Alpine skiing
Dates: Feb. 10-11, 13-14, 16-17, 20-23.
Team USA men: Jake Fiala, Frisco, Colo.; Chip Knight, Stowe, Vt.; Scott Macartney, Redmond, Wash.; Bode Miller, Franconia, N.H.; Casey Puckett, Aspen, Colo.; Daron Rahlves, Sugar Bowl, Calif.; Tom Rothrock, Cashmere, Wash.; Erik Schlopy, Park City, Utah; Dane Spencer, Boise, Idaho; Marco Sullivan, Squaw Valley, Calif.; Thomas Vonn, Newburgh, N.Y.
Team USA women: Kirsten Clark, Raymond, Maine; Lindsey Kildow, Vail, Colo.; Kristina Koznick, Burnsville, Minn.; Caroline Lalive, Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Julia Mancuso, Squaw Valley, Calif.; Jonna Mendes, Heavenly, Calif.; Katie Monahan, Aspen, Colo.; Tasha Nelson, Mound, Minn.; Sarah Schleper, Vail, Colo.; Alex Shaffer, Park City, Utah; Picabo Street, Park City, Utah.
Men’s downhill
World Cup standings: 1: Stephan Eberharter, Austria. 2: Kjetil Andre Aamodt, Norway. 3: Bode Miller, U.S.
’98 medalists: Gold: Jean-Luc Cretier, France. Silver: Lasse Kjus, Norway. Bronze: Hannes Trinkl, Austria.
Predictions: The field will eat Eberharter’s snow on this demanding course. The Austrian has moved into the void left by Hermann Maier’s absence to win seven speed events this season and tops the overall World Cup chart. Austria could monopolize the podium.
Men’s slalom
World Cup standings: 1: Ivica Kostelic, Croatia. 2: Bode Miller, U.S. 3: Jean-Pierre Vidal, France.
’98 medalists: Gold: Hans Petter Buraas, Norway. Silver: Ole Christian Furuseth, Norway. Bronze: Thomas Sykora, Austria.
Predictions: The unconventional Miller is hot, hot, hot, with three wins and another three podium finishes in the discipline, but Vidal and Kostelic have been consistent as well. A two-run event.
Men’s giant slalom
World Cup standings: 1: Frederic Covili, France. 2: Frederik Nyberg, Sweden. 3: Benjamin Raich, Austria.
’98 medalists: Gold: Hermann Maier, Austria. Silver: Stephan Eberharter, Austria. Bronze: Michael von Gruningen, Switzerland.
Predictions: Covili has two wins and two seconds this winter. Bode Miller, whose early victory at Val d’Isere was a sign of things to come, has a legitimate shot at a medal, and Didier Cuche and Eberharter lurk not far out of reach. A two-run event.
Men’s super-giant slalom
World Cup standings: 1: Stephan Eberharter, Austria. 2: Didier Cuche, Switzerland. 3: Fritz Strobl, Austria.
’98 medalists: Gold: Hermann Maier, Austria. Silver: Didier Cuche, Switzerland. Bronze: Hans Krauss, Austria.
Predictions: The steady Cuche, who has three seconds and a third this season, will challenge Eberharter. World champ Daron Rahlves of the U.S. had fourth-, ninth- and 11th-place finishes in the event in January. Like the downhill, super-G is a one-run event, but with more turns and a slightly slower pace.
Men’s combined
World Cup standings: None.
’98 medalists: Gold: Mario Reitner, Austria. Silver: Lasse Kjus, Norway. Bronze: Christian Mayer, Austria.
Predictions: This tandem event, seldom contested during the World Cup season, consists of one downhill and one slalom run at the Olympics. It tends to reward consistency in both disciplines rather than dominance in one, making it hard to call. Veterans Aamodt and Kjus should contend; Miller will start for the United States.
Women’s downhill
World Cup standings: 1: Michaela Dorfmeister, Austria. 2: Renate Goetschl, Austria. 3: Sonja Nef, Switzerland.
’98 medalists: Gold: Katja Seizinger, Germany. Silver: Pernilla Wiberg, Sweden. Bronze: Florence Masnada, France.
Predictions: A lot of talent tightly packed in the top five. Hilde Gerg of Germany won two World Cups in January in this discipline. Street, who hasn’t seen a podium all season and is 12th in the World Cup standings, will be gunning in what could be her last Olympic race.
Women’s slalom
World Cup standings: 1: Laure Pequegnot, France. 2: Kristina Koznick, U.S. 3: Anja Paerson, Sweden.
’98 medalists: Gold: Hilde Gerg. Germany. Silver: Deborah Compagnoni, Italy. Bronze: Zali Stegall, Austria.
Predictions: Koznick will come in confident. Pequegnot and Paerson are formidable. Last year’s dominant figure, Janica Kostelic of Croatia, is returning from injury.
Women’s giant slalom
World Cup standings: 1: Sonja Nef, Switzerland. 2: Michaela Dorfmeister, Austria. 3: Andrine Flemmen, Norway.
’98 medalists: Gold: Deborah Compagnoni, Italy. Silver: Alexandra Meissnitzer, Austria. Bronze: Katja Seizinger, Germany.
Predictions: Wide open, with Anja Paerson of Sweden and Stina Hofgard Nilsen of Norway battling it out with the top three. The U.S.’ Sarah Schleper and Kristina Koznick are long shots, although Koznick had a second-place finish this season.
Women’s super-giant slalom
World Cup standings: 1: Hilde Gerg, Germany. 2: Renate Gotschl, Austria. 3: Karen Putzer, Italy.
’98 medalists: Gold: Picabo Street, U.S. Silver: Michaela Dorfmeister, Austria. Bronze: Alexandra Meissnitzer, Austria.
Predictions: Street may get a sentimental start in this race, but teammate Caroline Lalive is the top U.S. hope, albeit a dark horse. Gerg, Gotschl and Putzer are clearly the class of the event, which has been raced sparingly this season.
Women’s combined
World Cup standings: None.
’98 medalists: Gold: Katja Seizinger, Germany. Silver: Martina Ertl, Germany. Bronze: Hilde Gerg, Germany.
Predictions: Gotschl is probably the favorite among the women.
— Bonnie DeSimone
Biathlon
Dates: Feb. 11, 13, 16, 18, 20.
Team USA men: Dan Campbell, Hastings, Minn.; Jay Hakkinen, Kasilof, Alaska; Lawton Redman, Heber City, Utah; Jeremy Teela, Anchorage.
Team USA women: Andrea Nahrgang, Wayzata, Minn.; Kristina Sabasteanski, Milford, N.H.; Kara Salmela, Duluth, Minn.; Rachel Steer, Anchorage.
