Eventful fortnight

ALPINE SKIING

Where: Sestriere Colle (slalom, giant slalom, combined); Sestriere Borgata (men’s downhill, Super G); San Sicario Fraiteve (women’s downhill, Super G).
When: Feb. 12 (men’s downhill); 14 (men’s combined); 15 (women’s downhill); 17 (women’s combined); 18 (men’s Super G); 19 (women’s Super G); 20 (men’s giant slalom); 22 (women’s slalom); 24 (women’s giant slalom); 25 (men’s slalom).
World view: The Austrians, who won only two races last time, could claim six and make the podium in nearly every event. The Croats, with World Cup leader Janica Kostelic, are the only rivals who figure to hear their anthem more than once.
US outlook: After their 2002 implosion (except for Bode Miller’s two silvers), the Americans are eager to back up their ‘‘Best In The World’’ claim. Last year’s six global medals were a huge down payment. If Miller can return to form, he, Daron Rahlves, Ted Ligety, Lindsey Kildow, and Julia Mancuso all can make the podium.

US roster
Men
Jimmy Cochran; Keene, N.H.
Chip Knight; Stowe, Vt.
Ted Ligety; Park City, Utah
Scott Macartney; Redmond, Wash.
Bode Miller; Bretton Woods, N.H.
Steve Nyman; Orem, Utah
Daron Rahlves; Sugar Bowl, Calif.
Erik Schlopy; Park City, Utah
Marco Sullivan; Squaw Valley, Calif.

Women
Kirsten Clark; Raymond, Maine
Stacey Cook; Truckee, Calif.
Lindsey Kildow; Vail, Colo.
Kristina Koznick; Eagan, Minn.
Caroline Lalive; Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Libby Ludlow; Bellevue, Wash.
Julia Mancuso; Olympic Valley, Calif.
Kaylin Richardson; Edina, Minn.
Sarah Schleper; Vail, Colo.
Resi Stiegler; Jackson Hole, Wyo.

BIATHLON

Where: Cesana San Sicario.
When: Feb. 11 (Men’s 20 km); 13 (women’s 15 km); 14 (Men’s 10 km sprint); 16 (women’s 7.5 km sprint); 18 (Men’s and women’s pursuit); 21 (Men’s relay); 23 (women’s relay); 25 (Men’s 15 km and women’s 12.5 km).
World view: As long as Ole Einar Bjoerndalen (he of the four Salt Lake golds) doesn’t miss the bus, the Norwegian Men are still the world’s best ski-and-shooters, with the Germans and Russians in the chase. The Germans are tops on the women’s side, where the Norwegians and Russians will have to watch the oncoming Chinese.
US outlook: Never mind a medal (where have you gone, Josh Thompson?), the Americans still are looking for their first top-10 finish at Olympus. If anyone does it, odds are it’ll be Jay Hakkinen or Rachel Steer, who’ve been the top guns for several winters now.
US roster
Men
Lowell Bailey; Lake Placid, N.Y.
Tim Burke; Paul Smiths, N.Y.
Jay Hakkinen; Kasilof, Alaska
Brian Olsen; Minneapolis
Jeremy Teela; Jericho, Vt.

Women
Lanny Barnes; Durango, Colo.
Tracy Barnes; Durango, Colo.
Sarah Konrad; Bishop, Calif.
Rachel Steer; Anchorage
Carolyn Treacy; Duluth, Minn.

BOBSLED

Where: Cesana Pariol.
When: Feb. 18-19 (Men’s two-man); 20-21 (women’s); 24-25 (Men’s four-man).
World view: The Germans, who won both Men’s events in 2002, will need a Mercedes turbo to do it again. The Canadians, Russians, and Swiss all have had a better winter. The Germans’ gold medal will come from Sandra Kiriasis, indisputably the world’s top woman.
US outlook: The jinx was ended emphatically at Salt Lake, with the Men winning their first medals since 1956 and the women striking gold in their debut. This time, Todd Hays could win either race and could medal in both. Shauna Rohbock should make the podium, too, and Jean (Racine) Prahm has a shot.
US roster
Men
Todd Hays; Del Rio, Texas
Steve Holcomb; Park City, Utah
Randy Jones; Atlanta
Pavle Jovanovic; Toms River, N.J.
Brock Kreitzburg; Akron, Ohio
Steve Mesler; Buffalo
Bill Schuffenhauer; Salt Lake City
Lorenzo Smith III; Kankakee, Ill.
Curt Tomasevicz; Lincoln, Neb.

