Estonian hopes for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vanvouver

Estonia has won a total of six medals in Olympic Winter Games history, all in cross-country skiing.  It is in that discipline that the country has its best medal hopes in Vancouver 2010.

Andrus Veerpalu is Estonia's most successful Olympic athlete.  In four Olympic Winter Games, he has won three medals.  He won gold in the 15km in 2006, defending the title he won in 2002.  He also took the silver in the 50km in 2002.  All three of his Olympic medals have come in classic races, the style that will be used in the 50km in 2010.  Veerpalu also competed at the 2009 World Championship, winning gold in the men's 15km skiing the classic style.          

Winning the bronze medal in the 15km at the Salt Lake City Games was Veerpalu's teammate Jaak Mae.  He is also a veteran of four Olympic Games.  He finished 5th in the 15km at the 2009 World Championship.

Kristina Smigun-Vaehi should also be a top contender.  A four-time Olympian, Smigun won two gold medals in Turin 2006 in the 10km classic and the 15km Pursuit.  She is the first Estonian woman to win a medal at the Olympic Winter Games.  Smigun-Vaehi has also had great success at the World Championships, winning six medals including one gold.  She missed the 2007-08 season while pregnant and then choosing to take time away from international competition in 2008-09 to care for her young daughter, Victoria.  She is back competing on the World Cup for the 2009-10 season, having won a bronze medal in the ladies' 10km on Dec. 12 and is looking to contend at her fifth Olympic Winter Games.

In ladies' figure skating Elena Glebova could be a darkhorse in the competition. Although she finished in 28th place at the Turin 2006 Games, Glebova has seen a steady improvement in her skating and won the Skate America gold medal in November 2009 during the 2009 Grand Prix season.

Kadri Pihla will defend de coulours of Estonia in snowboarding.