World Cup standings (men): 1: Pavel Rostovtsev, Russia. 2: Raphael Poiree, France. 3: Frank Luck, Germany.
World Cup standings (women): 1: Magdalena Forsberg, Sweden. 2: Olena Zubrilova, Ukraine. 3: Olga Pyleva, Norway.
Men’s 10k
’98 medalists: Gold: Ole Einar Bjorndalen, Norway. Silver: Frode Andresen, Norway. Bronze: Ville Raikkonen, Finland.
Predictions: Bjorndalen won gold in this event four years ago and could well do it again. Norway is traditionally strong in biathlon, and this Olympics should be no different. American Jeremy Teela of Anchorage took ninth in the world senior championships in 2001. Another top contender is Raphael Poiree of France.
Men’s 20k
’98 medalists: Gold: Halvard Hanevold, Norway. Silver: Pier Alberto Carrara, Italy. Bronze: Aleksai Aidarov, Belarus.
Predictions: The Germans are strong, with Frank Luck and Sven Fischer considered contenders, along with Russia’s Pavel Rostovtsev, the World Cup leader. The young American team has been pointing for this home-country Olympics for years. No American has ever won a biathlon medal, but Jay Hakkinen of Kasilof, Alaska, a two-time Olympian, won a world junior championship in 1997.
Men’s 12.5k pursuit
’98 medalists: None; new event.
Predictions: A new event on the Olympic calendar in the cross-country ski-shooting discipline. The first half of the race, with competitors leaving the starting line in a staggered start, is a 10k. The top 60 racers advance to the second half of the race, a 12.5k, with racers departing the starting line based on how far apart they finished in the first race. Once again Bjorndalen should be formidable.
Men’s 4-x-7.5k relay
’98 medalists: Gold: Germany. Silver: Norway. Bronze: Russia.
Predictions: Germany seems to have the most depth. But neither Norway nor Russia can be counted out. The U.S. doesn’t have the necessary depth to be a factor in the race and can only hope for a satisfactory result.
Women’s 7.5k
’98 medalists: Gold: Gulinka Kukleva, Russia. Silver: Ursula Disl, Germany. Bronze: Katrin Apel, Germany.
Predictions: Once you get past Forsberg, 1998 medalist Ursula Disl of Germany, Olena Zubrilova of Ukraine and Liv Grete Poiree of Norway, who is married to Raphael Poiree, loom as the most likely medal contenders. The U.S. has no chance for a medal. The only member of the American team who has scored World Cup points this year is Rachel Steer of Anchorage. Steer owns 12 U.S. junior and senior titles.
Women’s 15k
’98 medalists: Gold: Antje Misersky, Germany. Silver: Svetlana Pecherskaya, Russia. Bronze: Myriam Bedard, Canada.
Predictions: Magdalena Forsberg of Sweden is the dominant female biathlete in the world. She should win the gold medal in every individual women’s event. Forsberg has won five straight World Cup championships and has a significant lead in the standings this year. Normally a terrific shooter with the .22-caliber rifle, Forsberg was off target in Nagano and didn’t win a medal. That should change in Salt Lake City.
Women’s 10k pursuit
’98 medalists: None; new event.
Predictions: If Forsberg skis and shoots the way she has in all world-class competition except for the Nagano Olympics, there is no reason to believe she will be beaten. Poiree can be a factor and Olga Pyleva of Russia, performing well on the World Cup tour, should also be in the mix.
Women’s 4-x-7.5k relay
’98 medalists: Gold: Germany. Silver: Russia. Bronze: Norway.
Predictions: Forsberg doesn’t have the backup needed for Sweden to be a medal winner. That leaves the usual suspects–Germany, Norway and Russia–to fight it out and share the medals.
— Lew Freedman
Bobsled
Dates: Feb. 17, 19, 22-23.
Team USA men: Todd Hays, Del Rio, Texas; Garrett Hines, Atlanta; Randy Jones, Smyrna, Ga.; Pavle Jovanovic, Toms River, N.J.; Mike Kohn, Chantilly, Va.; Steve Mesler, Buffalo; Bill Schuffenhauer, Ogden, Utah; Doug Sharp, Jeffersonville, Ind.; Brian Shimer, Naples, Fla.; Dan Steele, Sherrard, Ill.; Darrin Steele, Sherrard, Ill.
Team USA women: Jill Bakken, Park City, Utah; Vonetta Flowers, Birmingham, Ala.; Gea Johnson, Phoenix; Jean Racine, Waterford, Mich.
Two-man
World Cup standings: 1: Martin Annen, Switzerland. 2: Pierre Lueders, Canada. 3: Christian Reich, Switzerland.
’98 medalists: Gold: Pierre Lueders and David MacEachern, Canada, and Guenther Huber and Antonio Tartaglia, Italy (tie). Silver: None. Bronze: Christoph Langen and Markus Zimmermann, Germany.
Predictions: Todd Hays’ hopes of winning the U.S.’ first Olympic bobsled medal in 46 years took a hit when push athlete Pavle Jovanovic failed a late-December drug test and was disqualified from the Games, pending an appeal that he is likely to lose. Chicago native Garrett Hines was pushing Jovanovic for a spot on the two-man sled, so Hays’ medal chances aren’t dead. The gold-medal favorite is Christoph Langen of Germany, who won three of the four World Cup races he entered. World Cup champion Martin Annen of Switzerland, Christian Reich of Switzerland and 1998 gold medalist Pierre Lueders of Canada are strong medal contenders.
Four-man
World Cup standings: 1: Martin Annen, Switzerland. 2: Andre Lange, Germany. 3: Todd Hays, U.S.
’98 medalists: Gold: Christoph Langen, Markus Zimmermann, Marco Jakobs and Olaf Hampel, Germany. Silver: Marcel Rohner, Markus Nuessli, Markus Wasser and Beat Seitz, Switzerland. Bronze: Sean Olsson, Dean Ward, Courtney Rumbolt and Paul Attwood, Britain, and Bruno Mingeon, Emmanuel Hostache, Eric Le Chanony and Max Robert, France (tie).
Predictions: Hays led both the two-man and four-man World Cup standings before pulling off the circuit early to train, but losing Jovanovic probably would end his four-man gold-medal chances and open the door for Germany’s Andre Lange. Defending Olympic champion Christoph Langen of Germany, World Cup champion Martin Annen of Switzerland and Switzerland’s Christian Reich have a shot at a medal too. Five-time Olympian Brian Shimer of the U.S. can drive with the best of them but probably lacks a fast enough start to grab that elusive medal.
Two-women
World Cup standings: 1: Susi Erdmann, Germany. 2: Sandra Prokoff, Germany. 3: Jean Racine, U.S.
