1972 winter Olympics

 The 11th edition of the winter Olympics was held in Sapporo Japan and was held from February 3-13. 35 nations and 1006 athletes participated in the games.

1. These were the first winter games in Asia.

2. Galina Kulakova of the Soviet Union won three cross country skiing events. 

3. Aro Schenk wins three golds in speed skating.

4. Barbara Cochran wins USA first women's Alpine skiing gold since Andrea Mead Lawrence won slalom gold in 1952. Cochran won gold in slalom.

5.  Spain wins first winter gold. Francisco Fernandez Ochoa won gold in slalom.

6. Anne Henning and Dianne Hilum put in the USA best performances in speed skating. 2g, 1s 1b was won between them.

7. Wooden skis were used for the last time here. Fibreglass skis have been used since.

8. Luge has its only tie, occuring in men's doubles.

9. Three sweeps.

A.  February 6, Ski jumping, normal hill, men's, Japan, Yukio Kasaya, Akitsugu Konno and Seiji Aochi. Japan had never won gold until this. This sweep is the only medals Japan wins at the games.

B. February 7, women's luge, East Germany, Anna Maria Muller, Ute Ruhrold Margit Schumann.

C. February 7, men's luge, East Germany, Wolfgang Scheidl, Harold Ehrig, Wolfram Fiedler

10. Soviet Union finishes atop the medal standings with 8g, 5s, 3b for 16 total. As mentioned, Japan won 1g 1s 1b for 3 total. All the medals in ski jumping. Canada finished with one medal - a silver in figure skating. Karen Magnussen won it. I think she has also carried the Canadian flag at the opening ceremony.

Tomorrow - the 1976 games in Innsbruck Austria.