complete Olympic winter games Detail

What to Know About Every Single Winter Olympic Sport in 2018

By Jennifer Calfas

Updated: February 9, 2018 8:44 AM ET | Originally published: December 20, 2017

From a 17-year-old snowboarding star to a gold-medal-hungry women’s ice hockey team, Team USA’s athletes competing in the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, are looking to make a mark.
The official roster for Team USA was finalized just weeks before the 2018 Winter Olympics started with the Opening Ceremony on Feb. 9, and the competitors in the 15 Winter Olympic sports each bring a unique story to the games. Maame Biney is a 18-year-old who already made history as the first black woman to qualify for Team USA’s short track speedskating team. Making his return in 2018, Gus Kenworthy is a freestyle skiing star who became one of the first openly gay male athletes to qualify for a U.S. Winter Olympic team. And Chloe Kim is a 17-year-old snowboarding phenom who is the favorite to win gold in the sport for Team USA.
As for how the American athletes will fare against stiff competition in PyeongChang, viewers will have to wait and see. But here’s what to watch for as Team USA competes in each Winter Olympic sport in 2018:

Alpine Skiing

Alpine skiiers and champions Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn pose for a photo shoot on March 22, 2015 in Meribel, France. Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom—Getty Images.

Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom—Getty Images.

Reigning Olympic gold medalist and overall world champion Mikaela Shiffrin is poised for another triumphant alpine skiing run during the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. When she was just 18, Shiffrin became the youngest athlete ever to win an Olympic gold in the Winter Olympic sport of slalom — an event that involves skiing downhill between poles and gates — a gold medal she’s trying to earn yet again at age 22.
Shiffrin has the second-most World Cup victories of any U.S. female skier — just behind Lindsey Vonn, who is aiming to make a return to the Olympic podium in 2018. Injuries have plagued Vonn in recent years, but the veteran skier earned her first World Cup win of the season in December — just months away from PyeongChang.

Biathlon

USA's Lowell Bailey competes during the 10 km men's Sprint on March 3, 2017 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. Christian Manzoni/NordicFocus—Getty Images.

Christian Manzoni/NordicFocus—Getty Images.

Three-time Olympian Lowell Bailey is trying to secure Team USA’s first-ever Olympic biathlon medal in PyeongChang.
That will be a leap for the athlete, who earned Team USA’s highest ever finish in the Winter Olympic sport with eighth place in the men’s 20-kilometer during the Sochi Olympics in 2014. But in 2017, Bailey won the U.S.’s first world championship gold medal. And in PyeongChang, Bailey hopes to once again make history.
He was the first U.S. athlete to officially qualify for the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics.
On the women’s side of the Winter Olympic sport, Susan Dunklee is one to watch. The 2014 Olympian earned a silver medal in the mass start at the world championships in 2017 in Austria.

Bobsled

Bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor poses for a portrait during the Team USA Media Summit ahead of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games on September 25, 2017 in Park City, Utah. Tom Pennington—Getty Images.

Tom Pennington—Getty Images.

Leading the women’s bobsled team in 2018, Elana Meyers Taylor is hoping improve on her silver from Sochi with gold. Meyers Taylor was the first American woman to ever win a bobsled world championship in 2015.
The two-time Olympic medalist has also advanced gender equality in the sport. She has competed in the 4-man event with three male brakemen, a first for the Winter Olympic sport that had required women to race only two-person sleds.
The men’s side lost Olympic great Steven Holcomb, who died in 2017. The multiple-Olympic medalist made history in the Winter Olympic sport in 2010 when he won the U.S. its first gold in the 4-man bobsled event since 1948.

Cross-Country Skiing

Team USA Medal winners Sadie Bjornsen, Jessica Diggins and Kikkan Randall pose for a portrait with their medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships on March 5, 2017 in Lahti, Finland. Richard Heathcote—Getty Images.

Richard Heathcote—Getty Images.

The women’s cross-country skiing team has made significant strides in recent years, with its best athletes scoring medals and making the podium in international competitions.
World champion Jessie Diggins is leading the Winter Olympics team into PyeongChang after landing fifth in this season’s world cup standings, according to Team USA’s website. Teammate Kikkan Randall won a world championship medal in the sprint just after giving birth to her first child, and Sadie Bjornsen began her world cup season with a second-place finish in November in Finland.
While the U.S. trails behind European nations in cross-country skiing, Americans have improved in recent international competitions. In February 2017, Diggins and Randall made history when they earned silver and bronze medals in the world championship sprints.

Curling

John Shuster of United States looks on during the Curling Men's Round Robin match on day 9 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Ice Cube Curling Center on February 16, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. Paul Gilham—Getty Images

Paul Gilham—Getty Images

Team USA is hoping to return to the podium after a more-than-decade-long curling drought. Four-time Olympian John Shuster will be the skip for the Winter Olympics team once again; he was on the 2006 team that won Team USA’s historic bronze medal. His 2006 teammate Joe Polo will also compete in PyeongChang.
The U.S. has an extra chance to earn a curling medal this year, with the addition of the new mixed doubles curling event. In December, siblings Becca and Matt Hamilton secured their spot to represent the U.S. in the new event. They bested Shuster and Cory Christensen for the spot, as well as Polo and Tabitha Peterson, who had won bronze at the 2016 World Mixed Doubles Championship.

