TODAY’S EVENTS

FREESTYLE SKIING

Americans May Test Reigning Mogul Champ

Kari Traa of Norway, defending gold medalist in the women’s moguls, has a chance to win a third medal in her fourth trip to the Winter Games. She’ll get a challenge from Canada’s Jennifer Heil, who just missed the podium at Salt Lake City but won consecutive World Cup titles in 2003-04 and 2004-05. The United States team features Shannon Bahrke, who took silver in 2002, and 19-year-old Hannah Kearney, winner of the Olympic trials and the 2005 moguls world champion. Another American, Michelle Roark, is on a hot streak with consecutive World Cup victories last month.

-- David Wharton

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

Italians Don’t Have Much Hope vs. Canada

The host Italians face a rough initiation, having drawn top-seeded Canada as their first opponent. Even the official Olympic preview couldn’t gloss over the weakness of the home team: “There is no chance the Italians will win and there is no need for the Canadians to run up the score.”

The U.S. also opens tonight, against Switzerland. U.S. Coach Ben Smith has alternated goalies Chanda Gunn and Pam Dreyer in pre-Olympic play. He would not say Friday who would start tonight, but the second-seeded Americans should prevail handily, no matter who plays in goal.

-- Bill Shaikin

MEN’S BIATHLON

Norwegian Powerhouse Has a Shot at History

Ole Einar Bjorndalen of Norway swept all four gold medals at Salt Lake City, and can become the most successful athlete to compete in the Olympics. Bjorndalen has won five gold medals, three fewer than cross-country skier Bjorn Daehlie of Norway, and is favored in all five events. Today’s 20-kilometer individual race is the longest. Bjorndalen’s main challenge should come from World Cup overall leader Raphael Poiree of France.

FIGURE SKATING

High-Flying U.S. Pair Faces Favored Russians

Duos from the old Soviet Union and Russia have dominated pairs skating, having won 11 consecutive Olympic titles. Two-time world champions Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin of Russia are the favorites. The chances of Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo of China, the bronze medalists at Salt Lake City, have been diminished by Zhao’s injured Achilles’ tendon. The top U.S. pair, Rena Inoue and John Baldwin of Santa Monica, plan to include a throw triple axel in tonight’s short program.

-- Helene Elliott

SPEEDSKATING

Hedrick Takes First Step in Five-Medal Quest

Chad Hedrick of Spring, Texas, is aiming for five gold medals at these Games, trying to match the five won at the 1980 Lake Placid Games by Eric Heiden, now the U.S. national team doctor. Hedrick takes his first shot today against an outstanding field in the men’s 5,000 that includes two longtime Dutch stars hoping to make amends for poor showings at the 2002 Salt Lake Games, Bob de Jong and Carl Verheijen. Another Dutch skater, 19-year-old sensation Sven Kramer, holds the world record, 6:08.78, and also is a medal threat.

-- Alan Abrahamson