Women
Valerie Fleming; Foster City, Calif.
Vonetta Flowers; Helena, Ala.
Bethany Hart; North Grafton, Mass.
Jean Prahm; Waterford, Mich.
Shauna Rohbock; Orem, Utah

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

Where: Pragelato Plan.
When: Feb. 12 (pursuit); 14 (team sprint); 16 (women 10 km); 17 (Men’s 15 km); 18 (women’s relay); 19 (Men’s relay); 22 (individual sprint); 24 (women’s 30 km); 26 (Men’s 50 km).
World view: After the doping scandal in Salt Lake, the planet seems to have returned to normal, which means that the Norwegians are at the head of the pack. If form holds, they could win half of the 12 events and make the award stand in all of them. The Russians, Italians, Finns, Swedes, and Germans should scoop up what’s left.
US outlook: There were no medals before Bill Koch’s 1976 silver and none since. Andy Newell could crack the top 10 in the Men’s sprint, though, and Wendy Wagner and Sarah Konrad both have top-20 potential on the women’s side.

US roster
Men
Chris Cook; Rhinelander, Wis.
Lars Flora; Anchorage
Justin Freeman; Andover, N.H.
Kris Freeman; Andover, N.H.
Andrew Johnson; Greensboro, Vt.
Torin Koos; Leavenworth, Wash.
Andy Newell; Shaftsbury, Vt.
James Southam; Anchorage
Carl Swenson; Park City, Utah
Leif Zimmermann; Bozeman, Mont.

Women
Rebecca Dussault; Gunnison, Colo.
Sarah Konrad; Bishop, Calif.
Abigail Larson; Bozeman, Mont.
Kikkan Randall; Anchorage
Wendy Wagner; Park City, Utah
Lindsey Weier; Mahtomedi, Minn.
Lindsay Williams; Hastings, Minn.

CURLING

Where: Pinerolo Palaghiaccio.
When: Feb. 13-20 (round-robin matches); 22 (semifinals); 23 (women’s gold and bronze matches); 24 (Men’s gold and bronze matches).
World view: The Canadians may have popularized the rocks-’n-brooms diversion, but they’ve won only one of the four gold medals since the sport was introduced in 1998. This time, their men should strike gold and their women should make the podium. The Swedes, Norwegians, Scots, and Germans will be up there with them.
US outlook: The Johnson sisters — Cassie and Jamie — should get the women’s medal that has eluded the Americans twice. Should be silver, could be gold. The men, who haven’t made a global award stand since 1993, should be somewhere in the top six.
US roster
Men
Scott Baird; Bemidji, Minn.
Pete Fenson; Bemidji, Minn.
Joe Polo; Cass Lake, Minn.
Shawn Rojeski; Chisholm, Minn.
John Shuster; Chisholm, Minn.

Women
Maureen Brunt; Portage, Wis.
Courtney George; Duluth, Minn.
Cassie Johnson; Bemidji, Minn.
Jamie Johnson; Bemidji, Minn.
Jessica Schultz; Anchorage

FIGURE SKATING

Where: Palavela.
When: Feb. 11 (pairs short program); 13 (pairs long program); 14 (Men’s short program); 16 (Men’s long program); 17 (compulsory dance); 19 (original dance); 20 (free dance); 21 (women’s short program); 23 (women’s long program).
World view: No country ever has swept all four gold medals but the Russians could do it this time with Evgeny Plushenko (Men), Irina Slutskaya (women), Tatiana Totmianina-Maxim Marinin (pairs), and Tatiana Navka-Roman Kostomarov (dance). Stephane Lambiel should win the first Swiss medal since 1948, and the Japanese should make the women’s podium for the first time since 1992.
US outlook: What does it say that the best medal chance is in the dance with new citizen Tanith Belbin and partner Ben Agosto? With Michelle Kwan rusty, the pressure’s on Sasha Cohen to avoid the first women’s shutout since 1964. If Johnny Weir or Evan Lysacek can’t step up, the Men could come home empty-handed for the third time in four Games.
US roster
Men
Ben Agosto; Chicago
John Baldwin; Santa Monica, Calif.

Evan Lysacek; Naperville, Ill.
Ryan O’Meara; Scottsdale, Ariz.
Aaron Parchem; Oak Park, Ill.
Denis Petukhov; Hartford
Matt Savoie; Peoria, Ill.
Johnny Weir; Newark, Del.

