Feb. 17 Olympic Preview

The drought of one day for American medals in Vancouver will certainly end and could end up putting the Americans back on top in the medal table over Germany. Lindsey Vonn, Shaun White, and Shani Davis are all competing in their best events.

Alpine Skiing: Women's Downhill
After the cancellation of the men's combined on the same hill yesterday, hopefully the downhill will go on as scheduled. The will be the first real test of Lindsey Vonn's right shin and how she performs in a medal event. Vonn's biggest competition will come from Germany's Maria Riesch and Anja Paerson of Sweden.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Michaela Dorfmeister (Austria)
Top American Hopefuls: Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso
Top Canadian Hopeful: Emily Broydon
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Lindsey Vonn (USA)
Silver: Anja Paerson (SWE)
Bronze: Maria Riesch (GER)

Cross-Country Skiing: Women's Individual Sprint
The 10 kilometre sprint is determined by the fastest time of all the skiers. Petra Majdic of Slovenia is the World Cup leader in this disclipine but look for the French to spring a surprise candidate as they have in all of the cross-country events in Vancouver. Charlotte Kalla of Sweden will try to win her second gold on the same course she did on Monday.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Chandra Crawford (Canada)
Top American Hopeful: Kikkan Randall
Top Canadian Hopeful: Chandra Crawford
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Marit Bjoergen (Norway)
Silver: Aino-Kaisa Saarinen (Finland)
Bronze: Charlotte Kalla (Sweden)

Cross Country: Men's Individual Sprint
The country that invented this sport, Norway, had a very disappointed finish in the free start event on Monday and will look to possibly sweep the medal podium in preperation for the team races. Dario Cologna of Switzerland won the gold in the free start on Monday.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Bjoern Lind (Sweden)
Top American Hopeful: Andrew Newell
Top Canadian Hopeful: Devon Kershaw
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Emil Joensson (Sweden)
Silver: Petter Northug (Norway)
Bronze: Bjoern Lind (Sweden)

Luge: Men's Doubles
The Germans have yet another chance to sweep the medal podium in the final luge event. With three of the top four world cup sleds, the only competition will come from the Italians and Austrians. Look for the start to be an issue just like it was with both singles' events after being moved down to reduce speeds.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Andreas and Wolfgang Linger (Austria)
Top American Hopefuls: Christian Niccum/Dan Joye and Mark Grimmette/Brian Martin
Top Canadian Hopeful: Chris and Mike Moffat
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Andre Florschutz/Torsten Wustlich (Germany)
Silver: Patric Leitner/Alexander Resch (Germany)
Bronze: Tobias Wendl/Tobias Arlt (Germany)

Short Track: Women's 500 meters
This event is like the 100 meter is track and field, the fastest skater will win the event. Defending gold medalist Meng Wang of China has dominated the world cup circuit and has good chance to repeat.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Meng Wang (China)
Top American Hopeful: Alyson Dudek
Top Canadian Hopeful: Kalyna Roberge
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Meng Wang (China)
Silver: Kalyna Roberge (Canada)
Bronze: Nannan Zhao (China)

Speed Skating: Men's 1000 meters
Shani Davis dropped out of the second heat of the 500 meters the other night so he could be full strength to defend his gold medal in this event. Davis has won all four world cup events this season and should give the USA a gold.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Shani Davis (USA)
Top American Hopeful: Shani Davis
Top Canadian Hopeful: Denny Morrison
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Shani Davis (USA)
Silver: Mo Tae-Bum (South Korea)
Bronze: Mika Poutala (Finland)

Snowboarding: Men's Halfpipe
America's biggest lock to win gold is the Flying Tomato or Shaun White. White won the 2006 gold and is coming off a strong performance at X-Games and with his biggest competition Kevin Pearce out injured as long as White nails his runs he will win.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Shaun White (USA)
Top American Hopeful: Shaun White
Top Canadian Hopeful: Justin Lamoureax
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Shaun White (USA)
Silver: Kazuhiro Kokubo (Japan)
Bronze: Antti Autti (Finland)

Top Curling Match of the Day: Germany vs. Sweden (Men)
Top Hockey Game of the Day: Canada vs. Sweden (Women)