Twist & Turn or Crash and Burn!

A little melodramatic, perhaps? Not quite. Have you seen some of the disastrous crashes that have plagued Alpine skiing since its inception? Its kinda like Nascar crashes, except there's far less metal to protect your hide as your flimsy body is torn asunder amidst gristle and snow-laced terrain. Crashes notwithstanding, the sport is a lot of fun to watch.

Its one of those sports that demands equal levels of speed, agility, stamina, and balance. One small faux pas can lead to an off-course DQ...and the death of an Olympic dream. All of that training and sweat and blood, frozen under a cold frosty avalanche of defeat.

Look for Antoine Deneriaz from France to repeat his Gold medal performance in Turin. Michael Walchhofer from Austria should nab the silver. I can't foresee any upset performances in Vancouver. On the women's side, Michaela Dorfmesiter from Austria should bring home the gold, although she will face some fierce competition from the likes of Martina Schild from Switzerland and Anja Parson from Sweden.

Bring out the Boom Stick!

The Skeleton. I wonder why they decided to call the sport the "Skeleton?" Is it because you end up being charred so bad that all your flesh burns off and you end up as a skeletor? What I know for sure is that it is one dangerous ride. I mean, you're going down this narrow ramp at God knows how fast with your head facing forward. I am well aware that they wear head gear but they aren't 100% foolproof. Scary stuff, but I'm sure its a real rush for the experienced athletes who partake in the sport.

Athletes to look for this year include Noelle Pikus-Pace. This incredible athlete has overcome enormous odds and adversity to qualify for the 2010 games. Having suffered a horrific leg injury five years ago in Calgary, and another injury which broke here tibia and fibula, she has battled the odds to qualify for the Vancouver games. The former world champion is in the best shape of her life and look for her to give it her all at Vancouver.

Another grizzled veteran that looks to bring home the gold is Marion Trott of Germany. The reigning champion looks to defend her title against some fierce competitors. One of her biggest rivals is Mellisa Hollingsworth of Alberta, Canada. The former bronze medalist looks to go all the way with an entire nation on her side.

Taboo No Longer!

Snowboarding! Ok, that was a little weird, but snowboarding is awesome. Totally gnarly and bodacious! I know there are still some naysayers out there that denounce the sport, but the taboo around the sport has died down in recent years. I remember just a decade ago when snowboarding and skateboarding were anti-establishment. It was more than a fun activity. It was a movement. A in-your-face revolution. Thanks to guys like Tony Hawk and Shaun White, and the X-games, snowboarding has become a mainstream sport. A ridiculous amount of skill is required, not to mention balls of steel.

Regarding the Olympics, the Americans have dominated the sport since its inception into the games in '98. Many people are expecting Shaun White; the reigning halfpipe champion, to bring home the gold. As for the women, many expect Lindsey Jacobellis, who won silver at Salt Lake, to bring home the gold. This is partly due to the fact that the defending champion, Tanja Friden, recently retired from the sport after she tore both her Achilles tendons in a world cup event a few weeks ago.

On the men's side, White should have little to no competition in Vancouver because his arch-rival; Danny Davis, will not be participating in the games. Davis suffered a severe spinal fracture during a quad bike accident last week. Although he is expected to make a full recovery, doctors expect him to be back on his board, ollieing to thousands of cheering fans, in about 14 months. Opportunity waits for no one folks...

The Sky's the Limit

Have you ever watched a Ski Jumping exhibition? Its pretty awesome. People being projected 40 feet into the air, head-on, while their bodies maintain an erect "V" formation. At least, that's how its supposed to be performed to rake in the big points. I've never done it myself, but I can only imagine that it must be a very exhilarating experience. You see, I've always wanted to fly. To transcend the law of gravity and to fly about, perusing terra firma in all its microscopic glory. While that may never happen (until Mach V suits are invented) I'm pretty sure being catapulted into the air, feeling light as a feather, is the next best thing.

