Olympic Medal Counts: Germany Surges Past USA

Day five of the 2010 Winter Olympics saw a change at the top of the medal count. After leading the count for the first four day of events, the United States took a back seat to Germany, who surged ahead with its four medals won on Tuesday.

The United States remains in second place, but after claiming no medals yesterday, the U.S. finds itself with France nipping on its heels in the medal count. Canada remains fourth with its five medals, followed by Korea, and Switzerland, who each have four overall medals. Seven more medals will be handed out today. Can Germany keep its lead? Can the U.S. reclaim the top spot?

Germany: Nine medals

Germany took over the top spot in the overall medal count in large thanks to Magdalena Neuner and her victory in the Women's Biathlon 10-kilometer pursuit. The win extended Neuner's dominance in the Biathlon after she took silver in the 7.5-kilometer sprint.

Jenny Wolf chipped in with a silver medal in the Women's 500-meter Speed Skating. Germany also remained a dominant force in Luge when Tatjana Heufner won gold and Natalie Geisenberger took home bronze. Germany claimed four of the six overall medals handed out in Men's and Women's Single Luge.

United States: Eight medals

The United States' best chance at a medal yesterday evaporated when snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis was disqualified from the snowboard cross event for hitting a gate.

The United States can get that bad taste out of its mouth with three strong medal opportunities today. Shaun White is by far the favorite in the Men's halfpipe. Shani Davis, the defending gold medal winner in the 1000-meter Men's Speedskating hits the ice today, and Lindsey Vonn will finally get her shot in the Downhill.

France: Seven medals

France had perhaps the most successful day of medals, claiming three in three different events. Vincent Jay (pictured) won the bronze in the Men's Biathlon 12.5-kilometer pursuit. Jay previously won gold in the Men's 10-kilometer Sprint.

Deborah Anthonioz took advantage of Lindsey Jacobellis' spill and went on to win silver in the snowboard cross. Anthonioz place ninth in the event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino.

Marie Laure Brunet wrapped up France's medals yesterday with a bronze in the Women's Biathlon 10-kilometer pursuit.

Korea: Four medals

Korea tacked on a gold medal and its continued dominance in Speedskating when Sang-Hwa Lee took first in the Women's 500-meter Speedskating. Korea now holds four medals with three gold-in Speedskating or Short-Track Speedskating events.

Switzerland: Four medals

Snowboarder Olivia Nobs added a bronze to Switzerland's trio of gold with a third place finish in Snowboard Cross. Nobs finished 11th in the event in Torino, but her third place finish in Vancouver ensured a second straight Swiss medal in the event. Switzerland joins Germany and Korea as the only countries with three gold medals.