Kramer, Miller Screw Up Big

Speedskating gaffe particularly tragic
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Feb 24, 2010 4:24 AM CST
Kramer, Miller Screw Up Big
Bode Miller of the United States leaves the course after skiing out in the first run of the Men's giant slalom at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Whistler, British Columbia, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010.    (Sergey Ponomarev)

Bode Miller made the kind of mistake that sometimes happens in skiing. But the gaffe made by Dutch speedskater Sven Kramer? Unbelievable. Kramer went through the 10,000-meter race in what would've been record time, but was disqualified for not switching lanes while coming out of a turn. The craziest part? Kramer actually made the switch but his coach missed it, and animatedly motioned for him to switch lanes. Kramer seemed to pause before deciding to follow orders.

It's a virtually unheard of mistake in speedskating. "I've seen it once or twice in my career," said one former champion, "but never with a top skater and certainly never in the Olympic Games." All Miller did was lose control and fail to finish his first run down the giant slalom course. He missed his chance for a record fourth Alpine medal at a single Winter Games. But he notched what could be called a Bode Slam: a gold, a silver, a bronze and a DNF (did not finish).

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