NBC10 Boston's View From Pyeongchang

NBC10 Boston reporters Audrey Asistio, JC Monahan, and Brian Shactman are reporting from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. Throughout their time at the Winter Games they'll be sharing their observations.

Feb. 23

Audrey Asistio

It was another glorious day here in South Korea. This time, my workspace was the beach — Gyeongpo Beach. And it was a beautiful day to be out there.

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It was warmer, the sun was shining and everyone was in good spirits. The beach had the Olympic rings in the middle of the sand. Perfect place to take photos.

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The beach also had a lot of massive sculptures scattered on the sand. They are pieces of artwork for the Fire Art Fiesta. Every week, some are set on fire in the name of art. You’re also able to take part in the Fiesta. They allow everyone to write a wish down on a piece of paper, fold it up and tie it onto a rope.

During the Winter Olympics closing ceremony, all of the wishes will also be set on fire, so the wishes may come true. I hope it works! :)

Look who we found in PyeongChang! A couple who flew to South Korea from Stoneham, MA! Joe and Ellice arrived here earlier this week to enjoy the Winter Olympics in person. They connected with me after watching one of our NBC10 Boston newscasts.

They have never been to South Korea before and it sounds like they’re having a blast seeing so many events. They told me tomorrow, they plan to take a train to Seoul and tour the DMZ. Such an adventurous couple. I enjoyed meeting them!

Brian Shactman

People ask me: What was your highlight of the Olympics?

I can’t provide a single answer.

I spoke with a man from the Indian Himalayas in his sixth Olympics as a luge athlete.

I spent time with an MIT grad from Brookline racing skeleton for Israel.

I sat down with an American cross-country skier with little chance of even skiing in the games, yet she was happy as can be to be an Olympian (Her name is Anne Hart).

I saw Mikaela Shiffrin elated.

I saw Mikaela Shiffrin devastated.

And I saw Jesse Diggins, gold medalist, spend 10 minutes with a Boston reporter just hours before she was named the flag bearer for Closing Ceremony.

That reporter was me.

Diggins was polite, respectful and sincere.

But on the snow, she is FIERCE.

SHE is my highlight of the Olympics.

Why?

She didn’t ask for fame. She didn’t ask for so many interviews that she lost her voice. She still showed up and talked with to me — giving REAL answers.

Nope, Jesse Diggins doesn’t want all that. She doesn’t even live and die by the gold medal.

She wants to race.

Jesse Diggins wants to see how much her body can withstand — and still excel.

A month ago, a year ago, you had never heard of her.

But after winning Team USA’s first ever cross-country gold, I hope you never forget her.

Putting contemporary politics aside, if you need to look at a great American - smart, confident yet humble ... just look at Jesse Diggins.

Polite ... nice ... and FIERCE.

Feb. 22

Audrey Asistio

I got a chance to watch Hingham native, Alice Merryweather, compete in Alpine Super Combined today! It was great seeing the 21-year-old take part.

You might remember, she was one of the last athletes to make the Olympic team after someone else was injured. She was such a sweetheart and her parents were wonderful as well.

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I remember, when it was her turn for the downhill, her famous teammates Lindsey Vonn and Michaela Shiffrin were in the mixed zone. They stopped everything in their tracks just to watch her and were screaming her name, cheering her on. That was nice to see.

Alice isn’t just talented on the slopes. She’s really smart as well! She told me, after the Olympics, she will compete in one more competition before heading back to New England to attend Dartmouth. Impressive.

Feb. 22

JC Monahan

I came to my first Olympics with no expectations. I had no idea what I would see, where I would go, who I would meet, or how I would feel being half a world away for close to a month. Now that my time is coming to an end, I can say it was one of the most exhilarating, exhausting and eye-opening experiences in my life.

