5 to Watch: Jessie Diggins, Men Hockey, Women's Curling, Bobsled
By Staff Reports ••
One of the iconic moments for Team USA in these Pyeongchang Olympics was Jessie Diggins pushing down the stretch during the women’s team sprint to earn America’s first-ever cross country gold medal. So it’s fitting that Diggins will end the Olympics by carrying the American flag in Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium during the closing ceremonies.
But before Diggins leads Team USA out of the Olympics, there are more medals to be awarded: The host country’s "Garlic Girls " go for gold in women’s curling and the not-Russians go for gold in men’s hockey. The United States will try to spoil a Canada-Germany rematch in the bobsled, and Norway will try to add to an already-historic Olympic medal haul.
Here’s everything you need to watch for the final day of the Winter Olympics:
Historic Gold Medalist Carries the Red, White and Blue
Jessie Diggins captured the United States' first-ever women’s cross-country skiing medal when she and teammate Kikkan Randall won gold in the freestyle team event. Now, the 26-year-old will be the first country-country skier to carry the U.S. flag in the Winter Games’ closing ceremonies.
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"I actually thought there maybe had been a mistake. I was like, 'What? I can’t believe this,'" Diggins said on the "Today" show. "It is so humbling, and I feel so honored to have been picked."
Diggins sat down for an interview with NBC10 Boston reporter Brian Shactman to discuss her gold medal win in cross-country skiing, her constant enthusiasm, and where she plans on storing her Olympic gold medal.
Some of the star power will be in the stands, where President Donald’s Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, will lead the U.S. delegation. The opening ceremony spotlight was on the mysterious Kim Yo-jong, the sister of the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, who was dubbed "North Korea’s Ivanka." Will the real Ivanka Trump be able to seize some of that limelight?
As for entertainment, expect K-pop stars CL and the boy band EXO.
The Soviet Union won the hockey gold medal in the Olympics seven times between 1956 and 1988. The Unified Team, a team of post-Soviet players, won the gold medal in 1992. And when the Russians play for the gold medal on Sunday, they will be competing as OAR, the Olympic Athletes from Russia.
So the Russians are trying to win a ninth hockey gold medal while never actually winning one for Russia.
After failing to win a gold medal at the last six Olympics (regardless of their name), and failing to win any medal at the last three, the Pyeongchang games seemed to be Russia’s best chance in decades. With the National Hockey League missing in action — it refused to allow its players to participate in the Olympics — the Russians entered the tournament as the heavy favorite.
"We’ve been striving for this for years," said Oleg Znarok, Russia’s coach.
But because of a doping scandal that impacted the country’s entire Olympic program, the Russian national team has been banned from these Olympics — hence the Olympic Athletes from Russia name. If they beat Germany, the Russian flag will not be raised, and the Russian national anthem will not play.
They face a surprising German team in the gold medal match. The Germans upset Canada in the semifinals, 4-3.
The Russians haven’t needed upsets to reach the finals. After losing to Slovakia 3-2 in its opening game, the Russians won four consecutive games by a combined score of 21-3, including a 6-1 win over Norway in the quarterfinals and a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic in the semifinals. In pool play, the Russians beat the United States, 4-0.
#GarlicGirls Trend as an Internet Meme But They’re Tuned Out
South Korea’s curling team heads into the final against Sweden, the culmination of a surprise winning streak that has brought them to the top of the rankings and in contention for the gold.
Dubbed the "Garlic Girls" for their hometown’s locally grown garlic, they are a phenomenon not just on the ice, but on social media, too, where fans search for their nicknames and distinctive eyewear.
But the women apparently don’t know what superstars they’ve become. They’ve turned off their phones for the duration of the Games to keep their focus.
Driver Nico Walther, Kevin Kuske, Alexander Roediger and Eric Franke of Germany start their heat on the first day of four-man bobsled competition at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018.
Bobsled Rematch: Germany vs Canada
After four heats of two-man bobsled, German pilot Francesco Friedrich and Canadian pilot Justin Kripps finished in a dead heat, sharing the gold medal. Now, in the four-man, they’ll get one more shot to prove who’s the world’s best bobsled pilot.
Two other German pilots -- Johannes Lochner and Nico Walther-- are strong, and Latvia’s Oskars Melbardis, the reigning silver medalist in the four-man bobsled, led his two-man sled to bronze.
Friedrich’s sled finished on top after the first two heats Saturday, while Kripps’ finished fourth, 0.58 seconds behind Friedrich’s 1:37.55 combined time. South Korean pilot Yun-jong Won finished second behind Friedrich, while Walther’s team finished third.
The Americans to watch: Codie Bascue, Justine Olsen, who had an emergency appendectomy after he arrived in South Korea, and Nick Cunningham.
