Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Road Race: Time to Chase!

Caught behind the earlier crash and the medals going up the road, it was time to chase.  Behind by 49 seconds with only twenty-eight kilometers left to ride, it was Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Poland) who used the Montmartre climb to try to set her race to rights.  She was followed by Carolin Andersson (Sweden) and Lorena Wiebes (Netherlands).  Wiebes was in a bit of a tough spot, it was her teammate up the road so she wasn't going to help in the chase, but then again, she needed to be there if the leaders were caught.  Conversely, it was a very strong group that she was trying to chase down.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Time to Chase! PO24-63" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Mountain Biking: Racing for Silver

The American Haley Batten (USA) had to chase back after a flat tire in the early laps of the race.  In fact it was Jenny Rissveds (Sweden) who alerted Batten's mechanics as she came through the Tech Zone.  This is one of the things I love about women's cycling, Rissveds' was under no obligations to help out Batten, but she made it so the American's mechanics were ready when Batten arrived for service.  While I am sure she wanted to get the Silver Medal, her action was rewarded with a Bronze.  Medaling at the Olympics is a life goal for most every athlete and only three are given in every event of the Games.

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 work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Racing for Silver PO24-18" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Wollongong 2022, Women's Road Race: Off the Front

As the women hit the Wollongong city circuit for the first time it was Elynor Backstedt (Great Britain) off the front with two others.  Her sister had already won the Junior Women's Road Race, and she was hoping she would be able to bring home her own Rainbow Jersey in the U23 Women's Road Race.  Backstedt was joined in the effort by fellow U23 rider Caroline Andersson (Sweden) and the Elite rider Justine Ghekiere (Belgium).  The three had opened up roughly a minute and a half on the peloton as they approached the start of the first of six laps through the city.  Still, the peloton had yet to show any real aggression.  They still have another 87 kilometers to race, so... plenty of time to go.

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 and Steve Quiller brushes from www.Richesonart.com. The work sells for $90 USD including shipping, and yes, international shipping is available. 

If you can't afford to purchase a piece you could always help keep me going by buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/greigsartc.  And check out my vlogs at my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLGX-TnjXDSkkOidUE6pN1g

https://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Wollongong-2022-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3907614-21-295031/Painting/off-the-front-uci22-21.html

Beijing 2022: Holding on for Now

I love it when I am so into the moment that I forget to title and sign the artwork.  I didn't discovered that fact untitle I was preparing the photo of the painting for this post but decided to go ahead and just sigh it now.  In her second leg of the women's Team Cross Country 4x6 Relay Rosie Brennan (USA) was hanging tight to the skis of the Swedish skiier, Maya Dalquist.  She was closely marked by Finland.  Unfortunately Team USA faded to fifth place on the day, despite the special relay socks, with Sweden taking the Bronze medal.  Finland missed the podium as well finishing fourth (that was a lot of Fs in one sentence!)

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-2022/3866947-40-293321/Painting/holding-on-for-now-beijing-2022.html

Bejing 2022: Sprinting for Metals

Go with me here, the title might look like a mis-spelling but they are sprinting for medals in the Women's Cross Country Sprint and those medals are made of metal.  Therefore, "metals" in the title really isn't a mistake, but instead a fun play on words.  Jonna Sundling (Sweden) sprinted away from the field to take the Gold Medal.  Her teammate and the American Jessie Diggins (USA) fought it out for the other two steps of the podium with Diggins just missing out and taking the Bronze medal.  It is the first ever cross country individual women's medal for the USA.

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-2022/3865112-7-293321/Painting/sprinting-for-metals-bejing2022.html

Olympics 2018: Leader of the Pack

The final event of the games is traditionally the women's 30 K mass start in cross country skiing.  Early in the race those who would be a factor at the end were making their presence known.  Stinna Nilsson (Sweden) was leading with about 3/4s of the race left to go.  She went on to finish with the Bronze Medal.  Behind her is Marit Bjoergen (Norway) who later escaped on her own to win the Gold Medal.  Behind her teammate was Ingvild Flugstad Oestburg who finished the day in 4th place.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available by emailing me at greigsart@gmail.com.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  It is $75 plus shipping.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com.  And yes, international shipping is available.

