Iosef Milheru Oĝea felt his skis slice what was almost a thin layer of ice on top of the forest snow. He was only halfway down, and he already knew that this was certainly not his best run. Perhaps even maybe his worst. He soared off the third jump, feeling his own discomfort and poor balance. His skis crashed into the snow, warping and twanging as he landed flat-footed, immediately tried to cut the snow, lost control of one of his skis, and swerved off course. He righted himself with his poles and nearly spat with frustration. He'd been losing precious hundredths of a second this entire run, and now it seemed it would be all he could do to get into the top 100 skiers. Thank god he was an Alpine Skier, otherwise, this would be the culmination of his career. As it was, he was humiliating himself and his nation in the crown jewel of Alpine Skiing, the Downhill event. This was truly a disastrous run, as he swept off course again, spraying blue-painted snow over a line of volunteers. His skis were rattling, the snow that he'd loved, snow he'd fallen asleep on after long training runs, snow he'd learned to bleed on and cherish, was now destroying him. He was fighting the beloved snow just to stay upright. This was not the way he'd learned to ski. He'd learned to ski by working with the snow, cascading down the mountain in line with the snow, practically being the snow. He soared off the final jump, breathing out as he did so, seeing the eddies of steam and snowflakes pour out of his mouth. He landed perfectly, and cascaded across the finish line. 66th place. He smacked a pole into the snow. 66th place. 66th place wasn't going to get him anywhere at all in these games. He sighed, sending out more steam. 66th place. Thank god he was an alpine skier.
Siolæsĉigu Marĉi Œssu Saiĝudea was nervous as all hell. True, though the iconic curling competition began tomorrow, with twenty-two matches slated, Isula ĝe Ru's men's team wasn't one of them. They had the privilege, if it could be called such, of standing by to watch Renoa and Anditia's opening battle of wits. The women weren't so lucky. In fact, it seemed as though the work the men's team would be doing was completely transferred to the females. They were to challenge Kelssek, the group heavyweight and deciding factor as to whether or not the Women's team was to advance. In fact, that was why Marĉi's scholarly robes were now whisking away the snow of the Olympic Village, not hanging in warmth. He was on his way to a meeting with his team, Siolæsĉiga Iebe Mirit Saitoa, and the rest of the women's team. The eight of them (the nation didn't believe in alternates) would discuss the women's game against Kelssek, the men's preparations for their opening game against Renzynistan, and the manner in which they would observe the Renoa-Anditia match.
Siolæsĉigu Nicola Danhel Comacu Umora was walking with his head bent low, on his way to the aforementioned team meeting. He was lost in thought, as scholars so often are, about many things, such as where curling stones come from and if Isula ĝe Ru and The Archregimency were the only nations who curled while wearing robes. He was also, surprise of surprises, contemplating the iconic national moment that was to take place tomorrow, as the greatest curling competition in the world began.
Samuél Forĉu Saramaria was actually in utter disbelief that it was only the third day of the Olympics. He was tired, exhausted, and hungry, and there was research to be done. The coming day would be the most massive yet, even more so than yesterdays 11-athlete disaster, in which twenty-five medals were awarded, but not a one to Isulans. Tonight, however, the nation was electric. Tonight, Curling started, as the women's team opened with arguably the biggest game ever played in Isulan history, against Kelssek, and the men would get an idea of what they were up against as Renoa and Anditia fought it out. Tonight would also see another Isulan medal hopeful, Aĝel Esĉelhelu Bolha, make her first two runs of the games in the Women's Super Combined, and Lucau Moĝu Cæla return to the Biathlon track in the pursuit event, albeit with a two-minute deficit to make up. As if the nation needed any more excitement, besides curling, the second event of the all-important Luge competition began, with Iulha Malheu Saida and Maria Sanhu Sanha taking to the track in the first runs of the women's competition. Short Track Speed Skating began with the qualification runs for the women's 3000 meter relay, and the Isulan team of Maria Saiĉialu Marĉia, Laura Maria Saitaçiu Maria, Baleĉa Nicolu Saiduia, and Anhela Anha Marcu are not exactly underdogs. Short Track continues with the Women's 500m qualification, a blistering-fast race with two blistering-fast Isulan competitors, Maria Saiĉialu Marĉia and Laura Maria Saitaçiu Maria having no respite from the ice. Short Track rounds off with the men's 1500 meter final, where Isulan medal favorite Alef Aiberu Ma'a has a definite chance. In all, there will be a whopping 18 Isulan athletes in competition today. Yes, Samuél groaned. A long day indeed
