shock in the Swedish Team, no Jonna Sundling! Ribom, Andersson, Karlsson and Dahlqvist is the team.

I'll do my best to screenshot or report when my time slot opens tomorrow

France in a medal position after 6 laps out of 8, who would have thought ? 4th at best but

Men's 15km Freestyle Final Results Simen Hegstad KRUEGER 32:17.4 Harald Oestberg AMUNDSEN 32:22.7 Hans Christer HOLUND 32:42.0 Full Final Result HERE

Tiny micro-states & the only ones capable of competing with .

Well, just got the email. My timeslot is 3rd-5th. I'll try scramble a pack the best I can, but from what I've seen there really is no hope. It looks as if a lot of people have jibbed it after Day 4 when the cheep tickets sold out. I wouldn't be at all surprised if there are way more than 7 million tickets available in the next phase. If someone could message me with what's left or reply on here then that'd be great.

Wrestling, women's Flyweights...my pick is Yui Susaki, even if I used to be a great fan of Irini Merleni. Wrestling, women's Heavyweights...going with Wang Xu, whose career has been more consistent than the following Olympic Champions, who always found the way to be disappointing after winning the big one. Sailing, men's Windsurfing...this pick can only be Dorian Van Rijsselberghe. Sailing, women's Windsurfing...multiple world champion, multiple Olympic medallist (and it's a scandal she won only 1 gold), champion even in the good old PBA... I can feel it in the air...this pick can't be anything but Alessandra Sensini. Weightlifting, women's Flyweight...between doping cheaters and people getting medals after other doping cheaters have been disqualified later, I should pass this poll, but since we're doin'it for fun, I'm going to pick Hou Zhihui.

6th, 7th and 10th finishers also got MER.

Jurickson Profar will play for

I remember that for the 2020 Olympics, the approved events for the 2019 Worlds were also approved events for the Olympics (provided they occurred during the qualification period), but I can't find if that's true for the 2024 Olympics. I guess we'll find out rather quickly if athletes from the Pro Swim Series in Fort Lauderdale appear on the Olympic qualification list.

Eventing Montelibretti CCI4*-S Results The following have achieved CCI4*-S MER result (still require CCI4*-L) Alex Hua Tian (Jilsonne Van Bareelhof) Sanne de Jong (Enjoy) Nicolas Wettstein (Meyer's Happy) Manuel Grave (Carat de Bremoy) Lea Siegl (Van Helsing P) Katrin Khoddam-Hazrati (Florentine) Heidi Bratlie Larsen (Sr Lonestar My Hunter) Fabio Fani Ciotti (Bolt MCR) Nice to see a variety of nations competing at the same event. Speaking of which I still can't find the results from Quillota that was held a couple of weeks ago

Can't believe this incredible hockey match was 13 years ago:

Got through my first pack. Not quite what I hoped for but decently happt (hoped for men's rugby finals or men's golf considering what I heard about availability). Feels nice to get some rugby and athletics and the volleyball session is decent and leaves room for something later the same day (well, it does mean no 20 km race walk for me) 30.07 - Rugby Sevens - Women's medals session 01.08 - Volleyball - Women's early match 06.08 - Athletics - Morning session May log in tomorrow to see if I'm lucky to get something that others had in the basket while I checked.

Nela Lopušanová celebrated yesterday her 15th birthday, and she decided to celebrate it in style, in the evening she played in our Seniors Extraliga against Košice and she collected 19 points in that match She literally scored yesterday 10 goals and added 9 goal assists ! So at her birthday she scored More points than her age She literally led her women´s national top tier league team to destroy Košice 24-1. This league is simply too easy for her Don´t say me it is normal. Someone really have to update the game options, she really is playing on rookie-easy mode Reddit is explosing again After the match her teammates rewarded her with a cake in the face Happy birthday daughter of god !

Also the slovenian winter throwing championships happened today and.....Ceh really underwhelmed with his best being 62.87,he had two fouls so who knows what could happened there but still,not even close to what i was expecting.

He was looking to throw his poison , well done FIFA FIFA rebuffs Zelensky's request to share message of peace at World Cup final

Lol Ireland thinks Czechoslovakia still exists.

Kudos to the United States federation who clearly raised the best points. Even if teams of 4 coming back is unlikely if not impossible. Uruguay wrote a whole essay for eventing. They are perhaps announcing their intent of qualificationright here.

Lundby prevents the gold sweep for Althaus! Only Loutitt to go...