The week that was and the week to come

Well, I told you I would cry at NBC’s presentation of the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii and I did. The Ironman is the toughest event in all of sports, not only do you have to swim 2.4 miles in the ocean, then bike 112 miles, and finish with a marathon, but you have to do this with the heat of Kona and the trade winds that blow across the island. The other thing that makes the Ironman great is that anything can happen to ruin a good day. The defending champion Chris McCormack was in the lead on the bike but the brake cord broke and his day was done. As the announcer, Al Trautwig said, “ You can train for anything, than something like that ruins your day.” The last great thing about the Ironman is that people from every walk of life come to the Kona Coast to cross that line and become an Ironman. One day I hope to go to Hawaii and cover this great event. When the sun goes down the finish line becomes a magical place, because you have to finish the race before midnight when the course is closed and the race is official over.
I don’t know who writes what Al Trautwig says on the coverage of this event, but it is the most well written edited sports event of the year, and Al delivers his lines that definitely befit the drama of the event. No wonder it wins the sports Emmy for edited sports special each year. Great job and for you that did not catch it this weekend, I think NBC replays it in the springtime, I will let you know when it’s on again.


I have not forgot about the Boston Celtics, this past week they set the record for the best start in franchise history at 21 wins and only 2 losses. To think a franchise with the history of the Boston Celtics: 17 World Championships and 31 Hall of Famers, some of the greatest players and teams in the history of the NBA, is off to the best start ever. It’s not how you start but how you finish! Hopeful they can keep this hot start going and win title number 18.

What to watch

This is another slow week, but there are a few good events to follow this weekend. Number 2 in the polls UCONN has its first real test in Number 7 Gonzaga in Seattle. This is also only their second road game of the season. Should be a good indication as they begin Big East play at the end of the month. The game is 4 P.M. on CBS.

This week is the inaugural season of the Winter Dew Tour, with a shop in Breckenridge, Colorado. Events will be snowboarding and free-skiing in splopestyle and superpipe, should be fun. The tour is on NBC, Saturday 2:30 to 4 P.M. and Sunday 4 to 6 P.M.

This is week 16 in the NFL. The Patriots are at home versus the Arizona Cardinals. The Pats need to win to keep their playoff hope alive. Arizona has already clinched the NFC West title. Game is at 1 P.M. on FOX.

I have decided to do a blog on the events and games I’m looking forward to in 2009, and not a awards column. This will be my last week of the year post. Look for it than.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Jamie Lazaroff