Feb. 20 Olympics Preview

We are venturing into the second week of the Vancouver Winter Olympics and so many storylines have developed like, Will the Americans hold off Germany and Norway for the medal title? Will Marit Bjoergen, Julia Mancuso and Bode Miller win five medals? Many more questions will be asked and answered throughout the next week up until the closing ceremony on the 28th. Here is the preview for today's six medal events that could give the Americans a very decisive lead in the medal count if all goes right.

Ski Jumping: Long Hill
After winning the gold in the normal hill event last Saturday, Simon Ammann will look to win his fourth overall gold medal today and as always he will face the challenge of beating the powerful Austrian team. The Austrains will look to improve on the bronze won by Gregor Schlierenzauer in the normal hill. With the start moved back thirty feet and Thomas Morgenstern being the defending gold medalist, Austria's hopes are high.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Thomas Morgenstern (Austria)
Top American Hopeful: None
Top Canadian Hopeful: None
Athlete That Could Sneak on the Podium: Robert Kranjec (Slovenia)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Simon Ammann (Switzerland)
Silver: Thomas Morgenstern (Austria)
Bronze: Gregor Schlierenzauer (Austria)

Cross-Country: Men's 30k Combined Pursuit
This olympiad has been disappointing for World #1, Petter Northug of Norway, who was expected to win a couple gold medals but only has a bronze in the sprint to boast. Northug will be a man on a mission today and look for him to finally gain the elusive gold medal.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Eugeni Dementiev (Russia)
Top American Hopeful: Kris Freeman
Top Canadian Hopeful: Ivan Babikov
Athlete who Sneak on the Podium: Ivan Babikov (Canada)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Petter Northug (Norway)
Silver: Lukas Bauer (Czech Republic)
Bronze: Matti Heikkinen (Finland)

Skiing: Women's Super G
The attention that Lindsey Vonn has received going into and at the Olympics overshadowed the other American winning medals in women's alpine skiing: Julia Mancuso. This is one of Mancuso's better events and she will be able to set the pace as she is going out first in the afternoon.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Michaela Dorfmeister (Austria)
Top American Hopefuls: Lindsey Vonn, Julia Mancuso
Top Canadian Hopeful: Emily Brydon
Athlete who could Sneak on to Podium: Tina Maze (Slovenia)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Julia Mancuso (USA)
Silver: Lindsey Vonn (USA)
Bronze: Maria Riesch (Germany)

Speed Skating: Men's 1500 meters
The Shani Davis Speed Skating Spectacular could continue today with the 1500 meters. Along with 1000m where he won gold, this is one Davis' strongest events. Being in the last pairing will be key so that he knows what time he needs to beat. Davis will face competition from teammate Chad Hedrick, defending gold medalist Enrico Fabris and the Dutch duo of Stefan Groothuis and Mark Tuitert.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Enrico Fabris (Italy)
Top American Hopefuls: Shani Davis, Chad Hedrick
Top Canadian Hopefuls: Lucas Makowsky, Denny Morrison
Athlete that could Sneak on to Podium: Trevor Marsicano (USA)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Shani Davis (USA)
Silver: Stefan Groothuis (Netherlands)
Bronze: Enrico Fabris (Italy)

Short Track: Women's 1500 meters
Everyone's short track withdrawal will be cured with two medal events in the most exciting sport in the Olympics. The women's 1500 meters is the first of two medal events, China's Wang Meng is looking win her second gold in Vancouver after winning the 500 meters.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Sun-Yu Jin (Korea)
Top American Hopeful: Katherine Reutter
Top Canadian Hopeful: Kalyna Roberge
Athlete who could Sneak on to Podium: Arianna Fontana (Italy)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Zhou Yang (China)
Silver: Katherine Reutter (USA)
Bronze: Cho Ha-Ri (Korea)

Short Track: Men's 1000 meters
The Korean speed skaters have been having nightmares of the crash that sent two Korean skaters out of medal contention and gave away two medals to the USA in the 1500 meters. With a medal tonight, Apolo Anton Ohno can become the most decorated American Winter Olympian passing Bonnie Blair. Also, look for the Hamelin brothers, Charles and Francois, of Canada who will try and will won for the home crowd.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Hyun Soo-Ahn (Korea)
Top American Hopeful: Apolo Anton Ohno
Top Canadian Hopefuls: Charles and Francois Hamelin
Athelte who could Sneak on to Podium: Thibaut Fauconnet (France)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Apolo Anton Ohno (USA)
Silver: Lee Jung-Su (Korea)
Bronze: Charles Hamelin (Canada)