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It’s difficult to pick a moment, a person or place that is the true highlight. The joys range from watching Saugus native Jonathan Cheever take his first Olympic run in the snowboard cross to hanging with members of the U.S. Alpine ski team, cheering on the cross-country skiers. Meeting tourists and journalists from other countries, learning a bit about Korean culture and taking the long drive to the Alpine center in the mountains of Jeongseon will be just some of the memories I take with me.

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Not everyone gets the chance to be present for the Olympics but I can say for sure, we can all be part of the Olympic experience. Cheering from the couch, caring about the athletes and taking pride in what our country has achieved are as important and significant as actually being at the games. But if you have the opportunity to attend, to see these men and women up close, athletes who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of perfection, take it. There is truly nothing like witnessing what the human mind and body can achieve when you give it absolutely everything you have. Thank you, South Korea, for your hospitality. It has been a trip of a lifetime.

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Feb. 22

Brian Shactman

It was NUTS at Olympic Plaza tonight. A slew of Olympians came to the TODAY Show, including the entire women’s hockey team.

Mikaela Shiffrin was there. Lindsey Vonn. Bobsledders. Speed skaters.

It was a charged and fun environment.

I will say, however, I have a new level of respect for the big stars here. EVERYONE wants a picture. EVERYONE wants an interview.

If an athlete doesn’t say something thoughtful or pose for a picture, that person might post something negative. What if it goes viral? That’s a problem.

For that reason, the athletes must be exhausted — not from competition. It rather from being perfect in public all the time.

In my opinion, a good handler (agent, USOC, whatever) needs to protect these people and do it in a way that doesn’t put anything on the athlete. If you get mad st anyone, get mad at the handler, not the athlete.

Regardless, it was fun to be around this group and see how excited everyone was to meet each other.

Feb. 21

Brian Shactman

I never did catch his name. I know he works for a Slovakian television station because I first met him when the U.S. Men’s Hockey team played Slovakia. I was in the mixed zone as he was watching and waiting like me.

First — the “mixed zone”: That’s the place where the athletes “mix” with the media. There is a barrier separating the two groups but all players are SUPPOSED to go by. It is SUPPOSED to be organized.

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Basically, you try and get the athlete you want and hope they stop. A group of international professionals try and help, but often, it is catch as catch can.

Anyway, we started talking about the game, and I knew he worked for a Slovakian network because he kept saying “our team” and he was part of a tv crew.

I said, “Good game” and good bye.

Nice guy - probably never see him again.

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Flash forward to the following day for the U.S.-Czech Republic game. He was there again. The Czechs and Slovaks were once countrymen so maybe some of the Czech Republic was in his viewing area! I don’t know why he was there.

We say hello, and he leans over and says, “I bet that guy 10 Euros that Terry would score,” and he smiled.

Troy Terry plays for Team USA.

Sadly, he did not score and the U.S. was knocked out of the road tournament.

For me, I like making friends in the mixed zone, especially ones I’d never get the chance to meet had I not covered these Olympic Games.

Feb. 20

Audrey Asistio

Talk about an intense moment! Andover’s pride Annalisa Drew did amazing in the women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe competition today. She had three fantastic runs and scored high, but it wasn’t enough for her to win a medal.

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It was actually her U.S. teammate and Olympic roommate who bumped her off the podium. But, it’s Annalisa’s grace and sportsmanship many are talking about today. After Annalisa learned she didn’t medal, she gave her teammate the biggest hug.

We also talked to Annalisa after the competition. She clearly showed no hard feelings, saying she was proud of her teammates and that "they’re family."

I also saw her fighting spirit during our conversation. When I asked her, "what’s next?" She said, "ready for more competitions."

I’m excited to see what’s next for her. I’m sure only great things.

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Were you able to see Pittsfield’s pride Chris Mazdzer win silver during the Winter Olympics? He became the first ever U.S. man to win a medal in men’s singles luge. It was incredible to see his years of hard work finally pay off. I met him in Lake Placid several months ago when he competed in the World Cup Finals. He wasn’t very happy the last time we spoke in Lake Placid because he had just placed 8th in the competition, despite giving it his very best.

