How many gold medals will Team USA win at the Vancouver Olympic Games?
We will keep you up to date on the American medal count at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. We'll pay special attention to all U.s. gold medalists, whether it's in sexy sports like downhill racing or more sedate pursuits such as curling.
Hannah Teter, Olympic champion snowboarder
We're expecting a huge medal haul this time. The United States is fielding strong men's and women's team in most events. Alpine skiing, ice dance, and short track skating are events where America should medal. The American curlers and ice hockey teams might even surprise us with an honorable bronze or two. But don't expect too much in the Nordic, cross country, skiing events.
Until the Olympic Games, kick off -- or rather skate off -- we are presenting profiles of some of the top peformers on the American Winter Olympics team
Hannah Teter, snowboard
What are you hoping to accomplish at this years Olympics?
I am hoping to do really well, so I can help make bigger changes in the world, and be a positive role model for kids. Going into the Olympics, I am excited to talk to the media about the importance of organics, drinking pure spring water, and never eating factory farmed meat.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 10 years as a young athlete?
It depends. If the earth continues to get polluted and nature continues to be destroyed, I see myself living in a world that is not as carefree and beautiful as the one we live in now.
You have been on the forefront of women's snowboarding since filming First Descent. What's it like being such a young woman that people look up to for inspiration?
I am trying harder to be an information source; I want to be able to educate people out there about how to be more effective with sustainability and nutrition. I want to share and spread knowledge on leading a healthy life to those who are less fortunate.
Thanks to Shred Betties
Allison Baver, speed skating
Allison Baver collided with teammate Katherine Reutter on February 8, 2009 in Bulgaria during the ISU World Cup. She suffered a split right tibia and an ankle impacted with shattered bone.
How did it happen?
Allison Baver, model and speed skater
We were going about 35 mph around a corner and I was hit in the chest and spun around backwards.
How has the injury impacted you?
I counted my blessings, it could have been worse. If I can do anything to inspire someone else not to give up hope after an injury, I want to do that.
How as your diet affected during the time were you were injured? How did you avoid putting on weight?
I didn't count calories or grams of protein. I have cut out all sweets and have actually added just a bit more carbs now that I'm training more. I've struggled a bit to find my routine and body weight as it relates to my nutrition since the injury. It's such a major change to the body it's been tough to find a balance.
Tanith Belbin, ice dance
How far would you be willing to go to have the sexiest costume on ice?
Well, I'd have to say I'd go pretty far -- I mean, I already do! The truth is, I feel pretty comfortable with myself. I don't have a problem showing skin. But, you know, it's all in the name of the sport. I'll do just about anything to attract an audience to figure skating. I don't know that we're necessarily in a skin-to-win
competition, although it seemed like we were this year with the Latin costumes that were out there ... and mine was right up there with the rest of them. There wasn't much fabric to that one.
Tanith Belbin likes to wear as little as possible on the ice
Usually, my costumes use a lot of that nude flesh-colored material. The kind that is supposed to simulate nudity and skin but it's just beige material.
Does the Olympic Committee have rules against what kind of music you can play during your skating routine? How come we never hear any Jay-Z or Bubba Sparxxx?
Well, for the final event for the ice dancing competition, it's entirely your choice as to what music and style you skate to. But you have to be considerate of who your judges are. Since most of our judges -- well, first of all, they are obviously from all over the world, and second, they are all approximately around 50 years old. So ...
Thanks to ESPN.
Lindsey Jacobellis, snowboard
You are the only U.S. Snowboarding Team member to compete in two disciplines. Why is that? How difficult is it to prepare mentally and physically for two different types of competition?
Lindsey Jacobellis
I don't have a reason why other athletes don't compete in other events, I mean they are all capable, but they choose to be more sport specific. It is very difficult to do more than one event. It is very stressful on the mind and the body, but it also can have its perks.
How does U.S. Snowboarding, including your coaches and teammates, help you achieve your goals?
Having the opportunities to ride with the best riders in the country can help you push yourself and your riding as well. The U.S. Snowboarding coaches are always there to help you and to break down any trick or fundamental. They are constantly supportive and are there at every contest.
Despite the bulky snowboard clothing, anyone can see you're a fashionista! How do you funk up your outfits to show your style during competition?
I try to do little things that make me stick out more, whether it is something with my hair or with scarves.
Heather McPhie, moguls skiing
A dead heat for the gold medal at the Visa International Freestyle World Cup on Thursday, January 14 put McPhie, a former gymnast from Montana, in prime position to claim one of three remaining slots likely to be available on the U.S. Olympic team in her discipline.
Heather McPhie, mogul skier and Vancouver hopeful
Six girls in the top 12 [qualifiers] from the U.S., to end up on top is unreal,
a teary-eyed McPhie said afterward. I've believed in myself for a long time, but there's so many things out of your control, so many variables. I really wanted to go out there and give it all I had, and I did. I left everything out there.
The final The team selection is likely to come down to the final World Cup event before the Olympics in Lake Placid, N.Y., January 23-24.
Moguls is a traditionally strong event for the U.S. team as a whole, and the women's moguls race is especially competitive this year. The U.S. will almost certainly name four women and four men to compete in moguls in Vancouver, although those numbers must fit within the overall quota of 18 skiers in moguls, aerials and ski cross.
Thanks to ESPN.
Hannah Kearney and Kevin Pearce
Vancouver hopeful Kevin Pearce, a new New Hampshire native, sustained a severe head injury while training in Park City for an Olympic qualifying event.
Days after the accident just after the 2009 Christmas holiday, Pearce, 22, remained in critical condition at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City. But by January 7, 2010 he had regained consciousness and was upgraded from critical to serious condition.
Pearce had attempted a double cork -- a spinning aerial trick -- and hit his forehead on the edge of the halfpipe structure and was knocked unconscious.
Fellow New Hampshire ski star and World Champion mogul skier, Hannah Kearney said: It's heartbreaking. In our sports of skiing and snowboarding, there are some things that are simply dangerous. We can train, but there are things -- maybe the snow or the air that day -- that we simply cannot control and sometimes things go wrong.
With thanks to Valley News
By Ben Foster