Grassmarket

So Women's Semifinals tonight v v game live on BBC at least.

Bump for our first speed event of the Winter - the Men's Super-G from Copper Mountain tonight. Here's the draw. Copper Mountain, CO, FIS World Cup, Men, Copper Mountain, CO, Super G

Not really that uncommon to get a couple of teams with a big lead, and then a pack at 5-4.

Miracles happen in the final round of women's Round Robin! Scotland and Norway qualify because in the mini-league of teams of four teams on 5&4, they had both won 2 matches, whereas Denmark and Turkey had only won one. Then Scotland are ahead of Norway because they won that particular head-to-head. Italy the big losers, they give up 3 in the final end to the Czechs, which took them out of contention. SWE 8 1 Q SUI 6 3 Q SCO 5 4 Q NOR 5 4 Q DEN 5 4 TUR 5 4 ITA 4 5 LTU 3 6 GER 3 6 CZE 1 8

Edin has been replaced by a cheap clone. Two ends in a row his guys set up a good chance at three for him, both end in a steal to Mouat. 7 4 after 7 ends. Edin just gave up after Mouat left him an impossible shot - 11-4 and handshakes.

Kraft absolutely muffed his last jump, first to ninth.

Typically tough v battle, Mouat leading 5-4 after the fifth.

Document here summarising how the Luge Qualification System will work, for all you Stats obsessives. Whole circus starts this weekend at Cortina. milano-cortina-2026-qualification-system-for-luge-v3.pdf

over-complicate the 10th end but get away with it, so 8-5 is final. Now many permutations for the play-offs.

After 8 ends 7 4 so just a question of emulating the lads & closing out.

Women seem to have turned things round a bit - leading 4-2 after Five & problem Fourth Rebecca has got her tournament Avg back up to the high 70s.

Yeah, Luge were also due to go there but they did not think it was ready and rearranged for Winterberg. Obviously the athletes have revolted because IBSF had initially passed it, presumably without consulting the athletes. Also, room in the Calendar to get make-up races done in the New Year. Bobsleigh get extra practice, so they are happy.

Standings as we near the sharp end A-Division Men - 3 matches still to play SCO 6 0 ITA 5 1 SWE 5 1 SUI 4 2 GER 3 3 POL 3 3 CZE 2 4 NOR 2 4 AUT 0 6 DEN 0 6 Semi-finals Fri 28 Nov 9:00 Bronze Medal Fri 28 Nov 19:00 Gold Medal Sat 29 Nov 15:00 A-Division Women - 2 Matches still to play. Sweden confirmed into the Semis. SWE 6 1 Q DEN 5 2 NOR 5 2 SUI 4 3 TUR 4 3 ITA 3 4 LTU 3 4 SCO 3 4 GER 2 5 CZE 0 7 Semi-finals Thu 27 Nov 19:00 Bronze Medal Fri 28 Nov 14:00 Gold Medal Sat 29 Nov 10:00

Don't think this has been mentioned here, but German Cross Country Skier Victoria Carl is in some kind of bureaucratic limbo following a positive test for clenbuterol at the end of last season. In the past someone taking an illegal substance under medical supervision (as she claims) has been a three or six month out of season ban, so sounds like either she has been getting very bad advice or there is more to the story. Cross country Olympic champion Carl likely to miss 2026 Games

Not this year! Beat to go 3-4 with two to.play.

Another place with.very impressive November snow.

Two ends to go, Grant doing a good job on the subtle shots 6 4 & Norway with the hammer, so looking good for the lads. Oh dear give up the steal so it's 7-4 and Norway having to score 3. in.boa constrictor mode & it is handshakes.

Reserve Kyle Waddell joins the Fab Four & Grant Hardie takes over as skip. Seems to be working 3-3 after 4 ends.

Not such good days in the Women's equivalent match as win 8-3 in 7 ends.

Hmm, we don't seem to have an Athletes Unretirements Thread...... gymnast and three-time Olympic Gold medallist Max Whitlock comes out of retirement with the goal of making a comeback at Los Angeles. Will be 35 in LA. Next year will be a fairly gentle reintroduction with just National Champs and the Commonwealth Games on the schedule. Max Whitlock: Three-time Olympic gold medallist to come out of retirement for Los Angeles 2028 - BBC Sport

Well, not quite so famous but still important. Home - Archaeological Museum of Olympia - Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Ολυμπίας

What could go wrong?

Mouat doesn't give an inch & it finishes 8 4. Italy 9-5 up against Poland so I'm calling that a win.

Sharp end now going into the 9th end 4 7. Swiss have the hammer & must make something happen.

Mouat's early season good form continues, lead Schwartz 5-2 at the half way point. Loose shot from Mouat gives a deuce 5-4.