Norwegian Kari Traa, the 1998 bronze medalist in women's moguls, added Olympic gold to her ever-increasing list of accolades on February 9. Traa edged out Shannon Bahrke (USA) by .88 of a point to take the top spot on the podium. Tae Satoya (JPN), defending Olympic gold medalist and eighth in the World Cup standings, won the bronze with a score of 24.85.

After winning five of six World Cup competitions this season, Traa entered the Olympic Winter Games as the event favorite and did not disappoint. She easily won the morning qualification round by more than a point over American Ann Battelle with a score of 25.11. In the final, Traa scored the biggest air of the afternoon (5.58) with her heli-cross followed by a triple twister, and also garnered an impressive score on turns -- 14.00 -- the highest of any competitor in either round.

Three-time Olympian Janne Lahtela (FIN) finally added Olympic gold to his resume on February 12 at the men's moguls competition. The 1998 Olympic silver medalist, second in World Cup standings, scored an impressive 27.97 to edge American Travis Mayer for the top podium position. Frenchman Richard Gay captured the bronze.

Lahtela was visibly surprised by his victory, and admitted he wasn't sure that he would even be able to compete in this year's Olympics. He led the World Cup circuit in 2001 until he injured his knee in Japan but managed to hold on to 2nd place overall.

Lahtela's time of 26.55 was the day's fastest, and he was the only skier to break the 7.0 mark for air with 7.10. His first trick -- a quadruple twister -- was one of the only attempts at a quad off the top air. His second trick was a triple twister-spread. He scored 14.30 in turns, a mere tenth of a point behind silver medalist Mayer.

Aerials

After never winning anything her entire life (so she claims), 27-year-old Alisa Camplin (AUS) won the greatest prize ever when she captured the gold medal in women's aerials on February 18. Camplin's win wasn't just a personal first, either, but also the first-ever gold medal won by an Australian woman in the Olympic Winter Games. It is the second medal for Australia in these Games.

Camplin, who stood second after the qualification round February 16, found herself in third position after the first jump of the final. Her first trick -- a back/Double Full-Full -- earned her a score of 93.72, while her second -- a back/Full-Double Full -- secured a solid 99.75 points. Both tricks were rated 3.550 for degree of difficulty.

It was also a big day for the female members of the Canadian Air Force: Veronica Brenner, ranked fifth in the world, won the silver with 190.02 points, while teammate Deidra Dionne took bronze with 189.26. Dionne, who qualified eighth, stood fifth after the first jump (88.89), but then wowed the judges and fans alike when she nailed a back/Full-Double Full (3.550 D.D.) and earned the biggest score of the day with a 100.28.

The third time was the charm for Ales Valenta (CZE) who landed just his third quint-twisting triple ever to win the men's aerials gold medal on February 19. Valenta, ranked second in the final 2001-2002 World Cup standings, earned a final composite score of 257.02 to hold off USA's Joe Pack at 251.64. Belarus' Alexei Grichin finished a close third at 251.19.

Valenta attempted the five-twist/three-somersault trick in competition previously at the January 27 World Cup in Blackcomb, Canada, missing the landing and finishing 15th overall. His highest placements in 2002 came at the January 18 and 20 events in Lake Placid where he earned a pair of silver medals.

Defending gold medalist Eric Bergoust (USA) finished 12th after over rotating on his second jump, earning an 88.11 and a final score of 218.49. The three-time Olympian had qualified second and was in first place prior to his second jump in the final.

--Brian Eaton