What to watch: Pairs skating dominates Sunday night at Games
The Valentine's Day schedule in Vancouver was always set to be the lightest of the 16 days of the Winter Olympics, even with Lindsey Vonn set to compete in her marquee event, the women's downhill. But with both Alpine skiing events canceled this weekend, NBC is left with a sparse slate for the evening, perfect for those who will be out with their significant others:
Three things to watch:
1. Pairs figure skating (short program), 7:30 p.m. ET. You won't have much choice: With few options, NBC will heavily feature the first figure skating competition of the 2010 Olympics. Married Chinese skaters Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao are the prohibitive favorites to win gold – ending a 46-year reign of Russians (or Soviets) in pairs – even though they're coming off a two-year retirement and have never been at the top of the Olympic podium. Tune in early, Shen and Zhao are the first to skate.
2. Men's moguls finals. Vancouver-born Dale Begg-Smith is the defending champ and favorite – good news for Canadians starved for a gold medal, you'd think. But Begg-Smith competes for Australia, a decision he made at age 15.
3. Men's luge. The lead of Germany's Felix Loch is said to be insurmountable. After two runs he led by 0.282 seconds, or a little shorter than it took you to read one word of this sentence.
Featured athlete (United States): Patrick Deenen, men's moguls -- No American figure skating team is expected to contend for a medal, so the greatest U.S. hopes for tonight fall with Deenen. The Washington native won the world championship in moguls last spring and took the U.S. trials in December. An American has medaled in the event in four of the five moguls competitions held in the Olympics. Only Jonny Mosely, who will call tonight's action for NBC, has won gold.
Featured athlete (international): Martina Sablikova, speedskating -- Though she weighs just 115 pounds, the Czech skater is the dominant long-distance speedskater in the world. The event will be over by the time NBC comes to air, but expect a highlights package, particularly if a Canadian like Clara Hughes is near the medals.
