SKI JUMPING

INDIVIDUAL (NORMAL HILL)

* Where: Pragelato.

* When: Feb. 11-12.

* Best of the U.S.: Alan Alborn has returned from an injury-imposed retirement, but even though he is the best from the U.S., he’s not much of a world force.

* Best of the rest: Jakub Janda of the Czech Republic is the World Cup leader. He wasn’t particularly successful in Salt Lake City, but his second-place finish at the world championships shows this may be his time. Janne Ahonen of Finland is the two-time defending overall World Cup champion.

* U.S. chances to medal: Now wouldn’t that be a surprise?

* Little-known fact: In an average ski jump, the jumper is usually never more than 10 feet off the ground. Jumpers follow the contour of the hill.

*

INDIVIDUAL (LARGE HILL)

* Where: Pragelato.

* When: Feb. 17-18.

* Best of the U.S.: Clint Jones joins Alborn as the other jumper on the U.S. team. He finished 32nd on the normal hill at the world championships, so he isn’t expected to be a factor.

* Best of the rest: Finland’s Ahonen is the favorite, despite being second in the World Cup standings. This is his fourth Olympics, and he is seeking his first individual medal.

* U.S. chances to medal: Not this Olympics.

* Little-known fact: Ahonen competes on Finland’s drag racing circuit in the off-season.

*

TEAM (LARGE HILL)

* Where: Pragelato.

* When: Feb. 20.

* Best of the U.S.: The U.S. team finished 11th in Salt Lake City, using the home-hill advantage. But for the most part, the U.S. isn’t a factor in this sport.

* Best of the rest: Austria looks like the team to beat on the large hill. It is the reigning world champion. A gold medal in these Games, however, would be a first in team competition.

* U.S. chances to medal: Nonexistent.

* Little-known fact: The skis used by jumpers are much wider and heavier than those used in the Alpine events.

-- John Cherwa