Women
Tanith Belbin; Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Sasha Cohen; Corona del Mar, Calif.
Melissa Gregory; Northbrook, Ill.
Marcy Hinzmann; Columbus, Ohio
Rena Inoue; Santa Monica, Calif.
Michelle Kwan; Los Angeles
Kimmie Meissner; Bel Air, Md.
Jamie Silverstein; Pittsburgh

FREESTYLE SKIING

Where: Sauze d’Oulx.
When: Feb. 11 (women’s moguls); 15 (Men’s moguls); 19 (women’s aerials qualification); 20 (Men’s aerials qualification); 22 (women’s aerials final); 23 (Men’s aerials final).
World view: Four different countries won the four gold medals in 2002, and as many as eight — from China to Switzerland to Australia — could have a skier on the award stand this time. The Canadians, though, are flying these days and could win both Men’s aerials and women’s moguls.
US outlook: All three Salt Lake silver medalists (Shannon Bahrke, Joe Pack, Travis Mayer) return, as does 1998 champ Eric Bergoust. But the best medal chances belong to NFL-bound Jeremy Bloom, Hannah Kearney, and Michelle Roark in moguls, and Jeret Peterson, Ryan St. Onge, and Emily Cook in aerials.

US roster
Men
Eric Bergoust; Missoula, Mont.
Jeremy Bloom; Loveland, Colo.
Travis Cabral; South Lake Tahoe, Calif.
Toby Dawson; Vail, Colo.
Travis Mayer; Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Joe Pack; Park City, Utah
Jeret Peterson; Boise, Idaho
Ryan St. Onge; Steamboat Springs, Colo.

Women
Shannon Bahrke; Tahoe City, Calif.
Emily Cook; Belmont, Mass.
Hannah Kearney; Norwich, Vt.
Jana Lindsey; Black Hawk, S.D
Michelle Roark; Denver
Jillian Vogtli; Ellicotville, N.Y.

ICE HOCKEY

Where: Palasport Olimpico and Torino Esposizioni.
When: Men — Feb. 15-21 (preliminaries); 22 (quarterfinals); 24 (semifinals); 25 (bronze-medal game); 26 (gold-medal game). Women — Feb. 11-14 (preliminaries); 17 (semifinals); 20 (gold- and bronze-medal games).
World view: The Canadians broke their 50-year-drought in Salt Lake, but the Czechs knocked them off at last year’s world championships. The Russians aren’t the Big Red Machine anymore, but they’ve missed a medal only once since 1956. The Canadian women lost their world crown to the US in a shootout, but they’re still the ones to beat.
US outlook: You can look it up — the Men haven’t won a thing outside the States since 1972. A bronze would be cause for uncorking a case of Asti Spumante. The women, who won gold and silver in their previous outings, definitely will make the podium. But their northern neighbors are a formidable barrier to the gold.
US roster
Men
Jason Blake; New York Islanders
Chris Chelios; Detroit Red Wings
Erik Cole; Carolina Hurricanes
Craig Conroy; Los Angeles Kings
Rick DiPietro; New York Islanders
Chris Drury; Buffalo Sabres
Robert Esche; Philadelphia Flyers
Brian Gionta; New Jersey Devils
Scott Gomez; New Jersey Devils
John Grahame; Tampa Bay Lightning
Bill Guerin; Dallas Stars
Derian Hatcher; Philadelphia Flyers
Mike Knuble; Philadelphia Flyers
Jordan Leopold; Calgary Flames
John-Michael Liles; Colorado Avalanche
Aaron Miller; Los Angeles Kings
Mike Modano; Dallas Stars
Mark Parrish; New York Islanders
Brian Rafalski; New Jersey Devils
Brian Rolston; Minnesota Wild
Mathieu Schneider; Detroit Red Wings
Keith Tkachuk; St. Louis Blues
Doug Weight; Carolina Hurricanes

Women
Caitlin Cahow; Vinalhaven, Maine
Julie Chu; Fairfield, Conn.
Natalie Darwitz; Eagan, Minn.
Pam Dreyer; Eagle River, Alaska
Tricia Dunn-Luoma; Derry, N.H.
Molly Engstrom; Siren, Wis.
Chanda Gunn; Huntington Beach, Calif.
Jamie Hagerman; North Andover, Mass.
Kim Insalaco; Rochester, N.Y.
Kathleen Kauth; Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Courtney Kennedy; Woburn, Mass.
Katie King; Salem, N.H.
Kristin King; Piqua, Ohio
Sarah Parsons; Dover, Mass.
Jenny Potter; Edina, Minn.
Helen Resor; Greenwich, Conn.
Angela Ruggiero; Harper Woods, Mich.
Kelly Stephens; Seattle
Lyndsay Wall; Churchville, N.Y.
Krissy Wendell; Brooklyn Park, Minn.

