Best bets for Friday at the Sochi Olympics

Best Bets to watch at the Sochi Olympics on Friday:

Men’s Super Combined

Ted Ligety, who won this event in 2006 in Turin, Italy, gets a chance to make his mark for the U.S. team. And, of course, there is always Bode Miller, who won the gold in 2010 in Vancouver. However, it’s a very deep field and the softening snow is making things unpredictable.

Men’s Figure Skating

It should be a great final day of men’s competition in the free skate as the three best skaters are fighting for podium spots. Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan is first, followed by favorite Patrick Chan of Canada and Javier Fernandez of Spain. Hanyu became the first person ever to score more than 100 points in the short program.

FRAMEWORK: Best images from Sochi

Women’s Aerials

This should come down as a battle between China and Australia. Li Nina of China came back from a knee injury to win the current World Cup season. Teammate Xu Mengtao is the reigning world champion. Danielle Scott and Lydia Lassila of Australia should be the toughest competition.

Women’s Skeleton

The expected showdown between Britain’s Lizzy Yarnold and Noelle Pikus-Pace met expectations as they finished 1-2 after two runs of the four run competition. Yarnold set a track record and has a significant lead of almost a half second. Pikus-Pace has been slowed by a back injury.

Early Best Bets (while you were sleeping)

Women’s Super-G

Julia Mancuso and Stacey Cook have an outside shot to medal in a race that would have been a showcase for Lindsey Vonn. Lara Gut of Switzerland has won three of the five World Cup races this season and should be challenged by veteran Maria Riesch-Hoefl.

ld be challenged by veteran Maria Riesch-Hoefl.