After he won silver in the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, I asked him what he did differently this time around. He said he went into the competition with a mindset of “go big or go home.” And that definitely paid off.

We got to catch up with him recently to talk about how his life has been since his big win. He says he’s been extremely busy because of so many press events. He actually just flew back to the U.S. to conduct a number of interviews there. He then plans to fly all the way back to South Korea to take part in the Winter Olympics closing ceremony on Sunday.

I’ve got to say, Mazdzer is a really nice guy who loves his sport. Since Lake Placid, he was always more than willing to teach and talk all about Luge. And, when we were conducting our latest interview, he encouraged our NBC10 Boston crew to hold his medal, even wear it if we wanted. The medal is really heavy! And when people came up to him to ask for a photo, he let them to hold his medal as well.

He says he plans to do what he loves for another 4 years. See you at the next Winter Olympics, Mazdzer!

Feb. 19

Brian Shactman

I get nervous during games. It doesn’t matter if it's my kids' Little League game or an Olympic hockey game.

My nervousness is not noticeable to most people. The reason is that I have two masking mechanisms.

First, I talk a lot. I break down the game. I notice the nuances to the music selections. I people watch and give a play-by-play of what I see.

And I also eat. Constantly.

Here is what I brought to the men’s hockey game. It was an elimination game, so I brought a little extra.

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And I ate it all... except the onions on the sandwich.

My two outlets to deal why.

Feb. 18

Brian Shactman

Fans are the best.

If you are going to travel halfway around the world, you might as well get your money’s worth.

At the U.S.-Finland women’s ice hockey semifinal game, fans on both sides dressed the part. Honestly, the Finland hockey Jersey is awesome. Who doesn’t like the red, white and blue?

When Team USA takes on Canada late Wednesday night (in the eastern time zone), it won’t be all smiles.

It’ll be the for the gold medal, and the latest chapter in what I think is the most underrated rivalry in sports.

Feb. 18 

JC Monahan: 

We’re all working hard here in South Korea and no one really wants to take a day off (no joke! Work here is fun!). But I want to be smart, this is a marathon not a sprint, so I accepted a day off yesterday and it was fantastic. 

First, the little things… waking up without an alarm!  It’s been more than three weeks since I’ve been able to do that.  No make-up!  That’s right, I spent the day au-natural… not my best look but it was freeing.  I did laundry.  Not exactly exciting but the smell of fresh clothes was and is a treat.  The Korean volunteers at the self-serve laundromat were incredibly helpful, considering all the buttons are in Korean. 

There was a small Korean fair set up outside the media dining hall.  I was convinced to try my hand at a Korean game known as Tuhonori.  You throw arrows into a narrow vase for points.  I only landed one out of five but that was enough to earn me a prize, a pink bunny holding a heart.  My youngest daughter has already told me she wants it for her backpack.

I took a walk around Gangneung and found lots to like. I made it to the athletes village, where teams hang their flags from the windows of their rooms.  It was cool to look up and see all the different countries represented.  It took me forever but I finally found an ATM that takes foreign cards.

My kids want me to bring home Won, plus most stores here only take Visa or cash in the form of Won. Did you know Korean currency is the only in the world to have the faces of a mother and son on it? 

I found a lovely little park and noticed, while the architecture of the buildings is rather austere {lots of cement rectangular apartment buildings), the landscaping is beautiful.  It’s winter, so there’s not much color but you can tell it will be a lovely place to spend time in the Spring and Summer. 

Finally, I spent a little time at the Czech House.  Each country has a “home” for their athletes, that also showcases their country.  Some are open to the public, like the Czech house.  It was fun to be with people from all over the world, learning about a country I knew very little about.

Back to work today. Thanks again for watching our coverage. It’s been a pleasure bringing you the stories of these incredible athletes.  

Feb. 16

JC Monahan:

The Winter Olympics are filled with high speed, adrenaline-pumping, dangerous sports. Except one: curling. You've probably seen it. Sheets of ice, teams of two or four people, a curling "stone" and a lot of "sweeping." It's gaining popularity in the U.S., with curling clubs popping up everywhere (there are a few in Massachusetts).