Turning to reality, all eyes are on Austrian Wunderkind Gregor Schlierenzauer. The 20 year old phenom has already raked up 28 World Cup victories; including five in 09. The only prize that has eluded him is Olympic Gold. Will this be his year, and how much potential does this young man possess? The sky's the limit...

Red & Yellow, Let it Mellow!

Curling. One word to rule them all. Well, its more a sport than a word, but it has enough gravitas to lift a nation to its feet. Yellow and red rocks flying across a polished rink at 30 clicks an hour. People yelling their lungs out, telling their rocks to "hurry hard!" and "come on!" Sexual innuendo and double entendres aside, one can't argue about the "enthusiasm" the sport draws from its participants. And don't get me started on those brooms. I think Swiffer and the cleaning guys should publicly endorse curling. You know, form a deadly alliance (against germs).

I remember watching an episode of the Simpsons where Milhouse and Bart were fighting over the same girl. She just happened to be the daughter of mega-action star McBain, who happened to be shooting a movie in Canada. The two best-friends duked it out to decide who was worthy of the sultry lass, only to end up on a curling rink while a game was in session! It was funny, but the stereotypes hit hard and fast. From the cheesy "Canuck" lingo to the assertion that only 2 people were watching the event at home... I'm sure it pissed off a few die-hard curling fans: but in retrospect it was all done tongue-in-cheek.

Well, die-hards can chagrin again, because the Simpsons will be launching another episode about the 500 year old sport in February to usher in the Vancouver games.

Animated guffaws aside, curling is a very serious and tactical sport. Finite precision and keen reflexes, not to mention a solid strategy, are imperative to coming out on top. Many expect David Murdoch to emerge victorious against arch rival Kevin Martin of Ontario. Murdoch had defeated Martin 4 consecutive times, and analysts are expecting more of the same this time around. Perhaps home ice advantage will provide just the "polish" required to pull off a "miracle on ice." (Ok, I'll stop.)

On the women's side, Bingyu Wang and her Chinese crew are the reigning champs, albeit they'll face stiff competition from their Canadian and British compatriots.

Alright, so I'm not the biggest fan of curling, but I will be the first to acknowledge that it is a real sport, with passion, a fervent fan base, and several respectable ambassadors. Let the rocks hurry, and hurry hard! Ok, that's the last crack (...)

Need for Speed

Ah, the Bobsleigh. Its pretty exhilarating to watch in motion. I'll admit, I'm no expert, but I do enjoy the occasional run. It has always seemed to me to be a very risky sport. I mean, sure, the course is narrow, but being cramped together in such a small space and rushing forward at a seemingly terminal velocity...seems pretty scary. I've always preferred the team relay to the solo. I've always been a team player I guess.

So, who will take home the gold at Vancouver? I'd place my money on Steven Holcomb and John Napier. They are currently the world's top ranked bobsled drivers. I don't expect any upsets this time around.

In other news, former silver medalist Todd Hays will not be participating in the 2010 games. Unfortunately, Mr. Hays suffered a intraparenchymal hematoma after a training crash in Germany. The 40 year old U.S. veteran risks serious brain damage if he were to continue bobsledding.

Like any sport, risks go hand in hand with glory and defeat. When you put it all in perspective, I'm glad my need for speed is met on the sidelines...

Spin Circles Around Me...

I gotta admit, my enthusiasm for figure skating has waned over the years. I remember in the 90s, when guys like Elvis Stojko and Kurt Browning were reving things up with flips and triple salchow's. Kristi Yamaguchi and Emanuel Sandhu (who has since moved on to dance) were igniting heated flair and passion to every arabesque movement.

Then the dark side of figure skating reared its ugly head. Who can forget about the heinous assault orchestrated by former world champion Tonya Harding on Nancy Kerrigan? And then there was the Machiavellian scandal involving pairs skaters Jamie Sale and David Pelletier during the Salt Lake games. Bribery, deceit, malice...figure skating isn't all twirls and ribbons, folks.

