LeopardWatch: Post-Olympic Update

For two weeks in February, our blog was taken over with Snow Leopard fever… keeping up with Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong’s inspiring feats representing underdogs everywhere as the first Ghanaian Winter Olympian.  Since the Olympics – where he finished in the top 50 and completed both runs in tricky conditions, while many others fell – Kwame has been catching up with his truckload of fan mail, and weighing up what comes next.

Clight’n’Irish were recently in touch with Kwame, and are pleased to give you the inside scoop that rumors of Kwame’s competitive retirement are greatly overstated. The fire still burns in the heart of the Snow Leopard… who told Irish he is seriously considering “maybe skiing competitively for one more year”.

His Olympic experience was just as amazing as it was for us watching him. “It was an experience I will not forget, crossing the line,” he said. But, competitive as always, he still was looking to have set a better time, having been hampered by the bad weather conditions, and slippery course. “My Olympic skiing compared to my normal skiing showed a vast difference in speed.”

Though not yet set on retirement, Kwame is shifting his focus onto his project to build a slope in Ghana to train youngsters to follow in his ski-tracks. “I am a happy man and looking forward to developing the next Snow Leopards,” he told us.

And we will be looking forward to cheering them on, Kwame.

We’ll keep you posted on any of Kwame’s events this year, but in the meantime, you can support his projects at ghanaskiteam.com

— Irish

LeopardWatch: Now actually ‘Watch’ online…

While Clight’n’Irish are huge fans of the Snow Leopard, NBC gave him a primetime snubbing last night (preferring to spend valuable airtime on interviewing Bode Miller about his total 7 seconds in competition before missing a flag and skiing of the course) but by popular demand, you can see the raw, uncommentated Leopard footage now on NBColympics.com by following the link below…

Run 1…

Click the link at the end of the video for run 2.

And the good thing about watching them online, is you don’t have to put up with the constant interruptions of Bob Costas interviewing Lindsay Vonn to practice her lines for her upcoming cameo in Law & Order (evidently the next installment is going to be “Law & Order: Alpine Murders Unit”).  Come on NBC, Lindsay had her share of coverage — you know, back when SHE competed. Save some airtime for the real stories, guys.  Even if they are not young and blonde.

— Irish

LeopardWatch: The downhill ascent of an inspirational Man

Doubters tried to discourage him. Olympic stereotypes stood in his way. Funding woes threatened his campaign. The Organizing Committee scratched him from his first event in strange circumstances. And the winter weather tried, for a week, to rain (and sleet, and snow) on his parade.

But in this world, there are two types of men: there are men, and then there are Men. And Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong is a Man — with a capital “M”. (For “Man”.)

They say “no man can move mountains”, but today, this Man moved me, as he moved down a mountain. Which is ‘close enough’ where I come from.

The Snow Leopard looked anxious and excited at the top of the Whistler slope ready to set out on his two runs in less than perfect conditions. Nervous, just like any of us would be.

His tongue poked out as he concentrated on turns. Just like any of ours would do.

He was undoubtedly conscious of the eyes of the world being upon him. Just like any of us would be.

Other top competitors looked cold (no pun intended) and ruthless (some may even say ‘piste off’!) and rued that slight mistake on Flag 7 as they shot a disappointed look at the time clock at the completion of their run. If they finished at all that is… The course claimed half the field on this day, as DNFs and disqualifications, including big name American pretenders “Shred” Ligety and Bode Miller. (No, I didn’t miss the quotation marks on the second one, that’s his REAL name.)

But the mountain could not tame our Leopard. He reached the bottom of the hill on both runs, not looking for the time clock and a medal, but celebrating the fact that he had just competed in the Winter Olympic Games and realized a dream few people – let alone people from Ghana – ever will. And he smiled.

Just like any of us would do.

Congratulations, Kwame!

— Irish

LeopardWatch: Snow Leopard on NBC Today

The mainstream media is finally paying attention to the Snow Leopard, since they can hardly ignore him!

This morning, Kwame was featured on the NBC Today program.

