Evan Lysacek: Figure skating

Reigning world champion figure skater Evan Lysacek of the U.S.  is known for his artistry, intricate step sequences and combination of triple jumps. His demanding triple axel is one of his strongest moves.

Day by day: U.S. Olympic medal haul so far

The U.S. has won 26 medals through Tuesday, Feb. 23, with seven gold, nine silver and 10 bronze.

Jeret 'Speedy' Peterson's trademark 'hurricane' aerial trick

U.S. freestyle skier Jeret "Speedy" Peterson is watching Vancouver weather conditions in hopes that he can attempt his trademark "hurricane" aerial trick. Here’s how he does his quintuple-twisting triple back flip:

Alpine skiing: Carving specialist Ted Ligety

Ted Ligety, the 2006 Olympic gold medalist in Alpine combined, headed to Vancouver  as the No. 1 giant slalom skier. Ligety is “probably the best carver out there and the best turner in the world,” says Jon Nolting of the U.S. Ski Team.

Reggie Bush tries something different

 

Reggie Bush never watched the Winter Olympics as a kid. He has never skied or ice skated. Snowboarding seems as though it could be fun, but there is probably a clause in his NFL contract prohibiting anything so risky.

"I know," he says. "I'm sure there is."

For now, the New Orleans Saints running back and former USC star will suffice with visiting the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, arriving this week for a four-day vacation not long after his team won Super Bowl XLIV.

"I thought it would be great to come up here and experience something different," he said. "I play football, that's what I've known all my life, so I like to get a chance to see greatness in different areas."

Bush, who flew north without girlfriend Kim Kardashian, planned to take in a hockey game and watch Lindsey Vonn race in Whistler this weekend. He came prepared for winter weather.

"I brought a lot of clothes, like jackets and stuff, but it's warm here," he said. "I got in and I'm like, it's colder in New Orleans right now."

-- David Wharton

Photo: Reggie Bush. Credit: Skip Bolen/Getty Images.

Biathlon basics

Biathlon is a combination of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Competitors must ski a difficult course while managing their heart rates so their aim will be steady when they stop to shoot at targets from 50 meters.

Alpine skiing: Whistler Mountain

Whistler Mountain is the scene of the five Alpine skiing events: downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super-G and super combined. Men and women ski in separate races on two reshaped and contoured courses: the Dave Murray Downhill for the men and a newly designed course for the women.

Shaun White: Halfpipe trickster

California’s own Shaun White rakes in the superlatives: huge air, fresh tricks, stylish moves. White exels at inventing and perfecting new tricks. White developed half a dozen challenging new tricks at a private halfpipe built for him by sponsor Red Bull in Silverton, Colo. The must-do trick of the season: the double cork.

Apolo Ohno: Strength on the short track

In Vancouver, if short-track speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno adds two medals to the five he has, he will become the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian in history. In a sport dominated by small, lighter-weight skaters, Ohno’s strength and power stand out.

Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto: Telling a story through dance

Ice dancers use lifts and ballroom dance-like spins rather than the jumps and throws done by pairs skaters. Ben Agosto and Tanith Belbin, silver medalists at the 2006 Olympics, intertwine balletic skating with complex lifts in their routines.