Regular Joe puts silver in his Pack

  • Tuesday, February 19, 2002 9:00pm
  • Sports

Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY – A regular Joe twisted and soared to a silver medal in the men’s aerials competition in freestyle skiing, winning after one of his teammates went from a gold medal to last place on a single blown jump.

Joe Pack, 23, put the Americans back on the medal platform after the U.S. squad was shut out – for the only day of the Olympics – on Monday.

He’s a hometown favorite, a football and soccer star at nearby Park City High School who can be seen riding his dirt bike around his adopted hometown once the snow melts.

Before the games, he had spoken about the boost he would get from the local crowd. He proved quite prescient; one of the fans waved a sign encouraging, “Go Huge Joe.” After his first jump, Pack grabbed his ski like a guitar and mimed a few riffs for his audience.

“It was a great contest,” he said.

A stunning miscalculation by defending aerials gold medalist Eric Bergoust left him on his back and in last place after his second jump. The gold medal went to Ales Valenta of the Czech Republic, while Alexei Grichin of Belarus won bronze.

JUDGING

It’s the latest craze, City: questioning the Olympic judges: On Tuesday, it was the Lithuanians – fifth-place finishers in ice dancing – who filed a protest with the International Skating Union over the votes that dropped the pair in the standings during Monday night’s finals.

And the Russian Olympic Committee fired off a letter to the International Ski Federation, complaining of biased judging in the freetyle aerials competition. Russian Olga Koroleva led after the first jump of the final Monday, but slipped to fourth after the second jump.

The new complaints came as ISU investigators interviewed a championship judge who allegedly witnessed a “confession” of a vote-swapping deal by the French woman in the middle of the judging scandal.

CROSS-COUNTY-SKIING

Tchepalova wins gold: For the second time in as many Olympics, Julija Tchepalova of Russia has won a gold medal. This time, she did it much quicker.

Tchepalova, winner of the 30-kilometer freestyle in 1998, captured the first Olympic women’s 1.5K cross-county sprint. It was her second Salt Lake City medal, along with the bronze she won in the 15K freestyle event.

Evi Sachenbacher of Germany won the silver and Anita Moen of Norway the bronze. Favored Katerina Neumannova of the Czech Republic lost in a qualifying heart.

In the men’s 1.5K race, Tor Arne Hetland of Norway grabbed the lead in the final 100 meters to win his first gold medal in two Olympics. Peter Schlickenrieder of Germany won the silver and Cristian Zorzi of Italy won the bronze.

Americans Carl Swenson, Torin Koos, Lars Flora and Kris Freeman were all eliminated in the early heats.

CURLING

Swedish women eliminated: Great Britain moved into the Olympic semifinals with a pair of tie-breaker victories. They eliminated Sweden 6-4, then did the same to Germany, 9-5. Next for Great Britain: a medal round game against powerful Canada.

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Kamiak’s Kai Burgess has her arm raised in the air after beating Arlington’s Jaymari O’Neal in the 125-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Rebuilding Kamiak girls wrestling steps forward at District Tournament

Ki Burgess and Eden Cole each won their weight class in Friday’s WIAA District 1 Girls’ 4A Tournament

Meadowdale’s Kyairra Roussin takes the ball to the hoop during the game against Archbishop Murphy on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Kyairra Roussin’s deep buzzer-beater lifts Meadowdale over Stanwood.

Prep boys basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Lake Stevens passes Mariner in league standings to take final district slot.

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Gonzaga overcomes stagnant start to beat LMU

Bulldogs get ‘best of best’ play down the stretch in 73-53 win.

Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates during a stop of the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on Nov. 24, 2024 (Photo courtesy of Rod Mar / Seattle Seahawks)
Leonard Williams restructures Seahawks deal

More moves may be coming as Seattle deals with salary cap.

Former Archbishop Murphy High School stars, Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) and Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), prepare for play at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 26, 2024. Though Lucas is likely to return as a starter, Seattle's interior line needs offseason upgrades. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
The Seahawks offensive line needs work

A mix free agency and draft could lead to upgraded interior.

UW men stumble in second half, fall to Nebraska

The three-pointers that fell so frequently — and from a… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway’s William Alseth dribbles the ball down the court during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball enters playoffs on high note

The Warriors never let up in 63-43 win vs. Shorewood on Tuesday to secure Wesco South 3A/2A title

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 4

Parker powers Seagulls to district berth.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.