Here is a link to view the clip, for those of you who, like us, are looking forward to seeing the Leopard roar this Saturday.

Snow Leopard Sets His Sights on GOLD.

Clight

Blades of Glory: The Documentary

Until watching the Men’s Olympic Figure Skating last week (under duress, I swear!) I had no idea that the movie Blades of Glory was a documentary.

It’s a highly entertaining sport, if you like drag shows (or enjoy watching people making asses of themselves – which is becoming a national sport in its own right.)

"This one goes out to all my homies..."

Despite his failure to place in the top 3, US skater Johnny Weir’s tasseled corset costume earns him the inaugural Clight-n-Irish Pink Medal.  His Bio claims that he “has consistently declined to answers questions about his sexuality.” That confuses me – what question could there possibly be about his sexuality? The man has two pet Chihuahuas named “Bon-Bon” and “Vanya.”

The real shock of the games thus far is that Evgeni “My enemies fear me” Plushenko was robbed of the gold medal. How can the only man in the top 3 to perform a Quad (the “One Louder” of figure skating) come away with a mere second place, you ask?  Obviously the judges were bribed.

Lest you think the “Blades of Glory” parallel is flimsy, I invite you (at your own risk) to view the following masterpiece of figure skating, by the current World Champion. If you can watch for long enough, enjoy the female commentator’s remarks at the 3:20 mark.

Clight

LeopardWatch: Canucks decide it’s “NO LEOPARD” for Giant Slalom

We built up anticipation for Sunday’s big first run in the Giant Slalom, but “Spotted Sunday” was snowed out.  So we picked you up off the floor, dusted the discarded appetizers and little umbrellas from one too many cocktails off your shirt, and said, let’s do it again Tuesday night.

But alas, Leopard Lovers, like a bad day at the zoo, you won’t see a Leopard today.

This morning, the entry list for the Men’s Giant Slalom was missing it’s biggest drawcard: with the name “K. Nkrumah-Acheampong” suddenly missing from the list.

So I wrote to Kwame, who just informed me he that was deemed ineligible from this event by VANOC (the organizing committee for the Games) under some kind of “new rules”.   The very same VANOC that sent him forms as a qualifier for both the Giant and the Slalom, and that until a couple days ago was showing him as a participant in both events.

And, yes, the same VANOC that doesn’t seem to have had a contingency plan in case it might (imagine this for an unlikely event) actually snow at the Winter Olympics.

The whole thing rings of some kind of conspiracy, probably cooked up by those shifty Austrians, looking to remove a threat from their chance at a medal clean sweep (in the end, they got none). Or perhaps, by US medal chance, Ted “Shred” Ligety, who is just annoyed someone has a cooler nickname now.

Either way, Kwame is Kwame, and managed to find the lighter side of the whole mysterious debacle when relaying the news to me: “So, I carried 2 Giant Slalom skis here for nothing”, he joked.

So, once again we turn our attention ahead a few days. To Saturday, the Men’s Slalom, and the guarantee that the Leopard will finally ski at these Games.  New rules, stupid Canadian bureaucrats and the winter weather are simply no match for a man on a mission.

— Irish

PS… congratulations though to Leyti Seck of Senegal who finished 73rd!!

LeopardWatch: ‘Downhill Debacle’ Ruins Revelry

Leopard Lovers have been left with an empty afternoon and unneeded party reservations across the globe as “Spotted Sunday” was wiped off the calendar, by – you guessed it – SNOW!

The Men’s Slalom – the first chance to see Kwame “The Snow Leopard” Nkrumah-Acheampong represent Ghana in Olympic competition – was pushed from Sunday to Tuesday because Whistler had fallen prey to another snowstorm, and the course was annoyingly covered in snow, forcing all events to move back a few days.

In what at least one website (this one) has labeled the “Downhill Debacle”, Vancouver officials are now in grave danger of not fitting in all the events before the closing ceremony. Only one of four men’s events have gone ahead.  Men’s race director Guenter Hujara is optimistic: “I’m always optimistic… No panic at all”.  Then why are your knees shaking, Guenter?