Watch live on NBC primetime beginning at 8 p.m. or ET Saturday or on digital platforms at at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday.
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The Olympic rings on display at Gyeongpo Beach.
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The NBC10 Boston crew in Pyeongchang.
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Olympic silver medalist for luge Chris Mazdzer with NBC10 reporter Audrey Asistio.
Olympic silver medalist for luge Chris Mazdzer poses with NBC10 Boston Photographer Jim O'Halloran
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Audrey and Annalisa Drew
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Annalisa Drew competing in the women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe competition.
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Fans supporting Andover's own Annalisa Drew.
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Brian Shactman interviewing Hilary Knight.
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Brian interviewing Kali Flanagan.
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Brian interviewing Kacey Bellamy.
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Brian and Bruce Beck from WNBC.
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The NBC10 Boston crew watching the U.S. Men's Hockey Team in the preliminary round at Gangneung Hockey Arena.
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Brian Shactman and Lester Holt of NBC News.
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NBC10 Boston's Audrey Asistio with U.S. Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim.
NBC10 Boston's Audrey Asistio with U.S. Olympic snowboarder Shaun White.
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NBC10 Boston's Audrey Asistio with U.S. Olympic snowboarder Arielle Gold.
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NBC10 Boston anchor Brian Shactman interviews Aimee Buchanan, a 24-year-old Lexington, Massachusetts, resident who skated for Team Israel
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Figure skating teams practice ahead of the competition
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Teams take the ice to practice ahead of the competition
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The arena where team event ice dancing short program took place in Pyeongchang
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Some of the Winter Game sponsors include McDonald's, Coca-Cola, and Omega.
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NBC10 Boston arrived in South Korea as Pyeongchang geared up for the Winter Olympics.
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An early look at the slopes in South Korea.
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Workers setting up a sports sculpture near the mountain venues of South Korea before the Pyeongchang Games.
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Workers setting up a sports sculpture near the mountain venues of South Korea before the Pyeongchang Games.
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A memorial in South Korea is in the last place citizens are allowed to stop before getting to the Korean Demilitarized Zone along the border that separates the country from North Korea.
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A memorial in South Korea is in the last place citizens are allowed to stop before getting to the Korean Demilitarized Zone along the border that separates the country from North Korea.
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A memorial in South Korea is in the last place citizens are allowed to stop before getting to the Korean Demilitarized Zone along the border that separates the country from North Korea.
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A memorial in South Korea is in the last place citizens are allowed to stop before getting to the Korean Demilitarized Zone along the border that separates the country from North Korea.
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Peace ribbons on the South Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone are hung as a tribute to loved ones lost.
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Entrance to an Army hospital at the U.S. Army's Yongsan Garrison in Seoul.
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The United States Forces Korea headquarters, also known as the "White House," at Yongsan Garrison, with the Seoul Tower in the background.
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Media members waiting to interview service members at Yongsan Garrison.
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Media members waiting to interview service members at Yongsan Garrison.
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Brian Shactman and Audrey Asistio near hockey arena in Coastal Cluster area.
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Brian Shactman and Audrey Asistio near hockey arena in Coastal Cluster area.
Audrey Asistio is reporting live for the 4, 5 and 6 p.m. NBC10 Boston newscasts, which are 6, 7 and 8 a.m. Korean time
The Team Korea House has a little area where you can dress in elegant Korean attire worn by royalty.
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Men’s hockey team picture day at the Gangneung Hockey Center
Team USA men's hockey on the ice for picture day
NBC10 Boston's Audrey Asistio with Pittsfield, Massachusetts native and men's singles luge Silver Medalist Chris Mazdzer.
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Audrey Asistio got an up-close look at the men's singles luge competition.
NBC10 Boston's Brian Shactman with U.S. Olympic snowboarder Jamie Anderson.
Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie are in PyeongChang for the Winter Olympics, broadcasting at the "Coastal Cluster," right outside the main hockey arena.
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The Today Show hosts taking it all in on the plaza in South Korea.
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Team USA figure skaters were guests after taking bronze in the team competition.
Audrey Asistio had a great view for the women's snowboarding halfpipe finals.
Team USA pride visible in the stands!
NBC10 Boston’s View From Pyeongchang
Throughout these Winter Games NBC10 Boston reporters Audrey Asistio, JC Monahan, and Brian Shactman have been documenting their experiences in Pyeongchang. They’ve been chronicling their interactions and observations through text, photos, and video. View the Olympic experience through their eyes.
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PARK CITY, UT - SEPTEMBER 25: Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin poses for a portrait during the Team USA Media Summit ahead of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games on September 25, 2017 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
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Annalisa Drew is a freestyle skier who specializes in the halfpipe. Drew is a two-time Olympian (2014, 2018) and is a Andover, Massachusetts native. She attended the University of Maine.