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The object is to get closest to the "button," or center, of the bullseye. It takes strategy to outmaneuver your opponent. That's where it gets fun. Like chess, it's about thinking two, three moves ahead. People we spoke with said it's relaxing to watch and fun to see the athletes strategize. Sure, a few people told us they’d rather watch the more intense Olympic sports but curling has plenty of fans. There's even an Olympic curling pillow for sale in the Super Store. Team USA Olympic curler Becca Hamilton told us if you give the sport a chance, you will get hooked. There are many more matches left here in Pyeongchang. Plenty of time for you to get "hooked."

Feb. 15

Audrey Asistio:

Hello from Pyeongchang! It is Friday, Feb. 16. It is still Feb. 15 for all of you in the U.S., which means it is technically still my birthday! Thank you all for the greetings on social media. It means a lot. Today brought us beautiful weather. It is sunny and a lot warmer out here today. I actually didn’t need to wear my heavy jacket out! That's huge!

Yesterday was also a big day, as I got to watch Mikaela Shiffrin win gold in the giant slalom competition. After waiting several days for her Pyeongchang debut, due to weather delays, she did fantastic! She was so excited, after the competition, she hopped over barriers to reach her boyfriend and give him a big bear hug. What an exciting moment.

JC Monahan:

I met Team USA's Jonathan Cheever in January at his parents' home in Saugus, Massachusetts. He was an early qualifier in men's snowboard cross for the Olympics. At 32 years old, this would be his Olympic debut. His parents traveled for 19 hours to get to South Korea to see this moment. I spoke with them the day before Jonathan competed and they couldn't have been more excited. They had seen him at Opening Ceremony and were clearly loving the experience of being the parents of an Olympic athlete. How many people can say that? He seeded 19th, which, he told me, was a comfortable spot for him. He mentioned how fast the course was, at one point tracking his speed at 55 mph. Remember, in the first heat, there are five snowboarders racing at once. The top three move on to the next round. One mistake by a competitor and it could take you down, as well. We saw it many times while we waited at the bottom to see Jonathan. It was close. So close, but Jonathan missed qualifying by just four hundredths of a second. Not even a full second! As he said to me, one small mistake and your day is over.

It was clear he was disappointed — who wouldn't be? But he was also accepting.

"If finishing in the top 30 at the Olympics is my biggest complaint, it's a pretty good day," he said.

Thank you, Jonathan, Doreen and Mark Cheever for letting me go along with you for this amazing ride. By the way, Jonathan is on to the World Cup in Barcelona the end of this month, so no doubt, we will be seeing much more of him ahead. Go Team Cheever!

Feb. 14

JC Monahan:

I’ve been a meteorologist a long time, seen a lot of weather but yesterday in South Korea was one of the strangest I’ve ever experienced. The day started as it usually does… cold and dry, a little sun. When I stepped out for my 11 p.m. live shot (1:00 p.m. Wednesday in Korea), the winds were howling. I was on the second level of our building and I watched as security fences were ripped apart, signs flew off the walls and smaller tents collapsed.

An hour or so later, I walked to the curling center. I had to turn my back to the wind just to stand up. Over the loud speaker came an announcement… it’s not safe to be outside. We were asked to find shelter in a secure building. Many of the set-ups here are tents. Strong, large tents but just that, tents.

They wanted us to go to buildings where competitions were being held. So, we watched curling. I’m fascinated by the sport. How did it become a sport? Why is it a sport and what the heck is all that sweeping about? (I’ll have a story on that coming up Thursday at 7 p.m).

Hours later, after a bus ride back to the media village where I live, the winds were still howling with such strength I thought I heard someone yelling “Toto! Where are you Toto?” It crossed my mind, a few clicks of my heels and maybe I would be home. But no, this was no tornado. According to a local woman I spoke with, this is typical weather here in PyeongChang. It’s such a mountainous region, winds race through the canyons and temperature variations can create their own mini weather systems (yes, I logged on and checked out the Korean weather maps. There was nothing. Nada. No storm producing the gusts). I snapped a few photos that I’ll share here.

