LEADING OFF

Red, White And Gold

Team Canada stormed the ice and fans bedecked in the home colors exulted after Sidney Crosby scored in sudden-death overtime for a 3--2 win against the U.S. and for Canada's record 14th gold medal of the 2010 Vancouver Games (page 34). The nail-biting hockey final brought the Olympic fortnight to a climax and capped a remarkable surge by the host nation, which won seven gold medals in the last three days.

Fly by Night

Ryan St. Onge, 27, of Winter Park, Colo., soared more than 50 feet above Cypress Mountain last Thursday evening during the final of the Olympic men's freestyle skiing aerials (page 44). After his second jump of the night, a successful "back double full-full-full," which involves three flips and four twists, St. Onge finished fourth.

Canada Wry

Nothing says Canada like canoes, Mounties, hockey players, maple leaves and, as Bob Costas memorably put it, "the always enjoyable giant inflatable beaver." Thus, with tongue in cheek, did the closing ceremonies of the XXI Winter Olympics pay tribute to the host country at Vancouver's BC Place on Sunday. There were mimes, too, and William Shatner, but why spoil the fun?

THREE PHOTOS

Photograph by Robert Beck