Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

debm55

(57,930 posts)
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 10:27 AM Friday

If you were in the Winter Olympics, what sport would you be in? I always liked the ice skating. How about you?

Last edited Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:10 AM - Edit history (1)

EDIT, I like all the winter sports at the Winter Olympics mostly because I can't do them, except for cross country skiing.
94 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
If you were in the Winter Olympics, what sport would you be in? I always liked the ice skating. How about you? (Original Post) debm55 Friday OP
Sledding because I can't ski or ice skate. I tried but just clutzy. 👍 TommieMommy Friday #1
Thank you, TommieMommy. I can't ice skate, But I would love to, I love to watch their moves on the ice in wonderment. debm55 Friday #6
Yes, they look so beautiful. TommieMommy Friday #47
Agree debm55 Friday #65
Ice skating SheltieLover Friday #2
Thank you very much SheltieLover, for sharing with us. debm55 Friday #7
Well, ⛷️ ski jumping. I can't do it but often wondered Polly Hennessey Friday #3
Thank you very much, Polly Hennessey. I like all the sports. The ski jumping is great. debm55 Friday #8
Actually used to race Downhill justaprogressive Friday #4
Thank you very much , justaprogressive. I have done cross country skiing but never regular skiing. That would feel debm55 Friday #9
you're right, it feels almost like you're flying. justaprogressive Friday #12
I went downhill skiing precisely once, when I was about 14. 3catwoman3 Friday #23
I tried it once on a bunny hill, First and last time I went skiing. And there was a teacher there and I was surrounded debm55 Friday #26
I watched the downhill coverage this morning ok_cpu Yesterday #69
Oh nuts I misses it. Thank you very much. ok_cpu debm55 Yesterday #74
Luge. Raven123 Friday #5
Thank you so much for sharing with us, Raven123. I love watching luge. Wish I had the nerve to do it. debm55 Friday #13
Competitive Zamboni Driver ret5hd Friday #10
Oh you , So you like hockey? debm55 Friday #14
Speed Skating Deep State Witch Friday #11
Thank you very much. Deep State Witch. I love speed skating. PS I would go to the South Park skating ring and watch debm55 Friday #16
I sported a Dorothy Hamill wedge haircut for years. 3catwoman3 Friday #17
Me, too! Deep State Witch Friday #19
I had a Dorothy Hamill cut to . or so the hairstylist said it was one. debm55 Friday #27
We lived in the Wash DC area for 8 years during my husband's final Air Force assignment... 3catwoman3 Friday #32
You were luck, I only had a semi, Dorothy Hamill. Never a true one. debm55 Friday #42
I'd love to experience floating in the air the way the ski jumpers do. 3catwoman3 Friday #15
I did that floating in the air thing once! pandr32 Friday #37
Yikes!!! Near the pediatric office from which I retired, there is a ski jump. 3catwoman3 Friday #38
Very scary. pandr32 Friday #41
You are brave. I don't think I could ever do it. debm55 Friday #44
It was by accident. pandr32 Friday #49
Oh , I am glad that you were not seriously hurt. debm55 Friday #54
I agree about the floating in the air. I found out that Pittsburgh has a curling club. Would like to try it once and see debm55 Friday #43
The closest I ever came to this was what I guess you'd have to call a wind tunnel ride... 3catwoman3 Friday #53
That sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing your experience. 3catwoman3 debm55 21 hrs ago #77
I always thought ski jumping would be terrific, but I'd likely wind up like this poor fellow... Harker Yesterday #72
One of those indelible images that sticks with you... 3catwoman3 Yesterday #73
As does the line about "the thrill of victory... and the agony of defeat." Harker 22 hrs ago #75
I can hear the music and the commentator's voice. 3catwoman3 20 hrs ago #83
I used to watch that all the time, The Wide World of Sports debm55 19 hrs ago #85
I was always entranced by luge racing EYESORE 9001 Friday #18
Thank you EYESORE 9001 debm55 Friday #67
Curling n/t gladium et scutum Friday #20
YES!!!!!!!! I just found out that there is a Curling Organization in Pittsburgh. debm55 Friday #66
Ice skating. LoisB Friday #21
Thank you very much, LoisB. It is favorite to watch. debm55 Friday #64
Ice skating! KT2000 Friday #22
Thank you very much, KT2000 for sharing with us. debm55 Friday #63
Biathlon. The combination of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting sounds like fun to me. Borogove Friday #24
I agree, Borogove, I have done cross country target practice. but not together. Thank you. debm55 Friday #62
Downhill skiing, of course I would also already be dead. surfered Friday #25
Thank you very much, my friend. debm55 Friday #61
Bobsled, for sure. CanonRay Friday #28
Two person or four person? Thank you very much CanonRay. debm55 Friday #60
🐎 🏒 underpants Friday #29
That is in the Summer Olympics, not the Winter Olympics. debm55 Friday #30
Figure skating, for sure Mad_Dem_X Friday #31
I second that , Mad_Dem_X. I tried once to ice skate or I should say ice walk. Crawled back to the gate on all fours and debm55 Friday #33
LOL! pandr32 Friday #35
Looking back it was and I was a Senior in HS. debm55 Friday #59
How about home neighborhood skiing and sledding? pandr32 Friday #34
Thank you pandr32. We had what we called the double dip. One part of hill was high the other not so high. If you got debm55 Friday #58
Sounds like fun! pandr32 Yesterday #71
The luge gay texan Friday #36
HAHAHAHAHAH. thank you very much for sharing with us, gay texan. debm55 Friday #48
Downhill skiing which launches me down a ramp into race boat skiing... GreenWave Friday #39
Thank you Green Wave. It is not an Olympic event but I have seen videos of people doing this in the Summer. debm55 Friday #46
Downhill skiing. When I was younger I was pretty good. Ritabert Friday #40
Thank you very much for sharing with us, Ritabert. debm55 Friday #45
If this was an Olympic event I'd win the Gold Medal LogDog75 Friday #50
HAHAHHAHHAhHAh. that is funny. Thank you,LogDog75. debm55 Friday #57
Biathlon, but using a shotgun and snowmobile. Sneederbunk Friday #51
Thank you very much, Sneederbunk. Have you tried it in your area? debm55 Friday #56
Figure skating. Ocelot II Friday #52
Thank you very much for sharing with us, Ocelot II, debm55 Friday #55
Interesting! Talitha Yesterday #68
Thank you very much, Talitha.for sharing with us. debm55 Yesterday #70
My athletic talent knows no bounds. WestMichRad 22 hrs ago #76
HAHAHHAAHAHAH. Thank you very much, WestMichRad. Cross Country Skiing is the one winter sport I can do. debm55 21 hrs ago #79
I really never had MuseRider 21 hrs ago #78
thank you very much, MuseRider.for sharing with us. debm55 21 hrs ago #80
I grew up on the west coast of Florida, and I have zero winter sport skills ms liberty 21 hrs ago #81
Thank you very much, ms. liberty. for sharing with us. debm55 21 hrs ago #82
Ice skating, for sure. n/t whathehell 20 hrs ago #84
Thank you very much whatthehell for sharing with us. debm55 8 hrs ago #86
You are so welcome, Deb whathehell 6 hrs ago #87
Definitely figure skating - growing up in Wisconsin TBF 6 hrs ago #88
Thank you very much, TBF, for sharing with us. I can't ice skate at all but I have always loved watching others Figure debm55 6 hrs ago #89
Bobsled, I love Rollercoaster rides. Emile 6 hrs ago #90
HAHAHHA. I love it. Thank you very much for sharing with us, Emile. debm55 6 hrs ago #92
ski jumping and dreaming about ice skating. AllaN01Bear 6 hrs ago #91
Thank you so much, Bear, for sharing with us. Great choices. debm55 5 hrs ago #93
IF I really could skate maybe Ice Dancing... electric_blue68 28 min ago #94

