August 6, 2008 - Surprising results in the first round of games as women’s soccer got underway two days before the Olympic Games officially open.

Norway scored twice in the first five minutes against the U.S. and won the opening game 2-0; The loss was just the second-ever for the U.S. women in the Olympics, with the only other loss also coming to Norway in the 2000 Olympic Final in Sydney, Australia. A disappointing start for sure.

Japan went 2-0 down but fought back in the last 20 minutes to make it a 2-2 draw against New Zealand; and Germany and Brazil held each other to a 0-0 draw.

Group E:
China 2-1 Sweden
Canada 2-1 Argentina

Group F:
Germany 0-0 Brazil
North Korea 1-0 Nigeria

Group G:
Norway 2-0 US
Japan 2-2 New Zealand

The next matches will be played Saturday August 9th:

Sweden v. Argentina
Nigeria v. Germany
US v. Japan

Canada v. China
Brazil v. North Korea
New Zealand v. Norway

Filed under: Beijing Summer Games 2008, Int'l Soccer by jane
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August 5, 2008 - As the media machine has undoubtedly made you aware, the Opening Ceremonies in Beijing will take place on August 8, 2008.  For women’s soccer fans, however, the Games commence Wednesday when first-round group-play action kicks off.

With all eyes on Beijing, there’s plenty being written about the Golden Girls - the U.S. Team.  The WNT opens defense of its Olympic title against Norway, the only other country to win a gold medal in the sport.

Here’s a roundup of what’s being said going into the Games (in no particular order): 

Women’s Football Kicks Off Beijing Olympics - VOA preview of the Olympic Games.

Swedish coach sings U.S. soccer back to contention  - Learn how Coach Pia Sundhage motivates the U.S. Women’s National Team.

U.S. should have the edge over Norway - ESPN’s pre-game analysis.

Lindsay Tarpley blog - WNT member updates fans with Tarpley’s Thoughts.

Amy Rodriguez is ‘A-Rod’ of U.S. soccer - LA Times profiles local girl Amy Rodriguez.

Chinese women’s soccer looking for Olympic rebirth - Can China dominate in front of a hometown crowd?

Women’s Soccer Olympic Overview - ESPN looks at how the top teams stack up.

Round One:

Argentina vs. Canada
China vs. Sweden
Germany vs. Brazil
DPRK vs. Nigeria
Japan vs. New Zealand
Norway vs. USA

Filed under: Beijing Summer Games 2008, Int'l Soccer by jane
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August 5, 2008 - Will the 2008 Olympics games mark the end of Olympic softball competition forever?

Back Softball is a campaign developed by the International Softball Federation to reinstate softball back into the 2016 Olympics. Join thousands of fastpitch fans and do your part to save softball.

1. Check out the Back Softball Official website to read what is currently being done to reinstate softball.
2. Join the Back Softball Facebook Group.
3. Sign the petition.
4. Grab some Back Softball gear and show your support. 
5. Watch this interview.   

Three days and counting. Will Team USA bring home gold for the fourth time? Can’t wait to watch.  

Filed under: Beijing Summer Games 2008, Charity/Cause, Olympics, Softball by keri mikulski
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August 3, 2008 - The biggest thing Karen Jones had done this year before the X Games was interview rock band Linkin Park for a television show in her native Brazil.

That interview moved down the list Saturday as Jones edged defending champion Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins to take the gold medal in the women’s skateboarding vert contest at the Home Depot Center.

“This is the thing I wanted the most,” Jones said. “It’s so stupid and I’m not supposed to like contests and care about it. I just sucked last year and the year before so I got obsessive about doing good on it.”

Given the jam session format of the event, Jones credited her victory to a combination of smaller tricks including varials and kick flips rather than to a signature move.

Another result of the format was conflict over whose turn it was to skate with two girls often going at the same time.

“It’s just different,” bronze medalist Mimi Knoop said. “It’s something you have to learn. It’s an etiquette and I don’t think the younger girls have really learned it. It’s a respect.”

LA Times

Filed under: Action, Skateboard, X Games by jane
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August 3, 2008 - Tarah Geiger of Puerto Rico won the inaugural women’s Moto X Racing five-lap final at Home Depot Center.

Geiger moved into the lead when Jessica Patterson crashed, gave the lead back to Patterson and then re-passed her in a tight turn, forcing Patterson to lose control again.

