2014 Sochi Olympics: A preview of the Winter Games

A capsulized look at each of the 15 disciplines, including best of the U.S., best of the rest and American medal chances.

Alpine Skiing

Men’s Downhill

Where: Rosa Khutor Alpine Center

When: Feb. 9

Best of U.S.: Bode Miller, Travis Ganong, Marco Sullivan, Erik Fisher

Best of the rest: Aksel-Lund Svindal (Norway), Adrien Theaux (France), Didier Defago (Switzerland), Carlo Janka (Switzerland)

U.S. chances to medal: Miller (36) is defying Father Time. He won Olympic bronze four years ago at Vancouver and recently finished third at the famed Kitzbuehel downhill in Austria. Miller’s Olympics odds increased now that Austrian Hannes Reichelt, the winner at Kitzbuehel, will miss Sochi with a back injury.

Little-known fact: American Tommy Moe never won another World Cup downhill after claiming Olympic gold at the 1994 Lillehammer Games.

Women’s Downhill

Where: Rosa Khutor Alpine Center

When: Feb. 12

Best of the U.S.: Julia Mancuso, Stacey Cook

Best of the rest: Maria Hoefl-Riesch (Germany), Tina Maze (Slovenia), Lara Gut (Switzerland)

U.S. chances to medal: The injury to defending Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn opens it up for Mancuso, who won silver behind Vonn in Vancouver. Mancuso has only seven World Cup wins (Vonn has 59) but is a big-stage performer with three Olympic medals (gold, two silver).

Little-known fact: Most racers in the finish area conceded the 2010 downhill gold to Mancuso after she scorched her run from the No. 10 position, only to be outdone by teammate Vonn from the No. 16 position.

Men’s Super combined

Where: Rosa Khutor Alpine Center

When: Feb. 14.

Best of the U.S.: Ted Ligety, Bode Miller

Best of the rest: Aksel Lund Svindal (Norway), Alexis Pinturault (France), Marcel Hirscher (Austria)

U.S. chances to medal: Pretty good, given Ligety won combined gold in 2006 at Turin and Miller won four years ago in Vancouver. Ligety probably has the advantage because he’s more likely than Miller to survive two slalom runs.

Little-known fact: All the combined events, a shortened downhill and two slalom runs, are now on the same day. In 1994, won by Norway’s Lasse Kjus, the slalom was raced 11 days after the downhill.

Women’s Super combined

Where: Rosa Khutor Alpine Center

When: Feb. 10

Best of the U.S.: Julia Mancuso, Laurenne Ross

Best of the rest: Maria Hoefl-Riesch (Austria), Marie-Michele Gagnon (Canada), Tina Maze (Slovenia)

U.S. chances to medal: Mancuso came from nowhere in 2010 to win silver behind Riesch after race-favorite Vonn skied out in slalom after winning the morning downhill. Ross is a steady U.S. veteran with six World Cup top-20 finishes in super combined.

Little-known fact: Mancuso, not Vonn or Picabo Street, is the United States’ most accomplished female Olympic skier. Mancuso has three Olympic medals while Vonn and Street each have two.

Men’s Super G

Where: Rosa Khutor Alpine Center

When: Feb. 16

Best of the U.S.: Bode Miller, Ted Ligety, Travis Ganong

Best of the rest: Aksel-Lund Svindal (Norway), Patrick Kueng (Switzerland), Jan Hudec (Canada)

U.S. chances to medal: Miller won silver behind Svindal’s gold in Vancouver and just missed a super G win recently in Kitzbuehel. Ligety is the defending world champion but has never won the race on a World Cup stop. Andrew “The Warhorse” Weibrecht, a shocking bronze medalist in Vancouver, has not come close to replicating that form.

Little-known fact: Former Austrian great Hermann Maier never won the Olympic downhill but is considered the greatest super G racer in alpine history. He won the event 24 times on the World Cup and also Olympic gold in 1998.

Women’s Super G

Where: Rosa Khutor Alpine Center

When: Feb. 15

Best of the U.S.: Julia Mancuso, Stacey Cook, Leanne Smith

Best of the rest: Lara Gut (Switzerland), Maria Hoefl-Riesch (Austria).

U.S. chances to medal: Lindsey Vonn being out means opportunities for Mancuso and Cook, who have both posted recent top-10 finishes in World Cup. Mancuso also finished third in super G at last year’s World Championships in Austria.

Little-known fact: Picabo Street won the super G gold at the 1998 Nagano by .01 over Austria’s Michaela Dorfmeister — the narrowest margin in Olympic alpine history.

Men’s giant slalom

Where: Rosa Khutor Alpine Center

When: Feb. 19

Best of the U.S.: Ted Ligety, Bode Miller

Best of the rest: Marcel Hirscher (Austria), Alexis Pinturault (France)

U.S. chances to medal: Ligety is the closest to a sure thing, although he finished ninth as the favorite four years ago. Nineteen of Ligety’s 20 World Cup wins are in GS. He is the defending GS world champion and a four-time World Cup event cup winner. Miller won GS silver in 2002, but at 36 is more likely now to hook a gate and DQ.

Little-known fact: In 2012, Ligety won a World Cup GS race by 2.75 seconds, the largest winning margin since Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark’s 4.06 second win in 1979 at Jasna, Slovakia.

Women’s giant slalom

Where: Rosa Khutor Alpine Center

When: Feb. 18

Best of the U.S.: Julia Mancuso, Mikaela Shiffrin

Best of the rest: Jessica Lindell-Vikarby (Sweden), Tina Weirather (Liechtenstein), Anna Fenniger (Austria)

U.S. chances to medal: Mancuso won 2006 GS gold in a snowstorm in the Italian Alps but this could be Shiffrin’s breakout event. The rising 18-year-old star could win her first Olympic medal before her best event, the slalom.

Little-known fact: Mancuso might have defended her GS gold four years ago had she not been flagged off the course and forced to restart after teammate Lindsey Vonn crashed near the finish line. Mancuso finished ninth.

Men’s slalom

Where: Rosa Khutor Alpine Center

When: Feb. 22

Best of the U.S.: David Chodounsky, Nolan Kasper, Ted Ligety

Best of the rest: Marcel Hirscher (Austria), Felix Neureuther (Germany) Henrik Kristoffersen (Norway).