Feb. 13

Brian Shactman:

There’s an old saying in journalism: Don’t cheer in the press box.

The point is basic. The journalist’s job is to report the news, to tell the story. It is not their job to root for a person, team or outcome.

The Olympics, however, present a problem for this ethos.

For one, if Americans win, it’s a better story. Period. Full stop.

Secondly, the spirit of the Games, whether contrived or not, FEELS real a lot here.

When it comes to snowboarder Shaun White, his story has not always been compelling to me. He was talented, of course. But in Sochi, he seemed more corporate than passionate. It turns out, there was some truth to that, and perhaps, his fourth-place finish represented that.

Now, in his 30’s, White is a story of redemption. He competes because he loves it again. He is honest in his interactions with the media.

And here it is: It’s difficult NOT to root for him. As a person. As a personal story. As an American.

I couldn’t go to the mountains today because Mikaela Shiffrin’s slalom race was postponed due to wind. The same was true for a lot of us who had assignments in the mountains. So, as we prepared our live reports, we watched the men’s snowboard halfpipe.

We saw his first run – looked better than the score showed.

We watched him fall in his second run.

And as he high fived his team at the top of the halfpipe, the newsroom fell silent.

Then, as clean trick after clean trick flashed on our screens, the newsroom erupted with... cheers. And it didn’t feel wrong.

Audrey Asistio:

Hello! It is Tuesday in PyeongChang, South Korea! Today by far has to be the coolest day I’ve had here. I somehow got the best assignment to cover the women’s halfpipe finals. I’ve never seen the event in person before, and I have to say, I’m still pinching myself. Seeing the snowboarders fly into the air like they do is surreal. The TV doesn’t do the competition justice. Chloe Kim crushed her runs, winning gold! She was unbelievable. Definitely lived up to the hype! Team USA’s Arielle Gold also did amazing, snatching bronze.

Media from all over the world is required to stay in the “mixed zone” during the competition, which, in this case, was the best seat in the house. We were right up front and center.

After the competition, the athletes are required to walk through the mixed zone and speak to us. First, Arielle Gold. She was so sweet.

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Then we were waiting awhile for gold medalist Chloe Kim. We weren’t sure what was going on. Turns out, according to someone with her, she really had to use the restroom. We also later learned that Chloe was really “hangry.” So by the time she got out to media and began talking to us, she already had ice cream available for her. She eventually started eating it while still conducting her interviews. She’s so funny. Love her.

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When I finished my interview with Chloe, finished with a selfie of course, and we were leaving the venue, we heard fans yelling, “Shaun White! Shaun White!”

Then, I see a snowboarder sliding down the slope. He stops right in front of me, takes off his goggles and face mask and sure enough, it was snowboarding sensation Shaun White! He gives several fans high fives. I’m there panicking, questioning, “Do I ask?”

Well, I do. I ask him for a selfie. He agrees to take one.

And there you go! Mind blown, day complete. Three selfies with the best snowboarders in the world! Pinch me someone…

Feb. 12

Brian Shactman:

Ten days in and down to my last pair. Time for laundry.

For a small city housing 6,000 members of the media, we have one laundromat.

They DO have laundry service to ship it, but it takes three days and they don’t take underwear.

We buy the detergent and everything else is “free”. You get the “air” quotes because what it costs is time. I want to be out there covering the Olympics but the dryers don’t work that well so I have my clothes (one load) spread out over four dryers.

Interesting to note: Every few minutes, they stop and go the other way — just like public skating when I was a kid.

I asked the lovely young woman assisting me, “why?”

“I don’t know.”

Anyway, the lovely minutiae of life abroad.

Several nice things to report:

First, Jamie Anderson, who won gold in snowboard slope style, was still beaming hours later after leaving the Today Show set.