debm55

(57,930 posts)
6. Thank you, TommieMommy. I can't ice skate, But I would love to, I love to watch their moves on the ice in wonderment.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 10:42 AM
Friday

Polly Hennessey

(8,673 posts)
3. Well, ⛷️ ski jumping. I can't do it but often wondered
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 10:37 AM
Friday

what it would be like to fly through the air, land on a pillow of snow, and glide to a graceful curving stop. 🤔

debm55

(57,930 posts)
9. Thank you very much , justaprogressive. I have done cross country skiing but never regular skiing. That would feel
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 10:48 AM
Friday

wonderful.

justaprogressive

(6,611 posts)
12. you're right, it feels almost like you're flying.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 10:58 AM
Friday

...only thing better I've experienced is body-surfing. Mostly you need the Pacific Ocean
for that because of the waves...wanted to try a boogie board, couldn't find one
on the "right" coast.

3catwoman3

(28,901 posts)
23. I went downhill skiing precisely once, when I was about 14.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:10 AM
Friday

We lived in Rochester NY, and there are a fair number of ski places in the area. My parents decided it would be a good idea to take my brother and me to one of the resorts one day. Neither of them skied, so were not able to give us any pointers.

No lessons were arranged. I took the lift to the top of what must have been a bunny hill. Knew nothing. Not even the basics of what I later learned was called the snow plow technique to control speed. Straight down I went, terrified all the way, and ass-over-tea kettles at the bottom. Hat came off, glasses came off - I did manage to retrieve them.

