Top ten U.S. athletes to watch in the 2010 Winter Olympics
1. LINDSEY VONN (ALPINE SKIING)
Almost every major U.S. media outlet named Vonn the face of the 2010 Olympics. In the past two years, she’s won back-to-back World Cup titles as the first American woman to do so.
2. SHANI DAVIS (SPEED SKATING)
Davis has ample opportunity to perform well in individual competition in Vancouver. In Torino, he was the first African-American to claim an individual medal at the Winter Olympics.
3. ERIN HAMLIN (LUGE)
At the 2009 World Championships, not only was Hamlin the first American to claim the title but more importantly, she broke the German’s formidable 99-race winning streak.
4. BODE MILLER (ALPINE SKIING)
Miller is known for going big or going home. His reckless yet aggressive skiing style has earned him a reputation as a talented yet unpredictable performer.
5. LINDSEY JACOBELLIS (SNOWBOARDING)
Jacobellis is best known for a devastating fall in Torino that cost her a gold medal. However, since then, she’s racked up two World Cup titles, the World title and a gold at the X-Games.
6. KATIE UHLAENDER (SKELETON)
After placing sixth in her Torino Olympic debut and winning two World Cup titles, Uhlaender’s father died of cancer in 2009. She’ll head to Vancouver with newfound strength and courage.
7. SHAUN WHITE (SNOWBOARDING)
White has become the poster boy for American snowboarding. His undeniable talent, charismatic demeanor and fiery head of hair have kept him a favorite going into Vancouver.
8. RACHAEL FLATT (FIGURE SKATING)
At 17 years old, Flatt skated to her first women’s national title in January and secured her spot on the U.S. Women’s team for Vancouver, ousting veteran competitor Sasha Cohen
9. STEVE HOLCOLMB (BOBSLED)
Keratoconus, a degenerative eye condition, has not prevented Holcolmb from greatness. He recently won the four-man title, the first American to do so, at the 2009 World Championships.
10. EVEN LYSACEK (FIGURE SKATING)
Lysacek is coming off the high of winning the 2009 World Championship. He placed fourth overall in Torino, only after suffering from dehydration and the flu.
