EDITOR’S NOTE: We are very excited to share the travels of Simi Hamilton’s family to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Over the next few weeks we’ll be sharing dispatches from Ruthie Brown and family as they give you a first-hand, “behind-the-scenes” look at the Olympics.
Great day at the Laura Cross Country venue watching Aspen's Noah Hoffman race the Skiathlon and girlfriend of Aspen's Nils Koons, Hannah, in the Biathlon Sprint. Via bus, train, gondola, chairlift and some walking, we managed to get from sea level to 5000 ft to the venue easily in less than a few hours because the transit system is incredible efficient. Thank you Putin and the Russia stigma to get it done! Skiathlon is a 15 kilometer mass start classic ski, with a transition into the stadium to switch to skating skis. Exciting to watch! Noah had an unfortunate day, last lap of the classic lag, on a super tight corner coming into the stadium, possibly his klister caught and he went down. Scrambling to get up, an Italian unfortunately (no way to avoid) caught Noah's pole, snapping it midpoint. He made a mental recovery and held his place to finish in 35th.
Simi joined us to watch part of the 15 Kilometer race. All the cross country athletes and biathletes are staying at up the Laura x-c Athletes Village.Absolutely spectacular! Very dramatic setting in the high peaks. Sim headed out to go to the weight room as today was a "day off"- Actually at this stage in the game, there is no day off. He is ready and pumped for the sprints on Tuesday!