Never again. Why my parents thought this was a good idea, especially without any instruction, I will never know.

debm55

(57,930 posts)
26. I tried it once on a bunny hill, First and last time I went skiing. And there was a teacher there and I was surrounded
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:26 AM
Friday

by little kids. I was 20 something.

ok_cpu

(2,238 posts)
69. I watched the downhill coverage this morning
Sat Feb 7, 2026, 08:30 AM
Yesterday

and walked away with a huge appreciation of their athleticism and also convinced that they have to be at least partially insane. Sliding 80+ mph on packed snow and ice down the side of a mountain...

Raven123

(7,654 posts)
5. Luge.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 10:41 AM
Friday

Blows me away how they scream down a course with nearly no protection.


Realistically, cross country skiing. Did it in my younger days and loved it

Deep State Witch

(12,654 posts)
11. Speed Skating
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 10:57 AM
Friday

When I was growing up, I spent most of my Friday nights and weekends at the North Park ice rink. While I was in love with figure skating - especially Dorothy Hamill - I just wasn't built for it. Plus, for some reason, I could never go backwards or spin properly. But, boy could I go forward fast! I wish that I'd heard about women's speed skating back in the 70's. I'd have tried out for it.

debm55

(57,930 posts)
16. Thank you very much. Deep State Witch. I love speed skating. PS I would go to the South Park skating ring and watch
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:01 AM
Friday

Last edited Fri Feb 6, 2026, 04:59 PM - Edit history (1)

3catwoman3

(28,901 posts)
17. I sported a Dorothy Hamill wedge haircut for years.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:02 AM
Friday

Still one of my favorite looks. Very few hairstylists can do this cut properly.

3catwoman3

(28,901 posts)
32. We lived in the Wash DC area for 8 years during my husband's final Air Force assignment...
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:03 PM
Friday

...and during that time, I went thru 10 different hair stylists before I found one who could consistently deliver the goods.

The hard part was shaping the back so the layers blended seamlessly for that stacked look that was so iconic.

3catwoman3

(28,901 posts)
15. I'd love to experience floating in the air the way the ski jumpers do.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:00 AM
Friday

It must be exhilarating.

The beauty and strength of figure skating is always compelling. It would be interesting to see what it feels like to be held up high in a lift by your male partner.

I've done some cross country skiing years ago when my husband was stationed at K I Sawyer AFB in the upper peninsula of MI - it's exhausting. And, we had no idea that there was uphill involved. Before I mastered the necessary technique, I remember having to remove my skis so I could walk up one of the uphill portions of a trail, sobbing "Who in the hell decided that trying to go uphill on waxed pieces of wood was a good idea?"

My late parents belonged to a curling club for many years, and my dad traveled to bonspiels. I tried it a few times in the early 1970s. There's lots of finesse involved, none of which I had.

pandr32

(13,950 posts)
37. I did that floating in the air thing once!
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:22 PM
Friday

It was a last ski run at the mountain. I wouldn't quit as long as there was one more allowed. I rode the t-bar up and the fog and dark was getting heavy so I followed a skier as I got off. Everything looked strange. I didn't realize I had followed an expert over the split in the trail at the top which had a jump. I was about 13. That floating in the air was pure terror. When I landed (crashed actually) my skis came off and my straps let go. All I had was a pole and my boots and the obvious downward slope to navigate while sinking deep into each step.
It took a long time to get down to the lights and people. Everyone had been waiting while ski patrol had been searching for me. No-one thought I took the back slope with the jump.

3catwoman3

(28,901 posts)
38. Yikes!!! Near the pediatric office from which I retired, there is a ski jump.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:36 PM
Friday

I often reflected on how scary it must be to be a parent watching your child go down that thing for the first time.

pandr32

(13,950 posts)
41. Very scary.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 01:02 PM
Friday

Especially the landing part.
No way would I ever have done that voluntarily, and when my mom was questioned she made it clear that I was terrified of the jump and advanced run which is why no-one looked for me on that run after everything had shut down for the night and I had gone missing.

pandr32

(13,950 posts)
49. It was by accident.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 02:15 PM
Friday

I followed the skier that got off the t-bar in front of me because visibility was very poor. This is what people do when driving in poor conditions, too!
Weirdly, while airborne and seemingly in slow motion, I listened to the voices of reason in my head about what to do (lean slightly forward over my skis). It is amazing what info we store. I didn't break any bones or kill myself! After learning which run I had taken down the mountain the ski patrol went back and found my skis.

debm55

(57,930 posts)
43. I agree about the floating in the air. I found out that Pittsburgh has a curling club. Would like to try it once and see
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 01:29 PM
Friday

what it is like.