’98 medalists: None; new event.
Predictions: The U.S.’ Jean Racine won the World Cup 2000 and 2001 titles but slumped this season and dumped brakewoman Jen Davidson for former NCAA heptathlon champion Gea Johnson in December. Racine and Johnson broke the Utah Olympic Park track record, but their lack of experience together and the furor caused by the switch may hurt them, though they should still win a medal. German drivers Susi Erdmann, an Olympic luge medalist, and Sandra Prokoff have been models of consistency. Switzerland’s Francoise Burdet and the U.S.’ Jill Bakken also are medal threats.
— Barry Temkin
Cross-country skiing
Dates: Feb. 9, 12, 14-15, 17, 19, 21, 23-24.
Team USA men: John Bauer, Duluth, Minn.; Lars Flora, Anchorage; Kris Freeman, Andover, N.H.; Andrew Johnson, Greensboro, Vt.; Torin Koos, Leavenworth, Wash.; Carl Swenson, Boulder, Colo.; Justin Wadsworth, Bend, Ore.; Patrick Weaver, Bend, Ore.
Team USA women: Tessa Benoit, South Pomfret, Vt.; Kristina Joder, Landgrove, Vt.; Barb Jones, Bozeman, Mont.; Nina Kemppel, Anchorage; Aelin Peterson, Fairbanks, Alaska; Wendy Wagner, Bozeman, Mont.; Kikkan Randall, Anchorage; Lindsey Weier, St. Paul, Minn.
Men’s 1.5k freestyle sprint
’98 medalists: None; new event.
Men’s 10k classical
’98 medalists: Gold: Bjorn Daehlie, Norway. Silver: Markus Gandler, Austria. Bronze: Mika Myllyla, Finland.
Men’s 15k freestyle
’98 medalists: Gold: Thomas Alsgaard, Norway. Silver: Bjorn Daehlie, Norway. Bronze: Vladimir Smirnov, Kazakstan.
Men’s 30k classical
’98 medalists: Gold: Mika Myllyla, Finland. Silver: Erling Jevne, Norway. Bronze: Silvio Fauner, Italy.
Men’s 50k freestyle
’98 medalists: Gold: Bjorn Daelie, Norway. Silver: Niklas Jonsson, Sweden. Bronze: Christian Hoffmann, Austria.
Men’s 4-x-10k relay
’98 medalists: Gold: Norway. Silver: Italy. Bronze: Finland.
Predictions: The balance of power might have shifted slightly to the east of Norway, but cross-country skiing remains a particularly hot Scandinavian specialty. Sweden’s Per Elofsson looms as the skinny-ski star of these Games. Elofsson, an up-and-comer four years ago at Nagano, has come all the way up. He won last season’s World Cup title handily even though he had raced in only half of the 20 events. He won six of the 10 races he entered and was second in another. No other athlete won more than three races. With that in mind, some are saying Elofsson will win three gold medals here, as many as five medals altogether, and that he may well set records in three events. Thomas Alsgaard, winner of three gold medals, is back for the Norwegians, in his third Olympics. He finished third in last season’s World Cup standings, right behind Spain’s Johann Muehlegg, a former German who won the 1999-2000 World Cup title and is a projected medalist here. Also back is Italy’s veteran star, Silvio Fauner, winner of five Olympic medals and competing in the Games for the fourth time. America’s chances? The usual answer, slim and none, has been altered slightly, to slim and remote.
Women’s 1.5k freestyle sprint
’98 medalists: None; new event.
Women’s 5k classical
’98 medalists: Gold: Larissa Lazutina, Russia. Silver: Katerina Neumannova, Czech Republic. Bronze: Bente Martinsen, Norway.
Women’s 10k freestyle
’98 medalists: Gold: Larissa Lazutina, Russia. Silver: Olga Danilova, Russia. Bronze: Katerina Neumannova, Czech Republic.
Women’s 15k classical
’98 medalists: Gold: Olga Danilova, Russia. Silver: Larissa Lazutina, Russia. Bronze: Anita Moen-Guidon, Norway.
Women’s 30k freestyle
’98 medalists: Gold: Yulia Tchepalova, Russia. Silver: Stefania Belmondo, Italy. Bronze: Larissa Lazutina, Russia.
Women’s 4-x-5k relay
’98 medalists: Gold: Russia. Silver: Norway. Bronze: Italy.
Predictions: Italian icon Stefania Belmondo, one of the most decorated of winter athletes with seven medals, will be competing in the Games for the fifth time, and she may even find her way back to the podium. But youth will be served, and Bente Skari of Norway appears poised to emerge as the new nordic queen. She won a bronze in the 5k classical at Nagano and a silver in the women’s relay, and since has won two World Cup titles, beating Belmondo on a tiebreaker in 1999, then successfully defending her title in 2000. She was a close second last season to Russian Yulia Tchepalova, a Nagano gold medalist.
— Mike Kupper
Curling
Dates: Feb. 11-18, 20-22.
Team USA men: John Gordon, Columbia Heights, Minn.; Myles Brundidge, Nekoosa, Wis.; Mike Schneeberger, Superior, Wis.; Tim Somerville, Roseville, Minn.; Don Barcome Jr., Green Bay.
Team USA women: Ann Swisshelm, Chicago; Stacey Liapis, Chicago; Debbie McCormick, Madison, Wis.; Kari Erickson, Bemidji, Minn.; Joni Cotten, Mt. Prospect.
Men
World Cup standings: 1: Sweden. 2: Switzerland. 3: Norway.
’98 medalists: Gold: Switzerland. Silver: Canada. Bronze: Norway.
Predictions: Canada is the traditional power, but Switzerland upset the Canadians in the gold-medal game at Nagano and Sweden won the world title last year, so nothing is written in stone, so to speak. Peter Lindholm, winner of two world championships, skips the Swedish team, and Canadian skip Greg McAulay led his rink to the world title in 2000. The veteran Somerville curlers figure to be in contention for a medal. “We have a chance,” Somerville said after nailing down the U.S. berth. “We have a good chance.” Not to mention the home-ice advantage.
Women
World Cup standings: 1: Canada. 2: Sweden. 3: Denmark.
’98 medalists: Gold: Canada. Silver: Denmark. Bronze: Sweden.
Predictions: Again, Canada is the power, as defending Olympic champion and world champion the last two years. Four-time world champion Elisabeth Gustafson skips the dangerous Swedish team, and skip Dordi Norby of Norway has won 77 times in world competition. Erickson’s team may be overmatched here but could earn new respect for the U.S. by making the medal round.
— Mike Kupper
Figure skating
Dates: Feb. 11-12, 14-15, 17-19, 21-22.
