Page 89 - Speed Skiing News Today

Sign -- we reserve the right to refuse service to arizona legislators. this comes four years after arizona passed a controversial immigration law signed by governor jan brewer. as for the latest bill today, brewer told us today while in washington, d.c., shes not yet sure if shell sign it or veto it. >> i dont have to make a decision until next friday, so i have plenty of time. >> reporter: but she has plenty of voices trying to sway her powerful decision. joe friar fryer, nbc news, los angeles....

At a ceremony to anoint 19 new cardinals. its the first time the two popes appeared at a ceremony together since pope benedict stepped down a year ago. and chinas capital raising its pollution system for the first time to orange, heavy smog is blanketing beijing. a level ten times considered safe by the world health organization, officials urge people to stay inside. and while it was 60 degrees here in sochi, it was snowing in los angeles. at the zoo, it was. theres snow for tigers and bears...

Those lucky enough to be in the stands got a great show. and 19-year-old tom walsh did not want to miss it. born and raised in vail, colorado, skiing is in his blood. >> there is nothing more that makes me happy than a blue sky day, a lot of powder and the wind in my face. >> reporter: youre a mountain kid? >> im definitely a mountain kid. >> reporter: the mountain is where he met shiffrin, it is where they both imagined one day they would ski in the olympics, but in high school, walshs life too...

Russia has won 29 medals so far. the u.s. is not far behind in second with 27 medals. so, what kind of day was it for americans? fair warning-- mark phillips is about to tell you. >> reporter: they illuminate the roof of the hockey rink here with the score of the game. it wasnt pretty reading. what had started so well ended so badly. the u.s. hockey team that had beaten the russians and was a tournament favorite until they lost to canada last night dropped the bronze medal game to finland. now, ...

>> reporter: the big question tonight. who will win ma medal count. the mens hockey team, 5-0. >> reporter: the defeat etched on their faces tonight. u.s. mens hockey team shocked the russians last week. but lost this gut-wrencher to canada last night. the american team finished 4th. and on the slopes gold medal winner, ted ligety did not finish his event missing a gate. and disqualified. it was the first day without a medal for the u.s. and one more real chance for the bobsled tomorrow. 16 days...

Because her school didnt have one. >> reporter: she was your prom date? >> yes. >> reporter: that is fantastic, i love it. when she made the olympic team, walsh vowed he would cheer her on. >> i want to go watch the olympics. >> reporter: but getting to sochi was difficult and expensive, so he turned to the make-a-wish foundation, the group that has granted wishes for decades for sick children, made another one come true, sending the wall walshs to russia, all expenses paid. after her gold medal...

An injury. now, though, mikaela shiffrin is the new star, and its no accident, no fluke. shiffrins life has been dedicated to skiing. she was the subject of a "60 minutes sports" profile on showtime last month. shes a prodigy, put on skis at the age of two by her skiing parents, trained continuously since. thats what it takes these days. the reward is an olympic gold, and this: >> when you travel the world and ski people worship the snow you ski on, dont they? ( laughter ) >> i... i suppose so. ...

Put your name and your reputation on the line for it. >> reporter: tonight, the u.s. struck gold on the mountain, 18-year-old mikaela shiffrin winning the womens slalom. >> you wish you could win every day. >> the youngest skier ever to do so. no surprise to her father, jeff. >> when you have confidence you can do it the nerves dont get to you as much. >> reporter: these games have heart. the skiers who cleaned the halfpipe offered this tribute to canadian sarah burke, who died in a training acc...

First ever womens halfpipe. and the women ended their day on the podium. two american teams on the podium tonight, how awesome. >> its so incredible. we wouldnt want it any other way. >> reporter: for the first time taking two medals, silver and bronze in bobsled, thrilled, though a few still itching for gold. >> i cant end on those runs. i will try to talk everyone to coming back with me. >> reporter: are you coming back? >> well see what happens. >> i wouldnt mess with her. >> you see them her...

Her program, lipnitskaya crashed hard. she completed her routine, but was visibly upset, finishing fifth. minutes earlier, the steely nerved reigning olympic champion, ewe yuna kim, triump triumphed. her signature move at last years world championship -- a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination. watch again. launching off the ice. her shoulders and hips in complete alignment, the faster she goes, the higher she jumps. helicoptering over 25 feet from start to finish. yuna leads the pack today, g...