Some of the best skaters in Nagano, Japan, next month won't be wearing sparkling costumes or twirling in triple loops. They'll be decked out in helmets and pads, armed with wooden sticks. The U.S. Women's Hockey Team has one goal: to crush the world-champ Canadian women.
Women's hockey is new to the Olympics. Unlike men's hockey, it allows no body checking (slamming into opponents). Instead, these women win with sharp skating and superfast slap shots. Many players, like forward Sandra Whyte of Massachusetts, grew up playing hockey on boys' teams. "We play a fast game!" says Whyte.