Figure Skating

Nathan Chen of the USA competes in the Men free skating during the ISU Junior & Senior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final at Nippon Gaishi Hall on December 8, 2017 in Nagoya, Japan. Atsushi Tomura - ISU—ISU via Getty Images.

Atsushi Tomura - ISU—ISU via Getty Images.

A rising figure skating star, Nathan Chen was the first U.S. man in eight years to win the ISU Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan — the last big-ticket international competition before the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. He beat Japan’s Shoma Uno by less than 1 point.
As the 2017 Four Continents champion and U.S. champion, Chen also beat reigning Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu in competition earlier this year (Hanyu is now struggling with an ankle injury).
Chen has excited Team USA fans who are hoping for a men’s singles medal this year.
Other figure skaters to watch: Siblings Maia and Alex Shibutani. They are 2017 world bronze medalists and two-time U.S. champions in ice dance hoping to follow Meryl Davis and Charlie White’s historic gold in Sochi in 2014.

Freestyle Skiing

Gus Kenworthy competes in the final round of the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup 2017 Men's Ski Halfpipe during The Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Copper Mountain on December 17, 2016 in Copper Mountain, Colorado. Sean M. Haffey—Getty Images.

Sean M. Haffey—Getty Images.

The halfpipe and slopestyle skiing events, a sport new to the Winter Olympics in 2014, will have a number of Team USA athletes to watch — particularly Gus Kenworthy, who earned silver in 2014’s slopestyle. Kenworthy has landed on the podium for the halfpipe in international competition as well, including a halfpipe win during his 2015-16 season at the U.S. Grand Prix.
Kenworthy’s life off the slopes has also broken new ground. He came out in 2015, and could become the first openly gay male athlete to compete in a Winter Olympic Games.
Also at the PyeongChang games, Olympic champions Maddie Bowman and Joss Christensen are both hoping to defend their titles from 2014.

Ice Hockey

Brianna Decker #14 and Kendall Coyne #26 of the United States celebrate a game winning overtime goal at the 2017 IIHF Woman's World Championships at USA Hockey Arena on April 7, 2017 in Plymouth, Michigan. Gregory Shamus—Getty Images.

Gregory Shamus—Getty Images.

The U.S. women’s national ice hockey team is gearing up for another intense match against rival Canada. And with professional men’s players out of the picture this year because the NHL barred players from competing in the Winter Olympic sport, the women’s team is the center of attention.
Team USA won silver in Sochi in 2014 after a 3-2 overtime loss to Canada. But the U.S. is looking to make a comeback against its northern neighbor this time around. Recent international matches have gone back and forth between the U.S. and Canada, with the U.S. posting a 5-2 win against Canada on Oct. 22, and a 1-5 loss just three days later on Oct. 25.
Brianna Decker, currently Team USA’s top scorer, recently told NBC Sports that success in Pyeonchang means “a gold medal.” As for Team USA’s rivalry with Canada, Decker says, “Though some of us may be friends off the ice, we are not friends on the ice.”

Long Track Speedskating

Brittany Bowe of the USA competes in the Women 500m on day 1 of the Speed Skating ISU World Cup on December 9, 2016 in Heerenveen, Netherlands. Dean Mouhtaropoulos—Getty Images.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos—Getty Images.

Members of Team USA’s men’s and women’s long track speedskating teams aim to get on the podium in 2018. Brittany Bowe is making a comeback in the Winter Olympic sport after suffering a concussion that kept her off the ice for months. She holds the world record in the women’s 1,000 meter and earned bronze in competition this year — a title that boosted her confidence following her injury, she told NBC Olympics in October.
This Winter Olympic sport has long been a U.S. stronghold in the Winter Games, with returning athletes including four-time Olympic medalist Shani Davis, Olympic bronze medalist Mitch Whitmmore and 2016-17 Grand World Cup champion Heather Bergsma. But skaters failed to win any medals in 2014 amid controversies over new uniforms and questionable training decisions.
2018 also includes a first in the Winter Olympic sport. Athlete Erin Jackson became the first African American woman to qualify for the U.S. long track speedskating Olympic team after training in the sport for just four months.

Luge

Erin Hamlin of the United States completes her first run in the Women's competition of the Viessmann FIL Luge World Cup at Lake Placid Olympic Center on December 16, 2017 in Lake Placid, New York.Maddie Meyer—Getty Images.

Maddie Meyer—Getty Images.

