As I was sitting here wasting time at the computer (rather than balancing the chequebook) I turned around to see NBC's coverage of Olympic downhill skiing. They overlaid the tape of two of the skiers so that you could see the difference in their lines and the (tiny) distance which separated them at the finish line.

In a word: awesome!

 

They've got some great camera angles and slo-mo, too. It's too bad that the comentary and direction aren't as good as the technical aspects.

 

Why is everyone talking shit about NBC's coverage? How much better could Canada's coverage be?

 

The downhill is the best event. The Women ski tonight.

GO Picabo!

 

Don't know this year since I can't see both...

When I could see both (living along the border) I thought Cda's was better. Why?
- far less tape delay
- far less jingoistic razzamatazz
- focussed on key athletes be they American, German etc.
- talked about the sports more rather than commentarys that tried to make you cry
- talked about the sports more rather than sond like they were describing a Thanksgiving Day parade
- ... maybe some other reasons

I don't usually talk sh1t about NBC coverage since they really haven't done that many Olympics lately (this is first winter and only did last 2 summers). But since you asked...

JMHO

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by magician
[B]As I was sitting here wasting time at the computer (rather than balancing the chequebook) I turned around to see NBC's coverage of Olympic downhill skiing.

 

Too bad NBC doesn't show the events live to us on the west coast.

 

Does anyone know why the men and women ski different courses?

 

Truly awesome. I could imagine similar technology being used for other sports - auto racing, for one. The slow motion was also great.

Someone needs to teach the announcers the difference between grade % and angle degrees. One announcer proclaimed the top and bottom sections of the men's course was 75 degrees. Then they show a graphic where it clearly showed 75%. 75 degrees and those guys wouldn't be able to keep from tumbling. Whole different sport, I think.

 

Do I vaguely remember (now that you mention it mntony) this device or something similar being used at the Indy time trials??