Feb. 24 Olympic Preview

Today is all about the ladies in medal events. With the big focus again turning to Canada Hockey Place with the USA-Switzerland and Canada-Russia games, six medals will be given out today. Only one men's medal will be given out in cross-country, the other five are going to women. In the medal race, the USA will have to win a medal in the giant slalom and get a surprise medal in bobsled to hold on to the lead with Germany only three back now.

Alpine Skiing: Women's Giant Slalom
Things are not looking good for the American team after the first run of the giant slalom. Lindsey Vonn crashed and Julia Mancuso, the defending gold medalist is in 18th. Three Austrians, Elisabeth Goergl, Kathrin Zettel, and Eva-Maria Brem are in the top four. But, just like every other skiing event, it only takes one small turn to slip up and a good run to get back in contention.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Julia Mancuso (USA)
Top American Hopeful: Julia Mancuso (18th after 1st run)
Top Canadian Hopeful: Shona Rubens (22nd after 1st run)
Leader after 1st Run: Elisabeth Goergl (Austria)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Tina Maze (Slovenia- 5th after 1st run)
Silver: Elisabeth Goergl (Austria- leader after 1st run)
Bronze: Taina Bairoz (France- 2nd after 1st run)

Cross-Country: Men's 4x10 Relay
Norway finally got their first gold in cross-country with a win in the sprint relay, now it is time for the relay with a mix of both classic and free skiing styles. Germany won the silver in the sprint relay and they could pull within two medals of the USA with a medal in this event.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Sweden
No American or Canadian Hopefuls
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Norway
Silver: Sweden
Bronze: France

Speed Skating: Women's 5000 meters
Martina Sablikova, the 3000 meter gold and 1500 meter bronze medalist, is the favorite to win this event. Canada's strong contingent is led by 1500 silver medalist Kristina Groves, who barely missed the gold in the 1500, and defending gold medalist Clara Hughes and would like to give Canada something to cheer about before the big hockey game.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Clara Hughes (Canada)
Top American Hopeful: Catherine Raney
Top Canadian Hopefuls: Kristina Groves, Clara Hughes
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Kristina Groves (Canada)
Silver: Martina Sablikova (Czech Republic)
Bronze: Clara Hughes (Canada)

Women's Bobsled
The usually dominant German sleds are in third and fifth behind Canada I and USA II after the first two heats. So far, all the sliding events have had the same three sledders on the medal podium. If that result stays, the American team will get an unexpected medal to match the medal that Germany would get.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Germany I(driver Sandra Kiriasis)
Top American Hopeful: USA II (driver Erin Pac, 2nd after two heats)
Top Canadian Hopeful: Canada I (driver Kaillie Humphries, 1st after two runs)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Canada I
Silver: USA II
Bronze: Germany II

Short Track: Women's 3000m Relay
This event has been won by the South Koreans for the last four Olympics but have been second to China in all but one World Cup event this season. The final consists of both Asian countries as well as Canada and the USA, who will most likely be fighting for a bronze.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: South Korea
American and Canadian Team in Final
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Korea
Silver: China
Bronze: Canada

Freestyle Skiing: Women's Aerials
In the highest flying event in the Olympics starts giving away medals tonight, China can possibly pull a medal sweep. There are twelve skiers remaining after qualification earlier in the week. The top four of five World Cup skiers are from China.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Evelyne Leu (Switzerland)
Top American Hopeful: Emily Cook, Lacy Schnoor
No Canadian Qualified for Final
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Li Nina (China)
Silver: Alla Tsuper (Belarus)
Bronze: Guo Xinxin (China)