Well, he may have finished off the medal podium last night, but who cares, Adam Rippon is the best. I may not have known anything about him until like a week ago, but several Fantasy Olympians were early adopters, and should be recognized.  Scrooge McScott of Duckburg (Not the One You\’re Thinking Of), Hey Now! Heidi of Garcialand, Queen Liz of Lindsay von Bismarck, and Pipe Swinger Not Tanya Harding of Gilloolia clearly knew the joy he would bring to our lives, even though he only brought two points to their teams.  Soon, hopefully, he\’ll be bringing joy to Queen Ryan O of Boylandia\’s life when I force them to date so I can be friends with Adam Rippon.  Get out of my way, Sally Field. 

While Adam Rippon is leading the Olympics, Her Excellency Amber of Rambastan enjoyed another day atop the leaderboard.  But it\’s Queen Charlotte of Covfefe and Shot Caller Marcus of Marcistan who deserve honorable mention today- climbing up the leaderboard to just off the medal stand, but well within striking distance.

Standings are up to date through Saturday\’s events.  One week in, and my end of Olympics depression is starting to creep up already.  I

Valentines Day Edition

Love is in the air in the Olympics (see photo) and love is in the air in the Fantasy Olympics League.  Much like pairs figure skaters, and the Norwegian mixed doubles curling team, many of our competitors are married to each other.  And unlike the Norwegian mixed doubles curling team, hopefully happily so.

But how do those couples stack up to the competition?  Have they risen to the occasion, or are they falling apart and then screaming at each other in front of curling fans across the world?

Well, not surprisingly, Former Vice Mayor Kenny Kyle Fletcher of The Land of Tony\’s Flags and myself, the Sultan of Murphladesh, also known as the power couple of American Curling, are in a resounding first place.  Some might find that suspicious given that exclusive control of the game is also in our home, but I assure you that this game is ethical and above reproach.

In a tie for second is Mountain Diego of New Newfreeland and Governor Trish of Iowa with Her Excellency Amber of Rambastan (our current points leader) and Barkeep CharDee MacDennis of Paddy\’s Pubistan.  Just a few points back from the leaders, it\’s truly going to be a fight to the finish.

On the bottom of the table today is President Mark of Packerland and Queen Karen of Queenlandia and Pipe Swinger Not Tonya Harding of Gilloolia and Gambler Kenny Rogers of Kenny Rogers\’ Roasterstan.

And finally, rounding out the standings are a couple that allegedly is very into both the Olympics and fantasy sports games, Keeper of the Litter Palace Queen Allison of Mabeltopia and The Bonanza King himself of Bonanzabwe.  With a mere 51 points, an incredible 117 points out of the lead, one has to wonder: do they have what it takes to mount a comeback?

It\’s been a bad day.  Sure, sure, many Americans went home with medals, but my captain, Elise Christie, was brutally kicked in the hand by eventual silver medal winner Yara van something or other in the 500m short track speed skate today.  And then pyeongchang2018.com went down for maintenance.

Finally, the standings are updated, only to reveal that Kingpin Matthew of The Altered State of Drugachusetts is also having a bad day.  He\’s taken a Herrington tumble out of medal contention.  And bad news for Queen Ginny of Don\’t Try to Chang Me who finds herself still in single digits, just out of the seven way tie for next to last. But there\’s a lot of Olympics left to go, which is terrible news for Chancellor Brian Barrette of United States who probably peaked way too early.

Check your ranking here.  

Much like Bradie Tennell is here, the US is in turmoil.  I know, I know, this comes as a surprise. But let\’s focus on the Olympic-specific turmoil.  6 medals out of I don\’t know, probably 50, so far.  I haven\’t had my hopes this dashed since… well, I guess earlier this college basketball season.  The only sports we are excelling in are the ones we invented.  Which actually should just be our plan going forward.  If we get enough random US sports in the Olympics, then eventually we win the most medals.  If we can\’t be strong enough or fast enough, then at least we can be the most creative.  Flonkerton 2022!

