Feb. 23 Olympics Preview

The Germans got right back into the medal race after medaling in three of the four team events yesterday and could get even close to the Americans today. The marathon of speed skating, the men's 10,000 meters is today along with the women's relay in biathlon, men's giant slalom, a nordic combined relay, and the women's edition of the newest olympic event, ski cross.

Speed Skating- Men's 10,000 meters
The Orange section of the Richmond Olympic Oval should be celebrating double than they usually have because they boast not one, but two top contenders in this race in 5000 meter gold medalist Sven Kramer and defending gold medalist Bob De Jong. Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick should be a factor in this race for the Americans but there are no top German contenders either so the medal race will be effected in this event.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Bob De Jong (Netherlands)
Top American Hopeful: Chad Hedrick
Top Canadian Hopeful: Lucas Makowsky
2009-10 World Cup Leader: Sven Kramer (Netherlands)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Sven Kramer (Netherlands)
Silver: Bob De Jong (Netherlands)
Bronze: Havard Bokko (Norway)

Biathlon: Women's 4x6 Relay
After the cross-country events had their relays yesterday, the biathlon gets its one of its relay events in the spotlight. There are four countries essentially battling for three medal spots in Germany, Sweden, Russia and France. France has been the surprise of the Olympics in this event and it is quite possible that their good fortune will continue.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Russia
No American or Canadian Medal Hopeful
2009-10 World Cup Leaders: Russia
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Russia
Silver: France
Bronze: Sweden

Men's Giant Slalom
The fourth stop of the Bode Miller Redemption Tour might take a backseat to another American in Ted Ligety in today's event. Ligety is the World Cup leader in this event and it is his best shot at gold. Ligety will face stiff competition from skiers from Austria, Switzerland, and Italy as always.
2006 Torino Gold Medalist: Benjamin Raich (Austria)
Top American Hopeful: Ted Ligety
Top Canadian Hopeful: Jean-Philippe Roy
2009-10 World Cup Leader: Ted Ligety (USA)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Ted Ligety (USA)
Silver: Benjamin Raich (Austria)
Bronze: Massimilano Blardone (Italy)

Nordic Combined: Team 4x5 Relay
The event with four athletes per team combines one jump off the long hill in ski jumping and a 5k cross-country lap for each of the four competitors. After winning the first American medal in nordic combined last weekend, Johnny Spillane and the strong American team will look to win a medal. Traditional powers like Germany, Austria, and France will look to take away that opportunity from the Americans.
2006 Torino Gold Medalists: Austria
American Team has medal shot, not so for Canadian team
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Austria
Silver: USA
Bronze: Germany

Women's Ski Cross
The main storyline in this event is the battle between Ophelie David of France and the strong Canadian team. Canada has a great shot to win the gold in the first ever women's ski cross event in the Olympics. Kelsey Serwa, Ashleigh McIvor and Julia Murray sit 2-3-4 behind David in the World Cup rankings.
Not an event in Torino
Top American Hopeful: None
Top Canadian Hopefuls: Kelsey Serwa, Ashleigh McIvor, Julia Murray
2009-10 World Cup Leader: Ophelie David (France)
Projected Medalists:
Gold: Kelsey Serwa (Canada)
Silver: Ophelie David (France)
Bronze: Ashleigh McIvor (Canada)

As much as a gold medal in ski cross would please the Canadian fans, all the focus will be on Canada Hockey Place as Team Canada has to play a play-in game against Germany, with a win pitting them against Russia in the quarterfinals. Other play-in games include Slovakia vs. Norway, Czech Republic vs. Latvia and Switzerland vs. Belarus.