We’re not talking about ladies’ ice skating but ice skating around a circle. Korean’s have been known for winning in short track speed skating, but now they’ve migrated towards the long track which has long been dominated by the Dutch and Nordic countries. Today was a stunning gold medal win by Lee Seung-Hoon in the 10,000 meter race because the very heavy favorite Sven Kramer was disqualified because of an illegal lane change.   He had the best time but he was disqualified because of a gaffe by his coach, who instructed him to change lanes wrongly. Sven was disqualified for the illegal lane change and he was so upset that he thew down his glasses and couldn’t talk to his coach.

Lee Seung-Hoon, who took silver behind Kramer in the men’s 5,000 meters, slashed more than 22 seconds off his personal best to win in 12 minutes 58.55 seconds. Originally, he finished more than four seconds behind Kramer. Sven was clearly the best even though he made that mistake, but it’s rather unfortunate that Sven lost because of a brain fart by his coach. It may not be the best way to win, but Lee Seung-Hoon isn’t complaining. However, it’s been a glorious Winter Olympics for the South Korean speed skating team because they’ve won more medals at these games than previously. Why do Koreans excel in individual sports like archery and speed skating?   Wait, there are some team sports that Koreans excel in and that’s Ladies’ handball.  Now don’t get me started.

For the review and replay of the disqualification, go to NBCOlympics.com.

You just never know in short track speed skating until everyone’s crossed the finish line or if they even cross the finish line.  In one of the most thrilling finishes in my narrow understanding of short track speed skating, the finals of the 1500M short track race was set up for a South Korean sweep as three skaters from South Korea were bunched together  making the final turn towards the finish line.  Meters behind them was Apolo Ohno and J.R. Celski as there was a significant gap between the Korean bunch and the Americans.  However, a mishap by one of the Korean skaters undercut his countryman and both slipped coming out of the last turn.  Was it simply bad luck or bad skating tactics?  I certainly can’t say because I never lace the skates up but the devastatingly surprise ending for the two Korean kids opened a door for Apolo Ohno and J.R. Celski to cruise into 2nd and 3rd place.  Lee Jung Su of South Korea did end up winning the gold medal but I’m sure the South Korean contingency had quite a volatile evening in their recap of what happened.  Adding salt to the wound is the fact that Apolo Ohno ended up winning the silver medal and we all know that he has an adversarial history with South Korea in short track speed skating.  It’s never been truer in in any sport than in short track speed skating that it’s “never over till it’s over.”  How about them Olympics!

Go to NBCOlympics.com to watch the stunning finish.

Korean female athletes are winning everywhere!  Michelle Wie won her very first LPGA tournament down in Mexico this weekend and the best skater on the planet, Kim Yu-Na, won her second consecutive title at Skate America.  However, it wasn’t a perfect win because she failed to win the free skate portion of the competition after having dominated the short program with a new world record score.

Kim Yu Na stumbled a little in the free skate but in the end she beat out her nearest competitor by 13 points – which is considered a big gap – to win the Skate America title.  She is clearly the favorite heading into the Olympics in Vancouver.  Based on her scoring, she’s been demoralizing her competition because her scores have been significantly more than her competitors.  Will Kim Yu Na get a gold medal or will she become the next Michelle Kwan, who is known as one of the most decorated American ice skaters to never have won a gold medal at the Olympics.

After Kim Yu Na’s dominating performance last night at the World Figure Skating Championship, the skating world is abuzz.  This was the final big event before the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.  This just means there’s going to be increasing pressure heaped on the shoulders of this delicate 18 year old from South Korea until the Olympics.  Fortunately for her, Brian Orser is her coach and he knows a lot about having the weight of your country on your back.  Remember the “Battle of the Brians” from many Olympics ago: Brian Boitano edged out Brian Orser for Olympic gold.  It’s going to be fun watching her get ready for the Olympics.  The NY Daily News article – “A star is born and she’s not an American skater” – is just an example of the excitement brewing across the web about Kim Yu Na.  Read>

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ8LjgZ_meY]

South Korean skater Kim Yu Na wowed the crowd last night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  She is competing in the World Figure Skating Championships and had an incredible start to the weekend competition by throwing down the highest short program score in history with a 76.12.

“I’m completely impressed,” said 1992 Olympic champion Kristi Yamaguchi. “Her whole package is captivating to watch. She definitely has a special quality.”

“Her first jump, I said, ‘Wow, she has the power of a man and the grace of a woman,’ ” said 1988 Olympic champion Brian Boitano.  Read>