Men’s singles
Team USA: Todd Eldredge, Chatham, Mass.; Timothy Goebel, Rolling Meadows; Michael Weiss, Fairfax, Va.
Grand Prix Final: 1: Alexei Yagudin, Russia. 2. Evgeny Plushenko, Russia. 3. Timothy Goebel, U.S. 4. Todd Eldredge, U.S.
’98 medalists: Gold: Ilia Kulik, Russia. Silver: Elvis Stojko, Canada. Bronze: Philippe Candeloro, France.
Predictions: Either Yagudin or Plushenko should become the third straight Russian to win the title. Goebel, relying on his mastery of quadruple jumps, and Eldredge, relying on his artistry, should battle for the bronze with Stojko, the only returning medalist, and a third Russian, Alexander Abt. At 30, Eldredge seeks the Olympic medal that is the only gap in his impressive resume, but his past inability to land quads hurts.
Women’s singles
Team USA: Sasha Cohen, Laguna Niguel, Calif.; Sarah Hughes, Kings Point, N.Y.; Michelle Kwan, Lake Arrowhead, Calif.
Grand Prix Final: 1: Irina Slutskaya, Russia. 2. Michelle Kwan, U.S. 3. Sarah Hughes, U.S.
’98 medalists: Gold: Tara Lipinski, U.S. Silver: Michelle Kwan, U.S. Bronze: Lu Chen, China.
Predictions: “I wouldn’t bet a plugged nickel on this,” said skating guru Dick Button, referring to the openness of the competition. Four-time world champion Kwan has regained the favorite’s role from a struggling Slutskaya and never has finished behind the Russian in a worlds or Olympics. Slutskaya gets the edge back if five former Soviet bloc judges wind up on the panel. Olympic debutantes Cohen and Hughes have shots at bronze.
Pairs
Team USA: Kyoko Ina, Guttenberg, N.J.-John Zimmerman, Birmingham, Ala.; Tiffany Scott, Hanson, Mass.-Philip Dulebohn, Germantown, Md.
Grand Prix Final: 1: Jamie Sale-David Pelletier, Canada. 2. Elena Bereznaia-Anton Sikharulidze, Russia. 3. Shen Xue-Hongbo Zhao, China; 4. Kyoko Ina-John Zimmerman.
’98 medalists: Gold: Oksana Kazakova-Artur Dmitriev, Russia. Silver: Elena Bereznaia-Anton Silharulidze, Russia. Bronze: Mandy Woetzel-Ingo Steuer, Germany.
Predictions: After winning the 2001 worlds and 2002 Grand Prix Final, Sale and Pelletier are a strong bet to end Russia’s 10-Olympic winning streak in pairs. But both victories came in Canada, and they were last seen feuding after poor performance at January’s Canadian championships. Figures to be a very close event, with Ina-Zimmerman and Chicago-based Russians Tatiana Totmiana-Maxim Marinin also in medal contention.
Ice dancing
Team USA: Beata Handra, Pomona, N.J.-Charles Sinek, Lexington, Mass.; Naomi Lang, Alegan, Mich.-Peter Tchernyshev, Hackensack, N.J.
Grand Prix Final: 1: Shae-Lynn Bourne-Victor Kraatz, Canada. 2: Marina Anissina-Gwendal Peizerat, France. 3: Margarita Drobiazko-Povilas Vanagas, Lithuania.
’98 medalists: Gold: Pasha Grishuk-Evgeny Platov, Russia. Silver: Anjelika Krylova-Oleg Ovsiannikov, Russia. Bronze: Marina Anissina-Gwendal Peizerat, France.
Predictions: Sham or sport? Is all judging done in back-room deals? International Skating Union President Ottavio Cinquanta of Italy has been trying to combat that image. But when his compatriots, reigning world champions Barbara Fusar-Poli and Maurizio Margaglio, wound up a deserved fourth in the Grand Prix Final, Cinquanta was furious at the judges.
— Philip Hersh
Freestyle skiing
Dates: Feb. 9, 12, 16, 18, 19.
Team USA men: Eric Bergoust, Missoula, Mont.; Jeremy Bloom, Loveland, Colo.; Brian Currutt, Park City, Utah; Evan Dybvig, Plainfield, Vt.; Travis Mayer, Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Jonny Moseley, Tiburon, Calif.; Joe Pack, Park City, Utah.
Team USA women: Shannon Bahrke, Tahoe City, Calif.; Ann Battelle, Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Jeret Peterson, Boise, Idaho; Tracy Evans, Park City, Utah; Hannah Hardaway, Moultonborough, N.H.; Brenda Petzold, Andover, Mass.; Jillian Vogtli, Ellicotville, N.Y.
Men’s aerials
World Cup standings: 1: Eric Bergoust, U.S. 2: Alexei Grichin, Belarus. 3: Ales Valenta, Czech Republic.
’98 medalists: Gold: Eric Bergoust, U.S. Silver: Sebastien Foucras, France. Bronze: Dmitri Daschinsky, Belarus.
Men’s moguls
World Cup standings: 1: Jeremy Bloom, U.S. 2: Janne Lahtela, Finland. 3: Stephane Rochon, Canada.
’98 medalists: Gold: Jonny Moseley, U.S. Silver: Janne Lahtela, Finland. Bronze: Sami Mustonen, Finland.
Women’s aerials
World Cup standings: 1: Alla Tsuper, Belarus. 2: Jacqui Cooper, Australia. 3: Deidra Dionne, Canada.
’98 medalists: Gold: Nikkie Stone, U.S. Silver: Xu Nannan, China. Bronze: Colette Brand, Switzerland.
Women’s moguls
World Cup standings: 1: Kari Traa, Norway. 2: Hannah Hardaway, U.S. 3: Shannon Bahrke, U.S.
’98 medalists: Gold: Tae Satoya, Japan. Silver: Tatiana Mittermayer, Germany. Bronze: Kari Traa, Norway.
Predictions: The sport that was once the darling of the X-Games crowd has been surpassed in popularity by snowboarding. Bergoust, Traa and Lahtela are solid favorites in their events. Ex-champ “Big Air” Moseley and Colorado footballer-to-be Bloom should enliven moguls competition. Top U.S. women’s aerialist Emily Cook is out with a foot injury.
— Philip Hersh
Hockey
Dates: Feb. 9-24.
