US silver medallists Meryl Davis and Charlie White had a well-choreographed routine with some exciting lifts. White came off the ice completely out of breath from the effort, both looked very pleased with their performance.  I don’t think they could have improved on what they did.

Oksana Domnina and Maksim Shabalin of Russia just edged bronze over US team Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto.  The  Russian team had some very interesting straps on their costumes which they used them for some cool looking holds.  The comment was made that there will probably be a rule put into force for next time making such devices illegal.  I don’t think it was a cheat, per se, but no one else could do the same things because they hadn’t thought of the trick.

 This is the first time a North American couple has won gold in ice dancing.

In alpine skiing, you can watch Men’s Super Combined, which combines one downhill run with one slalom run. American Ted Ligety is the defending Olympic champion, but look for Americans Bode Miller and Andrew Weibrecht to give him a run for his money.

Biathlon will award medals for a men’s and women’s mass start event today.

Two man bobsled wraps up today. Team U.S. 1 was in a good position going into today’s runs.

Men’s ski cross runs qualifying and final rounds today. If you like snowboard cross, you’re going to love this new event. Former Alpine skiers Casey Puckett and Daron Rahlves lead the Americans. You may recognize both these names as Rahlves represented the United States at the Olympics three times in alpine racing, and Puckett was a four time Olympian in the alpine disciplines.

The women’s speedskating 1500m will be raced today, as well.

In addition to medal rounds, you can check out curling and hockey (yes, I know some of you have had enough of curling and hockey). Or if you want something a bit lighter, ice dancers will be performing their free dance today.

Compulsories make up about 20% of the final score, so there’s plenty of room to move up and down the standings at this point.  But here’s the top four so far:

Oksana Dominia and Maksim Shabalin- Russia 43.76

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir- Canada 42.74

Meryl Davis and Charlie White- USA  41.47

Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto- USA 40.83

Figure skating moves on to ice dancing today. Torino silver medalists Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto hope to upgrade that medal to gold, but they have stiff competition in fellow Americans Meryl Davis and Charlie White who won the national championship in January. Traditionally, ice dancing has not been an American strong suit. Will this year change that?

Skeleton awards medals today in the men’s and women’s individual competition. Noelle Pikus-Pace, currently in fifth, is in decent position to compete for a medal. Teammate Katie Uhlaender is slightly farther back in ninth place. A couple of the American men also stand a chance to reach the podium. Zach Lund is currently in eight place. Eric Bernotas and John Daly are in 14th and 18th place at the beginning of today’s runs.

Curling has been a pretty big disappointment for the Americans this year. The men need to go undefeated to reach the podium. Today’s challenge? France. The women are looking for their first win as they face Russia.

Ski jumping continues today with the qualifying round for the 125m hill event. The U.S. has a very young team and is not favored to end the 86 year drought since they last medaled in ski jumping. Two time Olympian Anders Johnson is only 20. His teammates, Nick Alexander and Peter Frenette, are making their first trips to the Olympics. You have to really feel for these young guys. They essentially pay their own way to the Olympics. I’ll be writing more about this in the coming week.

Women’s cross country pursuit races today. America has never won a medal in women’s cross-country skiing, and that probably won’t change today. Americans Liz Stephen and Morgan Arritola make their Olympic debut here.

The women’s team, which has only two members this year for only the second time since the 1920s, consists of Rachael Flatt, 17, and Mirai Nagasu, 16. There’s a lot of weight on those two young shoulders. If either medals, it will be considered a major upset. If neither of them medals, it will be the first time in 46 years that the women’s U.S. figure skating team has not gotten at least one medal. Oh, and case you were wondering, Sasha Cohen DID show up to Nationals, and she’s a second alternate.

Skating for the men are Jeremy Abbott, Evan Lysacek and Johnny Weir (who’s in trouble with animal rights people for adding fur to his costume— more on that in another post). Jeremy Abbott was absolutely fantastic at the U.S. Championships last weekend. Evan Lysacek is the reigning men’s world champion. Johnny Weir is, well, Johnny Weir. Any of the three could medal in Vancouver. Of course, there is reigning Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko to contend with.

Two pairs were named for the pairs competition: Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett; and Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig. Denney and Barrett are a bit of a May/December couple. She’s 16; he’s 25. They’ve only been skating together a little over 18 months, but placed second at last year’s Nationals and won this year. Oh, and did I mention that Barrett is dating Amanda Evora from the other pairs team going to Vancouver? Neither team was a particular favorite to win going into Nationals.