Olympics 2018: Cross

Ski Cross, and Snowboard Cross, are a bit insane.  However they are rather exciting to watch.  This is Fanny Smith (Switzerland) and Sandra Naeslund (Sweden) skiing their way down the course and into the gold medal finals.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available by emailing me at greigsart@gmail.com.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  It is $75 plus shipping.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com.  And yes, international shipping is available.

Olympics 2018: Time to Take a Bow

Once her final real challenger had completed their slalom run ever so slightly slower, it was time for Frida Hansdotter (Sweden) to take her Gold Medal bow.  Chapeau!

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available by emailing me at greigsart@gmail.com.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  It is $75 plus shipping.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com.  And yes, international shipping is available.

Olympics 2018: Skiing Home

It was Marit Bjoergen (Norway) putting in the best times all along the course of the Women's 10K Freestyle today.  Bjorgen passed Ebba Andersson (Sweden) who had started a full minute ahead of her on her way to the finish line.  The Norwegian held the lead at the line, but a couple of her countrywomen were chewing up the snow behind her.  Ultimately she ended the day in a tie for the Bronze Medal.  Since I paint these images from live feeds, I didn't manage to get a painting of any of the other medalists.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available by emailing me at greigsart@gmail.com.  Since it is an original it is first come first served.  It is $75 plus shipping.  The painting was created using Yarka St Petersburg watercolors from Richesonart.com.  And yes, international shipping is available.

Bergen 2017, Elite Women's Road Race: Forming a New Group

The Dutch women clearly came to Bergen to race (and win).  They were either starting every break away, or chasing one down.  After the first trio of escapees were caught another formed, just to be sure, Jannee Ensing (Netherlands) went with on the attack picking up Hanna Nilsson (Sweden) along the way.  Nilsson had been trying to get to the group ahead for about 10 kilometers and was quite happy to jump onto Ensing's wheel.  Another who had grabbed the Dutch rider's wheel was former World Champion, Pauline Ferrand Prevot (France).  As this group was joing those ahead, it was beginning to look like the peloton might be out of the running today.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037321-42-239826/PaintingForming-a-New-Group--Bergen-42.html

Bergen 2017, Elite Women's Road Race: Going First

I was describing the women's race to my wife and said, "They are racing smart.  But then they are women, how else would they race?"  The first lap was raced at a relatively slow pace as the women sized up what it would take to survive the day and finish strong.  As the second lap got to the lumpy part of the course it was Sara Penton (Sweden) who was the first to attack the peloton.  She may have been expecting others to join her, but it would take a huge effort to stay away for all seven laps.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037311-39-239826/PaintingGoing-First--Bergen-39.html

Bergen 2017, U23 Road Race, Wet & Hydrated

Today marked the end of the time trials and the first day of road racing.  It also marked the end of summer and the start of the cold, wet, dreary days of autumn.  While there as been some intermittant showers this week, today was the first day of sustained rain combined with temperatures in the mid 50's.  Awet Hastom Tekle (Eritrea) was making sure he had enough fluids in him, and with his rain coat he was also trying to keep the fluids off of himself as well.  Tekle was in the early break of the day along with Atsushi Oka (Japan), Gustav Hoog (Sweden) and Vasili Strokau (Belarus).  The quintet build up about a two minute lead on the peloton in the early going, but the fireworks were about to start behind, even though there was still another 168 kilometers to race.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Bergen-2017-UCI-Road-World-Championships/3037093-31-239826/PaintingWet-&-Hydrated--Bergen-31.html

