by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: January 15, 2010   Last Updated: January 16, 2010

The U.S. snowboarders have a reputation for being the best of the best. Although there are outstanding snowboard athletes who have come out of other countries, this is one sport in which the U.S. dominance will be very hard to beat. There are several snow board events that really showcase the athleticism of these daring athletes, all of whom seem to thrive on the thrill and adrenaline rush that is so much a part of this exciting sport.

Here is a look at some of the top snowboarders to watch during the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics.

*Torah Bright - Australia -

Bright spends part of her year training in Utah, and this may give her some of the benefit of the American dominance. She only managed to finish in 5th place at the 2006 Torino games, but she beat out Hannah Teter on the Super Pipe at the 2008-2009 Winter X Games. Last winter, she won her second straight title at the U.S. open, along with 3 straight World Superpipe Championship titles.With a total of 6 podium finishes at World Cup events throughout her career, she's definitely an athlete to watch.

*Maelle Ricker - Canada -

Ricker finished in fifth place on the half pipe in Nagano in 1998. She was forced to sit out of both the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics due to injuries. For the first event of the 2009-2010 season, she won her tenth career world cup gold medal for snowboard cross. She also won World Cup races in both Italy and Maine last season, leaving her in 2nd place in the season standings behind Lindsey Jacobellis.

Despite the fact that she only placed fourth at the 2008-2009 World Championships and Winter X Games, she is still considered one of the top contenders for a gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. This is a victory she wants more than anything, because a win in her home country would be incredibly meaningful.

*Ben Kilner - Great Britain -

Kilner is Britain's #1 half pipe snowboarder. He is ranked 23rd in the world and will almost certainly be a member of the British Team.

*Zoe Gillings  -Great Britain -

Gillings is ranked 5th in the world for snowboard cross. She finished in 12th place at the 2006 games, but that 12th place finish was a pretty remarkable accomplishment in view of the fact that just months before the games, she shattered an ankle when she jumped over a car for a publicity stunt.

TOP UNITED STATES CONTENDERS -

*Shaun White -

Born on September 3, 1986, White is a native of Carlsbad California. White is a bit of an amazing phenomenon in a sport that takes everything

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