AP PHOTOS: Athletes, fans go to great lengths to stay warm
Posted February 11, 2018 6:00 am
PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (AP) - Bitter temperatures and biting winds haunted athletes and fans alike during the second day of competition at the Pyeongcheng Olympics on Saturday.
Gusts up to 72 kph (50 mph) forced the men's downhill race to be postponed. Racers risk being blown off a safe racing line on a course where they hit speeds of about 125 kph (75 mph).
But other events went on as scheduled.
Athletes donned the usual helmets, glasses and heavy gloves to protect themselves. Some added an unusual element - tape across their faces.
Fans bundled up with scarfs, hats and mufflers, but sometimes to no avail.
"It is Koreeezing here!!!," read one fan's sign. "(Be glad you're warm at home)."
Italy's Federica Brignone has her face covered in tape to protect her from the cold during an inspection of the giant slalom course at the Yongpyong Alpine Center at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
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Fans wait for the men's slopestyle final to begin at Phoenix Snow Park at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
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A bundled up girl walks walks near Phoenix Snow Park at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (Erik Johansen/NTB Scanpix via AP)
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A race worker covers up from the cold during the men's 15km/15km skiathlon cross-country skiing competition at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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A race worker covers up from the cold during the men's 15km/15km skiathlon cross-country skiing competition at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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A boy walks down an alley decorated for the 2018 Winter Olympics at the Pyeongchang Olympic Plaza in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
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A Norway fan waits in the cold for the start of the men's 10-kilometer biathlon sprint at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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A spectator visiting from Japan waits for the start of the women's slopestyle qualifications at Phoenix Snow Park at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. The event was postponed due to weather conditions. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Spectators wait in the cold for the start of the men's 10-kilometer biathlon sprint at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
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A skier from the Czech Republic has her face covered in tape to protect her from the cold during an inspection of the giant slalom course at the Yongpyong Alpine Center at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
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A fan waits in the cold for the start of final heats of the men's luge competition at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
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A fan sits alone prior to the women's slopestyle qualifying at Phoenix Snow Park at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. The event was cancelled due to weather. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
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Dylan Chae, 6, of the United States, braves the cold weather while waiting for the start of the women's slopestyle qualifications at Phoenix Snow Park at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. The event was postponed due to weather conditions. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Kim Ryon Hyang of North Korea takes a chair lift to participate in free skiing on the giant slalom course at the Yongpyong Alpine Center at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
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A fan waits for the men's slopestyle final to begin at Phoenix Snow Park at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
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Red Gerard, of the United States, looks at his score after his run during the men's slopestyle final at Phoenix Snow Park at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
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