U.S. chances to medal: How about a snowball’s chance in a microwave oven? Chodounsky is a former NCAA slalom champion from Dartmouth who heads to Sochi after finishing a team-best No. 22 in the last pre-Olympic slalom in Austria.

Little-known fact: The U.S. men have not placed in the top six of an Olympic slalom since the 1984 Sarajevo Games, when brothers Phil and Steve Mahre went gold-silver.

Women’s slalom

Where: Rosa Khutor Alpine Center

When: Feb. 21

Best of the U.S.: Mikaela Shiffrin, Resi Stiegler

Best of the rest: Frida Hansdotter (Sweden), Marlies Schild (Austria)

U.S. chances to medal: You’d bet the ski chalet if slalom didn’t have all those gates to trip a skier up. Shiffrin, only 18, is the ski team’s next superstar. She is already the defending world champion and World Cup event champion in slalom.

Little-known fact: U.S. ski team veteran Resi Stiegler, who missed the 2010 games because of injury, is the daughter of Austrian legend Josef “Pepi” Stiegler. He won slalom gold at the 1964 Innsbruck Games, defeating Americans Billy Kidd and Jimmy Huega.

—Chris Dufresne

Biathlon

Men

Where: Laura Cross-Country Ski and Biathlon Center

When: Feb. 8, 10k sprint; Feb. 10, 12.5k pursuit; Feb. 13, individual 20k; Feb. 16, 15k mass start; Feb. 19, mixed relay (men 2x7.5km/women 2x6k); Feb. 22, 4x7.5k relay.

Best of U.S. men: Last year, Tim Burke became the second U.S. biathlete to win a World Championship medal (a silver, after Josh Thompson’s silver in 1987). Now he hopes to be first to win an Olympic medal. In the 2009-10 season, Burke had become first U.S. biathlete to wear the World Cup overall leader’s yellow bib but had a disappointing Olympics, with an 18th and three 40-plus finishes.

Best of the rest: Martin Fourcade of France, who has dominated the World Cup circuit the last two seasons and has won five world titles since 2010, is looking for his first Olympic gold; Norway’s Emil Hegle Svendsen won two gold in Vancouver. At 20, Norway’s Johannes Bo could be one of just three men younger than 21 to win a title. At 39, Norway’s Ole Einar Bjorndalen needs one medal to tie retired countryman Bjorn Daehlie, a cross-country skier (12), for most medals in Winter Olympic history.

U.S. medal chances: No U.S. man has finished higher than ninth (Burke) in a World Cup race this season, and no U.S. individual higher than ninth at the Olympics (Jeremy Teela 2010). Long-awaited breakthrough unlikely.

Little-known fact: Biathlon and luge have added mixed gender relay this year, joining figure skating as the Winter Olympic sports with events in which men and women compete together.

Women

Where: Laura Cross-Country Ski and Biathlon Center

When: Feb. 9, 7.5k sprint; Feb. 11, 10k pursuit; Feb. 14, individual 15k; Feb. 17, 12.5k mass start; Feb. 19, mixed relay (men 2x7.5km/women 2x6k); Feb. 21, 4x6k relay.

Best of U.S. women: Susan Dunklee’s recent fourth in a World Cup race was the highest finish by a U.S. woman on the circuit since 1994. Twins Tracy and Lanny Barnes touched hearts when Tracy gave up her place on the U.S. team for Lanny, who had been sick at the final qualifying event. Both had competed at 2006 Games, Lanny again in 2010.

Best of the rest: Darya Domracheva is shooting (and skiing) to become Belarus’ first female Winter Olympic champion, while Gabriela Soukalova has a good chance of winning Czech Republic’s first biathlon medal. Norway’s Tora Berger, gold medalist in 2010, swept the season titles on 2013 World Cup circuit.

U.S. medal chances: Best U.S. individual women’s finish was a 14th in 1994. Another top 15 is a reasonable goal.

Little-known fact: Germany’s Andrea Henkel, winner of four Olympic medals (two gold), is Tim Burke’s longtime girlfriend. Henkel, 36, intends to retire this season and live with Burke in upstate New York.

—Philip Hersh

Bobsled

Men’s Two-Man

Where: Sanki Sliding Center

When: Feb. 16-17

Best of the U.S.: Pilot Steven Holcomb won the World Cup title last month, despite some frustration on European tracks.

Best of the rest: Francesco Friedrich of Germany and Switzerland’s Beat Hefti could make things tough for Holcomb in Sochi.

U.S. chances to medal: Holcomb has a shot at ending the U.S. team’s 62-year medal drought in this event, but it won’t be easy.

Little-known fact: The Jamaican bobsled team’s well-documented fundraising efforts included a visit to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah to get celebrity donations.

Women’s Two-Woman

Where: Sanki Sliding Center

When: Feb. 18-19

Best of the U.S.: Pilot Elana Meyers and brakeman Aja Evans — who’ll be in USA-1— have been a dominant duo ever since their second-place finish at Sochi’s Sanki Sliding Center last year.

Best of the rest: Canadian pilot Kaillie Humphries won the World Cup circuit this season, finishing one point ahead of Meyers. Any of Germany’s three sledteams could wind up on the medal stand.

U.S. chances to medal: An American sled has medaled at every in Olympics since the event’s debut in 2002. That streak is expected to continue.

Little-known fact: With the help of a 9,000-calorie diet, U.S. brakeman Lolo Jones — the former world indoor hurdle champion — has gained about 30 pounds since making the transition from track.

Men’s Four-Man

Where: Sanki Sliding Center

When: Feb. 22-23

Best of the U.S.: Pilot Steven Holcomb and his crew will look to defend their Olympic title, which would make them the first American team to win successive gold medals in 82 years.

Best of the rest: Maximilian Arndt of Germany won the World Cup title this season, but most believe Russian pilot Alexander Zubkov will have significant home ice advantage.

U.S. chances to medal: Ranked No. 2 in the world, Holcomb’s crew is favored to reach the podium again — although maybe not the top spot.

Little-known fact: Pusher Chris Fogt, a U.S. Army captain, served a one-year deployment in Iraq following the 2010 Olympics.

—Stacy St. Clair

Cross-Country Skiing

Men

Where: Laura Cross-Country Ski & Biathlon Center

When: Skiathlon 15 km Classic and 15 km Free (Feb. 9), Sprint Free (Feb. 11), 15 km Classic (Feb. 14), Relay 4x10 km (Feb. 16), Team Sprint Classic (Feb. 19), 50 km Mass Start Free (Feb. 23).

