Alpine superstar Lindsey Vonn and halfpipe sensation Shaun White may be the stars of the U.S. Olympic team in Vancouver, but strengths in sports that have traditionally been weaknesses for the U.S. are the trend.
The U.S. has never won an Olympic medal in nordic combined, biathlon or women’s luge. It has won only one medal in cross country skiing, Bill Koch’s silver at Innsbruck in 1976.
All four sports boast legitimate U.S. medal contenders this year.
In biathlon, Tim Burke has been on the World Cup podium three times this year and became the first American ever to don the World Cup leader’s yellow bib.
In cross country, Kikkan Randall won a silver medal in the women’s sprint event at last year’s world championships. Kris Freeman was fourth at worlds in the men’s 15-kilometer classical race, missing a medal by less than two seconds.
Outlandish as it might seem, the question with nordic combined might not be whether the U.S. team will win a medal. It might be which of the team’s three strongest contenders — Johnny Spillane, Todd Lodwick and Bill Demong — will come out on top. And whether they will earn multiple medals.
In luge, Erin Hamlin won a gold medal at the world championships last year, ending Germany’s 99-race winning streak.
In alpine, Vonn could become the first U.S. skier to win three medals at the same Olympics. Other perceived strengths of the U.S. Ski Team in alpine have not been borne out this season, however.
The men’s alpine team has been a disappointment. Bode Miller is the only male U.S. downhiller with top 10s in downhill this season (fourth at Beaver Creek and ninth twice). He also has a couple of top 10s in super-G.
Gold, silver, bronze hopefuls
Denver Post Olympic writer John Meyer breaks down Team USA’s best bets to win a medal.
Shani Davis » speedskating
Won long-track gold and silver four years ago in Turin, becoming the first African-American to win a gold medal in an individual event at the Winter Olympics.
Steve Holcomb » bobsled
vReigning four-man world champion just drove his four-man sled to the 2010 World Cup title, the first U.S. sled to claim that honor in 17 years.
Evan Lysacek » figure skating
Finished fourth at Turin, and last year became the first American man since Todd Eldredge (1996) to claim gold at world championships.
Bode Miller » alpine
Has only one World Cup podium this season – a win in super-combined – and has been hampered by a sore ankle. But for Miller, a two-time World Cup overall champion and one of the most gifted athletes skiing has ever seen, a top finish is never a surprise.
Shauna Rohbock » bobsled
Took silver at 2006 Olympics and last year’s two-man world championships; won World Cup race on the Whistler track last year.
Lindsey Vonn » alpine
Won gold medals in downhill and super-G at world championships last year and leads World Cup standings in both this year. Leads downhill and super-G standings on the World Cup this year. A strong contender in combined, and can’t be counted out in slalom, either.
Shaun White » snowboard
Reigning Olympic halfpipe champion and three-time Winter X Games gold medalist sets the standard in his sport.
Women’s hockey
U.S. has won a medal at all three Olympics where women’s hockey has been played – gold in 1998, silver in 2002, bronze in 2006. Faces tall task in Vancouver, though, trying to beat the home team.
