Curling

High hopes are pinned on both the Canadian men and women's curling teams to claim gold on home soil. But standing in the way of that achievement is an extremely competitive field. 

Wang Bingyu: China

Very few were surprised when the Chinese women's team finished seventh in its debut at the 2005 world championship in Scotland. But the meteoric rise to follow was nothing short of remarkable.

Entering the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver the Chinese women, led by Wang, carry the mantle of favourite to win a gold medal. The designation is well-deserved; Wang and her crew won the world championship in 2009 by beating Olympic champion Anette Norberg of Sweden in the final.

Fact: Wang has spent the past five Canadian winters in Edmonton and is coached by Canadian Dan Rafael.

Key draw:
CANADA vs. CHINA
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sheet B

David Murdoch: Great Britain

The Scottish-born skip of the Great Britain team will have momentum on his side entering the men's Olympic tournament in Vancouver. Murdoch defeated Canadian Olympian Kevin Martin 7-6 in the final of the World Men's Curling Championship, capturing a fifth gold medal for Scotland.

Murdoch is one of the more decorated curlers at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, boasting two world junior championships, two world championships and three European championships.

Fact: Great Britain won a gold medal in men's curling at the 1924 Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix, France.

Key draw:
CANADA vs. GREAT BRITAIN
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Sheet D

Mirjam Ott: Swizterland

As bridesmaids in the last two Winter Olympic Games the Swiss women will aim to snap the silver streak under Ott in Vancouver.

As a two-time European champion Ott can be considered the dark horse for gold in a women's draw that includes the heavily favoured Chinese, Swedish and Canadian teams.

In Turin 2006, Ott faced Sweden in the final and forced an extra end before a difficult double take-out on the last rock gave Sweden the gold medal.

Fact: Ott's two silver medals are the most Olympic medals won in curling (individual women).

Key draw:
CANADA vs. SWITZERLAND
Tuesday, February 16, 2010*
Sheet D

* Opening draw for both teams

Anette Norberg: Sweden

While much of the pre-draw hype revolves around the emergence of the Chinese women and the home crowd cheers expected to inspire Canadian Cheryl Bernard, the defending gold medalist from Sweden arrives under the radar.

In Turin 2006, Norberg posted a 7-2 round-robin record before knocking off Norway and Switzerland to claim gold. Sweden has made the Olympic podium in two of the last three Games.

An area for concern surrounding the Norberg-led team is its failure to finish in the top three at the 2009 European Championship, an event she has won seven times.

Fact: Norberg has won a staggering 10 gold medals in her curling career.

Key draw:
SWEDEN vs. CHINA
Friday, February 19, 2010
Sheet B

Niklas Edin: Sweden

Edin dominated the European Curling Championships in 2009, posting a 9-2 round-robin record en route to his first gold medal. The 24-year-old Swede is making his first appearance in the Winter Games, but has caught the attention of the sport's elder statesmen with the recent run of impressive play:

"Everyone is making a lot of noises about ourselves and Kevin, but you've got to remember that other teams out there have trained for four years and are playing really well," David Murdoch said after winning the world championship in 2009. "Young Niklas's team have come out with a good game."

The tone will be set early on the men's side in Vancouver as Edin faces Murdoch's rink in the first draw of the Vancouver Games.

Fact: Edin was born in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. The city is also home to NHL super stars Peter Forsberg, Markus Näslund, Niklas Sundström, Victor Hedman and the Sedin twins.

Key draw:
GREAT BRITAIN vs. SWEDEN
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Sheet A