Many U.S. athletes saw their chance for redemption in Pyeongchang following missed medals and unexpected falls -- but it was instead a tough day for some the top Americans.
Nathan Chen hit the ice for the first time since falling in the team's men's short program, but he struggled once again on the ice in his short program.
Lindsey Jacobellis, the most decorated women’s snowboard cross athlete ever, came up short once more in her attempt at getting an Olympic gold medal. And Mikaela Shiffrin, a heavy favorite to win gold in the women's slalom, failed to medal in what was said to be her best event.
Here are five things to watch for Thursday night and Friday morning (CT) from Pyeongchang:
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1. Chen Stumbles Again But Advances to Final With Teammates Rippon, Zhou
After a shaky debut, Nathan Chen stumbles again in Pyeongchang, falling three times to finish 17th in the men’s short program.
Leading up to the Games, Chen said he’s worked to improve every aspect of his performance, adding "more passion in my skating and more of a connection to the music.” But can he find momentum after two sub-par starts?
Chen, a pre-games favorite, missed on all his jumps, plummeting to 17th place with a tentative and passionless showing.
Chen’s teammates will advance, finishing above the 18-year-old. Veteran Adam Rippon, 28, lived up to his flair for the dramatic programs, performing to techno song "Let Me Think About It" by Ida Corr vs. Fedde Le Grand, earning him seventh. Seventeen-year-old teammate Vincent Zhou finished the short program in 12th.
Chen, Rippon and Zhou will go for gold Saturday morning (Friday night in the U.S.).
Full recap: Chen Stumbles, Hanyu Sets Olympic Record in Men’s Short Program
Must-see:
Nathan Chen Unsure What Happened in Short Program
Local
Adam Rippon Can’t Explain His Anti-Aging ‘Witchcraft’
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2. Heavy Favorite Shiffrin Struggles in Slalom, Finishes Fourth
Mikaela Shiffrin, the heavy favorite to win the women's slalom and claim her second gold medal in as many days, missed the podium and finished in fourth place in Pyeongchang on Friday.
Shiffrin’s fourth-place finish is an astonishing upset, as the slalom is her specialty: Last year, she became the first woman to win three consecutive slalom world titles in 78 years and she won gold in Sochi.
Frida Hansdotter of Sweden took gold, Wendy Holdener of Switzerland took silver and Katharina Gallhuber of Austria won bronze.
The 22-year-old American vomited before her first run, saying her nausea was "kind of sudden" and "almost felt like a virus.” Although she used the break between runs to rest up (literally—she is known for her love of napping) second run wasn’t enough to get on the podium.
The day before, Shiffrin took gold in the giant slalom.
Full recap: Heavy Favorite Shiffrin Struggles in Slalom, Finishes Fourth
Must-see:
Mikaela Shiffrin on Vomiting Before Slalom Race
What Went Wrong for Mikaela Shiffrin in Slalom
WATCH: Mikaela Shiffrin Wins Giant Slalom Gold
3. Ryan Donato Carries USA Hockey to Victory Over Slovakia
College players have led the United States to a much-needed 2-1 victory over Slovakia in group play Friday (Thursday night in the U.S.) at the Pyeongchang Olympics.
Ryan Donato, a forward at Harvard University and Boston Bruins prospect, scored two power-play goals and University of Denver star Troy Terry dominated with his speed.
Donato delivered the kind of offense USA Hockey wanted when it picked four NCAA players for its no-NHL Olympic roster. The National Hockey League decided that it would not allow its players to participate in the 2018 Winter Games for the first time since 1998.
Slovakia will face Slovenia next, after splitting its first two games of the preliminary round. Team USA will face the tournament favorite, the Olympic Athletes from Russia.
Full recap: Donato Leads USA Hockey to 2-1 Win Over Slovakia
Must-see:
Ryan Donato cashes in on the power play
Yikes: Olympic hockey player takes a skate blade to the face
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4. 2 Chicago-Area Ski Jumpers Advance to Large Hill Final
The Chicago-area's beloved ski jumpers, who made history when they made the U.S. team, will jump again for their chance at an Olympic medal.
Two of the four Americans in the competition qualified to advance to the final large hill jump this weekend, where the top 50 jumpers will take the hill.
Kevin Bickner, of Wauconda, qualified 35th and Cary's Michael Glasder came in 37th.
Barrington's Casey Larson fell just short of advancing, coming in 53rd place, just behind fellow American William Rhoads, who was in 51st.
With their first event plagued by high winds, Bickner was the only American to make it to the third and final jump of the individual hill event, but he didn't soar far enough to win the gold, which went to German Andreas Wellinger.
Bickner finished in a tie for 24th.
Full recap: 2 Chicago-Area Ski Jumpers Advance to Large Hill Final
Must-see: Team Finland Brings Out the Needles and Yarn in Pyeongchang
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5. Jacobellis Comes Up Just Short of Gold Medal Dream
Lindsey Jacobellis, the most decorated women’s snowboard cross athlete ever, will finish her fourth Olympics just like the first three: without a gold medal.
Jacobellis, a five-time world champion, reached the finals of the event, then held onto a lead for the first two-thirds of the race. But she faded late, and finished in fourth place.
Italian Michela Moioli, France's Julia Pereira De Sousa Mabileau and the Czech Republic's Eva Samkova finished in the top three.
For Jacobellis, it's just the latest moment in a disappointing Olympic career. It began 12 years ago, in Torino, when she seemed to have the gold medal wrapped up, with a huge lead down the race’s final stretch. But she tried a flashy move off a jump and fell, and settled for silver.
Since then, the Olympics have been her kryptonite. She crashed in early rounds in both 2008 and 2012, and failed to reach the final.
And now, one more disappointment: A solid run, but a finish just off the medal stand.
Full recap: Not Again: Jacobellis Finishes 4th in Snowboard Cross
Must-see:
Lindsey Jacobellis Stays Positive After Fourth Place Finish
Watch: Italy's Moioli Passes Lindsey Jacobellis, Wins SBX Gold
