体坛英语资讯：Olympic Preview: Chinese aerials skiers to fly high in Vancouver

After Han Xiaopeng clinched China's first ever Olympic gold on snow events in Turin four years ago, the Chinese aerials freestyle team nowadays tries to amplify a more prospective vision, heading towards Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The prospect might sound reasonable as both its men's and women's teams are spearheaded by either Olympic or world champion, and even reigning Olympic champion Han was only included into the Chinese men's squad in the last minutes.

In 2006, world champion Li Nina led the four-member women's aerials squad with great expectations to the Turin Winter Olympic Games, and she finished only next to Swiss Evelyne Leu in the final.

Then it was nobody Han who won the world spotlight, grabbing the sweetest victory for China in the men's event, unheraldedly.

After the historical win in Turin, Han proved himself by winning the world title in 2007. Since then, the 26-year-old struggled for a long period against injuries and eventually knocked out one of his teammates to make the Olympic squad.

In the men's field, Han is determined to defend his title at Cypress Mountain, teenager Jia Zongyang cherishes his hope at his Olympic debut with two World Cup victories within two month and a crown from last year's Winter Universiade, and the 19-year-old Qi Guangpu is also promising as he has collected three World Cup silver medals this season.

Although the Chinese youngsters are full of energy, the seasoned athletes such as American Jeret Peterson and Anton Kushnier from Belarus are likely to make more steady landings.

Two-time Olympian Peterson attempted his signature "Hurricane" move in the final four years ago but failed. In fact, a more conservative leap would have earned the American nicknamed "Speedy" a medal.

This time, the 28-year-old will give his all to convince the judges with the "Hurricane" jump. And teammate Ryan St Onge is also going to compete for the title.

Kushnier, who finished eighth at the Turin Games, pushed himself forward this season by grabbing four golds, one silver and one bronze from six World Cup races.

Yet, China could be more confident in the women's team as the squad is even stronger than the one in Turin.

The 27-year-old Li clinched her third consecutive world title last year and would be relaxed towards her third Olympic Games. Olympic debutant Xu Mengtao was only behind Li at the 2009 World Championships and the 20-year-old hopeful leads the difficult degree in the women's field.

In the moguls, defending champions Dale Begg-Smith and Jennifer Heil are still hot favourite.

The Canadian-born Begg-Smith, 25, who had knee reconstruction surgery almost a year ago, came back strongly with three World Cup golds this season.

The 26-year-old Heil topping the World Cup podium four times this season, is surely among the host's prime hopes for gold in Vancouver.

As for ski cross, the debut event at the Winter Olympics, athletes from Austria, France as well as Canada have achieved great results at World Cup competitions.