TEAM USA CONCLUDES ITS BUSIEST DAY YET AT 2022 WINTER OLYMPICS
Photo: Getty Images / Lintao Zhang
Team USA arrived in Beijing almost a week ago but Thursday was without a doubt the busiest day yet for the mixed doubles team of Vicky Persinger (Fairbanks, Alaska) and Chris Plys (Duluth, Minn.).
The first few days were filled with acclimating, exploring the Olympic Village, dryland workouts, and even some ping pong games against USA Curling support staff.
But two games at the iconic "Ice Cube" kept Persinger and Plys on the ice much of the day.
A quick breakfast at the Olympic Village, a short bus ride to the venue and the Americans were off and sliding against Italy in the first of games today.
It was a game of two different halves for Team USA, falling behind 4-1 after several key misses that gave the Italians a four spot in the second end. Trading singles in the next-two ends forced Team USA to rally from a 5-2 deficit at the break.
"Looking back on that game, I just couldn't figure (the ice) out for the first half," two-time Olympian Chris Plys said. "Getting to the arena and out for practice, I felt good. I hopped on that struggle bus and couldn't get off it until the halfway point."
Plys hopped off that 'bus' and into a 'get-away car,' stealing a single point in the fifth and sixth ends to close to within one thanks to a pair of burned stones by Italy. However, Team USA couldn't get any closer, falling 8-4.
Persinger said that the opportunity to comeback and play in the very next draw against Norway was exactly what the team needed.
"We played a lot better in the second half of that game, which I think is mentally reassuring for Chris and I," Persinger said. "We're going to bring that half to the next game. It is nice that it's back to back for us because we can bring those reps out that we just had and take them into the next one."
Laughing and having fun is what the two elite curlers do so well together. And they had some fun between draws, keeping things light over lunch and hanging out with some locker room music before taking on Norway.
Team USA and Norway traded singles in the first-two ends and then deuces in the third and fourth for a 3-3 tie at the break.
In the fifth end, Persinger made an outstanding double takeout for three, giving Team USA a 6-3 lead. But just like every end up until that point, Norway matched the Americans' triple with one of their own.
The game was decided in the seventh. Facing three yellow Norwegian stones and needing to draw full four foot for a single, Persinger's draw was heavy giving up a steal of three.
"Chris struggled more in the first game and I struggled more in the second half of this game," Persinger said. "So we're kind of putting together what we're learning so we can dial in at the same time."
After three-consecutive draws to open the Winter Olympics, Team USA has tomorrow morning off. And Plys said he's ready to take advantage of the down time they'll have back in the Olympic Village.
"It'll be nice to go back to the Village and just hang out, get some rest and some good sleep," he said. "It was a late night (yesterday), an early morning and then a long day here at the arena. So we're looking forward just decompressing and getting ready for tomorrow."
Team USA will have Thursday evening and Friday morning off before facing Sweden at 1:35 pm (local time). They'll then immediately prepare to join their USA Curling teammates from Team Peterson and Team Shuster to march in the Opening Ceremony led by skip John Shuster, the first ever USA curler selected for one of the highest honors in the Olympic movement.
Both men's and women's team will be arriving in Beijing late Thursday night/early Friday morning, just in time to get a few hours rest before marching into the Bird's Nest with their USA teammates.
"I can't think of a better guy that exemplifies what it means to be an Olympian than John," Plys said. "I'm very proud to be his teammate. It's going to be special to see him pick that flag up, walk out there and lead everybody here. I do know how much it means to him and I'm very happy for him."
USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, Toyota, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Brakebush, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Sitrin, and is partnered with IHG, Rock Solid Productions Inc., Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People.
