Sochi: Update: Feb. 14, '14

      The USA pulled off a rare feat this week: sending 3 athletes to the podium in one event- slopestyle skiing. Gold, silver, and bronze medals were one by the 3 Americans.   Not a bad day's work.   Also this week, a good measure of publicity went to Noelle Pikus-Pace, mother of two, who won the silver medal in women's skeleton, the one man sled w/o steering capability.  Rocketing down the zig-zag, 1.7 mile course at speeds reaching 80 mph with her family in the stands, veteran athlete Noelle put together 4 respectable runs to edge out the competition, including her teammate, Ms. Urhleander, who placed 4th by 0.04.
      Ms. Pikus-Pace's backstory is a good one.   She retired after the Olympics in Vancouver 4 years ago.   She missed the games in Torino 8 years ago after an accident broke her leg.   With the support of her family(read husband), she got back into the grind of training for Sochi.   And now, she has the metal to take home in the form of the Silver Medal.   Her energy and enthusiasm were on display whenever she was interviewed before and after her runs.   After her last run, she vaulted into the stands to give hugs to husband and children, a 'golden moment'.
      Meanwhile, in the neighborhood, the Sochi Polar bear club members hit the beach.   With air temps at 60 degrees or higher, it was easy to recruit a few members for the swim in the Black Sea.  With snow on the mountain tops in the background, a coalition of Russians and a reporter, splashed and swam a few strokes in the 49 degree waters.  While not freezing, one can only survive in such water for 10-15 minutes.
      Athletes reported slushy snow on many of the runs in the afternoon when temps rose well above freezing, with no snow in the forecast.