Bars across the globe will probably remain closed or empty and ratings will likely plummet, as NBC has been forced to fill its schedule with the door-busting excitement of Curling.

So, forget Spotted Sunday, now it will have to be “Take-a-Sickie Tuesday” as millions of fans are forced to “Spot Up” during business hours on Tuesday.  “I believe this is a sly Canadian attempt to reduce American productivity,” said one major employer.

If you happen to feel a little ill on Tuesday morning, tune in at 9:30am and 1pm US EST for the first and second runs, respectively.

That is, of course, unless it snows again.

— Irish

LeopardWatch: Spotted Sunday Beckons

Well, the IOC managed to overcome it’s fear of snow and rain and actually get some skiiers moving in the customary downhill direction.

So now the eyes of the world turn to the one BIG story of these games.

Some people may say the big story is “Mogul Man” finally winning a home gold for the Canucks. But how is that news? Canada HAS snow. Ghana, on the other hand, doesn’t.

This Sunday, the Snow Leopard Frenzy hits new heights (I would say “fever pitch” but I’d prefer to forget that Jimmy Fallon movie) as Kwame plows downhill in the Giant Slalom, carrying the support of Clight n Irish on a few of his spots!

Some people are perhaps going too far in showing their support of the Leopard.

For first time Alpine Skiing enthusiasts, let me help out with the lingo: Giant Slalom is just like regular Slalom, but with really, really big flags. Like a spinnaker strung between football posts. And all the competitors are at least 8 feet tall. (As far as I know anyway, perhaps you want to check here…)

So put on your best leopard print knickers and tune in Sunday (Vancouver time). Better yet, get out and cheer in a bar and recruit more people to the Leopard’s cause (in this case, though, please wear jeans over your spotted thong).

— Irish

LeopardWatch: Alpine course plagued by wintry conditions

Leopard Lovers everywhere are praying to Mother Nature that Kwame’s first run in the Giant Slalom (next Sunday 21 Feb) won’t be interrupted, after the initial events scheduled in the Alpine condition this weekend were delayed due to inclement winter weather.

That’s right, folks – skiing events were delayed by, well… snow.

A unique approach in Vancouver: Winter Olympics without the annoying skiing

In all the planning over the past 6 years, and despite the combined powers of the International Olympic Committee and the International Ski Federation, it seemed no-one predicted that there might be snow and sleet and rain in the middle of February at Whistler. Which is hosting the WINTER Olympics.

Practices are being cancelled faster than NBC late-night programs and events are being re-scheduled left, right and center. So far the only thing going downhill in Whistler is the public’s (already mild) interest in the Alpine program.  No word yet on whether the Hockey will have to be cancelled due to the cold conditions at the Rink, or whether the Figure Skating will go ahead despite complaints from the neighbors about the volume of all that campy music.

Thankfully, the Snow Leopard is keeping the public’s eyes on the Games with the Ghana House Party tonight – possibly the only event going ahead in Whistler today, because of clever planning to hold it indoors.  Smart move, Leopard – they should give you the Gold medal now, just for your foresight.

Seriously though, let’s all hope for good weather so Kwame can get in some good preparation for his assault on the Giant Slalom next Sunday. Go Leopard!

The Leopard on the Prowl

It begins tonight. In Vancouver, Canadia. One man lives the dream. Walking proudly into the cauldron of Olympic competition carrying the flag of his nation. And the hopes and dreams of two bloggers and their three to four readers on his back.

Over the next 12 days, Kwame “The Snow Leopard” Nkrumah-Acheampong will go where no man from Ghana has ever gone before… downhill (repeatedly) in Winter Olympic competition – smashing accepted wisdom and stereotypes at high-speed and leaving a trail of goodwill and public support in his wake.

We salute you Snow Leopard – you are one of the true heroes that makes the Winter Games a real representation of the human spirit, rather than just a snowy sports carnival for the Aspen elite. Best of luck!!!

Readers… One more cliche for you: check your local guides for coverage.

Go, Snow Leopard, Go!

— Clight n Irish