It’s bad enough that the winter Olympics still features an event like the biathlon, combining cross country skiing and *gasp!* shooting. That can be overlooked, though, since it all happens out in the woods and who the hell really watches that anyway? But a gun – even a fake one – in figure skating? Seriously? Is nothing sacred anymore? That’s figure skating pairs team Marissa Castelli and Simon Schnapir (above) doing their James Bond-themed routine in the US championships. And yes, Schnapir is strapped. When they had the gall to repeat the performance yesterday in Sochi, the ever-watchful snarkmeisters at Twitchy wondered if little Bobby Costas would take the opportunity to lecture NBC’s audience on the shocking impropriety of it all. The real question is, how long before Shannon Watts weighs in with her patented mix of disappointment and opprobrium?
I hope Watts has the gall to say something. It will show the mainstream how batshit she really is.
I just mute the TV when ol’ Pink Eye starts talking.
I quickly change the channel whenever the *$@•∞¢ figure skating sh*t is on. Or Bob Costas.
Purely hypothetical situation, but I’m curious how the media would try to spin it negatively if it was a real gun and someone tried to attack the Olympics and he drew his gun and stopped the attacker. Obviously, the news would have to tell us how evil guns are, but it would be impressive to watch them try to justify such an idiotic stance after a man with a gun saved innocent lives.
“I’m curious how the media would” black it out and play rehearsal footage.
They would never in a million years allow a player in there with a gun, and the moment one tried you would hear “Extremist Olympic terrorist athlete apprehended moments before massive shooting spree.”
Can you say “Instant LEO?”
Come on, that’s just shoddy reporting… He is wearing an EMPTY holster; unless the makers of the invisible AR have made the invisible pistol.
Shhh. It is a secret, made for us in countries against CC.
It’s one of those “undetectable firearms.” Good thing we have a law for those, or when there is a gun that we have no idea exists and no way to find out about we wouldn’t be able to confiscate it….. heeeeyyy waitaminute….
Two words: “ghost gun.”
What is shocking about a figure skater with a gun. It is a macho sport like baseball. One uses a club while the other razor-sharp blades. Unlike basketball where they fail to utilize a weapon.
Figure skaters don’t need guns, they already have those damn knife boots.
In case you dont get it:
http://www.daisyowl.com/comic/2008-09-29
grew up on skates and x-country skis.
I didn’t even notice that “Schnapir is strapped” in the picture. I must need to work on my situational awareness.
I had to read the article. I only noticed Marissa Castelli’s legs. Mind you, I’m more of a Kaetlyn Osmond fan.
Who the hell watches it? Well, me for one. Watched the men’s 10K sprint online yesterday and the women’s 7.5K this morning. Fit, good looking women skiing around in the woods with rifles? Damn right! Biathlon is a HUGE spectator sport in the snowy countries, i.e., Norway, Sweden, Russia, etc. Too bad it isn’t as popular here.
I too watched them. One of the few events I will actually go out of my way to watch.
I agree biathlon is awesome. I get the German coverage where every event of the biathlon is covered. Great sport combining two fun activities, what could be better. Also agree in shape women skiing and shooting, win-win.
German coverage is much better than British. Brits show curling mostly. No comparison.
Watching curling can be fun if you consume enough life preserving spirits. I learned that watching in ND.
Yeah, I learned that watching curling is somewhat more Zen than watching paint dry, although it takes about the same amount of time.
I figure that curling is why electric socks were invented.
“Great sport combining two fun activities”
I’m sure you know this, but the statement might imply to the less-informed that the event was created especially for Olympic competition, when actually it has its genesis in northern European ski troops.
Skiing brings back nasty flashbacks, I like the sport but I am horrible on skis (I can use them no problem til there is a steep downwards slope).
No joke. I hope you’ll join me in asking for more gravity control.
Then, lolinski, you’re definitely out of luck. Having camped from North Cape to Christiania, I only remember a small bit of flat land south of Trondheim. But going down hill is the easy part. OK, admitted, there is that trick part when you get to the bottom.
