Happy President’s Day!

Today’s wakeup call was an early one. Is this really only day four of competition? I think I’m going to have to switch to the dark roast at Tim Horton’s.

Looking back on this morning, I don’t remember much. I was so blind tired that I can only vaguely recall getting ready and dressed and I have only limited memory of the bus/subway/bus rides I took to arrive at Cypress Mountain in time for the first snowboardcross time trials at 10 a.m. That explains, however, why I chose to wear athletic socks inside of my Sorrels instead of warm snowboard socks, why I am wearing only one shirt under my jacket and why I did not bring a hat with me at all.

It’s amazing what sleep, or lack of it, does to one’s mind.

EVEN THE PHOTO OF TODAY’S SBX PHOTO LOOKS COLD. TOO BAD THERE’S NO SNOW ON THE GROUND — ASIDE FROM WHAT’S ON THE COURSE, THAT IS.

Fortunately, by the time the four-man races started at 2 p.m., I was wide-awake and ready to watch some racing. I sat in the stands with my friend Tricia, who is a former Olympian (she was on the 2002 U.S. halfpipe team), and some friends from Octagon, so I had great insight into many the competitors. Our seats were smack dab in the middle of the U.S. and Canada cheering sections, which made every race even that much more fun. The contest did not disappoint. And I could not be happier for Seth Wescott, who defended his gold medal and, at 33, is a rare two-time gold medalist. Heck, in the sport of snowboarding, he’s the only two-time gold medalist.

WATCHING FINALS … ARE THOSE NOT THE MOST TIRED EYES ON EARTH? SERIOUSLY, BLONDIE. GET SOME SLEEP!

After the final race, I tracked down Seth’s family and hung with them while they watched the flower ceremony (sort of a pre-medals ceremony) and talked to them about what it was like to watch their son win his second gold medal. Then I did a few interviews, headed back to the media center—where, in Canada, they serve beer and wine—and wrote a piece on Wescott and his family for ESPN.com. To check it out, click here.

Then it was back to the bus for a long, traffic-filled ride back to the MPC. Fortunately, the light at the end of the bus ride was an 8:00 dinner reservation at Boneta.

Tomorrow, I do it all over again for women’s boardercross finals. To read my piece previewing what to watch tomorrow, click here.