What I find fascinating is that when I covered her in Sochi four years ago, she was a free-spirited young woman, seizing the moment and not thinking about much else.

Talking to her at 11 p.m. on a Monday night after she won gold, she seemed more grown up, more contemplative.

It’s a little different with Mikaela Shiffrin — but not much.

Four years later, you can’t be ignorant of the attention, the global stage ... and the pressure.

We will see Wednesday if Shiffrin handles it as well as Anderson. Past precedent indicates she will.

Audrey Asistio:

Hello and happy Monday from the Winter Games in South Korea!

I am off today! It will be the only day I’ll take off for the entire month as we bring you the Winter Games from PyeongChang!

It actually works out perfectly, because I’m still recovering from a split shift and last night’s amazing men’s singles luge competition. If you didn’t already hear, history was made last night by our very own Pittsfield, Massachusetts, native Chris Mazdzer! He won the silver medal! He is the first U.S. athlete to ever win a medal in men’s singles luge.

I got a chance to speak with him after his big win. As you could imagine, it hadn’t sunk in for him yet, but he was thrilled. I’m so happy for him! Hearing his family and friends chanting “U-S-A” after his win got me teary eyed. It surely was a special moment for Chris, his family and our country.

So what should I do on my free day? Talk soon! 

Feb. 11

JC Monahan:

Yesterday, my photographer Sean Colahan and I went up to the Mountain Cluster, about an hour away from where we work at the coast.

We chose a bitterly cold day, with wind chills WELL below zero. I can honestly say, it was a cold unlike anything I have ever felt. I took my hand out of my glove to use my phone (Yes, I know there are touch-screen gloves, but my very warm mittens don’t have the technology) and in less than a minute, I had shooting pain in my fingers.

It’s about a thirty minute walk from the entrance to the cross country ski event where we found a large crowd, despite the cold. We came across members of the US Men’s downhill ski team cheering on the US men’s cross country team at their first race. They couldn’t have been nicer and so excited to be a part of the Olympic experience.

I must say, being around them and the energetic crowd, was a ton of fun. We even forgot about the cold, for a little while.

I’ll have the story from the mountain coming up Monday on our 7pm newscast. Until then, please keep in touch FB: jcmonahan Twitter: @jc_nbcboston Instagram: JCMonahantv Hope to hear from you soon!

Brian Shactman:

Today was a day full of classic Olympic spirit.

Aimee Buchanan is a 24-year old from Lexington, Massachusetts. She’s a figure skater competing under the Israeli flag.

She did one event — ONE. She skated in the short program of the team competition.

Three minutes of Olympic glory, and she nailed it. She finished 10th, but she still nailed it.

"To skate my best short program of the year, here, that was my Olympic moment," she said afterward with a massive smile.

There was a moment, on the ice when she finished, Aimee simply raised her arms and exhaled with joy.

It was moving to watch.

No medals. Three minutes. And a lifetime memory.

"I’ve worked so hard and had such a tough year," she said. "It was amazing."

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Then, there was Red Gerard.

When I went to the figure skating event, he was in last place in the snowboard slope style. When I got back, the 17-year old was a gold medalist.

A few people in the newsroom huddled by a monitor to watch the video of the winning run.

It was slow to start, creative but not moving. By the time he soared off the final jump, spinning with only the sky above him visible, we all whooped. You couldn’t help it.

When he smoothly stuck the landing, you could see why he basically doubled his score from the previous round. He was perfect.

On a day like this, gold was perfect ... but so was 10th place.

Feb. 10

Audrey Asistio:

Hello my friends and hello weekend! My day started off with a panic! My phone didn’t charge over night so it died and my alarm didn’t go off. I woke up an hour late! Fortunately, I still had a little time to get ready, run to the shuttle stop, catch a ride to the NBC Workspace then pass through security and walk to our live shot location. I fortunately made my live shot, thank goodness! Whew! Close call.

