SASHA, EMILY, KIMMIE & IRINA-THE LADIES TAKE THE ICE TUESDAY ON NBC

SASHA, EMILY, KIMMIE & IRINA-THE LADIES TAKE THE ICE ON TUESDAY, DAY 12 OF THE TORINO GAMES

"What She's Developed Over the Last Four Years is That Killer Instinct She Needs to be Competitive at the Highest Levels."-Hamilton On Sasha Cohen

"Four American Gold Medalists Competing in the 1500M- If You're Going to Watch One Speed Skating Race During the Olympics This is Probably the One You Want to Watch."-Gold Medalist Joey Cheek To NBC's Jim Lampley

TORINO, Italy--Feb. 20, 2006--Sasha Cohen, Emily Hughes, Kimmie Meissner and Irina Slutskaya take the ice as the ladies competition, the most anticipated event of the Winter Games, begins during NBC's continuing coverage of the Torino Olympics on NBC, USA Network, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC HD and Universal HD. NBC's Tuesday primetime coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Tuesday night the ladies' figure skating competition begins as the ice princesses of the Torino Games skate into the spotlight in a competition full of intriguing storylines that continued to evolve last Sunday with news that Michelle Kwan withdrew from the competition, ending her quest for the gold medal that has eluded her. Replacing Kwan on the U.S. Team is Emily Hughes (Great Neck, N.Y.), younger sister of 2002 Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes. The competition also includes U.S. National Champion and two-time World silver medalist Sasha Cohen (Corona Del Mar, Calif.), American newcomer Kimmie Meissner (Bel Air, Md.), Russian World Champion Irina Slutskaya, and Italian home-country heroine Carolina Kostner.

"I think the favorite coming in is Irina Slutskaya--she's completely embraced and adopted the new scoring system and has applied it to her skating and that's why she is now the dominant skater in the world," said NBC's figure skating analyst Scott Hamilton.

As for Sasha Cohen, Hamilton said, "Coming off last year's silver medal at the World Championships is a great confidence boost for her. Coming into these Olympic Games as a National Champion is another huge confidence boost for her and to see how much she has grown in the last four years is extraordinary. She's an amazingly beautiful artistic skater and what she's developed over the last four years is that killer instinct she needs to be competitive at the highest levels."

Chad Hedrick, Shani Davis, Joey Cheek and Derek Parra--four American gold medalists--race for gold in the men's 1500m speed skating competition. Chicago's Davis won the 1000m in Torino, becoming the first African American male to win an individual gold medal at a Winter Games. Houston's Hedrick, a former in-line champion, bested Davis' world record in November and won Torino gold in the 5000m.

Torino 500m gold medalist and 1000m silver medalist Joey Cheek told NBC's Jim Lampley, "Shani and Chad have been skating fantastic. We'll have myself, Shani Davis, Chad Hedrick, and Derek Parra, who won the gold medal in 2002, so four American gold medalists competing in the 1500 meters. It's going to be exciting. I think if you're going to watch one speed skating race during the Olympics this is probably the one you want to watch."

Highlights for Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2006, include:

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21

NBC

4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Nordic Combined--Sprint Gold Medal Final: Ski Jumping--K125-Large Hill Jump Cross Country--7.5km

8:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Figure Skating--Ladies Short Program Speed Skating--Men's 1500m Gold Medal Final Bobsled--Women's Gold Medal Final Freestyle Skiing--Women's Aerials Competition

12:05 a.m.-1:30 a.m. The Olympic Tonight Show with Jay Leno Figure Skating--Ladies Short Program Analysis Medals Plaza--Awards Ceremonies

1:30 a.m.-5:00 a.m. Primetime Replay

USA

6:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. Biathlon--Men's Relay Gold Medal Final

2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Hockey--Men: USA (1-2-1) vs. Russia (3-1-0) (LIVE)

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

MSNBC

5:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Hockey--Men: Latvia (0-3-1) vs. Kazakhstan (0-4-0) (LIVE) Men: Switzerland (2-1-1) vs. Italy (0-3-1) (LIVE) Men: Finland (4-0-0) vs. Germany (0-2-2) (LIVE) Men: Canada (2-2-0) vs. Czech Republic (2-2-0) (LIVE) Men: Sweden (3-1-0) vs. Slovakia (4-0-0) (LIVE)

CNBC

5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Curling--Tiebreaker (if necessary)

UNIVERSAL HD

5:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Hockey--Men: Latvia (0-3-1) vs. Kazakhstan (0-4-0) (LIVE) Men: Switzerland (2-1-1) vs. Italy (0-3-1) ( (LIVE) Men: Finland (4-0-0) vs. Germany (0-2-2) (LIVE) Men: Canada (2-2-0) vs. Czech Republic (2-2-0) (LIVE)

2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Hockey--Men: USA (1-2-1) vs. Russia (3-1-0) (LIVE)

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Primetime):

Tonight the ladies' figure skating competition begins as the ice princesses of the Torino Games skate into the spotlight in a competition full of intriguing storylines that continued to evolve last Sunday with news that Michelle Kwan withdrew from the competition, ending her quest for the gold medal that has eluded her. Replacing Kwan on the U.S. Team is Emily Hughes (Great Neck, N.Y.), younger sister of 2002 Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes. The competition also includes U.S. National Champion and two-time World silver medalist Sasha Cohen (Corona Del Mar, Calif.), American newcomer Kimmie Meissner (Bel Air, Md.), Russian World Champion Irina Slutskaya, and Italian home-country heroine Carolina Kostner.

