Feb. 19 Olympics Preview

After one whole week of events in Vancouver we have learned a few things, the Americans have a legit shot at winning the overall medal title, Canada goes absolutely bizzerk whenever an image of a Canadian athlete is shown on a big screen and that Lindsey Vonn's shin seems to not be an issue. Friday is a slow day with only four medal events but as always here is the preview of the medal events.

Alpine Skiing: Men's Super G
After the women took to the slopes the past two days, the men get a shot at the slopes in Whistler. Also, the Bode Miller Redemption Tour continues after his bronze in the downhill on Sunday, he will look to medal again. Yet again he will face competition from Switzerland's Didier Duo (Cuche, Defago) and the strong contingents from Austria, Norway, and Canada.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Kjetil Andre Aamodt (Norway)
Top American Hopeful: Bode Miller
Top Canadian Hopefuls: Manuel Osborne-Paradis and Erik Guay
2009-10 World Cup Leader: Michael Walchhofer (Austria)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Benjamin Raich (Austria)
Silver: Bode Miller (USA)
Bronze: Michael Walchhofer (Austria)

Cross-Country: Women's 15k Pursuit
Marit Bjoergen of Norway will look to win her third medal in three events today in the event that combines 7.5k of classic skiing style and the other 7.5k of freestyle. The same names that have been mentioned this week in the other previews like Justyna Kowalcyzk, Petra Majdic, Charlotte Kalla and others are in the hunt for more medals.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Kristina Smigun (Estonia)
Top American Hopeful: None
Top Canadian Hopeful: Daria Gaiazova
2009-10 World Cup Leader: Justyna Kowalcyzk (Poland)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Marit Bjoergen (Norway)
Silver: Aino-Kaisa Saarinen (Finland)
Bronze: Justyna Kowalcyzk (Poland)

Women's Skeleton
After the first two heats on Thursday, Britain's Amy Williams leads after setting a track record up at Whistler in her second run. Williams is 32 seconds ahead of Kerstin Syzmkowiak and 35 seconds in front of Canada's Mellisa Hollingsworth. Americans Noelle Pikus-Pace and Katie Uhleander to need improve tremendously to have a medal shot.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Maya Pedersen (Switzerland)
Top American Hopefuls: Noelle Pikus-Pace (5th after 2 runs), Katie Uhleander (9th after 2 runs)
Top Canadian Hopeful: Mellisa Hollingsworth (3rd after 2 runs)
2009-10 World Cup Leader: Mellisa Hollingsworth (Canada)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Mellisa Hollingsworth (Canada)
Silver: Amy Williams (Great Britain)
Bronze: Anja Huber (Germany)

Men's Skeleton
Just like the women, the men took their first two runs last night and World Cup leader Martins Dukurs of Latvia leads by 28 seconds over Jon Montgomery of Canada. With a chance to possibly sweep the skeleton events along with Hollingsworth for Canada, Montgomery will surely be motivated to take back those 28 seconds.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Duff Gibson (Canada)
Top American Hopeful: Zach Lund (8th after 2 runs)
Top Canadian Hopeful: Jon Montgomery (2nd after 2 runs)
2009-10 World Cup Leader: Martins Dukurs (Latvia)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Jon Montgomery (Canada)
Silver: Martins Dukurs (Latvia)
Bronze: Alexander Tretyakov (Russia)