Skeleton

Skeleton was re-introduced to the Winter Olympics in 2002 and 2010 will mark the first time that four runs will determine the medalists. The skeleton is the sliding sport where athletes hurtle headfirst down a chute of ice at speeds approaching 80 mph.

I attended the World Championships last February in Lake Placid and had a great time (even in eight degree weather). Unfortunately, 41 year old World Champion Gregor Staehli, SUI has had to end his season early due to a thigh injury.

Men:
Five men have won World Cup races this season, and nine have made the podium. Martins Dukurs won the overall title handily, capturing four races. Alexander Tretiakov has the fastest start by a wide margin, but has been inconsistent, placing between 2nd and 15th this season. Ertic Bernotas captured the race in St. Moritz, but did not place higher than 5th in any other race this season.

The favorites:
Gold: Martins Dukurs, LAT
Silver: Jon Montgomery, CAN
Brozne: Frank Rommel, GER
Other contenders: Alexander Tretiakov, RUS; Michi Hallilovic, GER, Sandro Stielicke, GER; Kristian Bromley, GBR; Tomass Dukurs, LAT ( no medals this year, but three 4ths); Jeff Pain, CAN; Michael Douglas, CAN; Zach Lund, USA
Dark Horse: My personal favorite - World Championship silver medalist Adam Pengilly, GBR - no higher than 10th this year, I stood next to his father as Andy went from ninth to second on the final run in Lake Placid. I'll be pulling for him to repeat his Lake Placid success.

Women:

The German women have reached the big tim this season, but the field is also wide open. Four winners and seven medal winners. The two Americans Noelle Pikus-Pace and Katie Uehlander have been just behind the main contenders, but are outside shots. Uhlaender, a former two-time World Cup overall champ is still recovering from a shattered knee cap in a spring snowmobile injury.

Gold: Mellisa Hollingsworth, CAN
Silver: Kerstin Szymkowiak, GER
Bronze: Shelley Rudman, GBR
Other contenders: Marion Trott, GER (the World Champion suffers from horrible starts, but is the best driver along the course); Anja Huber, GER; Amy Gough, CAN; Noelle Pikus-Pace, USA; Katie Uhlaender, USA; Michelle Kelly, CAN; Amy Williams, GBR; Maya Pedersen, SUI; Svetlana Trunova, RUS; Emma Lincoln-Smith, AUS