However, there is hope on the horizon. Some young blood has been injected into this dying sport. One young man to definitely keep an eye on is 19 year Ottawa native Patrick Chan. Equal parts skill and finesse, look for him to bring home a medal at the Vancouver games.

Another medal hopeful is 17 year old Rachael Flatt from Colorado. Flatt made her international debut in 2007, winning the international challenge cup that year.

All in all, the newfound fresh talent that has been added to this year's Olympic roster has piqued my interest enough to keep a track on some of the sport's proteges. And for a guy who has essentially ignored the sport for the last 10 years, that's something to Triple Axel over...

Burn baby, burn!

Ah, speed skating. I gotta admit theirs something special about having 20 and 30 somethings racing around an oval rink at 50 clicks per hour in spandex. Maybe, its that they look like superheros (i.e., the Flash) battling it out for ice supremacy? Over the years their have been some chaotic battles between international powerhouses. DQs and controversies aside, its a marvel to see what humankind is capable of with the latest in nanotechnology.

For the upcoming Olympics all eyes are on speed skating superstar Shani Davis. He will skate in all 5 individual events this year but has mysteriously opted-out of the team rally...Davis holds the world record in the 1,000 and 1,500 meter courses.

Shifting to the Orient, former speed skating champ Hiroyasu Shimizu failed to qualify for the games. Shimizu last medaled at the Nagano games, taking home gold in the 500 meter rally. The 35 year old veteran has lost much of her finesse, stamina, and power over years of wear-and-tear. Oh, the woes of aging...

Regardless, this year's speed skating events are going to be awesome. Speed, grace, balance, and a little bit of grit thrown in there while thousands cheer from the stands. What more could you ask for?

History in the Making...

I have always been a fan of the Biathlon. Its similar to a marathon, except the conditions are far more fierce. You have to deal with the harsh climate, not to mention all of the equipment you have to carry around. It takes real nerves of steel to get through one. This time around all eyes are on amateur superstar Ole Einar Bjorndalen. The 35 year old biathlete from Norway has already won 5 gold medals. He picked up a gold in the 1998 games and another 4 at Salt Lake in 2002. In fact, no biathlete has won more Olympic gold medals in history! For the upcoming games look for Bjorndalen to battle it out with Evgeny Ustyugov of Russia and fellow compatriot Emil Hegle Svendsen. It should be a battle for the ages...

R.I.P. Dream Team

As an avid hockey fan I have seen some major upsets over the course of my life. The "miracle on ice" that occurred at Lake Placid was a moment for the ages. We have seen the Czechs pull off a huge upset at Nagano, stunning the seemingly unstoppable juggernaut known as "Team Canada." Many touted the Canadians to be the dream team. The Canadians ended up leaving Nagano empty-handed. Heck, just a few weeks ago, the junior Canadian hockey team's dominance came to an end as Team USA brought home the gold. With all of these upsets happening left-and-right, one can't help but wonder what Vancouver will bring. Will Canada be able to salvage their pride and their reputation by bringing Gold to native soil? Having Crosby on the team helps, but will he suffice? Brodeur seems to be playing some of his best hockey as of late, so that may help. We won't know until the games begin, but lets hope that this year's hockey championship ends with all blades blazing.

The Countdown Begins....

We are only 27 days away from the opening ceremonies of the 21st Winter Olympics. They are to be held in beautiful and glacial Vancouver, Canada. Known for its Alpine slopes and rugged winter terrain, Vancouver seems like the perfect hot (or should I say cold...) spot to hold the 21st Olympiad. In the 2006 Olympics; held in Turin, Italy, the Germans took the top spot with 29 medals. Other powerhouses included the United States (25), Canada (24), Austria (23), and Russia (22). The Canadians have home turf advantage this time around, so look for them to pull off some major upsets. Moreover, look for beautiful and mystical Aboriginal themes to celebrate the rich and diverse heritage of the Aboriginal settlers who discovered the beautiful and wondrous nation known as Canada.