Another Big Day For The U.S. In The Works Thursday?

Posted by Ralph Routon

So what does Team USA do for an encore today at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver?

It’s not realistic to expect another six medals or three golds, as the American athletes produced Wednesday. But then again, don’t be surprised to see something close.

First, back up at Whistler, Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso try to keep their momentum going in the ladies super-combined with downhill in the morning and giant slalom in the afternoon. As Vonn said Wednesday after her downhill gold, “The pressure is off now. I’ve done what I came here to do – a gold medal.”

Then later in the day, men’s figure skating wraps up at Pacific Coliseum with defending world champion Evan Lysacek challenging 2006 gold medalist Evgeni Plushenko of Russia in the long program. Lysacek looks like a lock for at least silver, if not gold.

And finally, on Cypress Mountain north of Vancouver, the women’s halfpipe goes off with Gretchen Bleiler of Aspen and Hannah Teter leading the U.S. foursome that could win two or all three medals.

Not for medals, but U.S. women’s hockey wraps up pool play against Finland, having already secured a berth in the semifinals, while the U.S. men should go to 2-0 against Norway.