Olympic Countdown-Snowfoes

ByEurosport

Published 09/02/2006 at 21:39 GMT

From Janica versus Anja to the "battle of the bitches," Olympic rivalries are heating up, and we take you through the best and bitterest Olympic duels to expect when the snow kicks up in Torino. Leading off the top five fueds is none other than the most

SPEED SKATING 2006 Torino 2006 Friesinger Pechstein

Image credit: dpa

ALPINE - TEAM AUSTRIA V TEAM USA

As opposed to the more friendly battle between Sweden's Anja Paerson and Croatia's Janica Kostelic, this great fued is marked by tension on both sides.

The generally more austere Austrian team contrast greatly with Bode Miller's flamboyance, and even Daron Rahlves laid-back California approach.

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Since Miller skyrocketed to fame and infamy with two silver medals at the last Olympics (one behind an Austrian and one in front), the perennial duel at the top of the World Cup standings has been between Miller and the Austrians.

ALPINE SKIING 2005-2006 Torino 2006 USA Miller

Image credit: dpa

The departed Stephan Eberharter edged Miller for the Crystal Globe in 2003, while Miller finished behind Benjamin Raich, Eberharter, World Cup champion Hermann Maier in 2004. Finally getting his revenge by winning the title last year, the American all-arounder has struggled this season and finds himself in third behind world No. 1 Raich and downhill king Michael Walchhofer.

Add on top of that Daron Rahlves' brilliant show form on the downhill circuit this season (three wins and a third-place finish) the Americans have a squad to contend with the Uber-team of Raich, Walchhofer and the Herminator.

ALPINE SKIING 2005-2006 Kitzbuehel Downhill training Rahlves

Image credit: Reuters

Competing in his third and final Games and seeking his first Olympic medal, Rhalves took round one by pacing the first downhill training in Torino on Thursday.

(Second place alpine rivalry is Paerson versus Kostelic, as despite their heated battles on the snow, these two are actually friendly with one another).

ICE HOCKEY - CANADA V THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Mark February 21 on your calendar. When the NHL first came to the Games in Nagano, Dominik Hasek thwarted Canada in the semi-finals in a legendary penalty shootout, which saw five NHL All-stars succomb to 'the Dominator.'

ICE HOCKEY 2002 Winter OG SALT LAKE Czech Republic Hasek

Image credit: Imago

In Salt Lake City, the two sides drew 3-3 in the main pool phase before Canada's march to gold. Last year, with the top stars available due to the NHL owners lockout, the Czechs blanked the Canadians 3-0 in the world championships final.

The usual suspects return as the two most dominant forces in hockey face off in what could be a classic final Group A encounter... and a possible taste of things to come in the final.

SPEED SKATING - BATTLE OF THE BITCHES

For eight years German speed skaters Anni Friesinger and Claudia Pechstein have been locked in bitter battle for World supremacy, and four years ago in Salt Lake City their row took on tabloid proportions.

SPEED SKATING 2005 Friesinger

Image credit: Imago

Just prior to the 2002 Olympics they accused each other of underhanded tactics to disrupt each other's training programmes.

The German newspaper Bild described the row as a "battle of the bitches" ("Zicken-Zoff") and that's what it's been known as ever since.

The blonde Bavarian was begruding in her description of their relationship: "We're never going to become close friends," Friesinger said. "But we respect each other. Our relationship is normal now. There aren't any problems any more. We've had a truce for a while now."

The brunette Berliner has been equally 'friendly': "We are not such good friends. We don't drink coffee together."

SPEED SKATING 2006 EM Hamar Pechstein

Image credit: dpa

The two don't have to drink coffee with each other, but their rivalry will take on added significance when they are forced to put it aside and join together in the newly added 'team pursuit' event.

"We race together and we have one goal, to win. We have a good team and I hope we can win," Pechstein granted.

NORDIC COMBINED - MANNINEN V ACKERMANN

Finland's Hannu Manninen and Germany's Ronny Ackermann took their feud to a new level at a World Cup event in December, namely the use of physical violence.

NORDIC COMBINED SKII 2005-2006 Seefeld Sprint HS100/7.5 Km Manninen

Image credit: dpa

Ackermann, the German Sportsman of 2005, hit the Finn with his ski pole after losing to him in a sprint finish.

The German apologised, but still claims that Manninen blocked him out as they charged toward the finish line.

The two are the favourites in the Nordic Combined contest, and hopefully the Olympic spirit will prevent things from coming to blows.

SKI JUMPING - JANDA V AHONEN

After a slow start, defending World Cup champion Janne Ahonen has bounced back furiously and is right on the heels of World No. 1 Jakub Janda in the World Cup's overall standings.

SKI JUMPING 2005-2006 Zakopane Jqnne Ahonen

Image credit: Reuters

Four years ago, Finland's Ahonen finished a disappointing ninth in the large hill event while the Czech Janda was all the way back in 44th position.

This year, the dual winners of the Four Hills contest (the two finished in an unprecedented tie earlier this season in Germany), are the hot favourites to bring home gold. But don't expect another tie.

If you have any comments on our rivalries please email us at newsroom@eurosport.com. Stay tuned for tomorrow's final Olympic Countdown with our ten Olympic athletes to watch, and in the meantime send us your opinions on stars to watch by emailing the newsroom.

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