Best of the U.S.: Shortly before the Games, Noah Hoffman was the top American in the international rankings at No. 28.

Best of the rest: Petter Northug of Norway has struggled of late but took home four medals from the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and captured his second overall World Cup title last season. He’ll get competition from Dario Cologna of Switzerland, among others.

U.S. chances to medal: On Dec. 31, Simi Hamilton won a sprint at the Tour de Ski in Switzerland, a World Cup stage race. He became the first American man to capture a significant international victory in three decades.

Little-known fact: The mass start race begins with a crowd of athletes at the starting line, everyone jostling for position and employing various strategies leading to an all-out sprint at the end.

Women

Where: Laura Cross-country Ski & Biathlon Center

When: Skiathlon 7.5 km Classic and 7.5 km Free (Feb. 8), Sprint Free (Feb. 11), 10 km Classic (Feb. 13), Relay 4x5 km (Feb. 15), Team Sprint Classic (Feb. 19), 30 km Mass Start Free (Feb. 22).

Best of the U.S.: Among the world’s top sprinters, Kikkan Randall finished third in the 2013 overall World Cup standings. She ranked No. 1 in the sprints.

Best of the rest: Marit Bjoergen of Norway has seven Olympic medals on her resume. Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland won the 30 km mass start four years ago.

U.S. chances to medal: No American has stood on the cross-country podium since Bill Koch won silver at the 1976 Innsbruck Games. Randall could end that drought and become the first U.S. woman to medal in this sport.

Little-known fact: Skiathlon combines the classic and free, or skating, styles of cross-country. Competitors stop mid-race and, with the clock running, switch skis to accommodate the change in technique.

—David Wharton

Curling

Men

Where: Ice Cube Curling Center

When: Feb. 10-21

The field: Since curling joined the Olympics in 1998, Canada has played for every gold medal on the men’s side, winning the last two. The Canadians are ranked first in the world. Britain, Sweden, Norway (silver in Vancouver in 2010) and Switzerland (bronze in 2010) round out the top 5 in the world rankings.

U.S. chances to medal: The Americans best Olympic finish was a bronze medal win over Britain in 2006 in Turin, Italy. In the world rankings, the U.S. is eighth, ahead of only Germany (10) and Russia (12) in the 10-team field. So just enjoy the show.

Little-known fact: Loudmouth, an apparel company in Foster City, Calif., is responsible for the fantastic — or fantastically awful — uniforms for Norway. Whatever you think about them it will be impossible to look away.

—Mike Kellams

Women

Where: Ice Cube Curling Center

When: Feb. 10-20

The field: It’s likely to come down to a repeat of 2010 when Sweden defeated Canada in the final. Once again Anette Norberg will skip the two-time defending champion Swedes. Canada’s high hopes will rest with the performance of skip Jennifer Jones, who doubles as a corporate lawyer. Sweden and Canada are ranked 1-2 in the world followed by Scotland-Britain and Switzerland.

U.S. chances to medal: The U.S. will need an epic performance to have people forget its last-place finish in Vancouver. Erika Brown was chosen to skip the team ranked seventh in the world.

Little-known fact: The women’s team did a parody video of the Yvlis song “What Did the Fox Say?” called “What Did the Skip Say?”

—John Cherwa

Figure Skating

Team

Where: Iceberg Skating Palace

When: Feb. 6 (men and pairs short programs); Feb.8 (dance and women’s short, pairs free skate); Feb. 9 (men, women, dance free).

Best of the U.S.: Everyone on the U.S. Olympic skating team is eligible. In two disciplines, teams can swap skaters between short and free programs. This allows strategizing.

Best of the rest: Russia and Canada. This is debut of team event in Olympics. Ten countries will start the competition, with the top five after short program going on to free skate. Usual scoring for each performance, but team scoring will be on a simpler point scale, with 10 for first, 9 for second, 8 for third, etc., in each phase. Aggregate points to determine standings.

U.S. chances to medal: Very good for bronze. Canada slight favorite, with Russian chances for gold likely dependent on men’s performance.

Little-known fact: If Russia’s Evgeny Plushenko competes in the team event, he has a chance to match Sweden’s Gillis Grafstrom as the only skaters with four Olympic skating medals. Plushenko won singles silver-gold-silver in last three.

Ice Dance

Where: Iceberg Skating Palace

When: Feb. 16 (short dance), Feb. 17 (free dance)

Best of the U.S.: Reigning world champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White

Best of the rest: Reigning Olympic champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada

U.S. chances to medal: Davis and White, Olympic silver medalists in 2010, are certain medalists as they try to become the first U.S. couple to win Olympic gold in dance. They have beaten their “frenemies” (same coaches, same training rink), Virtue and Moir, in last four meetings.

Little-known fact: Virtue and Moir were the first team from North America to win gold since ice dance joined Olympic program in 1976.

Pairs

Where: Iceberg Skating Palace

When: Feb. 11 (short program), Feb. 12 (free skate)

Best of the U.S.: Two-time U.S. champions Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir

Best of the rest: Reigning world champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia; four-time world champions (and reigning Olympic bronze medalists) Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany. Russians looking to regain Olympic pairs supremacy that ended in 2010 after 12 straight Russian/Soviet golds (one shared.)

U.S. medal chances: None. Top-eight finish would be surprising. Last U.S. pairs medal in 1988.

Little-known fact: The much-discussed yellow pants Trankov wears in free skate while portraying Jesus (to music from “Jesus Christ Superstar”) have their own Twitter account: @trankovspants.

Women

Where: Iceberg Skating Palace

When: Feb. 19 (short program), Feb. 20 (free skate)

Best of the U.S.: Two-time U.S. champion Ashley Wagner was top U.S. finisher at the last two worlds (fifth and fourth). Gracie Gold was runaway winner at nationals, where Wagner tumbled to fourth.

Best of the rest: Reigning world and Olympic champion Yuna Kim of South Korea; two-time world champion (2008, 2010) and reigning Olympic silver medalist Mao Asada of Japan; Russian prodigy Julia Lipnitskaia, 15, who just became youngest European women’s champion; Akiko Suzuki, new Japanese champion and, at 28, grande dame of the field; erratic but elegant 2012 world champion Carolina Kostner of Italy.