Once I finished reporting live for the 4, 5 and 6 p.m. NBC10 Boston newscasts, which are 6, 7 and 8 a.m. Korean time, I went to the Superstore to buy more souvenirs.

That was my third trip! Don’t tell my husband. I also caught up with some of you through Facebook Live to show you the technology inside the store. Pretty cool, huh?

Highlight of my day was visiting the Team Korea House for the first time. It was INCREDIBLE inside.

They have a little area where you can dress in elegant Korean attire worn by royalty.

They also have an area where you can test your K-Pop dance moves! Yes, I tried dancing Gangnam Style. I think I blinded people in the process.

I also had a bit of a K-Pop star sighting while outside the building. I think the group’s name is BTOB. There were fans all over trying to get a quick photo of them. I got video of the top of their heads! :)

I had another incredible day here. Tomorrow, I will be at the men’s luge competition. Wishing Chris Mazdzer and Tucker West all the luck!

Talk tomorrow!

Feb. 9

JC Monahan:

Got off to a bit of a rough start this morning. Our bus from the village where we live was about 45 minutes late. So there my photographer and I stood, along with more than a dozen other members of the media… freezing. Yes, it really is THAT cold here in Pyeongchang. You can check out my Facebook Live I posted on my site while waiting this morning. It’s only about a 15-minute ride to our workspace and what’s called “The Coastal Cluster” so, thankfully, we made it in time to get our work done and get on the air for the 7 p.m. newscast. The real trick is getting to the mountain location. That requires a bus change and a one hour ride. Plus, it’s at least 15 degrees colder there. The athletes are doing what they can to stay warm and adjust to the climate. I have a feeling this could benefit our hometown team! Headed out today to check out the corporate sponsors, Their logos dominate the landscape. I’ll have that story for you coming up next week. I’ll keep you posted! Stay in touch through Twitter @jc_NBCBoston or Facebook JC Monahan or on Instagram at jcmonahantv (Tough to keep track of it all). I will do my best to get back to you!

Feb. 8

Audrey Asistio:

Hello from PyeongChang, South Korea! I’ve been having an amazing time bringing you all things Winter Olympics on NBC10 Boston. We got here on Saturday and have been working nonstop ever since. The highlight so far on this trip for me has to be touring the Demilitarized Zone.

If you didn’t catch my stories about the DMZ on NBC10 Boston News at 5 and 6 p.m., make sure you check them out on our website. It was an absolutely incredible, informative experience. I still get chills reliving it.

My shift in South Korea is pretty interesting since there is a 14-hour time difference. I will be reporting live for the 5 and 6 p.m. NBC10 Boston newscasts EST. In Korea time, that is 7 and 8 a.m. the next day.

It’s a little after 11 a.m. here right now and I already finished my live shots for the day. I did a story on the incredible technology being showcased here at the Winter Olympics. The robotic fish have to be my favorite. I also gave viewers a quick tour of the Coastal Cluster in the city of Gangneung.

I then met up with Trenni Kusnierek, who is a sports anchor and reporter for NBC Sports Boston. She’s also the reporter on NBC’s curling telecasts in the Winter Olympics. She talked to us about how she got that cool gig and which team we should keep an eye on.

NBC10 Boston

Right now, I’m about 30 minutes away from heading to the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium where the Opening Ceremony will take place. Exciting!

Alright. I’ve got to get back to work. Chat tomorrow!

Feb. 8

JC Monahan:

It’s Friday here in South Korea, just getting my day started. Excited to bring you a story on Jonathan Cheever, our local snowboard athlete, set to compete for Olympic gold. Yesterday, I had the chance to interview Alice Merryweather, the final addition to the Women's US Alpine Ski team. Only 21-years-old and from Hingham, she was told she was going to the Olympics a little more than a week ago. Amazing! She is brilliant and sweet and about to embark on the journey of a lifetime. Did I mention she’s headed to Dartmouth in the spring?

Images: NBC10 Boston at the Winter Games