Team USA men: Tom Barrasso, Carolina Hurricanes, goaltender; Mike Dunham, Nashville Predators, goaltender; Mike Richter, New York Rangers, goaltender; Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings, defenseman; Phil Housley, Blackhawks, defenseman; Brian Leetch, New York Rangers, defenseman; Aaron Miller, Los Angeles Kings, defenseman; Tom Poti, Edmonton Oilers, defenseman; Brian Rafalski, New Jersey Devils, defenseman; Gary Suter, San Jose Sharks, defenseman; Tony Amonte, Blackhawks, forward; Chris Drury, Colorado Avalanche, forward; Adam Deadmarsh, Los Angeles Kings, forward; Bill Guerin, Boston Bruins, forward; Brett Hull, Detroit Red Wings, forward; John LeClair, Philadelphia Flyers, forward; Mike Modano, Dallas Stars, forward; Jeremy Roenick, Philadelphia Flyers, forward; Brian Rolston, Boston Bruins, forward; Keith Tkachuk, St. Louis Blues, forward; Doug Weight, St. Louis Blues, forward; Mike York, New York Rangers, forward; Scott Young, St. Louis Blues, forward.
Team USA women: Sara DeCosta, Warwick, R.I., goaltender; Sarah Tueting, Winnetka, goaltender; Chris Bailey, Marietta, N.Y., defense; Karyn Bye, River Falls, Wis., defense; Courtney Kennedy, Woburn, Mass., defense; Sue Merz, Greenwich, Conn., defense; A.J. Mleczko, Nantuckett, Mass., defense; Tara Mounsey, Concord, N.H., defense; Angela Ruggerio, Harper Woods, Mich., defense; Lyndsay Wall, Churchville, N.Y., defense; Laurie Baker, Concord, Mass., forward; Julie Chu, Fairfield, Conn., forward; Natalie Darwitz, Eagan, Minn., forward; Tricia Dunn, Derry, N.H., forward; Cammi Granato, Downers Grove, forward; Andrea Kilbourne, Saranac Lake, N.Y., forward; Katie King, Salem, N.H., forward; Shelley Looney, Brownstown Township, Mich., forward; Jenny Potter, Eagan, Minn., forward; Krissy Wendell, Brooklyn Park, Minn., forward.
Men
’98 medalists: Gold: Czech Republic. Silver: Russia. Bronze: Finland.
Predictions: The United States and Canada are at a disadvantage on the bigger ice surface that the Europeans grow up on, meaning they must be uncharacteristically patient and cannot play their intimidating North American style. The Czechs come back with goalie Dominik Hasek, but he is not nearly as head-shakingly unbeatable as he was in 1998. Sweden took a big hit when all-world center Peter Forsberg got hurt, but it still could be the best dark-horse pick with Tommy Salo in goal. Or maybe the Russians with Nikolai Khabibulin in net. It always comes down to the hottest goaltender.
Women
’98 medalists: Gold: U.S. Silver: Canada. Bronze: Finland.
Predictions: Canada won the last three world championships over the United States since the Americans won the 1998 Olympic gold medal in Nagano, Japan. The U.S. swept through its 31-game pre-Olympic schedule undefeated, including eight against Canada. Those two teams will almost surely meet in the gold-medal game because no other country is close. If you’re looking for an edge, the U.S. has not only beaten Canada here and north of the border, but has come back from third-period deficits to win in Canada.
— Steve Rosenbloom
Luge
Dates: Feb. 11-13, 15.
Team USA men: Tony Benshoof, White Bear Lake, Minn.; Mark Grimmette, Muskegon, Mich.; Adam Heidt, Northport, N.Y.; Clay Ives, Lake Placid, N.Y.; Brian Martin, Palo Alto, Calif.; Nick Sullivan, Oakdale, Minn.; Chris Thorpe, Marquette, Mich.
Team USA women: Ashley Hayden, Westborough, Mass.; Becky Wilczak, River Forest; Courtney Zablocki, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Men’s singles
World Cup standings: 1: Markus Prock, Austria. 2: Armin Zoeggeler, Italy. 3: Georg Hackl, Germany.
’98 medalists: Gold: Georg Hackl, Germany. Silver: Armin Zoeggeler, Italy. Bronze: Jens Mueller, Germany.
Predictions: German legend Hackl finished third in the World Cup standings but won four of the seven races and should become the first athlete to win four straight Winter Olympics gold medals in the same individual event. World Cup and European champion Prock will challenge Hackl, who is using a new sled Porsche engineers helped build. Zoeggeler, the 1998 silver medalist, also is a medal favorite. Tony Benshoof, the top U.S. hope, was seventh in the World Cup standings but a career-best second in the finale Jan. 27 in Winterberg, Germany.
Men’s doubles
World Cup standings: 1: Patric Leitner and Alexander Resch, Germany. 2: Steffen Skel and Steffen Woeller, Germany. 3: Tobias Schiegl and Markus Schiegl, Austria.
’98 medalists: Gold: Stefan Krausse and Jan Behrendt, Germany. Silver: Chris Thorpe and Gordy Sheer, U.S. Bronze: Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin, U.S.
Predictions: The U.S.’ two 1998 doubles medals were its first Olympic medals in luge. Grimmette and Martin may repeat their bronze-medal finish. Silver medalist Chris Thorpe replaced the retired Gordy Sheer with former Canadian Olympian Clay Ives, and though the pair struggled through most of the World Cup season, they finished second in the circuit finale Jan. 26 in Winterberg. The German teams of Patric Leitner and Alexander Resch and Steffen Skel and Steffen Woeller are strong medal contenders, as are Austria’s Tobias and Markus Schiegl.
Women’s singles
World Cup standings: 1: Silke Kraushaar, Germany. 2: Sylke Otto, Germany. 3: Barbara Niedernhuber, Germany.
’98 medalists: Gold: Silke Kraushaar, Germany. Silver: Barbara Niedernhuber, Germany. Bronze: Angelika Neuner, Austria.
Predictions: It’s doubtful anyone will keep Germany from filling all three spots on the medal podium. Defending Olympic champion Silke Kraushaar and Sylke Otto dominated the World Cup circuit, with ’98 silver medalist Barbara Niedernhuber finishing third. Austrian Angelika Neuner, third in the ’98 Olympics, is the best bet to prevent a German sweep. Becky Wilczak, a 21-year-old from River Forest, finished fifth in the World Cup standings and may place as high as fourth in the Olympics.
— Barry Temkin
Nordic combined
Dates: Feb. 9-10, 14-15, 21-22.
Team USA: Todd Lodwick, Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Bill Demong, Vermontville, N.Y.; Matt Dayton, Breckenridge, Colo.; Johnny Spillane, Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Kristoffer Erichsen, Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Jed Hinkley, Andover, N.H.; Carl Van Loan, Webster, N.H.
World Cup standings (overall): 1: Felix Gottwald, Austria. 2: Ronny Ackermann, Germany. 3: Samppa Lajunen, Finland. 4: Todd Lodwick, U.S..
World Cup standings (sprint): 1: Ronny Ackermann, Germany. 2: Felix Gottwald, Austria. 3. Samppa Lajunen, Finland. 10: Todd Lodwick, U.S.