U.S. medal chances: Wagner looked like a strong contender until falling apart at nationals. She and/or Gold would need two clean programs and missteps by others to make podium. No U.S. woman has won world or Olympic medal since 2006.

Little-known fact: This is first time since 1932 that the women’s gold and silver medalists from the previous Olympics will be competing again (barring injury or illness).

Men’s

Where: Iceberg Skating Palace

When: Feb. 13 (short program), Feb. 14 (free skate)

Best of the U.S.: Four-time (and current) national champion Jeremy Abbott, 28; rising star Jason Brown, 19.

Best of the rest: Canada’s Patrick Chan, winner of last three world titles, fifth in 2010 Winter Games; Japanese phenom Yuzuru Hanyu, 19; Javier Fernandez, first Spanish skater to win European (two titles) and world medals (bronze in 2013). Denis Ten of Kazakhstan, a silver medal sensation at last year’s worlds, injured much of this season; inconsistent but artistically brilliant Daisuke Takahashi of Japan, the 2010 silver medalist.

U.S. medal chances: Slim. Abbott has been a bust in past worlds and Olympics. Without a quad, Brown likely needs to be flawless to make top five.

Little-known fact: Hanyu victory would mean Canada’s Brian Orser has coached foreigners to gold in last two Olympics (Kim in 2010).

—Philip Hersh

Freestyle Skiing

Women’s Moguls

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 6, Feb. 8

Best of the U.S.: Hannah Kearney, Heidi Kloser, Heather McPhie and Eliza Outtrim

Best of the rest: Justine Dufor-Lapointe (Canada), Aiko Uemura (Japan), Miki Ito (Japan)

U.S. chances to medal: Kearney, who will be competing in her third Games, is the defending Olympic champion.

Little-known fact: Three sisters from the Dufor-Lapointe family — Justine, Chloe and Maxime — will be competing for Canada in this event.

Men’s Moguls

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 10

Best of the U.S.: Patrick Deneen, Bradley Wilson

Best of the rest: Canadians Mikael Kingsbury and Alexandre Bilodeau are considered co-favorites. Bilodeau won gold in Vancouver, which was the first gold medal for Canada at those Games.

U.S. chances to medal: A podium finish for Deneen, world champion in 2009, is possible based on his recent form.

Little-known fact: Wilson, the younger brother of Olympic bronze medalist Bryon, is a talented artist, selling his paintings online through the site, BradleyWilsonstudios.com

Women’s Slopestyle

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 11

Best of the U.S.: Keri Herman, Devin Logan, Julia Krass and Maggie Voisin

Best of the rest: Canadians Kaya Turski and Dara Howell

U.S. chances to medal: Herman, the former hockey player turned extreme sports star, appears to have the best shot to make the podium.

Little-known fact: Voisin, who won’t turn 16 until Dec. 14, will be the youngest member of Team USA at the Games.

Men’s Slopestyle

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 13

Best of the U.S.: Joss Christensen , Nick Goepper, Gus Kenworthy and Bobby Brown

Best of the rest: Jesper Tjader (Sweden)

U.S. chances to medal: Two spots on the podium are a distinct possiblity.

Little-known fact: Colorado resident Gus Kenworthy was born in London. He could have competed for Britain at the Olympics but told Colorado’s TV station, KOAA, that he decided not to do so even though qualifying would have been less stressful.

Women’s Aerials

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 14

Best of the U.S.: Ashley Caldwell and Emily Cook

Best of the rest: Reigning world champion Xu Mengtao (China), Li Nina (China), Xin Zhang (China), Danielle Scott (Australia), and Lydia Lassila of Australia, who won gold in Vancouver.

U.S. chances to medal: Places on the podium are widely expected to come down to a battle between Australia and China.

Little-known fact: The competition, once spread over two days, has been compressed into a one-day event and points no longer carry over from round to round.

Men’s Aerials

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 17

Best of the U.S.: Mac Bohonnon, the lone representative from the United States

Best of the rest: Anton Kushnir (Belarus), Qi Guangpu (China), Liu Zhongqing (China) and Alexei Grishin (Belarus)

U.S. chances to medal: Remote.

Little-known fact: Bohonnon is the only American male aerialist with a podium finish on the World Cup circuit this season, having finished second at Val St. Come, Canada in January.

Men’s Halfpipe

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 18

Best of the U.S.: Aaron Blunck, Lyman Currier, Torin Yater-Wallace and David Wise

Best of the rest: Mike Riddle (Canada), Justin Dorey (Canada) and Kevin Rolland (France)

U.S. chances to medal: Wise, the three-time X Games champion, is favored, especially since his rival and buddy Yater-Wallace was sidelined for much of the season because of a collapsed lung and broken ribs.

Little-known fact: Yater-Wallace is the grandson of the legendary Renny Yater, the vision behind Santa Barbara-based Yater Surfboards.

Women’s Halfpipe

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 20

Best of the U.S.: Maddie Bowman, Annalisa Drew, Brita Sigourney and Angeli VanLaanen

Best of the rest: Roz Groenewould (Canada), coming off double knee surgery in December, was second behind Bowman at the recent X Games.

U.S. chances to medal: Bowman has been in the best form among the U.S. women this winter, winning three events and placing second.

Little-known fact: Snow and water have shaped Sigourney’s athletic life. She seemed to try almost every sport as a child but spent plenty of time in the water, joining the swim team in high school and playing water polo for three years at UC Davis.

Men’s Ski Cross

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 20

Best of the U.S.: John Teller

Best of the rest: Alex Fiva (Switzerland), Dave Duncan (Canada), Chris del Bosco (Canada), Brady Leman (Canada) and Andreas Matt (Austria)

U.S. chances to medal: It’ll be Teller vs. Canada to get a spot on the podium.

Little-known fact: Teller has helped finance his sporting dream by working at different times as an auto mechanic at his family’s auto shop.

Women’s Ski Cross

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 21

Best of the U.S.: As in Vancouver four years ago, none of the U.S. women qualified.

Best of the rest: Marielle Thompson and Kelsey Serwa of Canada; Katrin Mueller and Fanny Smith of Switzerland, and Ophelie David of France.

U.S. chances to medal: None.

Little-known fact: Vancouver gold medalist Ashleigh McIvor, who retired after suffering a serious knee injury in 2011, will be in the broadcast booth for the CBC.