Sherri Cruse of Bakersfield and Tatum Sik of Temecula also passed Patterson, finishing second and third, respectively.

Filed under: Motocross by jane
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August 2, 2008 - Elissa Steamer’s gold medal at the 2008 X Games cements her position at the top of her sport. But recognition still lags behind her male counterparts. The girls know how to rip and this year’s Women’s Street final proved it.  Marisa Dal Santo, Brazilian Leticia Bufoni and Steamer all threw down some great tricks including boardslides and 5-0s on the rail. During the second heat Steamer stuck a lofty, kick flip over the China gap with less than three seconds on the clock.

Last year, skating on her 21st birthday, Marisa Dal Santo came out of nowhere to edge into first place, unseating Steamer from the top spot for the first time in three years. This year, Steamer stepped up and took her title right back - winning her fourth overall gold medal at the X Games. (Second, third and fourth places went to Marisa, Amy Caron, and Leticia Bufoni.)

When Steamer began skateboarding 23 years ago, she had few women to skate with and learned how to ride with the guys. She didn’t really set out to be a trailblazer, but that’s the role she’s assumed and her most recent gold medal proves she’s still the one to watch.

Check out this Elissa Steamer Profile.

Skateboard Street Women’s Final Results Results from ESPN X GAMES 14 at The Event Deck at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, Calf. on Friday, August 1, 2008. (Final Standings)

Name / Hometown / Score

1. Elissa Steamer / San Francisco, Calif. / 87.83
2. Marisa Dal Santo / LaGrange, IL / 81.50
3. Amy Caron / Huntington Beach, Calif. / 80.00
4. Rachel Reinhard / Colorado Springs, Colo. / 78.00
5. Leticia Bufoni / Sao Paulo, Brazil / 77.00
6. Vanessa Torres / Silver Lake, Calif. / 65.08
7. Evie Bouilliart / Huntington Beach, Calif. / 60.33
8. Lorena Lima / Sayreville, N.J. / 46.83
9. Lauren Perkins / Huntington Beach, Calif. / 42.83
10. Sophie Poppe / Destelbergen, Belgium / 23.25

Filed under: Skateboard, X Games by jane
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August 1, 2008 - If you happen to have an extra $125.00 to spend on a polo shirt or $50.00 for a tee, or you’re one of those people who likes your apparel covered in logos and symbols, then by all means check out the Ralph Lauren Olympic Games Collection.

Lauren was selected to design the official Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony parade outfits as well as an assortment of Olympic “village wear” pieces for the 150 U.S. athletes competing in Beijing and they’re now available at Olympic Spirit stores, select department stores and RalphLauren.com.  Ah…capitalism at it’s best. Wonder if the garments are made in China?

Lauren’s  logo-festooned designs are “inspired by the rich past of the Olympic Games and in keeping with the time-honored tradition of this historic event.”   Reflecting Ralph Lauren’s trademark sporty sophistication, the collection offers casual sportswear styles in combinations of red, white and blue adorned with the U.S. Olympic Team and iconic Polo Pony logo.

None of the offerings we viewed made us want to take out our credit card or shell out any hard-earned cash. All carry an unmistakable air of preppy confidence and there’s the added touch of patriotic team spirit but even though we’re big supporters of the Games we’re not that inclined to line Lauren’s already heavily padded coffers. If, however,  you are one of those people who likes to wear red, white and blue polos heavily embroidered with official-looking badges  — you’re in luck.

Filed under: Beijing Summer Games 2008, Fashion by jane
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August 1, 2008 - For 10 days in June, Stephanie (Lopez) Cox knew she wasn’t going to the Olympics. For the next days 10 days it appeared she might. And then she was headed to China. What caused the rollercoaster ride and how did the star soccer player deal with the ups and downs?

Stephanie’s story deals with personal setbacks, overcoming obstacles and second chances. It’s about playing with passion and reaching for the stars. It’s a story of inspiration and happily, one of triumph.

If you’re not familiar with Stephanie Cox, you should be. A leading player at the Univ. of Portland, she had an undefeated season and won an NCAA title. As a member of the Women’s National team, she started all six games of the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup and was a more than likely candidate to make the 2008 Olympic roster.