’98 medalists (individual): Gold: Bjarte Engen Vik, Norway. Silver: Samppa Lajunen, Finland. Bronze: Valery Stolyarov, Russia.
’98 medalists (team relay): Gold: Norway. Silver: Finland. Bronze: France.
’98 medalists (sprint): None; new event.
Predictions: With five wins apiece, Germany’s Ackermann and Austria’s Gottwald have utterly dominated the World Cup this season. Two U.S. skiers, Todd Lodwick and Bill Demong, are the only others to win an event. Three-time Olympian Lodwick, best hope to be the first U.S. medalist ever in this amalgam of ski jumping and cross-country skiing, has been ailing of late. The one-day sprint event is a new addition to program.
Philip Hersh
Short-track speedskating
Dates: Feb. 13, 16, 20, 23.
Team USA men: Ron Biondo, Broadview Heights, Ohio; Shani Davis, Chicago; J.P. Kepka, St. Louis; Apolo Anton Ohno, Seattle; Rusty Smith, Sunset Beach, Calif.; Dan Weinstein, Brookline, Mass.
Team USA women: Allison Baver, Sinking Springs, Pa.; Julie Goskowicz, Colorado Springs; Mary Griglak, Berea, Ohio; Caroline Hallisey, Natick, Mass.; Amy Peterson, Maplewood, Minn.; Erin Porter, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
World Cup standings (men): 1: Apolo Anton Ohno, U.S. 2: Li JiaJun, China. 3: Francois-Louis Tremblay, Canada.
World Cup standings (women): 1: Yang A. Yang, China. 2: Evgenia Radanova, Bulgaria. 3: Park Hye Rim, South Korea.
Men’s 500
World Cup standings: 1: Apolo Anton Ohno, U.S. 2: Francois-Louis Tremblay, Canada. 3: Li JiaJun, China.
’98 medalists: Gold: Takafumi Nishitani, Japan. Silver: An Yulong, China. Bronze: Hitoshi Uematsu, Japan.
Predictions: Apolo Anton Ohno and the rest of the U.S. team have been skipping most World Cup races this season, preferring to train in Salt Lake City, so the standings are skewed. Still, the leader in the 500, Li JiaJun of China, is a formidable foe for Ohno. So too are South Koreans Kim Dong Sung and Min Ryoung, and Japan’s Takafumi Nishitani. Nishitani, in fact, is the defending Olympic champion, and Li and Kim are both Olympic medalists. Canadian Francoise-Louis Tremblay and Ohno’s teammate and friend, Rusty Smith, also figure in the mix.
Men’s 1,000
World Cup standings: 1: Ohno, U.S. 2: Li, China. 3: Dan Weinstein, U.S.
’98 medalists: Gold: Kim Dong Sung, South Korea. Silver: Li JiaJun, China. Bronze: Eric Bedard, Canada.
Predictions: South Koreans Kim, the defending Olympic champion, Min and Lee Seung Jae lead the World Cup standings, but Ohno, his teammate Dan Weinstein and Li will be strong contenders, as will Canadians Marc Gagnon and Tremblay.
Men’s 1,500
World Cup standings: 1: Ohno, U.S. 2: Li, China. 3: Marc Gagnon, Canada.
’98 medalists: None; new event.
Predictions: This race is new to the Olympics but not to the Olympians, who have been skating it in World Cup competition. Ohno ranked first in it last season–as he did in the two shorter races–and will be favored. But round up the usual suspects–Li, Gagnon, Min, Lee and Tremblay, and then throw in Bruno Loscos of France.
Men’s 5,000 relay
World Cup standings: 1: Canada. 2: South Korea. 3: China.
’98 medalists: Gold: Canada. Silver: South Korea. Bronze: China.
Predictions: The relay is traditionally the wildest of the wild when it comes to short-track and, truly, any good team can win it. But look for the U.S., China, South Korea, Canada and Japan to battle it out.
Women’s 500
World Cup standings: 1: Evgenia Radanova, Bulgaria. 2: Yang A. Yang, China. 3: Yang S. Yang, China.
’98 medalists: Gold: Annie Perreault, Canada. Silver: Yang S. Yang, China. Bronze: Chun Lee-kyung, South Korea.
Predictions: If you predict that a Chinese skater named Yang–named Yang Yang, actually–will win this race, you probably won’t be far off. The Yangs pretty much rule, between them having won it three of five times in World Cup competition this season.
Women’s 1,000
World Cup standings: 1: Yang A. Yang, China. 2: Sun Dandan, China. 3: Evgenia Radanova, Bulgaria.
’98 medalists: Gold: Chun Lee-kyung, South Korea. Silver: Yang S. Yang, China. Bronze: Won Hae-kyung, South Korea.
Predictions: Look for another Yang-Yang battle, but throw in a South Korean with a rhyming name, Sun Dandan, to keep them honest. Radanova, Park Hye Rim and Joo Min Jin of South Korea, plus American Amy Peterson, figure to be among the contenders.
Women’s 1,500
World Cup standings: 1: Yang A. Yang, China. 2: Yang S. Yang, China. 3: Park Hye Rim, South Korea.
’98 medalists: None; new event.
Predictions: This is a new Olympic race for the women as well as the men, but the women have been skating it in World Cup too–and guess who dominates/ The Yangs, A. and S., finished 1-2 last season and Yang A. leads this season’s standings. Radanova, Joo, Sun and Chikage Tanaka of Japan will give them a run for their money.
Women’s 3,000 relay
World Cup standings: 1: China. 2: South Korea. 3: Canada.
’98 medalists: Gold: South Korea. Silver: China. Bronze: Canada.
Predictions: China–thanks to the Yangs–South Korea, Canada, Bulgaria, Japan, Italy and the U.S. all have shots in this scramble.
— Mike Kupper
Skeleton
Date: Feb. 20.
Team USA men: Lincoln DeWitt, Park City, Utah; Jim Shea Jr., Lake Placid, N.Y.; Chris Soule, Trumbull, Conn.
Team USA women: Tristan Gale, Salt Lake City; Lea Ann Parsley, Granville, Ohio.
Men
World Cup standings: 1: Gregor Stahli, Switzerland. 2: Chris Soule, U.S. 3: Martin Rettl, Austria.
’98 medalists: None; last contested in 1948.
Predictions: Switzerland’s Gregor Stahli had four firsts and a second in five World Cup events this season. Chris Soule of the U.S. defeated Stahli in the World Cup finale Jan. 17 in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Another strong U.S. medal contender is 1999 world champ and third-generation Olympian Jim Shea Jr., a sentimental favorite after his 91-year-old grandfather, 1932 speedskating gold medalist Jack Shea, was killed in an auto accident Jan. 22. American Lincoln DeWitt slumped after a strong 2000-01 season but is a medal possibility, as are Martin Rettl of Austria and Jeff Pain of Canada.