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Meghan Duggan is an ice hockey forward and a three-time Olympian (2010, 2014, 2018) Duggan captained the 2014 team. She earned silver medals in 2010 and 2014 and is a Danvers, Massachusetts. native.
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Steve Langton is competing in the bobsled event. Langton won bronze medals in the four-man bobsled and the two-man bobsled events at the 2014 Winter Games and also competed at the 2010 Olympics. He grew up in Melrose, Massachusetts. and graduated from Northeastern University, where captained the track and field team.
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Jared Goldberg is competing in alpine skiing at his second Winter Olympics (2014, 2018). Goldberg was born in Boston.
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Alex Shibutani is competing in ice dancing at his second Winter Olympics (2014, 2018). Shibutani's partner is his sister Maia. He was born in Boston and enjoys following the local sports teams.
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Eric Loughran is a freestyle skier who will compete in aerials at the Winter Games. Loughran was born in Lowell, Massachusetts. and lives in Pelham, New Hampshire.
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Bobby Butler is an ice hockey forward who is competing in his first Olympics. Butler is a native of Marlborough, Massachusetts. and attended the University of New Hampshire.
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Chris Bourque is an ice hockey forward who is competing in his first Olympics. Bourque was born in Boston, grew up in North Reading, Massachusetts and played hockey at Boston University. His father Ray is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and played for Canada in the 1998 Olympics.
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John McCarthy is an ice hockey forward who is competing in his first Olympics. He is a native of Boston and played hockey at Boston University where he co-captained the NCAA Championship team in the 2008-09 season.
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Ryan Donato is an ice hockey forward who is competing in his first Olympics. Donato was born in Boston and grew up in Scituate, Massachusetts. He played hockey at Harvard, where he was coached by his father Ted, who played 13 seasons in the NHL and Team USA at the 1992 Olympics.
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Cayla Barnes is an ice hockey defender who is competing in her first Olympics. Barnes attended New Hampton School in New Hampshire and played hockey at Boston College.
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Megan Keller is an ice hockey defender who is competing in her first Olympics. Keller played hockey at Boston College.
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Kali Flanagan is an ice hockey defender who is competing in her first Olympics. Flanagan grew up in Burlington, Massachusetts and played hockey at Boston College.
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Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin, a native of Colorado, attended Burke Mountain Academy in East Burke, Vermont. She is competing in her second Olympics after taking home the gold for slalom in Sochi 2014.
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Nick Alexander is a ski jumper and a three-time Olympian (2010, 2014, 2018). Alexander is a native of Lebanon, New Hampshire.
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Sean Doherty is competing in biathlon at his second Winter Games (2014, 2018). Doherty is a native of Center Conway, New Hampshire.
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Will Rhoads is a ski jumper competing in his first Olympics. Rhoads was born in Concord, New Hampshire.
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Mac Bohonnon is a freestyle skier competing in aerials and is a two-time Olympian (2014, 2018). Bohonnon was born in New Haven, Connecticut and grew up in Madison.
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Lindsey Jacobellis is a snowboarder specializing in snowboardcross and a four-time Olympian (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018). Jacobellis won a silver medal at the 2006 Olympics. She was born in Danbury, Connecticut and went to Stratton Mountain School in Vermont.
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Tucker West is competing in luge and is a two-time Olympian (2014, 2018). West is a native of Ridgefield, Connecticut.
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Sophie Caldwell is a cross-country skier and two-time Olympian (2014, 2018). Caldwell is from Peru, Vermont and was a five-time All-America and graduate from Dartmouth in 2012. Her cousin, New Hampshire native Patrick Caldwell, is making his first Olympic appearance.
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Cross-country skier Patrick Caldwell is a native of Lebanon, New Hampshire, who attended Stratton Mountain School in Vermont and Dartmouth College. He is competing in his first Olympics. His cousin, Vermont native and two-time Olympian Sophie Caldwell, is a cross-country teammate in Pyeongchang.
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Kelly Clark is a snowboarder specializing in the halfpipe. This Olympics will mark Clark's fifth appearance at the Winter Games (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018). Clark won gold in 2002 and bronze in 2010 and 2014. She was born in Newport, Rhode Island and graduated from Mount Snow Academy in Vermont.
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Susan Dunklee is competing in biathlon and is a two-time Olympian (2014, 2018). Dunklee was born in Newport, Vermont and lives in Barton. She garaduated from Dartmouth in 2008 with a degree in ecology. Her father, Stan Dunklee, competed in the 1976 and 1980 Olympics as a cross country skier.
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Emily Dreissigacker is competing in biathlon at the 2018 Olympics. Dreissigacker makes her home in Morrisville, Vermont.
