Massachusetts

5 to Watch: Lindsey Vonn Goes for Gold in Primetime Tonight

NBC_645_WBTS_NBC_Boston_2017_10_25_06_44_25.jpg

Lindsey Vonn gets another crack at winning her first Olympic medal since 2010, when she became the face of Team USA at the Vancouver Olympics. Elana Meyers Taylor goes after the gold medal that just eluded her four years ago. The United States hopes to win its first-ever medal in women’s cross country, and to inch closer to its first-ever medal in women’s curling.

These are the stories you need to follow in Pyeongchang over the next 24 hours:

[[474359643, C]]

Vonn Is Favorite for Alpine Downhill

Lindsey Vonn will try again for her first medal in the Pyeongchang Games in the Alpine downhill race.

Vonn became a household name when she won gold in the downhill in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. But she missed the 2014 Olympics due to injury, and she opened the Pyeongchang games with a a disappointing run in the women’s super-G, when she skied wide on a late turn and tied for sixth place. Ester Ledecka, of the Czech Republic, shocked everyone, including herself, by taking the gold.

At 33, Vonn is trying to become the oldest woman to win an Olympic Alpine medal. Italy’s Sofia Goggia, who finished first or second in all four of her downhill races in 2018, is a top competitor to watch.

American Mikaela Shiffrin pulled out of the downhill to prepare for Thursday’s Alpine combined. That’s where Vonn and Shiffrin, who already won gold in the giant slalom, could compete head-to-head.

How to Watch: Watch live during NBC’s primetime coverage on Tuesday, which begins at 8 p.m. ET, or watch on digital platforms at 9 p.m. ET Tuesday here

[[474583953, C]]

World Hockey Powers Set to Collide

It's still more than 24 hours away, but it's not too early to get excited about the gold medal matchup between Team USA and Team Canada, the preeminent women’s hockey teams in the world.

This is a case of familiarity breeding contempt, because it’s common knowledge these familiar foes do not like each other.

These ice hockey powers have matched up in four of the last five gold medal games. The U.S. beat Canada in the 1998 finals, but since then Canada has won four consecutive Olympic gold medals.

Kacey Bellamy, who is from Westfield, Massachusetts, and attended the University of New Hampshire, is quite familiar with the Canadian rivalry, as this is her third Olympics.

"The goal was to come in here and put ourselves in position to win a gold medal," Bellamy said. "We’ve improved every game and we’ll just get prepared for Thursday."

Canada beat the U.S. 2-1 in an earlier game at these Winter Games, capped by a frenzy-filled final minute when Team USA peppered the Canadian goalie, to no avail.

Burlington, Massachusetts native Kali Flanagan played at Boston College, and this is her first Olympics.

"We’re really excited," Flanagan said. "We’re exactly where we want to be Thursday (versus Canada)."

NBC10 Boston reporter Audrey Asistio has the full story on the USA women’s hockey team.

How to Watch: You can watch the game Wednesday, 11:10 p.m. ET on NBCSN, or watch on digital platforms here.

[[474583583, C]]

The Bourque Legacy Continues at the Olympics

Chris Bourque and his father Ray have both played hockey at the Olympics, but there is a distinct difference in their experiences.

Hall of Famer Ray Bourque was born in Quebec and played for the 1998 Canadian Olympic team. While Bourque was playing for the Boston Bruins, his son Chris was born in 1986, so Chris Bourque is an American citizen and now a member of the 2018 U.S. Olympic team.

Despite their different national allegiances, Ray Bourque is in Pyeongchang rooting on his son while wearing a sweatshirt with USA emblazoned on it.

"The only time you’ll see me wear it is when my kids are involved, and I’ll probably take some abuse about it," Bourque said jokingly about the sweatshirt. "But I’m all in. I want the USA to do really well and Chris to do great, so we’re cheering for them and we’re all Americans for a couple of weeks."

For NBC10 Boston reporter Brian Shactman’s full story on the Bourque family, click here.

How to Watch: U.S. men's hockey team now play again tonight at 10:10 ET against the Czech Republic in the quarterfinal on CNBC or on digital platforms here.

Meyers Taylor, Humphries Renew Rivalry on Bobsled Track

Elana Meyers Taylor has waited four years for redemption.

In Sochi in 2014, Meyers Taylor, bobsled driver for Team USA, was in first place after three of four runs. But she skidded on the final turn of that last run, and ended up 0.1 seconds behind Kaillie Humphries of Canada — who happens to be her training partner.

Humphries got gold. Meyers Taylor got silver. They’re back for another shot in Pyeongchang, and start that quest on Tuesday, with the first of two runs. The final two runs will be held on Wednesday.

Meyers Taylor, who has won two world titles since Sochi, will be paired with Lauren Gibbs. Humphries, who has won gold at each of the last two Olympics, will be paired with Phylicia George.

Americans Jamie Greubel Poser and Aja Evans could also compete for a medal. Greubel Poser won bronze in Sochi.

The Jamaican team has gotten the most attention at the Pyeongchang Games, in the spotlight for drama over their bobsled, rather than their performance. Their former driving coach left the team, and perhaps was to take the sled with her, dashing their Olympic hopes. But the Red Stripe beer company gave the sled to the team, saving its dream.

How to Watch: Watch live on digital platforms beginning on Wednesday at 6:40 a.m. ET here or on NBCSN at 9:30 a.m. ET.

[[474497303, C]]

U.S. Looks to Diggins for First Women’s Cross-Country Medal

Jessie Diggins, a resident of Stratton, Vermont, has three fifth-place finishes and a sixth-place finish in these Olympics. In the team sprint, she’s hoping to crack the top three — and give America its first-ever women’s cross-country medal.

Diggins’ other high finishes have come in the 4x5-kilometer relay (fifth), the skiathlon (fifth), the 10-kilometer freestyle (fifth) and the classic sprint (sixth). But throughout her career, she’s shined in the team sprint, winning gold at the world championship in 2013 and bronze at the world championship in 2017.

In the team sprint, she’ll be paired with another Team USA cross-country athlete.

How to Watch: Watch live on NBCSN at 10:45 a.m. ET or on digital platforms beginning at 5 a.m. ET Wednesday here.

Notable New England Winter Olympians Through History

Contact Us