Gary Keller (Japan) sent in an article about Noriaki Kasai who set a new record with his 8th appearance in the Winter Olympics!

http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/noriaki-kasai-sets-record-eighth-winter-olympics-appearance

2 spirit points for Gary (Japan).

Kathy Smith (Austria) sent in an article about Austria's high hopes for medals in Alpine Skiing.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-2018-alps-austria/alpine-skiing-mayer-looking-to-trigger-austrian-medal-avalanche-idUSKBN1FR1S3

2 spirit points for Kathy (Austria).

David Rathel (Australia) discovered NBC's podcast "The Podium" and wanted to share it with the group.

2 spirit points for David (Australia).

Tiny De Jong-van Otterloo (Georgia) is from the Netherlands and sent in some love for her real country! She commented, "So proud of my own country!"

2 spirit points to Tiny (Georgia).

Tamara Knudson (Netherlands) shared a cool fact about the Olympics. Ghana's first skeleton athlete is a citizen of the Netherlands!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05xdpsh

2 spirit points for Tamara (Netherlands).

Amy Brennan (France) saw an unexpected license plate today in California, USA. She commented, "I saw this today in Huntington Beach and had to take a photo. It was at a stoplight so it was safe!"

2 spirit points for Amy (France).

Pam Keller (Canada) sent in an article about Canadian moguls skier Philippe Marquis who tore his ACL a month ago and wrote motivations on his gloves.

https://www.thestar.com/sports/olympics/2018/02/09/canadian-moguls-skier-philippe-marquis-using-motivational-messages-after-return-from-torn-acl.html

2 spirit points for Pam (Canada).

On the third day of competition, here are the standings of Our Olympics 2018:

Gold Medal:

Norway (Callae Daily) - 106 Points

Silver Medal:

Netherlands (Tamara Knudson) - 89 Points

Bronze Medal:

Canada (Pam Keller) - 73 Points

Middle of the Road:

Montenegro (Christa McKirland) - 20 Points

And as always,
May the odds be ever in your favor!

Every time the USA or GB win a gold medal, you win points!

The USA took home gold for Snowboarding Slopestyle! Also, gold medals for snowboarding is worth 25 instead of 15!

Redmond Gerard - Uzbekistan (Chesney Hill) - 25 Bonus points

Joanna Coppedge (Puerto Rico) sent in this article about Charles Flaherty who is the first representative for Puerto Rico in the Winter Olympics in 20 years.

http://time.com/5142884/puerto-rico-winter-olympics-2018/

2 spirit points for Joanna (Puerto Rico).

Gary Keller (Japan) sent in this article about the incredible Ikuma Horishima.

https://www.olympic.org/news/japanese-moguls-sensation-horishima-ready-for-pyeongchang

2 spirit points for Gary (Japan)

Pam Keller (Canada) sent in this article with fun facts about the Canadian athletes.

https://www.thestar.com/sports/olympics/2018/02/09/five-sets-of-siblings-one-married-couple-fun-facts-about-canadas-olympic-team.html

2 spirit points for Pam (Canada).

Kathy Smith (Austria) sent in an article about Anna Gasser, Austria's new star, who is the favorite for snowboard's new big air event.

https://www.olympic.org/news/austria-s-newest-star-gasser-looking-to-make-olympic-history

2 spirit points for Kathy (Austria).

Ethan Knudson (Belarus) sent in this article about a farm cow joining a bison herd and crossing international borders. He commented, “ok, so this started in Poland, but is currently happening in a forest shared with Belarus, I’m willing to share points with Poland for this inspiring story. Love and family know no bounds.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/01/25/cow-swaps-farm-life-freedom-roaming-bison/

2 spirit points for Ethan (Belarus) and 2 bonus points for Brittany (Poland)

Tiny De Jong-van Otterloo (Georgia) sent in this article about Georgian Prime Minister meeting the IOC President and their visit to the Olympics Museum.

https://www.olympic.org/news/georgian-prime-minister-meets-ioc-president-and-visits-olympic-museum

2 spirit points for Tiny (Georgia).

Karen McClain Kiefer (Bulgaria) sent in some fun facts about her country's snowboarders and their participation in the Olympics.

1. Having come away from the last two Winter Olympics (Sochi and Vancouver) medal-less, Bulgaria's snowboarders carry torches of hope for their country. Aleksandra Zhehova and Radoslav Yankov compete next week in the snowboard cross and parallel giant slalom, respectively, and both feel optimistic about their upcoming races. Zhekova said she is in top shape for PyeonChang, her 4th consecutive Olympics.

2. Yankov, Bulgaria's flag bearer, has two world championships in parallel giant slalom and has caught the attention of native and international sports experts as having a good chance of bringing a medal back home to Bulgaria, ending their winter drought. Both of these competitions are scheduled in the wee hours of GMT (between 0100 and 0400) so THIS fan will be streaming it after the dust, er... the snow... settles.

2 spirit points for Karen (Bulgaria).

Tamara Knudson (Netherlands) sent in an article about Carlijn Achtereekte the unexpected gold medalist in the women's 3,000-meter race.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/dutch-treat-in-an-upset-carlijn-achtereekte-leads-a-podium-sweep-in-3000-meters/2018/02/10/552cf406-0e1d-11e8-8890-372e2047c935_story.html?utm_term=.3d0a4214da79

2 spirit points for Tamara (Netherlands).

