That Gold Collection of Paerson’s Could Be Expanding Quickly

Anja Paerson of Sweden tries to add a giant slalom gold to her gold in slalom and bronzes in the downhill and the combined.

Paerson becomes the odds-on favorite if Croatia’s Janica Kostelic, the defending Olympic champion, keeps her promise of not racing in the event because of a lingering illness.

Finland’s Tanja Poutiainen is the defending World Cup giant slalom champion but has not finished better than sixth this year.

The American women’s last chance to win a medal in the Olympics rests with Julia Mancuso, ninth in the world giant slalom standings, and perhaps Lindsey Kildow, who left open the possibility of competing despite her injured back from a fall early in the Games.