—Lisa Dillman

Ice Hockey

Men

Where: Bolshoy Ice Dome and Shayba Arena

When: Feb. 12-23

The field: Host Russia will be under considerable pressure to win gold for the first time since several former Soviet republics competed as the Unified Team in 1992. An explosive offense led by NHL standouts Alexander Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk and Evgeni Malkin is capable of delivering, but the Russian team imploded at the last two Olympics and finished out of the medals. Defending champion Canada is incomparable up the middle, with Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews and Ryan Getzlaf, but Sweden, Finland and the U.S. can match Canada’s goaltending.

U.S. chances to medal: Excellent. Team USA lost the 2010 Olympic final to Canada on Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal and the core of that team returns. Leaving high-scoring winger Bobby Ryan off the roster might be a mistake if the offense stalls on the wider international-size rink. The biggest question is whether the starting goaltender will be the Kings’ Jonathan Quick or Buffalo’s Ryan Miller. Quick lost more than a month of this season to a groin injury.

Little-known fact: The name of the secondary arena, shayba, means “puck” in English.

—Helene Elliott

Women

Where: Shayba Arena and Bolshoy Ice Dome (medal rounds)

When: Feb. 8-20

The field: There is Canada and the United States and then the rest of the world. After the U.S. won the first women’s hockey gold in Nagano in 1998 (defeating Canada in the gold-medal game), Canada reeled off the next three. The rivalry is so intense, the teams brawled in two of their pre-Olympic games. If the teams don’t meet for the gold, it will be a monumental upset. The best chances to pull it off are Finland, Russia and Sweden.

U.S. chances to medal: As good as it gets. It would take a couple of major upsets for the U.S. to go home empty-handed.

Little-known fact: Two-time Olympian Kelli Stack was a teammate of Blackhawks and Team USA star Patrick Kane during a tournament when the two were youngsters.

—Chris Kuc

Luge

Men’s Singles

Where: Sanki Sliding Center

When: Feb. 8-9

Best of the U.S.: American Chris Mazdzer of Saranac Lake, N.Y. capped his best season with a fifth-place finish in the World Cup standings.

Best of the rest: Germany’s Felix Loch won gold in 2010 and is favored again in Sochi, though he’ll face tough competition from five-time Olympic medalist Armin Zoeggeler of Italy.

U.S. chances to medal: The United States has never medaled in this event and is not expected to make history in Sochi.

Little-known fact: U.S. luger Tucker West began sliding when, much to the neighborhood’s surprise, he and his father built a luge track in the family’s backyard after the 2002 Olympics.

Women’s Singles

Where: Sanki Sliding Center

When: Feb. 10-11

Best of the U.S.: Kate Hansen became the first American to win a World Cup event since 1997 when she took home gold in Sigulda, Latvia last month.

Best of the rest: Most expect German sliders Natalie Geisenberger and Tatjana Hüfner to battle for gold, with everyone else fighting for bronze.

U.S. chances to medal: Despite Hansen’s recent success, the U.S. team would surprise many by finishing in the top five.

Little-known fact: Erin Hamlin is the only female luger from the United States to win a world championship, a feat she accomplished in 2009.

Men’s Doubles

Where: Sanki Sliding Center

When: Feb. 12

Best of the U.S.: Matthew Mortensen and Preston Griffall finished the season 10th in the World Cup standings, but never reached the medal stand.

Best of the rest: Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt of Germany are the pair to beat, having won the most recent World Cup season and the 2013 world championships.

U.S. chances to medal: Though the Americans have medaled in this event before, they will probably be shut out in Sochi.

Little-known fact: U.S. doubles partners Christian Niccum and Jayson Terdiman secured their spot on the team via a race off, which they won by just .23 seconds over two runs.

Relay

Where: Sanki Sliding Center

When: Feb. 13

Best of the U.S.: The U.S. Luge Assn. will select its relay members after assessing individual performances during the singles and doubles events.

Best of the rest: The Germans lead the overall World Cup team relay standings with 509 points after winning four gold medals in six events. Canada, Italy, Russia and Austria also are expected to enter strong teams.

U.S. chances to medal: The U.S. team ended the World Cup season in third place, making a podium finish possible in the unpredictable relay event.

Little-known fact: Most lugers will hit the time pad with closed fists in order to prevent tearing the pad with their spiked gloves or jamming a finger.

—Stacy St. Clair

Nordic Combined

Men’s Individual (normal hill)

Where: RusSki Gorki Ski Jumping Center

When: Feb. 12

Best of the U.S.: Four-time Olympian Billy Demong and five-time Olympian Todd Lodwick

Best of the rest: Jason Lamy Chappuis of France is the defending champion.

U.S. chances to medal: Lodwick finished fourth in the normal hill at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

Little-known fact: The two-part Nordic combined event changed in 1988 when it adopted the Gundersen method. The farther an athlete jumps, the bigger head start he gets in the ensuing cross-country race.

Men’s Individual (large hill)

Where: RusSki Gorki Ski Jumping Center

When: Feb. 18

Best of the U.S.: A veteran of World Cup competition, Bryan Fletcher qualified for Vancouver but withdrew with an injury. He was replaced by his brother, Taylor.

Best of the rest: Olympic bronze medalist Eric Frenzel of Germany stood atop the international rankings.

U.S. chances to medal: Demong will be defending his gold medal from the Vancouver Games.

Little-known fact: After winning the U.S. team trials, the 37-year-old Lodwick is set to become the first American to compete in six Winter Games.

Men’s Team

Where: RusSki Gorki Ski Jumping Center

When: Feb. 20

Best of the U.S.: Taylor Fletcher, who made his Olympic debut in Vancouver, excels at the cross-country portion of this event.

Best of the rest: The Austrians are the defending champions. Norway had five athletes in the international Top 10.

U.S. chances to medal: The Americans took silver in this event four years ago, but star Johnny Spillane has retired.

Little-known fact: The Russians chose the northern slope of the Aibga Ridge for this event — it protects the jumpers from treacherous side winds.

—David Wharton

Short Track Speedskating

Men’s 1500

Where: Iceberg Skating Palace

When: Feb. 10 heats, semis, finals

Best of the U.S.: 2010 bronze medalist JR Celski won it once this season and is the top U.S. skater.

