海角大神

After a fast start, the United States is now dropping back to the pack at the Winter Olympics medal table. Germany gained one medal on Day 12 and is now three behind with 23. It could be even with the US by day鈥檚 end.

The US and Germany top the gold medal count with seven, but Norway, Canada, and Switzerland are all just one back. With Carlo Janka鈥檚 gold in the giant slalom Tuesday, six of Switzerland鈥檚 eight medals are gold.

Here is a brief look at the favorites for the medal events on Wednesday, Day 13.

Cross-country skiing (men's 4x10 km relay 鈥� classic/free): Norway has historically dominated this event, but Italy routed them on home turf in Turin. Look for Norway to get its revenge Wednesday.

鈥� American medal chances: none

Speedskating (women鈥檚 5000 meters): 骋别谤尘补苍测鈥檚 Stephanie Beckert and Daniela Ansch眉tz Thoms, Canada鈥檚 Kristina Groves, and the Czech Republic鈥檚 Martina Sablikova will all be in with a shot for a medal 鈥� Germany perhaps two.

鈥� American medal chances: none

Alpine skiing (women鈥檚 giant slalom): The top giant slalom skiers on the World Cup circuit are Kathrin Zettel of Austria and Kathrin Hoelzl of Germany. Super-G silver medalist Tina Maze of Slovenia is also a threat.

Julia Mancuso would seem to be the best US hope here, and she is the defending Olympic champion. But winning Wednesday would be a surprise, as it was in 2006. With two medals already in these Games, however, she is skiing well.

Giant slalom is by far Lindsey Vonn鈥檚 worst discipline. She will ski but a medal would be a shocking result.

鈥� American medal chances: fairly slim (Julia Mancuso)

Bobsled (women): The USA 2 sled with pilot Erin Pac and brakewoman Elana Meyers set track records in heats 1 and 2 yesterday 鈥� only for Canada 1 to come down and better them. USA 2 is in good position for a silver, and could capitalize if Canada slips. The third medal should come from among one of Germany 1, Germany 2, and Canada 2.

USA 1 and USA 3 are well back and likely out of the medals.

鈥� American medal chances: good (USA 2)

Short track (women鈥檚 3000 meter relay): The US is in the four-team final, yet it鈥檚 clearly weaker than China, South Korea, or Canada. That said, short track is a crazy thing, and if you鈥檙e in the final, you鈥檝e got a shot.

鈥� American medal chances: fair

Freestyle skiing (women鈥檚 aerials): China could well sweep the podium, and if they don鈥檛, the women from Belarus are first in line to knock them off. The US has a good team led by Emily Cook, but the other two teams are notably stronger.

鈥� American medal chances: fairly slim (Emily Cook)

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