Ice dancing will send three pairs to represent the United States: Meryl Davis and Charlie White, winners of the 2010 nationals; Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto, who were silver medalists four years ago; and Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates. The Davis/White team and the Belbin/Agosto team could both do very well at the Olympics, but the Russian team Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin enters the Olympics with the highest hopes.

So, that’s the team. Hopefully, many of them will come home with medals. What do you think of their chances?

1. The opening ceremonies

No matter who you are, or where the Olympics are located, deep in your heart you know there’s nothing more stirring than the opening ceremonies.  China’s summer extravaganza set the bar pretty high for Canada, but you can bet your back bacon they’re going to put their all into it.

2. Women’s hockey

1998 saw the debut of women’s hockey at the Olympics.  Since then, there hasn’t been much excitement about it in the US.  But this year, Team USA is a frontrunner for gold.  Canada has been dominating this season, but coach Mark Johnson has high hopes for his team.  Can Olympic gold do for women’s hockey what it did for women’s soccer?  It’s doubtful there will be a “Brandy Chastain moment” with all that gear, but perhaps the men out there will take notice anyway.

 3. Biathlon

Hugely popular in Europe but largely ignored in the US, biathletes have struggled to get funding and training until this year.  When the sport was finally noticed by a prosperous contributor money was finally available to get things going.  The big standout for the US will be Tim Burke, who won both silver and bronze medals at the World Cup in Ostersund.  This could be a great beginning for an under appreciated sport.

4. Stephen Colbert

When Deutsche Bank went belly-up and their $300,000 pledge for the US speed skating team went with it, Colbert stepped up to the plate.  It took less than a month for the “Colbert Nation” to replace the funds.  There’s sure to be a lot of Colbert’s scathing satire surrounding the games.  Like him or not, the comedian has the audience and the pull to make things happen.
 
5. Team USA-1 four-man bobsled

Steve Holcomb has been piloting the “Night Train” with his teammates Justin Olsen, Steve Mesler and Curt Tomasevicz with incredible results.  Three gold medals in World Cup events this season puts them at the top of their game.  It’s even more amazing when you consider Holcomb nearly quit bobsledding because of eye problems.  Surgery in 2008 restored his vision and renewed his love of the sport.

6. Skier/snowboarder antics

Though Bode Miller recently sprained his ankle, he’ll probably still make the games.  And you can be sure he and the other downhill skiers will be as crazy as ever. Add in the new addition of extreme sports inspired skicross to the mix and you’ve got a recipe for a speed-induced adrenaline rush madness that only the boys and girls who haunt the slopes can produce.  If only we could all be there for the after-party.

7. Shani Davis and Apolo Ohno

On December 11^th, Davis broke his own world record for the 1500m by coming in at 1:41.04, besting his previous record of 1:41.80.  In long track, Davis is hands-down the man to beat.  Ohno, who at 27 is the elder statesman of the short track, is competing in his third Olympics in 2010.  He’ll be pushing to beat Eric Heiden’s record of seven medals won in winter Olympics.  But he’d better watch out, JR Celski is a young man moving up in the ranks, and one of the few who could give Ohno a run for his money.

8. Kim Yu-Na

The South Korean figure skater is the undeniable favorite for gold in 2010.  Her signature triple-triple exhibits an intense athleticism coupled with a grace that brings audiences to their feet.  At Skate America in Lake Placid, NY she broke the scoring record for short program, earning a 76.28.  While the Olympics brings out the patriot in most of us, sometimes you just need to sit back and appreciate poetry in motion.

9. Ice Dancing

The possibilities are wide open for ice dancing this year.  While US couple Meryl Davis and Charlie White won gold at the Grand Prix Final, it by no means places them above the rest of the competitors.  Two favored teams missed this season making it difficult to judge who will come out on top in 2010.  Everyone is sure to be giving it their all in Vancouver.  It will be exciting to watch the heavy competition among the couples.

10. Skeleton

After a 54-year absence, skeleton returned to the winter Olympics in 2002 and included both men and women.  Named because the new metal sled used in 1892 looked like a skeleton; it’s tough to deny the thrills caused by people sliding head first down a track at 80 mph.  Look for the return of Noelle Pikus-Pace, the first US woman to win the World Cup in 2005.  She’s back from taking the 2007-2008 seasons off to have a child, but is shaping up to be a big threat in Vancouver.

Canada is putting its best foot forward to make this a great winter Olympics.  Take the time to watch a variety of sports.  You never know, you could become the newest curling fanatic, or find out you really enjoy moguls over downhill.  Bundle up, grab a hot toddy, and enjoy the best athletes the world has to offer in winter sports.