Best of the rest: Five-time overall world champion Victor Ahn is the favorite. In 2006 he won three golds and a bronze for South Korea. After failing to qualify in 2010, he became a Russian citizen.

U.S. chances to medal: Eddy Alvarez and Chris Creveling will be longshots.

Little-known fact: Alvarez began inline skating at 5 and his acrobatic skating earned him the nickname “The Jet.”

Women’s 500

Where: Iceberg Skating Palace

When: Feb. 10, heats; Feb. 13, quarters, semis, finals

Best of the U.S.: Aly Dudek, the top-ranked skater in the 500, in 2010 won bronze in the relay but failed to go past the quarters in the 500.

Best of the rest: With four-time gold medalist Wang Meng of China out because of injury, the favorite is teammate Fan Kexin — a three-time 500-meter world champion.

U.S. chances to medal: Slim. No one finished better than 10th this season.

Little-known fact: Cathy Turner and Amy Peterson in 1994 are the last U.S. medalists.

Men’s 1,000

Where: Iceberg Skating Palace

When: Feb. 13 heats; Feb. 15, quarters, semis, finals.

Best of the U.S.: Chris Creveling, the 1,000 U.S. champion last year, owns the national record.

Best of the rest: Victor Ahn is dominant in the 1,000 as well but don’t be surprised by China’s Wu Dajing or Han Tianyu.

U.S. chances to medal: JR Celski took a bronze this season in this race.

Little-known fact: Creveling began roller-skating at his family’s rink in Kintnersville, Pa.

Men’s 5,000 Relay

Where: Iceberg Skating Palace

When: Feb. 13 semis; Feb, 21 finals

U.S. chances to medal: JR Celski and Jordan Malone were bronze medalists in 2010 and will be on a team that’s the U.S.’s best shot at gold. Its World Cup team took two gold and one bronze to end the reason ranked No. 1, a first.

Best of the rest: Canada won gold three of last four Games.

Little-known fact: All five members of the U.S. team are former inline skaters.

Women’s 1,500

Where: Iceberg Skating Palace

When: Feb. 15 heats, semis, finals

Best of the U.S.: First-time Olympian Jessica Smith is 12th in the world in the event and was fourth in her final 1,500 this season.

Best of the rest: Defending Olympic champion Zhou Yang has been dominant this season.

U.S. chances to medal: Emily Scott also qualified for this event but has not medaled.

Little-known fact: Event was introduced in 2002 and South Korea has taken six of nine medals

Women’s 1,000

Where: Iceberg Skating Palace

When: Feb. 18 heats; Feb. 21 quarters, semis, finals

Best of the U.S.: Top-ranked U.S. skater Emily Scott finished the season 15th in the world.

Best of the rest: South Korea’s Shim Suk Hee took eight medals this season — including three golds in 1,000.

U.S. chances to medal: Difficult without any medals this season.

Little-known fact: Katherine Reutter’s silver medal in 2010 is the only U.S. medal since the event was introduced in 1994.

Men’s 500

Where: Iceberg Skating Palace

When: Feb. 18 heats; Feb 21, quarters, semis, finals.

Best of the U.S.: World Record holder JR Celski, who lost just one race during the trials.

Best of the rest: Canada’s Charles Hamelin won gold in 2010, is a two-time world champion in the 500 and ranked in the top three in all races.

U.S. chances to medal: Jordan Malone and Eddy Alvarez also skate.

Little-known fact: Celski and Alvarez met when they were about 5 years old.

Women’s 3,000 Relay

Where: Iceberg Skating Palace

When: Feb. 10 semis; Feb. 18 finals.

U.S. chances to medal: Zero, the U.S. failed to qualify a team.

Best of the Rest: China and South Korea finished 1-2 in all relays this season and will compete for gold.

Little-known fact: U.S. women’s relay teams have captured three of seven medals for short track.

—Jared S. Hopkins

Skeleton

Men

Where: Sanki Sliding Center

When: Feb. 14-15

Best of the U.S.: Matt Antoine finished an unexpected third in the World Cup standings this season, after failing to break the top 10 last year.

Best of the rest: Brothers Martins and Tomass Dukurs of Latvia finished first and second, respectively, on the World Cup circuit this season. The duo — coached by their father — is favored to medal in Sochi.

U.S. chances to medal: Antoine’s world ranking suggests he could be a surprise medalist, though it’ll be tough sledding against the Latvians and Russians.

Little-known fact: U.S. racer Kyle Tress Ewing, N.J. dabbled in acting for a time, working as an extra on “Transformers 2,” “When in Rome” and “CSI: NY.”

Women

Where: Sanki Sliding Center

When: Feb. 13-14

Best of the U.S.: Noelle Pikus-Pace finished second in the World Cup standings this season, winning five gold medals, three silver and a bronze in 10 races.

Best of the rest: Britain’s Lizzy Yarnold won the Word Cup circuit this season, besting Pikus-Pace by 152 points and cementing one of the biggest rivalries in sliding sports.

U.S. chances to medal: Pikus-Pace has medaled in her last nine World Cup races, making her a favorite to finish atop the medal stand.

Little-known fact: The daughter of late Minnesota Twins outfielder Ted Uhlaender, U.S. skeleton racer Katie Uhlaender wears her dad’s 1972 National League championship ring and a baseball-shaped locket containing his ashes on a silver chain around her neck when she competes.

—Stacy St. Clair

Ski Jumping

Men’s (normal hill)

Where: RusSki Gorki Ski Jumping Center

When: Feb. 9

Best of the U.S.: Nick Fairall won the U.S. team trials in December

Best of the rest: Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria ranked second in the international ski federation standings this season.

U.S. chances to medal: Only one American has ever stood on the podium for ski jumping.

Little-known fact: Flight distances are measured and converted to points. Judges also award points for technique and landing.

Men’s (large hill)

Where: RusSki Gorki Ski Jumping Center

When: Feb. 15

Best of the U.S.: At 25, Nick Alexander will be the oldest member of the American team.

Best of the rest: Simon Ammann of Switzerland swept the normal and large hill events four years ago and cannot be discounted. Also look for Kamil Stoch of Poland and Peter Prevc of Slovenia.

U.S. chances to medal: The top American, Nick Fairall, ranked 66th in the FIS standings leading up to the Games.

Little-known fact: U.S. athlete Anders Haugen thought he finished fourth at the 1924 Winter Games. Decades later, officials discovered a scoring error and awarded him the bronze medal.