I am usually okay, if I don’t push my luck (i am lucky in the whole “not dying or maiming myself horrbily” department).
Skiing is fast but I trust my two feet more, especialy where there is tricky terrain.
Just finished watching the women’s biathlon sprint. WOW! Shooting that well when you are out of breath and your heartbeat is up in the 3 digits is just incredible. The rifles are so cool as well.
Just watching the womens biathalon. How is that the US always SUCKS in this. The best finish ever and was a 14th. The antigun Eurowussies can manage to shoot. And ski. But nation of 300million can’t come up with a 6 dozen chicks that can crosscountry (or men)? None of these millions of legals coming (from the North) can ski? CC ski is a GREAT fitness/outdoor sport.
Perhaps TTAG needs to sponsor though would give the US Olympic committee types a stroke. Could someone teach Kirsten Joy Weiss to ski (though she is built a bit to shapelly too fit in with the Olympic gals).
We generally suck at Nordic events. I think we have won very few medals. I’m sure we shoot but we can’t X-Country ski at the world class level.
We have no tradition in that regard, and so will always be playing catch-up.
LOL! I posted EXACTLY the same thing (as your title) on my Facebook newsfeed last night as the skaters were on the ice.
Must be a ghost gun.
Maybe Simon Schnapir is a biathlete too.
Oh geez.
Out loud guffaws here.
I see what you did there…
Damned coffee through the nose again!
Biathlete? Don’t be silly; he’s a figure skater! 😉
Correct, WB. They only go one way or, more usually, the other.
BtinAfgan: …they don’t use weapons on the court. Fify
What weapon would you be refering to?
Looks like a spree killer to me, sure he looks like he’s just having a good time skating but I can clearly see the childrens lives in danger. I’d say sarc off, then I’d just need to turn it on again for the next post, Randy
You can clearly see by the picture that he is trying to use that woman as a club to beat the audience to death.
This is one of the reasons I watch the winter games on a Canadian channel. The announcers aren’t so stupid and at least have an interesting accent on some words.
Watching the biathlon, I realized I know nothing about the rifles they use.
Any body out there qualified to give us a run down?
Not from Ruger. Europansie stuff in .22.
Perhaps the US team should show up with 223 in AR variant. I think Rock River could make accurate enough for the job at hand.
http://www.olympic.org/biathlon-equipement-and-history
Action
http://qz.com/54254/this-german-invention-is-used-in-95-of-rifles-in-biathlons/
Anschuetz Rifle
http://jga.anschuetz-sport.com/index.php5?menu=152&sprache=1
Most likely Anschutz rifles, but I noticed that none of them had brand names on them. Only the Sochi stickers.
Primarily they’re Anschutz 1827, Fortner action 22 long rifle. The Fortner is a straight pull-push action that is extremely fast and allows the rifle to remain in position with little disruption to the shooters position or sight picture. The Russian Izhmash 7-4 is also used. The action is also a straight pull but it’s a toggle mechanism, sort of like a sideways Luger and not nearly as complicated or elegant (or expensive) as the Fortner. Other makes and actions are still in use but since the fall of the Soviet Union most everyone has gone to the 1827.
I have an 1827, left-hand Fortner. By far the most accurate firearm I own.
I have no fancy details, but do know this: The sport in its early days used 6.5 x 55mm Mauser caliber. Today it is .22LR from bolt or straight-back Fortner-design bolt rifles.
Yep. Predictable!
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/08/u-s-figure-skaters-outfit-ruffles-some-feathers-but-offended-parties-arent-the-usual-suspects/
“Do you expect me to talk, Auric?”
“No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to pirouette in perfect synchrony with the music!”
Gun? What gun? I can’t stop look’n at that chicks legs and a$$.
¿”opprobrium”? Christ on crutches?! Don’t make me google words?
I guess they’ll have to go to the backup routine wearing a turban and a bomb vest so they don’t offend anyone by showing an evil gun.
Won’t she look awesome skating in a burqa???
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