Doha 2016, Elite Women's Road Race: Applying Some Pressure

With the early breaks tucked safely back into the peloton, it was now time for some race tactics.  The Dutch team has a great sprinter, but they seemed to feel that if they made the race hard, they could eliminate some of the competition before they got to the line.  So it was that they would send rider after rider to the front to try and establish an escape.  When Amy Pieters (Netherlands) turn came, her move was covered by Emma Johansson (Sweden) and a rider from the Spanish team.  None of the teams were willing to let anyone else get away.  All of the expectations since the location and course were announced for the 2016 Worlds, the races would all come down to a bunch sprint.  With that in mind, everybody brought at least one pure sprinter to go for the victory.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  It is only $75 USD and international shipping is available.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Doha%202016%20UCI%20Road%20World%20Championships/2865765-50-227958/PaintingApplying%20Some%20Pressure%20Doha50-Greig-Leach.html#.WAJwn-ArLIU

Rio Olympics: All Alone

Unlike the Swiss woman who had gone off early in the race, Jenny Rissveds (Sweden) had kept herself in check.  She stayed near the front, keeping a close eye on each of the race leaders without putting herself on the front until it mattered.  With just a lap and a half to go, she made her move on the Polish rider, Maja Wloszczowska.  She quickly distance the eventual Silver Medal winner riding alone to the end of the race and claiming the first Olympic Mountain Biking medal for her country.  And it was Gold!

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Remember this is an original work of art, so once it has been sold, it is gone.  Don't delay buy it now!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2840445-197-226051/PaintingAll%20Alone%20Rio197-Greig-Leach.html#.V7kyvZgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Chasing Down

The Swiss rider, Linda Indergand, had gone off the front from the very start of the race around the six laps of the Olympic Mountain Bike course.  Trying to get on terms with the fleeing Indergand, was Maja Wloszczowska (Poland) followed by Jenny Rissveds (Sweden).  The duo had trouble reeling the Swiss woman back in for a full two laps.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Remember this is an original work of art, so once it has been sold, it is gone.  Don't delay buy it now!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2840437-194-226051/PaintingChasing%20Down%20Rio194-Greig-Leach.html#.V7kqbpgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Threading the Needle

The German and Swedish women played a scoreless first half in the Gold Medal Match of Olympic Football.  Germany scored the first of two goals just four minutes in to the second half.  Sweden played hard and put a finely placed pass into the net to come within one point of the Germans.  Germany's second goal had been kicked into the Swedish net by one of Sweden's defensive players.  With the score now 2-1, she must have felt awful.  When the game ended with the same score, I am sure she held her head low.  Germany claimed the Gold, but Sweden's Silver is the first time they have ever made it to the podium since women's football was added to the Olympic Games.  This might be why I was never a truly successful athlete, had I been one of the Swedish players, I would have gone into the game feeling like I had already won.

This leaves only one more full day of competition, since Sunday ends with the closing ceremonies.  This has been fun, hard and a lot of work, much like what the athletes have gone through themselves.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Remember this is an original work of art, so once it has been sold, it is gone.  Don't delay buy it now!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2840034-187-226051/PaintingThreading%20the%20Needle%20Rio187-Greig-Leach.html#.V7hzBJgrLIU

Rio Olympics: Advantage Sweden

Sweden and Brazil played 120 minutes without a goal.  And yet, it was an incredibly exciting game. So it came down to penalty kicks to decide who would play in the Gold Medal Match and who would play in the Bronze.  When Sweden blocked a goal, so did Brazil, until the final of the five kicks.  Sweden made theirs, Brazil did not.  So Sweden will face Germany to determine who will win the Gold.  I guess Sweden putting the USA women, and defending four time Gold medalist out is a little easier to take, now.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.  Remember this is an original work of art, so once it has been sold, it is gone.  Don't delay buy it now!

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2838311-136-226051/PaintingAdvantage%20Sweden%20Rio136-Greig-Leach.html#.V7QC8JgrLIU