McGill student Jennifer Heil is – bar none – the best female mogulist in the world. She’s won the last four Freestyle Skiing World Cup events, and rides a tidal wave of momentum into the 2010 Olympics. If she doesn’t bring home gold on the first night of competition, it would be a shocking disappointment. Alex Bilodeau, who shares a coach with Heil, had a disappointing season, but expect him to rise to the occasion. Dale Begg-Smith, a Canadian competing for Australia, will likely be both a champion and a source of national frustration in Vancouver.

Athletes to watch: Jennifer Heil and Alex Bilodeau. The two Canadians will attempt to jump-start the Olympics with gold medals early on in the competition.

Predictions:

Men:

Gold: Dale Begg-Smith, AUSSilver: Guilbaut Colas, FRABronze: Alexandre Bilodeau, CAN

Women:

Gold: Jennifer Heil, CANSilver: Aiko Uemura, JPNBronze: Heather McPhie, USA