Men’s (team)

Where: RusSki Gorki Ski Jumping Center

When: Feb. 17

Best of the U.S.: Anders Johnson will be making his third trip to the Olympics; Peter Frenette will be making his second.

Best of the rest: Austria was the favorite before Thomas Morgenstern’s injury. Poland and Germany should figure in the mix.

U.S. chances to medal: The Americans know the setting, having competed in an Olympic test event in December 2012.

Little-known fact: As a 3-year-old boy, Johnson started jumping by following his older sister, Alissa, off a 20-meter ski jump. He was not wearing a helmet.

Women’s (normal hill)

Where: RusSki Gorki Ski Jumping Center

When: Feb. 11

Best of the U.S.: Teenage sensation Sarah Hendrickson will compete despite spending the last five months recuperating from knee surgery.

Best of the rest: Another teen, 17-year-old Sara Takanashi of Japan, is healthy and was leading the FIS standings.

U.S. chances to medal: Veterans Lindsey Van and Jessica Jerome have a chance, but much depends on Hendrickson’s level of fitness.

Little-known fact: Long before the Olympics invited women jumpers, Jerome was a forerunner, going before the men’s competition, at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.

—David Wharton

Snowboard

Men’s Slopestyle

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 6, Feb 8

Best of the U.S.: Chas Guldemond, Sage Kotsenburg.

Best of the rest: Mark McMorris would be favored but suffered a broken rib in a fall at the X Games. He hopes to compete in Sochi.

U.S. chances to medal:

Little-known fact: McMorris is the costar of an MTV reality series with brother Craig. From the series trailer, Mark spells it out: “I get to snowboard all around the world with all my friends, pretty much have as much fun as we can. And that’s all we do.”

Women’s Slopestyle

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 6, Feb. 9

Best of the U.S.: Jamie Anderson and Ty Walker

Best of the rest: Silje Norendal (Norway), and Spencer O’Brien (Canada) was the world champion in slopestyle last year.

U.S. chances to medal: Anderson, a two-time X Games champion, finished second to Norendal in Aspen in late January.

Little-known fact: The course is 635-meters long, and the biggest jumps are at the bottom as the jumps get progressively bigger on the course.

Men’s Halfpipe

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 11

Best of the U.S.: Shaun White, Taylor Gold, Greg Bretz and Danny Davis

Best of the rest: Ayumu Hirano (Japan), who is only 15, and Yuri Podladtchikov (Switzerland).

U.S. chances to medal: White is going for his third consecutive gold medal in this event. Four years ago, Davis upset White in an event at Mammoth Lakes in the run up to the Olympics in Vancouver but was seriously injured in an ATV crash in Utah, which put him out of the qualifying mix.

Little-known fact: White’s other “job” is keeping him busy these days too. His band, Bad Things, released its debut album on Jan. 21. One track getting some notice is called “Vices.”

Women’s Halfpipe

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 12

Best of the U.S.: Arielle Gold, Kelly Clark, Kaitlyn Farrington and Hannah Teter

Best of the rest: Defending Olympic champion Torah Bright (Australia).

U.S. chances to medal: The ageless Clark, at 30, will be competing in her fourth Olympics. Gold has a decent shot to make headline writers very happy.

Little-known fact: Chloe Kim, the best female snowboarder in the United States this season is ineligible for the Olympics because she is too young. The Southern Californian is 13 and became the youngest ever medalist at the X Games this month.

Men’s Snowboard Cross

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 17

Best of the U.S.: Nate Holland, Trevor Jacob, Alex Deibold and Nick Baumgartner

Best of the rest: Alex Pullin (Australia) and Markus Schairer (Austria).

U.S. chances to medal: Holland has returned to form after fracturing a collarbone in training in December.

Little-known fact: Baumgartner enjoys demolition derbies. And a few years back, said he enjoyed frog hunting with his young son, Landon. They captured 41 in one day, he said.

Women’s Snowboard Cross

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 16

Best of the U.S.: Lindsey Jacobellis, Faye Gulini and Jackie Hernandez

Best of the rest: Maelle Ricker (Canada), Eva Samkova (Czech Republic), Dominique Maltais (Canada) and Helene Olafsen (Norway). Ricker, the defending Olympic champion, suffered a broken arm in training and had surgery in late January but hopes to compete.

U.S. chances to medal: Jacobellis, riddled with injuries, showed she remains a major factor in the sport with an X Games win in January, her eighth gold medal at that event.

Little-known fact: Hernandez shares a passion for motorcycles with her father. They ride Harley-Davidsons together.

Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 19

Best of the U.S.: Justin Reiter

Best of the rest: Jasey-Jay Anderson (Canada) is the defending gold medalist but has not been a serious contender at the World Cup level in recent seasons. Benjamin Karl (Austria), silver medalist in Vancouver, and Simon Schoch (Switzerland).

U.S. chances to medal: Remote.

Little-known fact: Reiter has lived in his truck, at times, to help make ends meet, and has raised $10,256 in quest for the gold in Sochi, via the website rallyme.com

Women’s Parallel Giant Slalom

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 19

Best of the U.S.: No qualifiers.

Best of the rest: Patrizia Kummer (Switzerland), Amelie Kober (Germany) and Nicolien Sauerbreij (Netherlands), who won gold in 2010 in Vancouver.

U.S. chances to medal: None.

Little-known fact: Snowboarding is the family business for the Sauerbreijs. Nicolien is coached by her father and her sister also is a professional snowboarder.

Men’s Parallel Slalom

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 22

Best of the U.S.: Justin Reiter.

Best of the rest: Rok Marguc (Slovenia), Banjamin Karl, Simon Schoch.

U.S. chances to medal: Remote.

Little-known fact: Reiter came close to making the Olympic team in 2006 and 2010, and retired for almost two years before making his comeback.

Women’s Parallel Slalom

Where: Rosa Khutor Extreme Park

When: Feb. 22

Best of the U.S.: No qualifiers.

Best of the rest: Kummer, Kober, Isabella Labock (Germany), Ester Ledecke (Czech Republic).

U.S. chances to medal: None

Little-known fact: Another event making its debut for the Sochi Olympics. Snowboards happen to be longer, stiffer and more narrow than the boards that are used, for instance, in halfpipe events.

