With as many athletes—elite and otherwise—as the Wood River Valley boasts, it is no wonder the 2010 Winter Olympics has turned into a daily drama from which we cannot turn away.
What drives the spectacle home is that winter and skiing are what Sun Valley was built on, and it's Sun Valley that our local competitors are shaped by.
Morgan Arritola of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation's Olympic Development Team was the top American, in 38th place, in the women's 15k pursuit Nordic race Friday. Arritola is expected to compete in Thursday's 4x5k relay.
Newly minted valley resident Hilary Knight is the youngest member of the U.S. women's hockey team and has contributed eight points in four victories.
As expected, the United States and Canada will play for the gold medal Thursday. Game time is 4:30 p.m. MST. In four games, the Canadians have outscored opponents 46-2 and the Americans 40-2.
Also on Thursday, Idaho native Jeret Peterson will compete in the finals of men's aerials. He will be wearing No. 13.
Hailey Duke, a Sun Valley native, will compete in the women's slalom on Friday.