Ice Hockey – Finland Claim Gold
The Ice Hockey gold medal game was played at a breath-taking pace. One minute the Russians were speeding on the attack and a second later they were scrambling back to defend from a fearless Finland. There was a flurry late in the first period when the goalkeeper stopped the Russians twice on the same play with a pad save.

Yet again the Finish goalkeeper (Kahkonen) makes a stunning save

Goalkeeper Kahkonen (FIN) was the hero for the team. “It’s probably the best game I have ever played,” he said.

Haapanen of Finland forces a Russian player up against the wall

It was a packed house with over 3,000 spectators watching the game. End to end action. I can see why they have ‘time-outs’ now!

Russia score first in the top corner

Superb tackling by Russia

Yoggl the Games Mascot

Tempers rise in such a close match

After full time the score was 1-1, therefore the game went to a penalty shoot-out. It was the sheer brilliance of the Finland’s goalkeeper that won them the match.

Finland celebrate their amazing victory

Meanwhile Russia, who had enough chances of their own during the match have to settle for the silver medal.

Russia contemplate what might have been

Team GB! Where is the next Amy Williams…?

A sport that is almost as daft looking as Luge but at least we can do it!

I had hoped to see at least one representative from Great Britain. Someone who could follow in the footsteps of Amy Williams. Sadly though, I was left disappointed. However, I had my camera and was keen to get something a little different out there to what the general media are pulling off.

More pictures from today’s women’s Skeleton heats here.

The 'cork screw' at the Olympic Sliding Center

Lizzie Maxwell of team USA begins her first heat

Innsbruck 2012 - Home of the first YWO

The event continues well into the evening

Luge

Kristens Putins and Imants Marcinkevics of team Latvia

A luge is a small one or two person sled in other words; a tea-tray! The athletes steer the sled by flexing the runners with the calf of each leg or by exerting opposite shoulder pressure on the seat.

Up at the outdoor Olympic Sliding Center on the slopes of Patscherkofel I witnessed the double mixed relay event. I remembered also sliding very fast down this track, back on Christmas Day, where I am very pleased we didn’t need to wear so much lycra and lie on top of each other.

Victory for Team USA in front of Germany and Austria in the YOG’s Luge Mixed Team Relay.
Congratulations to the US’ athletes, who won their second gold medal.

A few more images from the race here.

Tucker West of the USA slides past to take gold

1500m Speed Skating

Speed skating – Fast and furious! As the inside lane is shorter than the outside one, the skaters changed lanes after every lap. Much action was had as the spectators in the tiered crowd watched the races and witnessed the incredible speeds the skaters reach during their laps as they travel past. The climax to the men’s 1500m speed skating event was extremely close until YANG Fan of China took an amazing victory with a time of 1:54.20. Six seconds faster than his compatriot.

More pictures from today’s race here.

YANG Fan of China wins the 1500m men's speed skating event

Late in the afternoon as the sun was setting behind the mountains, the Austrian team took to the track to practice before their next race on Wednesday. It was extremely cold! They should be awarded a gold medal for their dedication.

The Austrian team train ahead of their next race

Great Britain lose to Canada
Ever since 2002, when Rhona Martin struck Gold with her Curling team mates in Salt Lake City, I have always wanted to be a spectator and watch a Curling game. Today in Innsbruck during the first Youth Winter Olympics, Great Britain took on Canada in the forth session.

Skipper, Duncan Menzies struggles to hear his team mates whilst looking for position

Sadly Great Britain were beaten 8-2 by a very strong looking Canadian team, who had a lot of support in the crowd. Unfortunately from where I was positioned I couldn’t really shout and yell words of encouragement for my home team.

More pictures from this match here.

Skipper; Duncan Menzies throws a stone in desperate hope

Opening Ceremony

Russia take on Canada in the opening round of Ice Hockey

First day of the games saw Russia take on Canada in a superb war between the top teams. None stop end to end action. I didn’t know where to point my camera next.

Then later in the evening the opening ceremony took place over at Bergisel (ski jump stadium) where the crowd, sat in a giant amphitheater was entertained by music, dancing, pyrotechnics and lasers that burst through the cloud and falling snow.

Crowds at the opening ceremony of the first Youth Winter Olympic Games

First the two Olympic Flames were lit from the previous Olympic Games held in Innsbruck back in 1964 and 1976. Then the third torch was lit to celebrate the first Youth Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck.

More pictures from the day’s games and the opening ceremony can be found here.

The three Olympic Flames

First Youth Winter Olympics
Sadly just over a week ago, one of our experienced expedition members, who was due to be the first person to descend into the remote 250m deep Canyuan Tiankeng in Yunnan Province, China suffered a reasonably serious injury resulting in a broken toe. In and out of Chinese hospitals meant he and his girlfriend flew home to England and consequently put an end to our small scale China trip. These things happen.

However this has left me in Innsbruck whilst the first Youth Winter Olympic Games is taking place. Quick change of plan, armed with my recently obtained Media Pass, I set off out today to see what was occurring up on the Nordkette, with plans to make a ’setting the scene’ picture of Innsbruck and the surrounding white mountains.

Team USA in the Igloo Bar

Several members of team USA popped into the Igloo bar to throw some shapes to the loud European pop music. I hope they can skate better than they dance!

Team USA admiring the views around the Innsbruck valley

Finally, I found a little time late in the day to make a ’setting the scene’ kinda shot overlooking the city of Innsbruck just as a couple of late skiers set off on their descent down towards the town.

Innsbruck from Seegrube on the Nordkette