LUGE

Where: Cesana Pariol.
When: Feb. 11-12 (Men’s single); 13-14 (women’s single); 15 (Men’s double).
World view: The Germans and their Deutsch-speaking Italian friends own the bahn. Armin Zoeggeler is favored to retain the Men’s crown on his home ice, but the German women figure to sweep, and their Men should win two medals in doubles.
US outlook: Though Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin have a shot at a third consecutive doubles medal, it’s more likely that Tony Bnshoof will become the first American to make the Men’s singles podium. If any of the women slip past the Teutonic roadblock, it’ll be a huge breakthrough.

US roster
Men
Tony Benshoof; White Bear Lake, Minn.
Preston Griffall; Salt Lake City
Mark Grimmette; Muskegon, Mich.
Dan Joye; Carmel, N.Y.
Brian Martin; Palo Alto, Calif.
Jonathan Myles; Rumney, N.H.
Christian Niccum; Woodinville, Wash.

Women
Erin Hamlin; Remsen, N.Y.
Samantha Retrosi; Saranac Lake, N.Y.
Courtney Zablocki; Highlands Ranch, Colo.

NORDIC COMBINED

Where: Pragelato.
When: Feb. 11 (normal hill/15 km); 15 (team); 21 (large hill/sprint).
World view: The Finns swept all three gold medals in 2002, but the Germans are ascendant now and the Norwegians and Austrians are on their heels. Not much room for anyone else.
US outlook: The Americans just missed a team medal last time and Todd Lodwick finished fifth in the sprint. Lodwick, a new dad, is back, as are veterans Johnny Spillane and Bill Demong. Making the podium (and history) will be a taller order this time, especially on European snow, but it’s not beyond reason.
US roster
Brett Camerota; Park City, Utah
Eric Camerota; Park City, Utah
Bill Demong; Vermontville, N.Y.
Todd Lodwick; Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Johnny Spillane; Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Carl Van Loan; Webster, N.H.

SKELETON

Where: Cesana Pariol.
When: Feb. 16 (women’s); 17 (Men’s).
World view: The Canadians were shut out four years ago but they’re aces now with Jeff Pain and Mellisa Hollingsworth-Richards, who could go double-gold ahead of the Swiss.
US outlook: It’s been a year from hell for the home folks. Noelle Pikus-Pace, their golden hope, broke her leg. Their top man was briefly suspended for using a hair-loss drug. Their coach was kept home for various improprieties. But while there’s no chance of winning three medals again, the Yanks should win one with either Zach Lund or Eric Bernotas.
US roster
Men
Eric Bernotas; Avondale, Pa.
Kevin Ellis; Dallas
Zach Lund; Salt Lake City

Woman
Katie Uhlaender; Breckenridge, Colo.

SKI JUMPING

Where: Pragelato.
When: Feb. 11 (normal hill qualification); 12 (normal hill final); 17 (large hill qualification); 18 (large hill final); 20 (large hill team).
World view: Simon Ammann shocked the world by winning both individual events last time, but he was a Swiss aberration. The Norwegians, Finns, and Austrians, plus Czech Jakub Janda, the World Cup leader, will keep everyone else grounded.
US outlook: The Americans haven’t won a medal since 1924, but Alan Alborn cracked the top 10 in Salt Lake. Knee surgery, though, has set him back. If he or Clint Jones can make the top 20, it’ll be a good Games.
US roster
Alan Alborn; Anchorage

Jim Denney; Duluth, Minn.
Anders Johnson; Park City, Utah
Clint Jones; Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Tommy Schwall; Steamboat Springs, Colo.

