Beijing Olympics: Why Mikaela Shiffrin Stumbled, and Why We All Stumble

Watching a two-time Olympian and three-time Olympic medalist skier stumble — not once, not twice, but three times — at the Beijing Olympics was both extraordinary and painfully ordinary. No matter how well we prepare ourselves, how focused we are, what mental exercises we do to get ready, the reality is: These things happen. Mikaela Shiffrin herself seemed baffled as she talked to reporters after tripping on a gate and failing to finish the women’s Alpine combined race on Thursday, her third disastrous mishap at the Games. “I didn’t feel…

See Pivotal Moments From the Beijing Winter Games

In a Winter Olympics full of unexpected victories and losses, decisive moments often happened in just a fraction of a second. These are some of the most visually stunning high-speed scenes captured by New York Times journalists. Women’s Figure Skating Short Program Karen Chen, 22, of the United States, competed in both the women’s short program and the free skate event. Throughout her career, Chen has worn sparkling skate dresses meticulously sewn by her mother. She won a silver medal in the team event. Photographs and composite image by Jeremy…

How to Watch Figure Skating, Skiing, and Curling Tonight

The U.S. broadcast coverage of the 2022 Winter Games continues on Thursday with medals in skiing, speedskating and figure skating up for grabs. All times are Eastern. FREESTYLE SKIING USA Network will rebroadcast the men’s halfpipe qualifiers starting at 7 p.m. The Americans competing include Aaron Blunck, Birk Irving, David Wise and Alex Ferreira. And Eileen Gu of China, who has already collected two medals in Beijing, looks for her third, this time in the women’s halfpipe final, which will air live at 8:30 p.m. on USA Network and at…

Olympics Schedule Tonight: Watch Skiing and Women’s Hockey

The U.S. broadcast coverage of the 2022 Winter Games continues on Wednesday with medal events in Alpine skiing and women’s hockey, as curling continues. All times are Eastern. FREESTYLE SKIING The qualification round in women’s halfpipe will air live at 8:30 p.m. on USA Network and Peacock, with a portion also airing live on NBC. Brita Sigourney, the 2018 Olympic bronze medalist, will lead the American group of contenders with Hanna Faulhaber. Eileen Gu of China, who won silver in the slopestyle event, is also a strong medal contender. The…

Eileen Gu Will Have to Fight for Gold in Strong Slopestyle Field

ZHANGJIAKOU, China — Eileen Gu, the 18-year-old from California who is representing China at the Beijing Games, will be looking for a second gold medal at the women’s freeski slopestyle final on Tuesday. It will not be easy. Gu’s biggest rival is Kelly Sildaru of Estonia, who finished first in qualifying rounds, and several other women have reasonable expectations to reach the podium. The slopestyle course — a series of rails and obstacles followed by three big ski jumps — has been difficult to complete. Marin Hamill of the United…

Canada overpowered Switzerland to reach the gold medal game in women’s hockey.

The scoreboard could have been worse for Switzerland, mostly because it had been worse in a previous meeting, less than two weeks ago. The only measure that matters, though, at this point in the Olympic women’s hockey tournament is a win or a loss. And on that front, Canada maintained its ferocious dominance to earn a spot in the gold medal game and extend an appearance streak that started in 1998, when women’s hockey became an Olympic sport. The outcome of Monday’s semifinal matchup between the Canadians and the Swiss…

Eileen Gu Takes on Slopestyle Qualifying After Snow Delay

China’s new favorite Olympic athlete, 18-year-old freestyle skier Eileen Gu, begins a quest for what she hopes will be her second gold medal, this time in slopestyle. Gu, who grew up in California but competes for China, is a favorite in the event, where competitors ski through a mountain course of rails and obstacles before navigating a series of three big jumps. Qualifiers for the event were originally scheduled for Sunday, but high winds and rare blizzard conditions pushed them to Monday. Finals are on Tuesday. Gu already has one…