Beijing 2022: Over the Top

The second Winter Olympic sport the bears a resemblance to cycling is cross country skiing.  Going so far as the announcers refering to the main group of skiiers as the 'peleton' and those off the front as the 'breakaway.'  The high winds of the final days of these Games meant that the men's mass start "ski marathon was shorten from 50k to 28k.  The bitter cold and fear of exposure had to have factored into the decision as well.  Simen Hegsted Kreuger (Norway) used a climb with just 10k lrft to ski to try an get away from the Russian duo of Artem Maltsev and Ivan Yakimushkin and Clement Parisse (France).  The American Scott Patterson hid in the peloton most of the day finishing in 8th place (two placings higher than his proclaimed goal).  Kreuger was caught by the Russian duo in the final kilometers with Maltsev winning Gold and his countryman Yakimushkin taking Silver. Kreuger held on to take the final medal of the day bringing Norway's medal count to 38, a record for the Winter Olympics.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3868188-56-293321/Painting/over-the-top-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Fighting for Gold

My wife, the actor Bridget Gethins (look her up on IMDB.com) noticed that yet again I forgot to titled and sugned this painting while she was selecting her favorite of the day.  She came up eith "Fughting for Gold: which is far superoir to my idea of "Sprinting for Gold"  (This is why she titles all of my large scale works).  Ivanie Blondin (Canada) and Francesca Lollobrigida (Italy) got out of the final turn first, but it was Irene Schouten's (Netherlands) incredible sprint that decided the Gold Medal.  Blondin held on for a close run Silver. And the it was Lollobrigida (the great niece of the famous Italian actress from the 60s) and Mia Manganello Kilberg (USA) in her first international race vying for the Bronze.  It went to the Italian.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3868157-55-293321/Painting/fighting-for-gold-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Making Sure

There are two disciplines in the Winter Olympics that strongly resemble all of the aspects of cycling.  Speed skating is one of those.  Many of its events are identical to track cycling.  Riding a velodrome is still one of the things on my cycling bucket list. Meanwhile, back at duscussing this painting... Irene Schouten (Netherlands) keeps a close eye on her main competitors; Gina Lollabridgida (Italy), Valerie Maltias (Canada) and the Japanese skater who's name I wasn't able to catch.  She crashed out of this semi-final heat and her name wasn't posted on the finish listing.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3868136-54-293321/Painting/making-sure-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Pushing Forward

Well, tecnically, Eric Radford is pulling his figure skating partner, Vanessa James (Canada) back, but pushing forward feels so much more inspiring.  As far as I know this is the first time I have seen a figure skater of color take to the ice ib the Winter Olympics.  It is almost definitely the first time I have seen a mixed race pair of skaters compete on the international stage.  I am old enough to have been alive before mixed race marriages were legal in the USA.  So while James/Radford may have finished in 12th place they have pushed the world of figure skating and the Winter Olympics forward.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3868082-53-293321/Painting/pushing-forward-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: No Bad Luck

This title is both an incantation and a statement of fact.  Sophia Goggia (Italy) had a bad crash while racing a month prior to these Olympics.  She fought hard to get back to race level and was thrilled to just be able to complete her run in the Women's Super G.  However, today she did more than complete the run, she put herself in the lead as she finished her race.  She walked away from the podium with a Silver medal.  In cycling riders will turn their 13 bib number upside down to spill out the bad luck.  That option isn't available wyth the Olympic race bibs.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available. 

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3866903-38-293321/Painting/no-bad-luck-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Not Her Discipline

It has been fasinating watching Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) recover emotionally from the bitter disappointment of skiing out of her two best disciplines.  Since spending nearly a half hour sitting on the snow crying she has come back to finish 9th in the Super G and 13th in this Downhill.  Although we soon discovered that this was another training run for her final event the Women's Combined where she placed herself 5th after the downhill with the slalom (her best event) yet too come.  The best part is to see her finding joy and humor as she talks with the cameras constantly in her face.  I sure hope she gets a medal to complete her transformation in these Beijing Winter Olympics.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3866898-37-293321/Painting/not-her-discipline-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: From the Blue Line

Team USA women outscore Finland four to one to advance to the Gold Medal Game.  They will be playing Canada for the sixth out of the last seven Winter Olympics.  Now that is an amazing level of consistancy.  I'm looking forward to this one!

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3866762-34-293321/Painting/from-the-blue-line-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Getting It Done

It is stunning that Erin Jackson (USA) first pulled on a pair of ice skates just over five years ago.  And here she is skating her way to a Gold metal in the women's 500 M race.  To be fair she was competing in inline speed skating prior to that first day on the ice.  After all. Ocala, Florida, is not exactly known for its cold harsh winters.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3866750-33-293321/Painting/getting-it-done-beijing-2022.html

 

Beijing 2022: The First to Get Under

The young American (great, now I have that David Bowie song stuck in my head...) Jordan Stolz (USA) was the first speed skater to finish the 500 meter race in under 34 seconds.  Naturally, he held the lead for a bit, but finished his Olympic debut in 13th place overall.  He does have his best event the 1000 meter yet to go.  He manage to edge out Bjorn Magnussen (Norway) to win his heat.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3866444-30-293321/Painting/the-first-to-get-under-beijing-2022.html

 

