LADIES

Gold Irina Slutskaya, Russia

The reigning world champ is the odds-on favorite to win her first gold at 27, which would tie the record for oldest ladies’ Olympic champion.

Silver: Sasha Cohen, USA

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, Cohen will probably add to her extensive collection of silver medals. On paper, she has the best chance of beating Slutskaya under the new scoring system- but she hasn’t done it yet.

Bronze: Michelle Kwan, USA

Never count out the 25-year-old fivetime world champion and two-time Olympic medalist. Late-season injuries should prevent her from challenging for gold, but her legendary determination may well get her to the podium.

MEN

Gold: Evgeny Plushenko, Russia

Plushenko, the 2002 silver medalist, has dominated his sport in the intervening four years.

Silver: Stephane Lambiel, Switzerland

When an injured Plushenko pulled out of the 2005 Worlds, it was Lambiel who seized the moment and captured the title.

Bronze: Brian Joubert, France

The stylish Frenchman has the quad and the crowd appeal – and he’s beaten Plushenko in the past.

PAIRS

Gold: Tatyana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin, Russia

The world champions became an instant story when he dropped her during a competition in fall 2004. Since her recovery, they’ve been unbeatable.

Silver: Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo, China

The former world champions were the co-favorites before Zhao ruptured his Achilles tendon in August. Now any medal would be a triumph.

Bronze: Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao, China

The up-and-comers on the Chinese team, Zhang and Zhang (no relation) may spice up the event with a quad throw, a move no pair has ever landed in competition.

DANCE

Gold: Tatyana Navka and Roman Kostamarov, Russia The three-time world champions (who live and train in New Jersey) have not lost an event in more than two years, and rankings in dance change at a glacial pace.

Silver: Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto, USA

The young Americans (silver medalists at 2005 Worlds) are favored to win a medal – something a U.S. dance team hasn’t done in 20 years.

Bronze: Elena Grushina and Ruslan Goncharov, UKR

Another former Soviet team training in America, this husband-and-wife team took bronze at the 2005 Worlds.