THE LUCKLESS ELISE Christie will end a miserable Winter Games without a medal after she was disqualified from her 1000m short-track speed skating heat.
World champion Christie came to Pyeongchang with redemption on her mind after a similarly jinxed Sochi Games four years ago, but the Briton’s hex has remained firmly fixed in place.
Christie crashed out of the 500m final and 1,500 semi-finals – suffering tissue damage in her ankle in the latter which had left her with a race against time to get fit for the mid-distance event.
She was visibly uneasy on her skates as she took to the line for her heat and the astonishing scenes began as she tripped over the leg of Hungary’s Andrea Keszler and again hit the ice before getting to the first corner.
Christie clutched at her injured ankle again, but was given a second chance as the race was restarted.
This time, Christie opted out of the frantic dash for the first corner and instead chose to make her way through the field, finishing second amid more tussles with Keszler and a heavy bump with Polish skater Magdalena Warakomska.
But the misery was not over for Christie, who had to be carried out of the arena, as she was disqualified from the race for two minor penalties, ending her Games in despondent circumstances.
Christie later revealed that she had suffered ligament damage which ought to have ruled her out of competition for six weeks, but her determination to compete at the Olympics prompted her to try it out.
The 27-year-old also confirmed she was planning to go for gold yet again in Beijing in four years’ time.
Keszler was advanced to Thursday’s semi-finals behind Warakomska and heat winner Lara van Ruijven of the Netherlands.
- Omni
We need a 10 who wont be involved with Ireland so it’s a good signing, he won’t shunt Madigan and covers if Madigan is away
Great signing. He’s a perfect foil for Madigan in many ways. Playing style is more about control than Madigan’s gunslinging, he’s a great kicker from hand and tee plus he’ll be the steady hand we need at 10 when Madser is called up to the Irish squad next year.
Hopefully we’ve a big Aussie outside back signing on the way too…
Who’s that?
Madigan just can’t catch a break
Jimmy Cowen gave him some shot in that video
Should we not wait and see how he performs?
Where’s the fun in that….? ;-)
He is average at best. Seen him play quite a bit when he played with the Hurricanes. Doesn’t have the bottle for top level rugby.
What a load of utter crap. Jimmy was actually just starting to play his best rugby before he left. He is like the other 10 that left by the name of Nick a sorry loss to our fair shores. You sir have no class
Thy need to spend money to shore up 4 & 5 – not another 10……
Well they signed McCarthy from Connacht and Ben Marshall looks like a promising young prospect in their academy.
Fair point – McCarthy decent operator & haven’t seen the other guy in action, but its when we have a Hines, Elsom or Thorn that things start to happen …. great if we can grow our own of that capability.
Hmm. I wouldn’t b as positive about this guy… Id put him in a similar bracket as steenson but he’s Irish. I guess the financial reasons had a hand in this signing…
lol, why all the red thumbs??? Did i offend the poor Leinster new guy?? Hope Im wrong but cant see this guy being any more than an average Rabo player……
He’s perfect, as he won’t stunt Madigan but can step in when needed.
I for one don’t want Leinster signing players who get in the way of home grown players but players who can do a squad job when the irfu get in the way
Steenson is Irish. Look him up.
ERM….I know, I said that….
No but he’s taking a NIQ place. My point is Steenson wouldn’t have and at 28, is unlikely to feature in green….
Np ;-)
Cain I have the greatest admiration for Munster Rugby and always hope they do well unless they are playing Leinster.
Cian sorry the auto correct got the better of me.
Every province needs stand-in players when Ireland duties call. Leinster have been fortunate in the likes of Contepomi and Nacewa and hopefully this new recruit will make his own impact. The Rabo is not a second rate completion as Munster is finding out. Hopefully they will make the top four? It’s no longer a given.
Should read competition
I don’t think we will 2 b honest…. All our eggs are in the Heineken Cup basket I think….