3catwoman3

(28,901 posts)
53. The closest I ever came to this was what I guess you'd have to call a wind tunnel ride...
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 03:12 PM
Friday

…that was set up vertically. A very powerful fan, several feet in diameter, blowing air upwards. You had to put on a sort of flying squirrel suit to assure plenty of surface area. The powerful air stream then lofted you up in the air.

It was pretty cool. I was in Las Vegas, at Nellis Air Force Base, doing my 2 weeks of reserve active duty. The pediatric clinic was closed on weekends, so I was free to go to Vegas and explore.

Harker

(17,558 posts)
72. I always thought ski jumping would be terrific, but I'd likely wind up like this poor fellow...
Sat Feb 7, 2026, 01:13 PM
Yesterday

Last edited Sat Feb 7, 2026, 06:33 PM - Edit history (1)

?si=Ov7Gj2rJOCXCtUUh

EYESORE 9001

(29,525 posts)
18. I was always entranced by luge racing
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:02 AM
Friday

Of all the skills required to complete in sports at the Olympic level, I think I can lean one way or the other when required.

Mad_Dem_X

(10,153 posts)
31. Figure skating, for sure
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 11:53 AM
Friday

I just love the combination of athleticism and artistry! IRL I have never been ice skating, and I am sure I would fall on my butt two seconds after I walked onto the ice!

debm55

(57,930 posts)
33. I second that , Mad_Dem_X. I tried once to ice skate or I should say ice walk. Crawled back to the gate on all fours and
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:05 PM
Friday

never skated again. But I love to watch it..

pandr32

(13,950 posts)
34. How about home neighborhood skiing and sledding?
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:11 PM
Friday

Growing up we waited for snow and then hit our steep streets with skills! I'm surprised none of us killed ourselves by not stopping in time at the lower roads with traffic. It would be all day long--all the kids and faces burgundy from the exercise and cold.
Those were some winter sports!

debm55

(57,930 posts)
58. Thank you pandr32. We had what we called the double dip. One part of hill was high the other not so high. If you got
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 04:09 PM
Friday

enough speed on the high part you would go down and up the lower dip onto the street. Luckily, no one was hurt. Sometimes, we would have car lookouts, so we could turn the sleds so not to go on the street if a car was coming.

GreenWave

(12,464 posts)
39. Downhill skiing which launches me down a ramp into race boat skiing...
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 12:43 PM
Friday

if only I could ski or swim (hydrophobia)

New event

LogDog75

(1,166 posts)
50. If this was an Olympic event I'd win the Gold Medal
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 02:33 PM
Friday

For loudest and most artistic screaming in an Olympic event.

Downhill skiing - Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Ski umping - Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah

Luge - Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah

Bobsled - Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah

Ocelot II

(129,736 posts)
52. Figure skating.
Fri Feb 6, 2026, 02:54 PM
Friday

I tried to do it when I was a kid, wasn't very good at it and fell on my butt a lot, though I did learn how to skate backwards. Would have loved to be able to do a triple-axle.

WestMichRad

(3,069 posts)
76. My athletic talent knows no bounds.
Sat Feb 7, 2026, 06:40 PM
22 hrs ago

If they need someone to finish dead last in cross-country skiing, I’m your guy. Not just last… WAAAAAAY behind the 2nd to last place finisher.

MuseRider

(35,166 posts)
78. I really never had
Sat Feb 7, 2026, 06:46 PM
21 hrs ago

much luck with winter sports but you can still play tennis inside during the winter but I sucked at that too so...since I hate being cold and have no winter sports I guess watching winter sports would have to be it for me.

ms liberty

(11,074 posts)
81. I grew up on the west coast of Florida, and I have zero winter sport skills
Sat Feb 7, 2026, 07:22 PM
21 hrs ago

Even though I've lived in NC for 40 years now. AND, I hate winter.

But it looks like it would be so much fun to strap on a pair of skis and race down a mountain.

TBF

(35,992 posts)
88. Definitely figure skating - growing up in Wisconsin
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 10:32 AM
6 hrs ago

we skated every night after school. There was a rink behind the city hall in our small town - which I could walk to out my back door (very small town - not even 400 people). But I always had a lot more energy than coordination, so I'd just skate around and watch others do the spins. I still love watching it!

debm55

(57,930 posts)
89. Thank you very much, TBF, for sharing with us. I can't ice skate at all but I have always loved watching others Figure
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 10:36 AM
6 hrs ago

Skate.

electric_blue68

(26,421 posts)
94. IF I really could skate maybe Ice Dancing...
Sun Feb 8, 2026, 04:17 PM
28 min ago

No extra scary above head lifts, death spirals, high jumps, or throw jumps (though they are impress to watch!).

Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»If you were in the Winter...