CURLING

MEN

* Where: Pinerolo.

* When: Round robin, Feb. 13-21; Semifinals, Feb. 22; Gold- and bronze-medal games Feb. 24

* The field: Though the sport was born in Scotland, 90% of the world’s players live in Canada. Yet, since curling became a medal sport in 1998, Canadian men have yet to win gold. They’re considered a favorite this time, even though Brad Gushue’s rink surprised curling observers by upsetting four-time world champion Randy Ferby in the Canadian Trials.

* U.S. chances to medal: The U.S. has never won a curling medal but has put more time and resources into this effort. Skip Pete Fenson of Bemidji, Minn., is making his Olympic debut after guiding his team to a sixth-place finish at last year’s world championships .

* Little-known fact: The Brits -- using an all-Scottish team -- come to Turin armed with the best technology. Their fancy brooms, which aren’t available on the market and are used primarily for training, reportedly cost $39,000 to develop.

*

WOMEN

* Where: Pinerolo.

* When: Round robin, Feb. 13-21; Semifinals, Feb. 22; Gold- and bronze-medal games Feb. 23.

* The field: In the last two Olympics, parity has been evident, with five countries accounting for six medals. Defending champion Britain -- the women’s team is all-Scottish team too -- had a disappointing sixth-place finish at last year’s world championships.

* U.S. chances to medal: The Americans have their best shot this year. Like Fenson, Cassie Johnson, the women’s skip, is from Bemidji. Only 24, she graduated from college in December with a degree in graphic design. She led her rink, which includes sister Jamie Johnson, to silver at the world championships a year ago.

* Little-known fact: The Canadians won gold in 1998 with curling legend Sandra Schmirler, a three-time world champion who had become a mother shortly before the Canadian trials. Only 16 months after skipping her rink to Olympic gold, Schmirler was diagnosed with cancer and died in 2000.

-- Rick Maese