Beijing 2022: Driving Herself

Kaillie Humphries (USA) logged the fastest times in her first two runs of the debut of Monobob.  I am curious how the name Monobob was created since any other Bobsled event is just two-man bobsled, four-man bobsled, etc.  Humphries had spent fer entire career sliding for Canada but in her words she began to feel unsafe with the Canadian coaches and bobsled organization.  So just two months ago she applied (and received) USA citizenship due to her marriage to a existing citizen.  Team USA most have been thrilled to have the multiple gold medalist become a teammate after being a so victorious competitor.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3866442-29-293321/Painting/driving-herself-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Powder

Heavy snow greeted the men for their Giant Slalom event in the mountains west of Beijing.  One would think that new snow would be a welcome sight for skiers, but sight was just the problem.  The ability to see the course clearly and the ever changing snow conditions made it just that mush harder for the men to put together a winning run down the mountain.  As you can see by the snow flying out from under the skis of Thibaut Faviot (France) as he sliceshis way through the gates on his way to a second best time when he reached the bottom.  Alas, that position didn't stand, but the it is only the first of two runs.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3866439-28-293321/Painting/powder-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: For the Love of Dance

Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron took to the ice for their Rythm Dance portion of the Ice Dance competition.  The French couple earned their highest score ever placing them in a strong position to win Gold the next time they to the ice.

 This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3866425-27-293321/Painting/for-the-love-of-dance-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: A First for Her Country

Jaclyn Narracott (Australia)slide down the track and into Australian history.  She was fast enough to win her country's first sliding medal, a Silver.  Not only was it a treat to watch her run, it was great to see some color streaking down the ice.

 This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3866413-26-293321/Painting/a-first-for-her-country-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: He Can Fly

The German's are having an amazing time in the "House of Speed"  And it is continuing with Christopher Grotheer (Germany) as he jumps on to his skeleton sled.  He build on his start speed all of the way down the nearly two mile course with a Gold Medal waiting for him at the bottom of the run.  His time was just two one hundredths of a second faster than his countryman, Axel Jungk in Silver.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3866166-22-293321/Painting/he-can-fly-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Skiing for Redemption

I hope Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) isn't offended by the title of this watercolor.  She had a rough start of these Olympic games.  She has skiied off course in the early seconds of both of her marquee events.  Today she tooked to the start gate of the women's Super G.  This is the first time she has ever competed in this event during the Olympics, so she may have been looking to shake out the demons and lay down a complete run in these Games.  While she posted an eighth best time at the bottom of the hill, this was more about getting back on the horse (or skis in this case) than it was about getting on to the podium.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3865984-21-293321/Painting/skiing-for-redemption-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: The Pipe Has Been Passed

It is stunning to think that Ayumu Hirano (Japan) was less than a year old when his competitor, Shaun White (USA) won hisfirst Olympic medal.  Hirano laid down a near perfect run that included a triple corkscrew hit and yet only scored enough points to move irnto the Silver Medal.  Clearly that questionable scoring only hardened his will to have his final run leave no doubt that he is the best boarder in the half pipe today.  And this time the points posted, 96.00 honestly reflected the quality of the performance.  And yes, I went for another weak pun with the title.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3865976-20-293321/Painting/the-pipe-has-been-passed-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Getting a Top Ten

Today's discovery; there are two different kinds of cross country skiing.  First is free-style that utilizes a skating move, and then event where Jessie Diggins (USA) took a Bronze medal in the Sprint race.  And then there is the classic, where the skiier keeps their skis in line and stays in a track with a more walking king of motion.  That is this event where Diggins could manage an eigth place in the 15K Classic race.  It does please me that I do get to continue to learn about details of the Olympics having watched the games since I was a kid back in the 60s.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3865912-18-293321/Painting/getting-a-top-ten-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Leading All the Way Down

Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) has finally atoned for a showboat mistake three Olympic Games back. Then she had a big lead and put a little flair on the fill jump of her race,  She fell.  She was able to jump up and finish for the Silver Medal that year.  The next two Olympics she slid off course.  But this year she put the perfect run together leading the whole way down the course.  Behind her Chloe Trespeuch (France)claimed Silver and Meryeta Odine (Canada) rounded out the podium.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3865385-13-293321/Painting/leading-all-the-way-down-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: Push the Pass

 The team short track event looks like utter chaos, but is usually beautifully choreographed ballet on speed skates.  This is the third semi final of the women's 3000 M Short Track Relay.  This is the push off that replaces the traditional baton pass seen in track and field.  You are seeing Team Canada followedclosely by Korea and the Russian Olympic Federation (ROC).  Both Canada and Korea advanced to race for the gold medal.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3865377-12-293321/Painting/push-the-pass-beijing-2022.html

Beijing 2022: As If They Are One

 Between painting these five paintings and posting them I have had rotator cuff surgery.  That is my excuse for the delay and any typos and brevity as I am typing one handed.  This is Thomas Steu and Lorenz Koller sliding their way into a Bronze Medal in men's Double Luge.  It was an extra special run for Steu earning an Olympic mrdal on his birthday.  Chapeau!

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The painting was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $75 USD plus shipping, and yes international shipping is available.

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Winter-Olympics-2022/3865371-11-293321/Painting/as-if-they-are-one-beijing-2022.html