| Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78 | 80 | 58 | 216 |
1. Snowboarding - Men's Halfpipe on Day 6
At the past two Olympics, the United States has collected five of the six medals awarded in this event, including both golds. Shaun White, the Torino gold medalist and face of action sports, is once again the favorite. White's toughest competition is likely to come from within the American ranks, with Kevin Pearce looking to be the top challenger at this point. Pearce, who will be 22 in Vancouver, is a member of the "Frends" crew, which is spelled without an "i" to emphasize the collectiveness of the group of snowboarders. The strongest international challenge comes from Finland. Antti Autti, who finished fifth in Torino, and Peetu Piiroinen lead what Americans have dubbed the "Finnish mafia".
2. Speed Skating - Men's 1000m on Day 6
Speed Skating - Men's 1500m on Day 9
The United States boasts the top two in the world in both distances. Shani Davis won gold in the 1000m and silver in the 1500m in Torino and currently owns the world record in both events. Davis won the 2009 world title in the 1500m at the Olympic Oval in Richmond, British Columbia. Davis finished second to 20-year-old Trevor Marsicano in the 1000m at 2009 Worlds. Chad Hedrick is an outside medal contender in the 1500m, though it is not his best event. Canada's Denny Morrison is the top international threat in both distances.
3. Snowboarding - Women's Halfpipe on Day 7
The two past Olympic champions in this event - Kelly Clark (2002) and Hannah Teter (2006) are likely to headline the American effort in Vancouver. Gretchen Bleiler, who won silver in Torino and is one of the most recognizable snowboarders in the world, is also likely to be on the squad. As with men's halfpipe, the United States will field the deepest team, though the women's competition - from Australia's Torah Bright and China's Liu Jiayu - is stiffer at the moment.
4. Snowboarding - Women's Snowboard Cross on Day 5
Lindsey Jacobellis is favored to upgrade her Torino silver medal to gold in Vancouver. Despite the unpredictable nature of the event, Jacobellis has been consistently dominant for several years, and won the pre-Olympic test event in Cypress. Canadian Maelle Ricker is among the top international competition, but the event is Jacobellis' to lose.
5. Alpine Skiing - Women's Downhill on Day 6
Lindsey Vonn has had the most success in this event. The 25-year-old is the reigning world champion and winner of the last two World Cup downhill crowns. Though the downhill is notoriously unpredictable, over the last two seasons, Vonn has won seven of the 16 World Cup downhills she has entered and finished in the top three in 13 of those 16 events. No other skier has won more than two World Cup downhills in that time. The strong international field includes Germany's Maria Riesch, one of Vonn's best friends. Though Riesch and Vonn speak to each other in English, Vonn has honed her German by spending significant time with Riesch's family in Germany, including the past four Christmases. Other top competitors include 18-year-old Swiss skier Lara Gut and Italy's Nadia Fanchini.
Only the U.S. curlers have their tickets to Vancouver. Trials, the World Cup seasons, and other factors will influence the remaining decisions. The who, when, and how of determining the 2010 U.S. Olympic team.
With multiple World Cup and Olympic victories under their belts, these athletes have the potential to reach the medal podium in Vancouver.