Luge athletes for Team USA have high goals going into the 2018 Winter Olympics — and standout Erin Hamlin may lead them there.
The three-time Olympian won the U.S. its first medal ever for singles luge with her 2014 bronze, and she hopes to stand a little higher on the podium in 2018. Hamlin is a two-time world champion, including winning the title in the 2017 spring race at the world championships.
“I do think the U.S. can win gold,” Hamlin recently said. “In what, I’m not sure, but in something though.”
The 10-person luge team also includes Tucker West, who at age 18 was the youngest luger to qualify for the Olympics in 2014.

Nordic Combined

Nordic combined athletes Bryan Fletcher and Taylor Fletcher pose for a portrait during the USOC Media Summit ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on September 29, 2013 in Park City, Utah. Doug Pensinger—Getty Images.

Doug Pensinger—Getty Images.

Bryan and Taylor Fletcher of Steamboat Springs, Colo., are two dominant figures in the Winter Olympic sport for Team USA. The brothers are both former Olympians and were on the U.S.’s 2013 world championship team, which won the bronze medal.
Bryan, the elder brother, brought in four top-15 finishes in international competition a year ago, according Team USA. The nordic combined athlete overcame cancer as a child — a difficult time during which he found happiness in ski jumping.
Taylor competed in the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics and, among the events within nordic combined, is best at cross-country skiing.
Team USA faces a difficult challenge this year, however. New scoring guidelines for this Winter Olympic sport now stress the jumping portion of the event — which is not Team USA’s strong suit.

Short Track Speedskating

J.R. Celski #102 turns ahead of Aaron Tran #105 during the 2018 U.S. Speedskating Short Track Olympic Team Trials at the Utah Olympic Oval on December 17, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Harry How—Getty Images.

Harry How—Getty Images.

World record holder and Olympics medalist J.R. Celski will lead the U.S. men’s team for short track speedskating in PyeongChang. The team includes John-Henry Krueger, who has medaled in international competition. Aaron Tran, a 21-year-old, also qualified to compete for Team USA, securing his spot after placing second behind Krueger in the men’s 500m at the Olympic Team Trials in December.
On the women’s side, 18-year-old Maame Biney already made history in December as the first black woman to qualify for the short track speedskating U.S. Olympic Team. She won bronze in the women’s 500m at the 2016-17 Short Track Junior World Championship.

Skeleton

Matthew Antoine of United States competes in his first run of the men's skeleton competition during the BMW IBSF Bob & Skeleton Worldcup at Veltins Eis-Arena on December 4, 2015 in Winterberg, Germany. Christof Koepsel—Bongarts/Getty Images.

Christof Koepsel—Bongarts/Getty Images.

Matthew Antoine slides back into Olympic competition after earning bronze in Sochi in 2014 and completing several years of successful international appearances. The Wisconsin-based athlete is looking to get another medal in the Winter Olympic sport this time around. He is joined by contenders John Daly, who took a break from the sport after Sochi.
On the women’s side, Olympian Katie Uhlaender is also trying to beat her fourth-place finish in Sochi.

Ski Jumping

Sarah Hendrickson of the USA competes in the Ladies HS 100 during the FIS Women's Ski Jumping World Cup Sapporo at the Miyanomori Ski Jump Stadium on January 15, 2017 in Sapporo, Japan. Atsushi Tomura—Getty Images.

Atsushi Tomura—Getty Images.

Though she has been plagued with injuries in recent years, 2013 world champion Sarah Hendrickson is the only member of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Team in ski jumping returning in 2018. She placed 21st in Sochi after she tore her MCL and ACL just months beforehand.
But, if she’s healthy, Team USA anticipates that Hendrickson could be a medal contender in PyeongChang. In a blog post on Team USA’s website, Hendrickson said her training over the summer went well. “There are strengths you gain after fighting so many challenges – the positivity of just being me and the appreciation of having the opportunity to going to an Olympics feel like enough,” she wrote.
Women’s Olympic ski jumping only just debuted in Sochi in 2014.

Snowboard

Chloe Kim #1 of the United States competes in the FIS World Cup 2018 Ladies Snowboard Halfpipe final during the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix on December 9, 2017 in Copper Mountain, Colorado. Matthew Stockman—Getty Images.

Matthew Stockman—Getty Images.

Olympic medalists including Shaun White have dominated this Winter Olympics sport for Team USA in the past, but one young standout is expected to leave a mark this year.
Chloe Kim, 17, easily secured her spot on Team USA in December. The California-based snowboarder was the first woman to land back-to-back 1080s in a competition last year and sits at the top of world rankings for the sport. She’s a favorite to win gold in the halfpipe event in PyeongChang.
Earlier this year, TIME named Kim one of the 30 Most Influential Teens in 2017.
“It’ll be a good experience to go through such a crazy event with my family,” Kim told TIME. “But at the same time, I’m very worried, ’cause it’s the freaking Olympics. I want to do really good. I’ve got to nail it.”
Correction: The original version of this story misstated the age of Team USA short track speedskating athlete Aaron Tran. He is 21, not 16