Gardner Still in Hospital

Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling heavyweight champion Rulon Gardner was listed in fair condition Saturday after surviving a night in subzero temperatures in Wyoming’s backcountry.

Family members said Gardner was being treated for frostbite. It was unclear how long he would remain hospitalized.

Temperatures Thursday night dipped to 20 degrees below zero in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, where Gardner got stuck in deep snow while snowmobiling with three friends.

“Rulon made a lot of smart, smart decisions,” said Russell Gardner, Rulon’s older brother during a news conference arranged by the family in the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center at Idaho Falls.

Russell Gardner said his brother kept moving as long as he could, then dug a shelter for himself beneath some trees.

Near sunrise, he moved to a clearing where a search plane pilot spotted him early Friday, about 15 miles from his home in Afton, Wyo.

“Rulon loves to live life to the fullest, but lots of prayers were answered,” Russell Gardner said through tears.

Gardner defeated Russia’s three-time Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling champion Alexander Karelin at the 2000 Sydney Games, one of the sport’s greatest upsets.

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It has been a long time between Olympic hat tricks for the U.S. men’s hockey team--18 years to be precise.

John LeClair’s three goals in a 6-0 victory over Finland on Friday night was the first hat trick for U.S. player since Pat LaFontaine scored three times in a 7-3 victory over Austria on Feb. 13, 1984.

“It was a good start, but the biggest thing was we got a win under our belts,” LeClair said after the United States’ opening game of the tournament. “The guys were really focused, and we need everybody going.”

LeClair was a perfect example.

The U.S. didn’t win a medal at Nagano in 1998, and LeClair, who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL, was scoreless. Against Finland, LeClair parked himself in his favorite spot in front of the opposing goalie.

“All his goals, he was right where he’s supposed to be,” defenseman Brian Rafalsky said. “That’s his house there, right in front.”

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In these days of heightened airport security, figure skaters never know whether they’ll have to part with their precious ice skates when flying to their next competition.

“It changes from airport to airport,” said Robin Wagner, coach of U.S. medal hopeful Sarah Hughes, who arrived at Salt Lake City on Saturday.

“At times, we’re not able to take them. This time, we were begging, and I was explaining that she is an Olympian.”

Hughes, who was training at Colorado Springs, was allowed to bring her skates on board.

Wagner said skaters might begin taking two pair of broken-in boots and blades with them, just in case one pair doesn’t show up at baggage claim.

When Hughes competed in the Lalique Trophee in November, she had to check her skates.

“You can’t imagine the anxiety when you’re watching that carousel go round and round,” Wagner said, “until you see the skates come out.”