Stars of Sochi! The Women to Watch From Team USA

The 2014 Winter Olympics kick off on Friday. While we'll be supporting all the Team USA athletes competing, there are a few fabulous females whose stories we've been following over the last few months. Read up on the strong and inspiring women we can't wait to watch in the Sochi snow!

Hannah Kearney
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Hannah Kearney

Moguls skiier Hannah Kearney, 27, took home the gold at the 2010 games, and after placing first in Sochi's qualifying rounds, it looks like she has a great chance in taking home another. This four-time World Championship winner made the judges ooh and aah yesterday, and we can't wait to see her run this year!

Jamie Anderson
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Jamie Anderson

Slopestyle snowboarding is a new event being introduced at the Sochi Olympics, and snowboarder Jamie Anderson, 23, is ready to be among the first to compete! After seeing her win three golds at the Winter X Games, we can't wait to watch this fierce athlete (and free-spirited woman) bring her A-game. Jamie has said that she "touches a tree" before she competes to "ground her energy" and "take a moment to reflect."

Kelly Clark
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Kelly Clark

She's competed at the Olympics in 2002, 2006, and 2010, and two-time Olympic medalist Kelly Clark, 30, continues to dominate when it comes to women's snowboarding. She took home the gold in 2002, and she's favored to do it again in Sochi. And did we mention she has the most snowboard wins of anyone in history, male or female?

Meryl Davis
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Meryl Davis

Michigander Meryl Davis, 27, took the silver medal with partner Charlie White in 2010, but this dynamic ice-dancing duo has won two of three World Championships since the Vancouver games. The reigning world champs have been skating together for over 16 years — they started before they were 10 years old!

Gracie Gold
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Gracie Gold

American champion Gracie Gold, 18, is ready to make her big Olympic debut! The figure-skating sensation began working with Michelle Kwan's longtime coach Frank Carroll last year to prep for Sochi. We recently learned that the "new ice princess" isn't exempt from nerves; she recently appeared on The Tonight Show to show America the circus trick that helps her focus.

Noelle Pikus-Pace
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Noelle Pikus-Pace

After placing fourth in Vancouver, skeleton racer Noelle Pikus-Pace, 31, has come out of retirement to compete in 2014. The mother of two is the first woman ever to win the overall World Cup title in skeleton and is hoping to take home her first Olympic medal at Sochi.

Julie Chu
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Julie Chu

Women's ice hockey team forward Julie Chu will compete on the US squad for her fourth time in Sochi. The rivalry between Team USA and Canada is strong, and we can't wait to see these teams compete. Strong and svelte, Julie works hard to train with pump-up tunes and bodyweight exercises. Learn the tush-toning move Julie says is responsible for her "hockey butt."

Lolo Jones
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Lolo Jones

We were so excited to learn that two-time Summer Olympian Lolo Jones, 31, was selected for the US bobsled team! After her friend (and now teammate) Elana Meyers suggested Lolo try out for the team, she couldn't help but feel inspired to train. Now, after a long road and lots of work, Lolo will join the squad as a brakeman and push athlete. She'll be one of the 10 US athletes (ever!) to have participated in both the Summer and Winter games.

Ashley Wagner
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Ashley Wagner

After a controversial ride to the Sochi Olympics, two-time US champion Ashley Wagner, 22, is ready to take the ice and kick butt with a whole new routine she's been prepping for the games. Despite a shaky performance at the qualifier in Boston, Ashley is committed to come back strong; we'll be on the edge of our seat for her whole performance.

Mikaela Shiffrin
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Mikaela Shiffrin

There's been lots of hype about alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin,18 — and it's for good reason. After making her professional debut at the ripe age of 15, Mikaela is the first non-European to win four World Cup slalom races in a season. She's heading to Sochi as an overwhelming gold medal favorite in the slalom, but even sweeter is that a slalom victory in Sochi would be the first by an American since 1972. Go Team USA!

Julia Mancuso
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Julia Mancuso

Julia Mancuso, 29, holds more major championship medals than any other American woman; she holds three from the Olympics and five from the World championships! The Northern California native is favored to medal at a few events in 2014 — mostly in the speed events.

Hannah Teter
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Hannah Teter

In 2006, snowboarder Hannah Teter, 27, took home the gold at the Olympic half-pipe debut, and four years later, she took home the silver from Vancouver. After qualifying in Sochi, we can't wait to see if the third's time the charm.