Canada looks to add to medal total on Day Four

Manuel Osborne-Paradis will look to keep the Canadian gold rush going on Monday when he competes in the Men’s downhill.

Paradis has eclipsed Erik Guay, who was the most recognizable Canadian in alpine events coming into this season, with 10 World Cup podiums. Guay has had issues with his back throughout the season causing him to struggle. He will be looking for a strong showing in the downhill.

In other action on Monday, the Canadian women’s hockey team returns to action after defeating Slovakia in convincing fashion on Saturday.

The other women’s hockey game features Sweden taking on Slovakia. Sweden seems to be a team on the rise and are looking like a team that will challenge for a medal. Slovakia on the other hand must pull themselves together after a disastrous showing against Canada.

Canada’s Jeremy Wotherspoon, who holds the world record in the 500m men’s speed skating event, will look to start off strongly in the first two races.

The event will also feature Canadians Michael Ireland, Kyle Parrott, and Jaime Gregg.

In the women’s downhill trials, all eyes will be on American Lindsey Vonn. She is the favourite coming into the event but has been struggling with a shin injury that could affect her performance.

The Canadian contingent in the event includes Emily Brydon, Georgia Simmerling and Shona Rubens.

The women’s 10km cross-country skiing event will feature Canucks Dasha Gaiazova, Madeleine Williams and Brittany Webster; they will all be making their Olympic debut.

Favourites for the event include: Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla, Norwegian Marit Bjoergen, and Russia’s Irina Khazova.

In men’s 15km cross-country-skiing, Alex Harvey, the son of former Olympian Pierre Harvey, will make his Olympic debut.

Ivan Babikov, who represented Russia at the 2006 Olympics, was granted Canadian citizenship and will be Canada’s best hope for a medal.

George Grey and Gord Jewett will also compete for Canada.

Finland’s Matti Heikkinen, France’s Vincent Vittoz, and Czech Lukas Bauer are seen as the favourites for the event.

In the figure skating free skate, Canadians Cody Hay and Anabelle Langlois will look to better the seventh place result they received in the short program. Fellow Canadians Jessica Dube and Bryce Davison will also look to improve on their sixth place rank after the short program.

China’s Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao currently lead the event.

In women’s luge, Canadians Alex Gough, Regan Lauscher, and Meagan Simister will look to start the first two runs with strong times.

Canada’s Mike Robertson, Robert Fagan, Francois Boivin, and Drew Neilson will be looking to first qualify for the medal round in men’s snowboarding and then compete for a medal in the latter stages of the day.

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By: Igor Henriques
Posted: Feb 15 2010 11:20 am
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Filed under: Winter Games
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