MEDAL PICKS BY ANITA VERSCHOTH
Alpine Skiing

Just in time to reascend the Olympic medal stand, two crowd pleasers are peaking: Alberto Tomba and Picabo Street. But no non-Teuton will have it easy: The Austrian men have won 21 of 24 races this season, and Germany's Katja Seizinger has won eight. American prospects are brightest in freestyle and snowboarding, which is making its Olympic debut.

DOWNHILL
February 8

• Hermann Maier, Austria
• Didier Cuche, Switzerland
• Jean-Luc Crétier, France

U.S. Top 15 is the best 1994 Olympic champ Tommy Moe can expect.

GIANT SLALOM
February 18

• Hermann Maier, Austria
• Michael von Grüningen, Switzerland
• Christian Mayer, Austria

U.S. Bode Miller, 20, could repeat his best finish—11th at Park City in '97.

SLALOM
February 21

• Alberto Tomba, Italy
• Thomas Stangassinger, Austria
• Thomas Sykora, Austria

U.S. Matt Grosjean, 27 and a father of two, had two top 10 finishes in '96 and could earn another here.

SUPER G
February 13

• Hermann Maier, Austria
• Andreas Schifferer, Austria
• Lasse Kjus, Norway

U.S. Daron Rahlves, '93 world jet ski champ, could power into the top six.

COMBINED
February 9 and 11

• Kjetil-Andre Aamodt, Norway
• Hermann Maier, Austria
• Lasse Kjus, Norway

U.S. Slalom specialist Grosjean is the only American with a chance at the top eight.

• Picabo Street, U.S. [spotlight]
• Katja Seizinger, Germany
• Isolde Kostner, Italy

U.S. Despite a wild spill in her last pre-Olympic race, '94 silver medalist Pic is the pick to dethrone Seizinger as Olympic champ.

GIANT SLALOM
February 20

• Deborah Campagnoni, Italy
• Martina Ertl, Germany
• Alexandra Meissnitzer, Austria

U.S. Alex Shaffer and Sarah Schleper could be top 25.

SLALOM
February 19

• Ylva Nowén, Sweden
• Kristina Koznick, U.S.
• Urska Hrovat, Slovenia

U.S. With top six finishes in all seven slalom races this season, Koznick should ace the course at Shiga Kogen.

SUPER G
February 10

• Katja Seizinger, Germany
• Hilde Gerg, Germany
• Heidi Zurbriggen, Switzerland

U.S. Street could mount the medal stand here, while Kirsten Clark may improve on her top finish (12th at Val d'Isère in December).

COMBINED
February 15 and 17

• Katja Seizinger, Germany
• Renate Götschl, Austria
• Hilde Gerg, Germany

U.S. Barring a last-minute decision by coaches in Nagano, no Americans will compete in this event.

• Jean-Luc Brassard, Canada
• Jonny Moseley, U.S.
• Jesper Rönnbäck, Sweden

U.S. Moseley, '96 overall World Cup champ, is a mogul man now.

AERIALS
February 16 and 18

• Eric Bergoust, U.S.
• Nicolas Fontaine, Canada
• Andy Capicik, Canada

U.S. Bergoust was second on this hill in '97—five weeks after breaking his collarbone.

MOGULS
February 8 and 11

• Candice Gilg, France
• Liz McIntyre, U.S.
• Tatjana Mittermayer, Germany

U.S. McIntyre, a Frazier, Colo., city council member, ran second in '94 too.

AERIALS
February 16 and 18

• Nikki Stone, U.S.
• Kristie Marshall, Australia
• Caroline Olivier, Canada

U.S. The '95 world champ, Stone is back on top.

• Dieter Happ, Austria
• Martin Freinademetz, Austria
• Mike Jacoby, U.S.

U.S. Big events bring out the best in Jacoby, second at the '97 worlds.

HALF-PIPE
February 12

• Ross Powers, U.S.
• Fabien Rohrer, Switzerland
• Daniel Franck, Norway

U.S. Two days after turning 19, Powers will get a golden present.

GIANT SLALOM
February 9

• Karine Ruby, France
• Rosey Fletcher, U.S.
• Heidi Renoth, Germany

U.S. Fletcher, a 22-year-old with a raven tattoo on her arm, is strong.

HALF-PIPE
February 12

• Stine Brun Kjeldaas, Norway
• Anita Schwaller, Switzerland
• Michele Taggart, U.S.

U.S. Fifth at the '97 worlds just three months after breaking her left leg, Taggart is a terror.

Michelle Kwan | Swedish Hockey | Luge Duo | Hockey Photo Act

Issue date: February 9, 1998