Women
World Cup standings: 1: Alex Coomber, Britain. 2: Maya Pedersen, Switzerland. 3: Lindsay Alcock, Canada.
’98 medalists: None; new event.
Predictions: The race for the first-ever women’s skeleton gold medal is wide open. Only 10 World Cup points separate No. 1 Alex Coomber of Britain from No. 4 Lea Ann Parsley of the United States. Coomber won the World Cup overall championship the last three seasons, so she rates as a slight favorite. Parsley finished second in the World Cup finale Jan. 17 in St. Moritz to Canada’s Michelle Kelly and may be peaking at the right time, but Tristan Gale beat her at the U.S. Olympic trials.
— Barry Temkin
Ski jumping
Dates: Feb. 8, 10, 12, 14-15.
Team USA: Alan Alborn, Anchorage; Brendan Doran, Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Clint Jones, Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Tommy Schwall, Steamboat Springs, Colo.; Brian Welch, Scarborough, Maine.
World Cup standings: 1: Adam Malysz, Poland. 2: Sven Hannawald, Germany. 3: Matti Hautamaeki, Finland.
K90
’98 medalists: Gold: Jani Soininen, Finland. Silver: Kazuyoshi Funaki, Japan. Bronze: Andreas Widholzl, Austria.
Predictions: Malysz and Hannawald have dominated the World Cup circuit and it would be a tremendous upset if one of them did not take the gold medal. Hautamaeki is the best of the rest and someone from Finland always comes through. Martin Schmitt of Germany and Martin Hoellworth of Austria should be watched. The Japanese peaked on home territory in Nagano in 1998 and have been slumping this year. An American medal is unlikely in this event.
K120
’98 medalists: Gold: Kazuyoski Funaki, Japan. Silver: Jani Soininen, Finland. Bronze: Masahiko Harada, Japan.
Predictions: The big guns, Malysz and Hannawald, seem head and shoulders above all contenders. Someone often flies in and creates a surprise. Alborn, the top American, is at his best on the large hill, and three times this winter has placed in the top six in a World Cup event. With the Games on American soil the home advantage could come into play and earn the U.S. its first-ever medal in this event.
K120 team
’98 medalists: Gold: Japan. Silver: Germany. Bronze: Austria.
Predictions: The nations with the most depth, and the four jumpers needed to perform, are probably Germany, Finland and Austria. The Finns always believe they should own this event. And although the Japanese have not had a first-rate season with top jumpers challenging at the top of the World Cup standings, they may have enough depth to score a medal on the right day.
— Lew Freedman
Snowboarding
Dates: Feb. 10-11, 14-15.
Team USA men: Ross Powers, South Londonberry, Vt.; JJ Thomas, Golden, Colo.; Tommy Czeschin, Mammoth Lakes, Calif. Danny Kass, Hamburg, N.J.; Jeff Greenwood, Hartford, Conn.; Peter Thorndike, Meredith, N.H.; Chris Klug, Aspen, Colo.
Team USA women: Tricia Barnes, Stratton Mountain, Vt.; Shannon Dunn, Tahoe Vista, Calif.; Kelly Clark, Mt. Snow, Vt.; Rosey Fletcher, Girdwood, Alaska; Sondra Van Ert, Ketchum, Idaho; Lisa Kosglow, Boise, Idaho; Lisa Odynski, Reno.
Men’s halfpipe
World Cup standings: 1: Magnus Sterner, Sweden. 2: Stefan Karlsson, Sweden. 3: Jan Michaelis, Germany.
’98 medalists: Gold: Gian Simmen, Switzerland. Silver: Daniel Franck, Norway. Bronze: Ross Powers, U.S.
Predictions: Magnus Sterner of Sweden easily won last year’s World Cup title. But the U.S. team is extraordinarily solid. Tommy Czeschin, sixth in last year’s World Cup after blowing out a knee the year before, is one of the few riders who can execute three full spins in competition–that’s called a clean 1080. Ross Powers won bronze in Nagano. JJ Thomas won the recent X Games. And Danny Kass, only 19, is already being acclaimed in halfpipe circles as the next big thing.
Men’s parallel giant slalom
World Cup standings: 1: Mathieu Bozzetto, France. 2: Nicolas Huet, France. 3: Richard Richardsson, Sweden.
’98 medalists: Gold: Ross Rebagliati, Canada. Silver: Thomas Prugger, Italy. Bronze: Ueli Kestenholz, Switzerland.
Predictions: One of the Games’ most heartwarming stories is American Chris Klug. He underwent a liver transplant in July 2000, appears fully recovered and, on a course he loves in Park City, is a solid threat to take gold. But Canadian Jasey Jay Anderson has shown more consistency overall. And French teammates Nicolas Huet and Mathieu Bozzetto finished 1-2 in last year’s World Cup standings. Also tough is Dejan Kosir of Slovenia.
Women’s halfpipe
World Cup standings: 1: Sabine Wehr-Hasler, Germany. 2: Stine Brun Kjeldaas, Norway. 3: Lesley McKenna, Britain.
’98 medalists: Gold: Nicola Thost, Germany. Silver: Stine Brun Kjeldaas, Norway. Bronze: Shannon Dunn, U.S.
Predictions: The competition is wide open. Can American Shannon Dunn master a cutting-edge move in time for the Games? Stine Brun Kjeldaas of Norway won silver at Nagano and at the 2001 world championships. Nicola Pederzolli of Austria, Sabine Wehr-Hasler of Germany and Yoko Miyake of Japan are also eminently capable of taking a medal.
Women’s parallel giant slalom
World Cup standings: 1: Carmen Ranigler, Italy. 2: Karine Ruby, France. 3: Rosey Fletcher, U.S.
’98 medalists: Gold: Karine Ruby, France. Silver: Heidi Renoth, Germany. Bronze: Brigitte Kock, Austria.
Predictions: Karine Ruby of France is the one to beat–second in World Cup points race, No. 2 in last year’s World Cup, 1998 gold medalist. The top U.S. medal hope appears to be Rosey Fletcher of Alaska, a 1998 Olympian. But it would be a great story for all the aspirin-popping, channel-clicking weekend warriors in their 30s and 40s should Idaho’s Sondra Van Ert make the podium; she’s 38 years old and in her second career as a racer. She competed for the U.S. ski team as an alpine racer, quit in the mid-1980s, then spotted some kids on a snowboard in 1990 and thought it would be fun.