Some fantasy countries competing in this league are going through a similarly tumultuous time.  It appears the poor souls of Groganzola have endured another coup since the 2016 Rio Olympics.  The Mounted Sovereigns of Groganzola-on-the-Caucausus have sent their fearless- and I\’m told much feared- leader Skullgrinder Ross to try to best their 11th place finish. So far?  Not so good.

I would be remiss were I not to mention the feel-good story of these Fantasy Olympics.  Despite going through what must be a chaotic time, Covfefe and The People\’s Republic of Covfefe are able to compete side by side.  Though there is no word yet whether Queen Charlotte of Covfefe and Her Serene Highness Jen of PRC foresee a united future, they\’ve at least stopped tweeting at each other, which is all anyone can ask for really.

The Secret to Red Gerard\’s Success: He\’s 2 Dozen Different Snowboarders

The Olympics have gotten off to a shredding start with the first US gold going to young Red Gerard, my claimed distant cousin, who was totally stoked to win gold in the snowboarding one where they jump on the pipes but then they also flip at the end. I\’m a pretty big snowboarder so I totally know what that is called, I just didn\’t want to confuse those of you who aren\’t so hip to the lingo.

Fantasy Olympics has also definitely not been a bummer for Kingpin Matthew Leathers of The Altered State of Drugachusetts who has survived another day atop the leaderboard.  NBC may have devoted an hour of this morning\’s Olympics coverage to wondering whether Red Gerard really \”gets\” it because he\’s a millennial, but we here at the Fantasy Olympics blog know that Kingpin Matthew gets it.  He\’s come so close to the top before only to have it slip from his grasp.  Can he hold on for the next two weeks?  … maybe?

To see how you\’re doing, check the leaderboard here.  But be warned.  Point totals are updated through Sunday\’s events, so you may see spoilers for this afternoon\’s coverage.  For example, I have already entered the medals for the speed skating event that is currently airing.  Check the tabs at the bottom of the page to find your personal team or look at the Olympians tab to see how a particular Olympian is faring.

And don\’t forget to join the Facebook group for lively conversation.

Fantasy Olympics are LIVE.  Submit your team of TWENTY Olympians.  Don\’t forget to guess the medal count, and name a team captain.

This is the link to submit your team. 

You should click on it.

IMPORTANT: You MUST submit your team by Thursday, February 8 at noon EST.  Remember it like this: Submit your form by High Noon if you\’re Super Duper like Gary Cooper.  Or you know, just remember it a regular way.

Some hot tips for your picks:
1. Every Winter Olympics medal ever won by Yugoslavia was won by a Slovenian.
2. Yugoslavia is not a country anymore, so don\’t pick any Olympians from there.
3. Think about whether a country has snow.

Once your picks are submitted, I will send you a confirmation e-mail.  Please remember that I am not a computer and have a job or let\’s be honest, I\’m probably crocheting, so it probably will NOT be immediate.  But let\’s say- within 24 hours.

THEN you\’ll get a link to a spreadsheet to follow the game and a Facebook group for trash talk.  I mean, constructive criticism and support. And don\’t forget to check here for insightful commentary.

If you have any questions, comment below or contact me in one of the literally dozens of ways there are to contact people in this day and age.

Good luck, and God bless the Olympics!

Do you have what it takes to top the medal podium?  Probably not.  Are you an out of shape middle aged person who spends most of their time on their phone anyway?  Then you may have what it takes to top the fantasy medal podium!  Start your research.  Make your picks before February 8.  Check the scoring guide here.

This is Eternal High Commander Trish, First of Her Name (left).  Why does she look so happy?  Well that\’s because a clerical error earlier this week resulted in EHC Trish being resigned to 4th place and Heartbreak.  HOWEVER, upon recalculation, she has actually tied for Bronze!

The clerical error was brought to the Great Commissioner\’s attention by King Lance of Hyrule, which is admirable.  Perhaps he thought it was a King Solomon and the baby situation, but it\’s not.  I have more yarn than a yarn store, so basically unlimited bronze medals!

Congratulations to EHC Trish, and to all of you!