The Winter Olympics don’t officially start until Feb. 12, but you can get a sneak preview this week thanks to Winter X Games 14.
Several events at the X Games in Aspen, Colo., starting Thursday also will be featured in Vancouver’s Olympics, and many of the athletes will do the Aspen-Vancouver double-dip.
Here’s a look at some of the athletes expected at both games. espn.com contributed
Gretchen Bleiler
She won three snowboard superpipe golds at the X Games and won silver at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
“This is an incredibly exciting time, and I’m looking forward to a great Winter X Games on my way to the Olympics in Vancouver,” Bleiler told ESPN. “These are my two favorite events and together they are bringing amazing, positive exposure to the sport of snowboarding.” getty images photo
Torah Bright
The Australian has two Winter X golds under her belt. The 23-year-old might try to complete the difficult double cork in the snowboard half-pipe event.
Kelly Clark
Also a snowboard superpipe gold medalist — twice — and a gold medalist at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Elena Hight
She was named to the U.S. snowboard team just this week. The 20-year-old will be in Aspen to compete in the superpipe.
Lindsey Jacobellis
A five-time snowboarder X gold medalist and a 2006 Winter Olympic silver medalist.
Ross Powers
The 30-year-old veteran (right), in X Games terms, is a snowboard slopestyle and halfpipe gold medalist. He also won bronze at the 1998 Winter Olympics and gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics. getty images file photo
Casey Puckett
A two-time skier X gold medalist.
Daron Rahlves
Won gold in skier X at Winter X Games 12.
Hannah Teter
The 23-year-old won gold in the 2006 Winter Olympics and gold in the 2004 Winter X Games.
Seth Wescott
Six-time Winter X Games snowboarder X medalist and defending 2006 Winter Olympics gold medalist.
Shaun White
Perhaps the most well-known competitor, The Flying Tomato has won nine Winter X gold medals and one Winter Olympics gold medal.
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Winter X Games schedule
Thursday
11 a.m.-2 p.m., ESPN2
8-10 p.m., ESPN
Friday
11 a.m.- 3 p.m., ESPN 2
6-10 p.m., ESPN
Saturday
3-5 p.m., ESPN 2
8-10 p.m., ESPN
Sunday
11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., ESPN
6-9 p.m., ESPN 2
Source: espn.com
