Vancouver Olympics medal count: US chances for Saturday

The United States added a short track silver and bronze to its medal count Friday, setting itself up for a historic finish to the Vancouver Olympics.

• Silver: Kathrine Reutter (1000 meters)
• Bronze: men’s relay team (which includes Apolo Ohno)

The US has virtually guaranteed that it will finish first in the overall Winter Olympics medal count for the first time since 1932, and only the second time ever. The US holds a 34-27 lead on Germany entering the last full day of competition today.

It’s also now certain that the US will break its record for most-ever medals won in a Winter Olympics (34), set in 2002. Team USA is in the men’s hockey final Sunday, guaranteeing at least one more silver.

What remains uncertain is whether the US will be able to tie or surpass its record for most gold medals in a Winter Olympics (10), also set in 2002. It currently has eight.

Why are those funky Vancouver medals so big?

Here is a brief look at American chances in medal events for Saturday, Day 16.

Curling (men): Canada is the strong favorite to pick up its ninth gold here – succeeding where the Canadian women surprisingly fell short Friday. They face the fantastic pants of Norway. The bronze-medal match pits Sweden, who curls like it were a sport in the X Games – all daring and risk – against Switzerland.

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• American medal chances: none

Cross-country (women’s 30 km mass start): Two racers to watch: Justyna Kowalczyk could win Poland’s first-ever gold (or silver) in cross-country skiing, and Marit Bjoergen of Norway has already won four medals here, though the 30 km is twice as long as the next-longest race here.

• American medal chances: none

Speedskating (men’s and women’s team pursuit): Coming from nowhere, the US men are already qualified for the final against the Canadians guaranteeing them at least silver. The Canadians enter as the favorite, however.

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