The ladies return to the Olympic starting gate Wednesday for the giant slalom at Whistler Creekside on February 24 with the first run starting at 10 a.m. local time.
Background information
The giant slalom consists of two runs on the same slope, with courses set by delegates of two nations selected in a drawing prior to the Games. The starting order for the second run is dependent on results from the first run: the skier placed 30th will start the second run, with the leader running last. All racers who finish the first run get a second. Skiers have to finish both runs. The fastest composite time wins the race.
While Europeans have dominated the event since its inception in 1952, two Canadians and three North Americans have won gold medals - American Andrea Mead Lawrence in the inaugural competition, Canadians Nancy Greene in 1968 and Kathy Kreiner in 1976, American Debbie Armstrong victory in 1984 and compatriot Julie Mancuso in the 2006 Winter Games.
Medal Contenders
Giant slalom may be the one event where gold (downhill) and bronze (super G) medalist Lindsey Vonn of America is not named a favorite.
However, her teammate Julia Mancuso could step into the breach and continue the US team's Olympic alpine skiing medal surge. Her past two seasons have been marred by injuries and inconistent results, and therefore expectations were low for Mancuso before heading into the Vancouver Games but they were also low before she won Olympic gold in 2006 at Torino. Mancuso is a big event racer coming out of the shadows just at the right time to grab two silver medals in downhill and super combined. Also, giant slalom has been the defending Olympic champion's favorite discipline.
Based on this season's results, a trio stands out for today's race including Kathrin Hoelzl of Germany, Kathrin Zettel of Austria and Tanja Poutiainen of Finland.
Hoelzl has emerged as the most successful skier in the event in the past twelve months. She has claimed the 2009 World Championships title and two more World Cups victories this season.
Germany's Zettel has won several World Cup giant slaloms over the past few years with her last victory dating back to January this year.
Tanja Poutiainen of Finland finished runner-up to Mancuso in Torino. Competing in her fourth Olympics, the Finn is a strong medal candidate in both technical events.
After her silver medal in super G, Slovenia's Tina Maze and Sweden's Anja Pärson, who came back from a stunning crash in the downhill to grab bronze in the super combined, may both end up on the podium in the giant slalom.
Zettel's teammate Elisabeth Goergl carries a lot of momentum after taking bronze in downhill and may capture another medal. The 27-year-old has 13 World Cup podium finishes, six in giant slalom. She won her first gold in giant slalom at Maribor last yeara and may .
Medal Standings
Alpine Skiing medal standings after 7 events (4 men's, 3 ladies)
| Position | Nation | GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | TOTAL |
| 1 | USA | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| 2 | NOR | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | SUI | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| 4 | AUT | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| 5 | GER | 1 | 1 | ||
| 6 | CRO | 1 | 1 | ||
| 6 | SLO | 1 | 1 | ||
| 8 | SWE | 1 | 1 |
Weather forecast
Synopsis:
A Pacific frontal system approaching the region will bring precipitation and stronger winds today.
5 Day Trend:
A series of Pacific disturbances will move across the South Coast through Saturday bringing precipitation.
Today:
Snow tapering to flurries. Visibility as low as zero in fog.
Snowfall amount 5 cm.
Alpine high minus 2.
Freezing level rising to 1200 metres in the afternoon.
Mountain top winds southwest 20 km/h.
Tonight:
A few flurries becoming periods of snow overnight.
Areas of fog.
Snowfall amount 2 to 4 cm.
Alpine low near minus 4.
Freezing level lowering to valley bottom.
Mountain top winds southwest 30 km/h.
Schedule for remaining Alpine skiing events
Friday, Feb 26:
* Ladies slalom, 1st run at 10:00 local time
* Ladies slalom, 2nd run at 13:30 local time
Saturday, Feb 27:
* Men's slalom, 1st run at 10:00 local time
* Men's slalom, 2nd run at 13:45 local time
