Newell, 26, is one of the world’s fastest sprinters. The Stratton Mountain School graduate has been on the podium twice on the World Cup stage, and this season he’s been in the mix nearly every race. Look for an epic performance come Vancouver. By the way, he grew up skiing at Prospect Mountain in Bennington — go there and you’ll see his photo plastered all over the lodge.

As a junior, the Shaftsbury native was ranked among the top sprinters in the world. When he moved into the senior ranks, Newell began building experience and confidence, and he’s gone on to post the best American results internationally – including the first U.S. podium in more than two decades. Perhaps the biggest irony is that as a kid, as Newell says with a smile, “I was a terrible runner.” But running on skis clearly agrees with him.

Some highlights:

- Olympics: 2006; Worlds: 2003, ‘05, ‘07, ‘09
- First U.S. podium since 1983 (China sprint, ‘06 FR)
- Best U.S. Worlds sprint result (5th in ‘07 CL)
- First U.S. sprint championship in ‘07
- 2007: Eight World Cup top-15s in sprints
- 2006: Six World Cup top-15s in sprints
- Best U.S. Olympic men’s sprint result (16th in ‘06 FR)
- 4th in sprint at 2004 U-23 Championships