The Turin Outlook

Who'll bring home Olympic gold in the three snowboarding disciplines? American riders have a strong shot in two of them, while the Swiss look strongest in the third

HALFPIPE The U.S. has gold medal contenders in both the men's and women's competitions. On the men's side Shaun White (page 65) leads the way as the U.S. tries to repeat its 1-2-3 sweep of 2002. Among the women the top hopes are 18-year-old Vermont native Hannah Teter (left), a 2004 X Games superpipe gold medalist, and Ohio-born, Colorado-raised Gretchen Bleiler, 24, a former FHM cover girl.

SNOWBOARDCROSS While Lindsey Jacobellis is the woman to beat in this new Olympic pack-racing event, the men's field is crowded with U.S. medal candidates. Maine resident Seth Wescott (left), the defending world champ and seven-time X Games medalist, will be pressed by teammate Nate Holland, Xavier Delerue of France and Jasey Jay Anderson and Drew Neilson of Canada.

PARALLEL GIANT SLALOM The Swiss may not have as wild a reputation as the sport does, but this event--side-by-side racing down a gate-filled course--requires precision, not tricks. Defending Olympic champ Philipp Schoch (left), who's Swiss, will be among the favorites, as will Austrians Doresia Krings and Manuela Riegler in the women's event. Michelle Gorgone is the top American.

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TOM ZIKAS (TETER)

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DOUG PENSINGER/GETTY IMAGES (WESCOTT)

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JACQUES BOISSINOT/CP/AP (SCHOCH)