Every four years I seem to fall in love with some non-mainstream sport during the Winter Olympics.  It is usually something I would never sit down and watch at any other time; but once in four years I find it irresistable.

In 2002 it was the biathalon.  It combines cross country skiing and target shooting.  The best part is, if you miss a target you have to do a penalty lap.  We need more penalty laps in sports.  Who could dislike this sport? 

This year I have succumbed to snowboarding, specifically the halfpipe competition.  Let me state for the record that I am a  wanna be surfer/snowboarder girl.  But growing up in Maryland my opportunities for both have been limited to occassional trips to California and Colorado.  In short, I suck; I can barely make it down the mountain.  But that hasn't kept me from developing a strong affection for both the men's and women's U.S. snowboarding teams this Olympics.  These kids (and I do mean kids, they all should have endorsement deals with Clearasil) have unbelievable skills.  Watching the competition the last two nights I was blown away, despite the NBC announcer's annoying habit of using the phrase "throw down" after every run.  The kids can fly, twist, spin and otherwise contort themselves.

AS impressive as their tricks were, the best part was their attitude.  They were completely relaxed in their New York Yankees-esque pinstripes, hugging each other and mugging for the camera.  I half expected a dogpile or snowball fight at any moment.

And frankly the post-event interviews were the most honest I've heard in a long time.  There was no guile, no attempt at image manipulation, no savvy really.  They were just kids doing the thing they loved most and amazed at the fact that they'd won Olympic medals for it.  It showed on their faces, in their actions, and through their answers.

My only disappointment -- no one asked what they were all listening to during their turns on their iPods.