Blake Skjellerup (24)
Skater
Lives: Calgary, Canada, and Christchurch.
Event: Short-track skaters race over 1500m, 1000m and 500m.
Athletes compete against the clock and each other, introducing elements of strategy, bravery and skill.
The sport originated in Europe in the late 19th century.
The United States introduced massed starts and pack-style racing.
It became an Olympic sport in 1992.
Background: Skjellerup first competed for New Zealand when he was 12 and is now the New Zealand speed skater of the year and the New Zealand junior Maori sportsman of the year.
His iwi is Ngati Pamoana (Whanganui).
His best results were 10th in the 1000m at the World Cup in Beijing (2008) and 10th in the 1000m junior world championships (2004).
Chances: In recent Olympic Games, China and Korea have challenged North American dominance, with South Korea winning 10 medals (including six golds) in 2006.
South Korea's Lee Kyou-Hyuk is regarded as the man to beat.
Skjellerup has trained in South Korea but for the last 18 months, his overseas base has been in Calgary, where he trains with Belgian coach Jeroen Otter.
Skjellerup is getting faster - he recently broke the national records in all three short-track disciplines - and says his goal is to reach the semifinals in Vancouver.
Race day: February 13 (1500m), February 17-20 (1000m), February 24-26 (500m).