— Alan Abrahamson
Speedskating
Dates: Feb. 9-14, 16-17, 19-20, 22-23.
Team USA men: KC Boutiette, Tacoma, Wash.; Kip Carpenter, Brookfield, Wis.; Joey Cheek, Greensboro, N.C.; Casey FitzRandolph, Verona, Wis.; Jason Hedstrand, Shoreview, Minn.; Derek Parra, San Bernardino, Calif.; Nick Pearson, Vernon, Wis.; Marc Pelchat, Chelmsford, Mass.; J.P. Schilling, Baltimore; Jondon Trevana, Ft. Collins, Colo.
Team USA women: Elli Ochowicz, Waukesha, Wis.; Catherine Raney, Elm Grove, Wis.; Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami; Amy Sannes, St. Paul, Minn.; Becky Sundstrom, Glen Ellyn; Chris Witty, West Allis, Wis.
Men’s 500
World Cup standings: 1: Hiroyasu Shimizu, Japan. 2: Jeremy Wotherspoon, Canada. 3: Toyoki Takeda, Japan.
’98 medalists: Gold: Hiroyasu Shimizu, Japan. Silver: Jeremy Wotherspoon, Canada. Bronze: Kevin Overland, Canada.
Predictions: If American Casey FitzRandolph is to win a medal, it figures to be in this race. Canadian Jeremy Wotherspoon looms as the favorite, on the strength of four World Cup victories this season. But FitzRandolph, a veteran from Verona, Wis., has been close behind Wotherspoon this season and has four second-place finishes to his credit.
Men’s 1,000
World Cup standings: 1: Jeremy Wotherspoon, Canada. 2: Aadne Sondral, Norway. 3: Michael Ireland, Canada.
’98 medalists: Gold: Ids Postma, Netherlands. Silver: Jan Bos, Netherlands. Bronze: Hiroyasu Shimizu, Japan.
Predictions: The 500 is his better event but FitzRandolph will race the 1,000 as well. Wotherspoon, Ireland and Bos all rank ahead of him in the World Cup standings and no one would be surprised to see them finish that way.
Men’s 1,500
World Cup standings: 1: Aleksandr Kibalko, Russia. 2: Aadne Sondral, Norway. 3: Rintje Ritsma, Netherlands.
’98 medalists: Gold: Aadne Sondral, Norway. Silver: Ids Postma, Netherlands. Bronze: Rintje Ritsma, Netherlands.
Predictions: Derek Parra, at 31, gets his first shot at an Olympic medal in this race. Parra, a former inline roller skater who grew up in San Bernardino, Calif., before moving to Orlando, switched to speedskating in 1995 and has cracked speedskating’s elite. He has won a World Cup race this season. Defending champion Aadne Sondral of Norway, his countryman, Petter Andersen, and Erben Wennemars of the Netherlands figure as other strong contenders.
Men’s 5,000
World Cup standings: 1: Gianni Romme, Netherlands. 2: Carl Verheijen, Netherlands. 3: Bob de Jong, Netherlands.
’98 medalists: Gold: Gianni Romme, Netherlands. Silver: Bob de Jong, Netherlands. Bronze: Rintje Ritsma, Netherlands.
Predictions: Parra is entered in this race as well, but it pretty well belongs to the long-striding Dutchmen–Gianni Romme, Bob de Jong and Carl Verheijen. Parra, at 15th, is the highest-ranking American in the World Cup standings.
Men’s 10,000
World Cup standings: 1: Gianni Romme, Netherlands. 2: Carl Verheijen, Netherlands. 3: Bob de Jong, Netherlands.
’98 medalists: Gold: Gianni Romme, Netherlands. Silver: Bob de Jong, Netherlands. Bronze: Rintje Ritsma, Netherlands.
Predictions: Dutch treat here too, with Romme, De Jong and Verheijen in the world’s most boring race. Romme is the defending Olympic champion in both the long races.
Women’s 500
World Cup standings: 1: Catriona LeMay-Doan, Canada. 2: Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt, Germany. 3: Svetlana Zhurova, Russia.
’98 medalists: Gold: Catriona LeMay-Doan, Canada. Silver: Susan Auch, Canada. Bronze: Tomomi Okazaki, Japan.
Predictions: Catriona LeMay-Doan of Canada won this race in 1998 at Nagano and probably will repeat here. She has been flawless in six World Cup races this season and is well ahead of runner-up Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt of Germany in the standings.
Women’s 1,000
World Cup standings: 1: Monique Garbrecht-Enfeldt, Germany. 2: Chris Witty, U.S. 3: Eriko Sanmiy, Japan.
’98 medalists: Gold: Marianne Timmer, Netherlands. Silver: Chris Witty, U.S. Bronze: Catriona LeMay-Doan, Canada.
Predictions: The 1,000 is normally Chris Witty’s best race, but the American silver medalist of 1998 has been lagging this season. She recently learned she has mononucleosis, a strength-sapping disease, and there is no telling how she will skate. Teammate Jennifer Rodriguez, on the other hand, is having the season of her life. The former inline roller skater from Miami, of all places, has won a World Cup race at this distance and is in position to do well. Germany’s Sabine Voelker and Catrinoa LeMay-Doan of Canada also pose a distinct threats.
Women’s 1,500
World Cup standings: 1: Anni Friesinger, Germany. 2: Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann, Germany. 3: Claudia Pechstein, Germany.
’98 medalists: Gold: Marianne Timmer, Netherlands. Silver: Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann, Germany. Bronze: Chris Witty, U.S.
Predictions: Jennifer Rodriguez is the top American at this distance, but Anni Friesinger of Germany and Cindy Klassen of Canada rank ahead of her. Claudia Pechstein of Germany and Maki Tabata of Japan will be in strong contention.
Women’s 3,000
World Cup standings: 1: Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann, Germany. 2: Claudia Pechstein, Germany. 3: Anni Friesinger, Germany.
’98 medalists: Gold: Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann, Germany. Silver: Claudia Pechstein, Germany. Bronze: Anni Freisinger, Germany.
Predictions: Friesinger is the class here. She has won all five of the World Cup events she has raced this year at 3,000 or 5,000 meters. Pechstein looks like a good bet to reprise her Nagano silver-medal performance. Maki Tabata, Cindy Klassen and Renate Groenewold of the Netherlands figure to be in the running for medals.
Women’s 5,000
World Cup standings: 1: Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann, Germany. 2: Claudia Pechstein, Germany. 3: Anni Friesinger, Germany.
’98 medalists: Gold: Claudia Pechstein, Germany. Silver: Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann, Germany. Bronze: Lyudmila Prokasheva, Kazakhstan.
Predictions: Pechstein is the defending champion, but Friesinger is the new long-distance power.
— Mike Kupper