SNOWBOARDING

Where: Bardonecchia.
When: Feb. 12 (Men’s halfpipe); 13 (women’s halfpipe); 16 (Men’s snowboardcross); 17 (women’s snowboardcross); 22 (Men’s parallel giant slalom); 23 (women’s parallel giant slalom).
World view: The French, who won three medals last time, are still the best riders who don’t wear stars and stripes, but the Canadians could medal in all three disciplines and the Swiss and Austrians are solid.
US outlook: Five medals in Salt Lake was just the beginning, dude. With snowboardcross now on the program, the Yanks could win a half-dozen behind world champs Seth Wescott and Lindsey Jacobellis in SBX, Shaun White, Hannah Teter, and Gretchen Bleiler in halfpipe, and Rosey Fletcher or Michelle Gorgone in parallel giant slalom.
US roster
Men
Mason Aguirre; Duluth, Minn.
Andy Finch; Fresno, Calif.
Jayson Hale; Sierraville, Calif.
Nate Holland; Olympic Valley, Calif.
Tyler Jewell; Sudbury, Mass.
Danny Kass; Portland, Maine
Jason Smith; Basalt, Colo.
Seth Wescott; Farmington, Maine
Shaun White; Carlsbad, Calif.

Women
Gretchen Bleiler; Aspen/Snowmass Village, Colo.
Kelly Clark; West Dover, Vt.
Rosey Fletcher; Girdwood, Alaska
Michelle Gorgone; Sudbury, Mass.

Elena Hight; Zephyr Cove, Nev.
Lindsey Jacobellis; Stratton, Vt.
Hannah Teter; Belmont, Vt.

SPEEDSKATING (long track)

Where: Oval Lingotto.
When: Feb. 11 (Men’s 5,000 meters); 12 (women’s 3,000); 13 (Men’s 500); 14 (women’s 500); 15-16 (team pursuit); 18 (Men’s 1,000); 19 (women’s 1,000); 21 (Men’s 1,500); 22 (women’s 1,500); 24 (Men’s 10,000); 25 (women’s 5,000).
World view: The Dutch may have invented the sport, but they’ve been short on Hans Brinkers recently and may not win a Men’s race this time. The Germans still rule the women’s side, where they should win four golds, with the Canadians grabbing the other two.
US outlook: Matching that eight-medal Salt Lake haul won’t be easy, but everybody who did it is back, plus the current and former Men’s world all-around champions in Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick. Even if the women win just one with Jennifer Rodriguez, the Yanks could take seven medals, four of them gold.

US roster
Men
K.C. Boutiette; Tacoma, Wash.
Kip Carpenter; Brookfield, Wis.
Joey Cheek; Greensboro, N.C.
Shani Davis; Chicago
Casey FitzRandolph; Verona, Wis.
Tucker Fredricks; Janesville, Wis.
Chad Hedrick; Spring, Texas
Charles Leveille; Atlanta
Clay Mull; Gastonia, N.C.
Derek Parra; San Bernardino, Calif.

Women
Margaret Crowley; Evanston, Ill.
Kristine Holzer; Boise, Idaho
Maria Lamb; River Falls, Wis.
Elli Ochowicz; Waukesha, Wis.
Catherine Raney; Elm Grove, Wis.
Jennifer Rodriguez; Miami
Amy Sannes; St. Paul
Chris Witty; West Allis, Wis.

SPEEDSKATING (short track)

Where: Palavela.
When: Feb. 12 (Men’s 1,500 meters final, women’s 500 and relay preliminaries); 15 (women’s 500 final, Men’s 1,000 and relay preliminaries); 18 (women’s 1,500 and Men’s 1,000 final); 22 (women’s 1,000 and Men’s 500 preliminaries and women’s relay final); 25 (Men’s 500 and relay final, women’s 1,000 final).
World view: The Koreans, who left Salt Lake embittered, now rule the world. Barring the kind of pileup that makes champions of Australians, the Seoul Men and women could win six of the eight events, with the Chinese scooping the other two.
US outlook: Apolo Anton Ohno, who won two medals last time, is a marked man now, but he should be good for another couple. The women, who’ve won nothing since 1994, should step up this time with teen sensation Hyo Jung Kim and Allison Baver.
US roster
Men
Alex Izykowski; Bay City, Mich.
J.P. Kepka; St. Louis
Anthony Lobello; Tallahassee, Fla.
Apolo Anton Ohno; Seattle
Rusty Smith; Long Beach, Calif.

Women
Allison Baver; Sinking Springs, Pa.
Kimberly Derrick; Caledonia, Mich.
Maria Garcia; Carson, Calif.
Caroline Hallisey; Natick, Mass.
Hyo Jung Kim; Fullerton, Calif.