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Nolan Kasper is an alpine skier and three-time Olympian (2010, 2014, 2018). Kasper makes his home in Warren, Vermont and graduated from Dartmouth with an economics degree in 2017.
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Devin Logan is a freestyle skier and will be competing in halfpipe and slopestyle at the Winter Games. Logan is a two-time Olympian (2014, 2018) who won a silver medal in slopestyle at the 2014 Olympics. She makes her home in West Dover, Vermont and went to Mount Snow Academy.
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Andy Newell is a cross-country skier and four-time Olympian (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018). Newell's hometown is Shaftsbury, Vermont and he attended high school at Stratton Mountain School.
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Ida Sargent is a cross-country skier and two-time Olympian (2014, 2018). Sargent makes her home in Craftsbury, Vermont and graduated from Dartmouth in 2011 with degrees in biology and psychology.
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Liz Stephen is a cross-country skier and three-time Olympian (2010, 2014, 2018). Stephen is a native of East Montpelier, Vermont and attended Burke Mountain Academy in East Burke.
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Simi Hamilton is a cross-country skier and three-time Olympian (2010, 2014, 2018). Hamilton was a three-time All-American at Middlebury College in Vermont.
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Hilary Knight is an ice hockey forward and a three-time Olympian (2010, 2014, 2018). Knight won silver at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics. She attended high school at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut and plays professional hockey with the Boston Pride.
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Jessie Diggins is a cross-country skier and two-time Olympian (2014, 2018). Diggins is a resident of Stratton, Vermont.
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Alex Gamelin is an ice dancer competing for South Korea at the Winter Games. Gamelin was born in Boston and previously competed internationally for the USA with his twin sister before getting dual citizenship. His current partner is Yura Min from California, who also has dual citizenship.
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Lowell Bailey is competing in biathlon and is a four-time Olympian (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018). Bailey graduated from the University of Vermont in 2005.
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Emerson Smith is a freestyle skier competing in moguls at the Winter Games. Smith's hometown is Dover, Vermont.
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Alice Merryweather is an alpine skier competing in her first Olympics. Merryweather is from Hingham, Massachusetts and attended Stratton Mountain School and Dartmouth College.
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Jonathan Cheever is competing in snowboardcross at his first Olympics. Cheever is a native of Saugus, Massachusetts and attended Malden Catholic High School and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He works during the summer as a licensed plumber.
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Troy Murphy is a freestyle skier competing in his first Olympics. Murphy is a native of Bethel, Maine.
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Zachary Donohue (pictured with Madison Hubbell) is a figure skater specializing in ice dance. He is competing in his first Olympics. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and is a native of Madison.
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Mark Arcobello is an ice hockey forward and first-time Olympian from Milford, Connecticut. He attended Yale University.
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Julia Marino is a snowboarder specializing in slopestyle and big air. A native of Westport, Connecticut, she is competing in her first Olympics.
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Kiley McKinnon is a freestyle skier who specializes in aerials. The native of Madison, Connecticut, born in New Haven, is competing in her first Olympics.
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Luger Emily Sweeney is a Suffield, Connecticut, native who was born in Portland, Maine. She is competing in her first Olympics.
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Clare Egan is a biathlete from Cape Elizabeth, Maine. She is competing in her first Olympics.
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Second-time Olympian Russell Currier first competed at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. He is a native of Stockholm, Maine.
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Kacey Bellamy, an ice hockey defenseman from Westfield, Massachusetts, who attended the University of New Hampshire and plays for the Boston Pride, is competing in her third Olympics. She previously won silver medals with Team USA in Vancouver and Sochi.
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Former NHL defenseman Noah Welch, a native of Boston's Brighton neighborhood who attended Harvard University, is competing in his first Olympics for USA Hockey.
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Snowboarder Mike Trapp, who competes in parallel slalom and giant parallel slalom, is a native of Barnstable, Massachusetts, partaking in his first Olympics.
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Broc Little, an ice hockey forward, is a first-time Olympian for Team USA. He attended Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, as well as Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
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Caroline Claire, a freestyle skier who specializes in slopestyle, is competing in her first Olympics. She is a native of Manchester, Vermont, who attended Stratton Mountain School in that state.
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Alpine skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle, a native of Starksboro, Vermont, is competing in his first Olympics, but he comes from a long line of Olympic skiers. His mother earned a gold medal in 1972, and his family operates Cochran's Ski Club.
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Caitlin Patterson, a cross-country skier from Craftsbury, Vermont, is competing in her first Olympics. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 2012, two years before her brother, Scott Patterson, who is also a cross-country skier making his Olympic debut in Pyeongchang.
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Ice hockey Amanda Pelkey (left) was born and raised in Montpelier, Vermont. She attended the North American Hockey Academy in Stowe, as well as the University of Vermont, and plays for the Boston Pride. She is competing in her first Olympics.