The votes are in!

Best and Worst Dressed at the Parade of Nations:

Best Dressed:

Gold: Nigeria (Jan Haugen) - 25 bonus points

Silver: Estonia (Brian Cress) - 20 bonus points

Bronze: Jamaica (Sophie Coppedge) - 15 bonus points

Worst Dressed:

Gold: Germany (Maddie Des Jardins) - 25 bonus points

Silver: Bolivia (Margaret Torrance) - 20 bonus points

Bronze: Slovenia (Stephanie Terusa) - 15 bonus points

5 spirit points to the following countries for sending in your votes for best/worst dressed: Ethan Knudson (Belarus), Taylor Telford (Serbia), Rachael Froehlich (South Korea), Tamara Knudson (Netherlands), Tiny De Jong-van Otterloo (Georgia), April Rathel (Greece), Graydon Cress (Finland), Tina Torres (Sweden), Pam Keller (Canada), Martha Joy McGee (Turkey), Karen McClain Kiefer (Bulgaria), Kim Klingaman (Croatia), Stephanie Terusa (Slovenia), Devon Hill (New Zealand) and Callae Daily (Norway).

SPIRIT POINTS OPPORTUNITY

Janet Cooper (Phillipines) sent in this video showcasing a hidden talent by the Norwegian curling team! She commented, "if we could do a Fantasy Olympic team, I'd pick Norway for curling and Tonga for.......whatever sport that guy plays!"

5 spirit points to Janet Cooper (Philippines) and 2 bonus points for Callae Daily (Norway).

Opportunity: Send in your Fantasy Olympic Team of at least 5 Olympians and receive 10 spirit points.

Kim Klingaman (Croatia) sent in an article about how Croatia has ranked in the Winter Olympics All-Time Medal Count.

https://www.total-croatia-news.com/sport/25374-croatia-23rd-in-winter-olympics-all-time-medal-table

2 spirit points for Kim (Croatia).

Lucy Coppedge (Liechtenstein) sent in this quiz for everyone! BONUS POINTS - Earn 5 Bonus points if you're the first one to answer correctly.

What is the capital of Liechtenstein?
What sports are Liechtenstein playing in the Olympic Games?
What countries border Liechtenstein?

5 spirit points to Lucy (Liechtenstein) for creating this quiz. Way to go Lucy! Who knows, maybe you'll be a teacher when you grow up?

Amy Brennan (France) sent in this article about Yuna Kim who lit the Olympic torch last night.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/yuna-kim-completes-nearly-seven-year-journey-lighting-olympic-cauldron

2 spirit points for Amy (France).

Ethan Knudson (Belarus) and Pam Keller (Canada) sent in an article about an egg mishap and translation error by team Norway. He commented, "Ridiculous amounts of protein!"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42978915

2 spirit points for Ethan (Belarus), Pam Keller (Canada) and Callae Daily (Norway).

David Rathel (Australia) sent in an article about the highlights and awkward moments of the Opening Ceremonies.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/feb/09/highlights-and-awkward-moments-from-winter-olympics-opening-ceremony

2 spirit points for David (Australia).

Karen McClain Kiefer (Bulgaria) sent in a poll. BONUS POINTS to the first person to figure out the correct color.

"Poll: Fascinated (and frankly in love with) the colour of Bulgaria's pants, I looked up the country's flag to see if I could find an accurate name for this shade. Well, the flag colour is documented as... green. Unsatisfied, I am seeking an appropriate shade designation for these exhilarating pants. What colour/shade would YOU call them? "

2 spirit points for Karen (Bulgaria)

Kathy Smith (Austria) sent in a day-to-day guide to the Winter Olympics.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/winter-olympics/42878234

2 spirit points for Kathy (Austria)

On the second day of competition, here are the standings of Our Olympics 2018:

Gold Medal:

Latvia (Elyse Jarvis) - 62 Points

Silver Medal:

Belarus (Ethan Knudson) - 52 Points

Bronze Medal:

Georgia (Tiny De Jong-van Otterloo) - 43 Points

Middle of the Road:

Australia (David Rathel) - 12 Points

And as always,
May the odds be ever in your favor!

PARADE OF NATION BONUS POINTS

Gold (Latvia - Elyse Jarvis) - 50 Bonus Points
The 11th spot was not in our competition so gold goes to the 12th country to walk out.

Silver (Belarus - Ethan Knudson) - 30 Bonus Points
The prize went to the 31st team to walk in.

Bronze (Serbia - Taylor Telford) - 10 Bonus Points

The prize went to the 37th team to walk in.

Congratulations! And as always,
May the odds be ever in your favor!

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

15 spirit points for Graydon Cress (Finland) for posting a photo, wearing his country's flag colors and sporting an official NBC Team USA scarf.

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

5 spirit points for Caleb (Lithuania).

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

Erin Cress (Italy) celebrated the Opening Ceremonies with Cannoli dip for Team Italy, dressing in her flags colors, making Olympic torch cupcakes and decorating the house!

Watching the Opening Ceremonies!

25 spirit points for Tiny De Jong-van Otterloo (Georgia) for cutting out the Georgian flag for her shirt, surprise trousers, sending in a photo and making a flag themed cake.