2010 Winter Olympics: Top Figure Skaters to Watch

This slide show includes a number of the world's top-ranked figure skaters who will compete at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

They range from free-skate figure skaters to pairs to ice dancing. Each has an impressive background and is expected to put on quite a show.

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Yevgeny Plushenko

Yevgeny Plushenko (Russia) was the 2006 Winter Olympics gold medalist. He is a three-time World Champion, a six-time European Champion, and an eight-time Russian National Champion.

I think he will be the one to beat at the Olympics, and I am expecting him to be a true contender for the gold.

Evan Lysacek

Evan Lysacek (United States) is the 2009 World Champion and the 2007 and 2008 U.S. National Champion. He placed fourth at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

I think Lysacek is the United States' best chance at gold. If he does not win, I am expecting him to place in the top three.

Brian Joubert

Brian Joubert (France) is the 2007 World Champion, and as of January 2010, he is ranked sixth in the world. I think he has the potential to place in the top three at the Olympics.

Kim Yu-Na

Kim Yu-Na (South Korea) is the 2009 World Champion and a four-time South Korean National Champion. As of February 2010, she was ranked first in the
world by ISU.

I predict she will be the one to beat on the women's side, and I think she will be favored to win the gold.

Carolina Kostner

Carolina Kostner (Italy) is the 2008 World Silver Medalist and a three-time European Champion.

She was ranked second in the world in January 2010. I believe she will be able to compete with Yu-Na and have a chance at the gold.

Mao Asada

Mao Asada (Japan) is the 2008 World Champion and a four-time Japanese National Champion. She was ranked third in the world as of February 2010 by ISU.

I believe she will be Japan's best hope of winning a medal.

Mirai Nagasu

Mirai Nagasu (United States) won the 2008 US National Championships and she took second in 2010. She will be a strong contender for the United States and has a chance at the gold.

I am very excited to watch her compete and I know she will do an outstanding job representing the United States in Vancouver.

Joannie Rochette

Joannie Rochette (Canada) is a six-time Canadian National Champion, and she won the silver at the 2009 World Championships.

As of January 2010, she was ranked fifth in the world. I believe she has a good chance of winning a medal, and if she is healthy, she could win silver.

Robin Szolkowy and Aliona Savchenko

Robin Szolkowy and Aliona Savchenko (Ukraine) are the 2008 and 2009 World Champions.

As of January 2010, they were ranked first in the world and have the best chances of winning gold. They will be the pair to beat in Vancouver.

Zhao Hongbo and Shen Xue

Zhao Hongbo and Shen Xue (China) are three-time World Champions, and they were the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics bronze medalists.

They are one of two Chinese teams who are expected to do great things. I predict they will place in the top three.

Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao

Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao (China) are three-time World silver medalists, and they won the silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Dan and Hao were ranked second in the world as of January 2010.

I expect them to place in the top three in Vancouver. They have the potential to win gold if they are both healthy and come ready to compete.

Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin

Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin (Russia) are the 2009 World Champions, two-time European National Champions, and three-time Russian National Champions.

As of January 2010, they were ranked No. 1 in the world for ice dancing. I predict that they will win the gold in Vancouver.

Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto

Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto (United States) are four-time World medalists and five-time U.S. National Champions, and they won silver at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

They will be strong contenders for gold, but they have to come well-prepared to beat Russia's Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin. I expect Belbin and Agosto to place extremely high.

Excitement Awaits

Overall, this will be an exciting Winter Olympics in Vancouver for figure skating because there will be an immense amount of talent—which will make it exciting to watch.

I cannot wait to see who comes away with the gold for free skate, pairs, and ice dancing.