During these Sochi Olympics, Team Canada supporters have been fond of declaring #WeAreWinter on social media.
Right now, even some of the biggest Team USA diehards must be wondering if they’re actually right.
On Wednesday, Canadians Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse rallied from two-tenths down to beat Elana Meyers and Lauryn Williams of the U.S. in women’s bobsled.
On Thursday, the Canadians charged from a two-goal deficit and defeated the U.S. in overtime for their fourth consecutive Olympic title in women’s hockey.
And in today’s men’s hockey semifinal, the Canadians sucked the life out of what had been a potent American offense, only needing a lone goal from Jamie Benn to win, 1-0, and move on to Sunday’s gold medal game against Sweden.
Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, Canada also won a pair of golds today in men’s curling (following their female counterparts’ lead) and women’s ski cross.
Needless to say, it must be pretty fun right now in Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Vancouver, and all other points north of the border…
But U.S. fans still smarting from today’s hockey loss can perhaps take solace in knowing that their country’s much-heralded “future superstar” in Alpine skiing has officially become one in the present.
Mikaela Shiffrin tossed the ninth gold medal into the Americans’ haul at these Games by becoming the youngest Olympic champion, man or woman, in the slalom. It’s the first U.S. victory in the event since Phil Mahre’s in 1984, and the first in the women’s slalom since Barbara Cochran’s in 1972.
Adding to the occasion was that she shared the podium with two of the best in the world in Austria’s Marlies Schild (silver) and Kathrin Zettel (bronze) – who Shiffrin called her greatest idols after the race.
“I modeled myself after them,” the 18-year-old phenom said in a team release. “To be in this moment with them – to share it with my family and friends, my team and my coaches, and everyone who has been in my past and will be in my future, it’s just very special.”
The victory earned her props from American skiing luminaries like Julia Mancuso, Bode Miller, and Picabo Street…
Also having a great day was Russian short track star Victor Ahn, who won not one but two golds this afternoon in the men’s 500m and as part of the men’s 5000m relay. The latter race saw Team USA finally earn a speedskating medal, with anchor J.R. Celski and his crew coming away with the silver…
In biathlon, Ukraine’s women’s relay foursome won gold but did not celebrate as their country continues to deal with violence sparking from anti-government demonstrations. South Korea also got a gold today from Park Seung-Hi in the short track women’s 1000m…
Out of competition, the International Skating Union defended its judging system for figure skating after Adelina Sotnikova’s surprise win…
Meanwhile, Sotnikova herself is setting her sights on getting “all the gold that there is” after her Olympic triumph…
Russian president Vladimir Putin told her “the whole Russia is proud of you”…
Ashley Wagner of the U.S. called for the end of anonymous figure skating judging after yesterday’s result left her “speechless”…
Former world champion figure skater and NBC Olympics researcher Kimmie Meissner turned the spotlight on bronze medalist Carolina Kostner of Italy…
Under Armour announced a new eight-year deal with U.S. Speedskating despite taking criticism for their new suits that debuted in Sochi and were ultimately replaced…
And women’s hockey star Julie Chu has been chosen as the U.S. flagbearer for the Closing Ceremony.
MEDAL COUNT – Feb. 21
(Country – Gold/Silver/Bronze – Total Medals)
1. Norway – 10/4/8 – 22
2. Russia – 9/10/7 – 26
3. Canada – 9/10/5 – 24
4. United States – 9/7/11 – 27
5. Germany – 8/4/4 – 16
6. Netherlands – 6/7/9 – 22
7. Switzerland – 6/3/2 – 11
8. Belarus – 5/0/1 – 6
9. France – 4/4/7 – 15
10. Poland – 4/0/0 – 4
11. China – 3/4/2 – 9
12. Korea – 3/2/2 – 7
13. Austria – 2/7/3 – 12
14. Sweden – 2/6/6 – 14
15. Czech Republic – 2/4/2 – 8
16. Slovenia – 2/1/4 – 7
17. Japan – 1/4/3 – 8
18. Finland – 1/3/0 – 4
19. Great Britain – 1/1/2 – 4
20. Ukraine – 1/0/1 – 2
21. Slovakia – 1/0/0 – 1
22. Italy – 0/2/6 – 8
23. Australia – 0/2/1 – 3
24. Latvia – 0/1/2 – 3
25. Croatia – 0/1/0 – 1
26. Kazakhstan – 0/0/1 – 1