—Lisa Dillman

Speedskating

Men’s 5,000

Where: Adler Arena

When: Feb 8

Best of the U.S.: Jonathan Kuck didn’t finish lower than 8th this season.

Best of the rest: World record-holder Sven Kramer of the Netherlands — the sport’s top long-distance skater — won gold in 2010 and silver in 2006.

U.S. chances to medal: After Kuck, distant hope rest on first-time Olympians Patrick Meek, 29, and Emery Lehman, 17.

Little-known fact: Lehman wears stock boots that cost about one-tenth the price of custom skates most Olympians wear.

Women’s 3,000

Where: Adler Arena

When: Feb. 9

Best of the U.S.: Jilleanne Rookard, 15th in the world, finished in 12th in 2010.

Best of the rest: Defending Olympic champion and No. 1 Martina Sablikova won two of three races this season and finished second in the other.

U.S. chances to medal: Slim — nine medals were collected this season by just five skaters — and none by the U.S.

Little-known fact: Russia’s Lidia Skoblikova, who won this event twice, has won six Olympic golds.

Men’s 500

Where: Adler Arena

When: Feb. 10

Best of the U.S.: U.S. record holder Mitch Whitmore had two Top 10 finishes this season. He finished 37th in 2010.

Best of the rest: Defending Olympic champion Mo Tae-bum of South Korea, a versatile skater who medaled multiple times this season, won a 500 championship race at Adler last year.

U.S. chances to medal: Tucker Fredricks, 29, who finished 12th in 2010 and 25th in 2006, is ranked 23rd and won a race this season.

Little-known fact: The United States has 16 medals in this event, more than any other country, despite a drought of five Olympics that ended in 2002.

Women’s 500

Where: Adler Arena

When: Feb. 11

Best of the U.S.: Returning Olympian Heather Richardson enters with one World Cup medal this season and no finishes lower than eighth.

Best of the rest: Defending Olympic champion Lee Sang-hwa of South Korea won all four races this season and set a world record.

U.S. chances to medal: Unlikely as they didn’t medal this season.

Little-known fact: The last time a U.S. woman won a medal in speedskating was 2002, when Jennifer Rodriguez and Chris Witty medaled.

Men’s 1,000

Where: Adler Arena

When: Feb 12

Best of the U.S.: World record-holder Shani Davis won gold last two Games and captured three of four World Cup races this season.

Best of the rest: Michel Mulder of the Netherlands is coming off a second straight overall victory at World Sprint Championships.

U.S. chances to medal: Right behind Davis is Brian Hansen, 23, in his strongest World Cup season that includes two bronze medals. At the trials he finished second to Davis by one-hundredth of a second.

Little-known fact: A victory for Davis would make him the first male American to win gold in the same event at three straight Olympics.

Women’s 1,000

Where: Adler Arena

When: Feb 13

Best of the U.S.: World record-holder Brittany Bowe and Heather Richardson routinely swap positions on the podium.

Best of the rest: Russia’s Olga Fatkulina, 24, won the 1,000 at the 2013 World Single Distance Championships at Adler Arena and set three personal records in November in Salt Lake City.

U.S. chances to medal: A U.S. medal is all but guaranteed with Richardson and Bowe.

Little-known fact: Bowe, a former college basketball player, began speedskating after watching her friend Richardson compete on TV in 2010.

Men’s 1,500

Where: Adler Arena

When: Feb 15

Best of the U.S.: World record-holder Shani Davis won silver his last two Games and medaled in two of four World Cup races.

Best of the rest: First-time Olympian Koen Verweij, 23, of Netherlands, medaled in three races this season and has risen to a No. 3 world ranking.

U.S. chances to medal: Brian Hansen, ninth in the world, and Joey Mantia, 23rd, medaled in World Cups this season, and Jonathan Kuck, 32nd, has the experience.

Little-known fact: The Netherlands won 11 medals in speedskating in 1998.

Women’s 1,500

Where: Adler Arena

When: Feb. 16

Best of the U.S.: Overall No. 1 in the world Heather Richardson won the 2013 World Sprint Championships in Salt Lake City.

Best of the rest: Defending Olympic champion Ireen Wust, third in the world, has two gold medals this season and a second-place finish.

U.S. chances to medal: Besides Richardson, Brittany Bowe medaled twice, including a win, and is ranked No. 2 in the world.

Little-known fact: Bowe and Richardson are roommates with first-time Olympian Sugar Todd and Mitch Whitmore of the men’s team.

Men’s 10,000

Where: Adler Arena

When: Feb. 18

Best of the U.S.: The U.S. qualified one spot, taken by Emery Lehman by a skate’s length over Jonathan Kuck at the trials.

Best of the rest: World record-holder Sven Kramer of the Netherlands dominates this race and hopes to bounce back after a disqualification in 2010 from a coaching gaffe.

U.S. chances to medal: Lehman has raced the 10,000 only six times by his estimate.

Little-known fact: The Netherlands and Norway have 17 medals in the event. The U.S. has three.

Women’s 5,000

Where: Adler Arena

When: Feb 19

Best of the U.S.: Maria Lamb enters her third Games hoping to improve on her 15th-place finish in 2010.

Best of the rest: Defending Olympic champion Martina Sablikova is also a three-time world champion in this race.

U.S. chances to medal: Slim. Lamb’s best time this season was about 17 seconds off the bronze medalist 2010.

Little-known fact: This event was introduced to the Games in 1988.

Men’s Team Pursuit

Where: Adler Arena

When: Feb 21 and 22

U.S. chances to medal: The U.S. took silver in two of three races this season. The team has been training in Milwaukee and will include Shani Davis for the first time. Jonathan Kuck and Brian Hansen return from the silver-medaling 2010 team.

Best of the rest: World-record holder Netherlands is powerful.

Little-known fact: Three-skater teams race eight laps in this new event, introduced to the Olympics in 2006.

Women’s Team Pursuit

Where: Adler Arena

When: Feb 21 and 22

U.S. chances to medal: Would need to improve off the season, where in three races the team of Heather Richardson, Brittany Bowe and Jilleanne Rookard finished third, sixth and eighth.

Best of the rest: Germany is two-time defending champion. Netherlands is dominant, having won three races this season.

Little-known fact: While training at the Pettit Center in Milwaukee, Rookard became a DJ at the Incrediroll in West Allis, Wis.

—Jared S. Hopkins

lis, Wis.

—Jared S. Hopkins