But in a meeting with the U.S. coaching staff this spring, Cox was told that she had not made the final roster for the Summer Games. Head coach Pia Sundhage felt Cox had lost some passion for the game and that a break could help her recapture the vitality that had made her one of America’s top young players.

Devastated, Cox flew to Denver for a previously arranged speech on behalf of her sponsor Nike. The theme for the speech: Overcoming Obstacles.

On the podium in front of the Colorado Rush Soccer Club, Cox talked about playing in two youth world championships and not winning gold. She talked about her undefeated season at Portland, but also about falling short the other three years. She talked about the crushing semifinal loss at the Women’s World Cup. She spoke with passion and towards the end of the speech came the kicker.

“Despite all of these setbacks on the field, I’ve always made every team and continued up the ladder with the National Teams,” said Cox. “But just two days ago, I experienced my greatest personal loss as a soccer player. Two days ago, I found out that I didn’t make the roster for the Olympics, so I won’t be able to pursue a gold medal.”

Cox explained that she had given her best at every level and the fact she was at peace with that knowledge.

She finished to a standing ovation.

“It was one of my proudest personal moments to give that speech because I let it all out there,” she recalled. “It was hard to do, but I knew that even without the gold medals, it’s really about the process and the journey, about who you become as a person and the relationships you make along the way.”

Exactly a week later, Cox received a call informing her of the injury of a teammate and inviting her to play in the Peace Queen Cup. During the tournament, she was officially added to the final roster for the Summer Games and offered renewed hope of Olympic gold.

The lessons in all this? There are many. But surely not all goals are realized and many dreams don’t come true. But if you traverse the valleys as well as you celebrate the ascents to the mountain top, both journeys can be equally beneficial.

So true, and so well said.

Full story at ussoccer.com

Filed under: Beijing Summer Games 2008, Int'l Soccer, Profiles by jane
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August 1, 2008 - Just because it’s summer here, doesn’t mean snowboarders put their gear away and head to the beach. Many professional riders head south of the equator to find winter elsewhere.

A number of top snowboarders could be found at the Burton New Zealand Open held this week.  As the first event on the annual Burton Global Open Series, the NZ Open is the competitors’ first chance to make a play for the 2009 championship title worth $100,000 – the largest single payout in competitive snowboarding today.

Eighteen year old Jamie Anderson, without a doubt one of the most talented female snowboarders in the world, dominated the competition Friday  to take the top spot on the podium in the Slopestyle finals.  Cheryl Mass was a distant second with a 66.00 and Spencer O’Brien was third with a 65.33.

There was also a Quarterpipe Jam held, with hometown hero Juliane Bray winning for the women.  Kelly Clark took  highest air and best trick honors.

Keep reading for a full breakdown of the day’s action and  visit the official site.

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Filed under: Action, Snowboard by jane
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(Editors Note: Our own Melissa Becker swept the U.S. Mountainboarding Championships held in Snowmass last weekend - Congratulations Melissa! Here’s her account of the event).

July 31, 2008 - The 2008 U.S. Open Mountainboarding Championships were held in Snowmass Village, CO July 25-26th. The event consisted of a Mass Start Downhill race, Dirt Boardercross, and Slopestyle. We had 85 competitors this year and the fans were great as always!

The action started on Friday morning with the Mass Start Downhill. A Mass Start downhill race is just as it sounds. We all got on the ski lift at Snowmass Village and rode it to the top followed by our boards. We lined up in our categories and mad dashed down the ski run as fast as we could. When it was time for the girls to line up and rage down the mountain we were all ready and excited as can be.

The starter yelled ready, set, go and off we went, tearing through the grass, rocks and dirt down to the bottom across the finish line. I remember going so fast that I ended up falling, but the adrenaline got me back up and I kept going. Then there was a creek we had to jump over which was total chaos as well. I remember getting passed and then riding as fast as I could to get back ahead. I made the pass onto the road and crossed the finish line first. The energy was so high and as I tried to catch my breath I watched my other competitors cross the finish line.

My first ever U.S. Open medal won and it was gold. I was so overjoyed, and next up was the Dirt Boardercross. A Boardercross track consists of rollers, berms, quick turns and tons of speed. The women’s class really picked it up this season and all of the girls were racing faster than I’ve ever seen before.

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Filed under: Mountain Board by Pretty Tough
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