Dancing up a storm

Following the postponement of the men’s snowboard cross due to inclement weather, ice dancers Greg Merriman and Danielle O’Brien (@OBrienMerriman) were the only NSWIS athletes in action on day 10 in Sochi.

Having already achieved their goal of securing a top 20 berth after the short dance routine, Merriman and O’Brien took part in the free dance overnight, where competitors are allowed to choose their own music, themes and rhythms in the dance. 

With the pressure off the NSWIS pair took to the ice for their second performance on Olympic debut, turning in a wonderful display of theatrics and choreography inspired by the circus to eventually score 75.85 points and finish 20th overall.

The attention now turns to day 11 of Olympic action, when snowboard cross athletes Cam Bolton (@cameron_bolton), Jarryd Hughes (@jarrydhughes) and Alex Pullin(@chumpypullin) finally get their shot at gold after heavy fog postponed racing on day 10.

Joining the snowboard cross athletes competing on day 11 will be two fellow NSWIS athletes who are making their Olympic debuts.

Alpine skier Lavinia Chrystal (@laviniachrystal) will take on the women’s giant slalom in her first taste of Olympic action, while two time summer Olympian Jana Pittman (@janapittman) lines up in the women’s bobsleigh.