The gold medal favorites in the men's 1500m are two of America's newest speed skating stars and Torino gold medalists--Chicago's Shani Davis who won the 1000m, becoming the first African American male to win an individual gold medal at a Winter Games, and Houston's Chad Hedrick, a former in-line champion, who bested Davis' world record in November and won Torino gold in the 5000m. The USA's Joey Cheek, who won gold in the 500m and silver in the 1000m will also compete.

When women's bobsled made its Olympic debut in Salt Lake City, Alabama native Vonetta Flowers pushed her USA sled to victory and made history as the first African American athlete to win Winter Olympic gold. Flowers has since teamed with 2002 Olympic driver Michigan's Jean Prahm (formerly Racine), who made headlines for last-minute partner shifting in Salt Lake City and now returns to race for redemption--and a gold medal of her own.

Additionally, the USA's Emily Cook (Belmont, Mass.), who qualified for the 2002 Olympic team but was unable to compete after she severely injured both of her feet in a training accident just weeks before the Salt Lake Games, looks for redemption in Torino in the aerials competition.

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Daytime):

Colorado's Johnny Spillane won a surprise gold in the nordic combined sprint event at the 2003 World Championships with a resilient finishing kick. If he can recover from a shoulder injury in time, he'll attempt to become the first American to win an Olympic medal in this sport, which combines ski jumping and cross-country skiing.

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Latenight):

Olympic coverage continues with a breakdown of the Winter Games' most anticipated event, ladies figure skating, and look ahead to the free skate where gold will be decided.

USA HIGHLIGHTS:

Today's LIVE men's hockey lineup features a "Miracle on Ice" rematch between the USA and Russia.

MSNBC HIGHLIGHTS:

An Olympic showdown between the two most recent gold medal winning teams, Canada and Czech Republic is among the LIVE hockey coverage on MSNBC.

Highlights for Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006, include:

Wednesday, February 22

NBC

4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Snowboarding--Men's Parallel Giant Slalom Competition Cross Country--Men's Sprint Gold Medal Final

8:00 p.m.?11:30 p.m. Alpine Skiing--Women's Slalom Gold Medal Final Freestyle Skiing--Women's Aerials Gold Medal Final Speed Skating--Women's 1500m Gold Medal Final Snowboarding--Men's Parallel Giant Slalom Gold Medal Final Short Track--Women's 3000m Relay Gold Medal Final Men's 500m Competition Figure Skating--Ladies Preview

12:05 a.m.?1:30 a.m. The Olympic Tonight Show with Jay Leno Cross Country--Women's Sprint Gold Medal Final Medals Plaza--Awards Ceremonies

1:30 a.m.?5:00 a.m. Primetime Replay

USA

8:00 a.m.?2:00 p.m. Curling--Women's Semifinal (LIVE) Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal (LIVE)

3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal (LIVE)

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

MSNBC

10:00 a.m.?1:00 p.m. Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal (LIVE)

2:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal (LIVE)

CNBC

5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Curling--Men's Semifinal

UNIVERSAL HD 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal (LIVE)

3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal (LIVE)

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

Midnight-3:00 a.m. Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal

3:00 a.m.-5:30 a.m. Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Primetime):

Alpine skiing's female superstars, Janica Kostelic of Croatia and Anja Paerson of Sweden, engage in another snowy gold medal showdown in the slalom, the sport's most technically demanding event.

China has ruled the skies in women's aerials skiing of late, led by reigning world champion Li Nina, a former competitive acrobat who will attempt to become China's first ever Olympic champion in a skiing event. Also watch for the USA's Emily Cook (Belmont, Mass.), who qualified for the 2002 Olympic team, but was unable to compete after she severely injured both of her feet in a training accident just weeks before the Salt Lake Games.

Jennifer Rodriguez, the Cuban-American speed skater who Bob Costas nicknamed "Miami Ice" in Salt Lake, won two medals at the 2002 Games and skates today in the 1500m, her best event, against a loaded field, including Germany's Anni Friesinger and Canada's Cindy Klassen.

Seattle's Apolo Anton Ohno skates in his sport's fastest race, the 500m, in pursuit of a chance to add to his growing collection of Olympic medals.

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (DAYTIME):

Cross-country skiing is typically about endurance and tactics--but today it's about speed as skiers sprint for Olympic gold.

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Latenight):

Cross-country skiing is typically about endurance and tactics--but today it's about speed as skiers sprint for Olympic gold.

USA & MSNBC HIGHLIGHTS:

Welcome to a hockey fan's dream: LIVE coverage of the eight best teams in the world in four scintillating match-ups where only the winners will advance to play for a medal.

LIVE curling coverage on USA as the women's competition reaches the semifinals. Sisters Cassie and Jamie Johnson (Bemidji, Minn.) led Team USA to silver at the 2005 World Championships, and will try to slide and sweep their way to the Olympic gold medal final.

Listings subject to change, please check NBCOlympics.com for updates.

SASHA, EMILY, KIMMIE & IRINA-THE LADIES TAKE THE ICE TUESDAY ON NBC

SASHA, EMILY, KIMMIE & IRINA-THE LADIES TAKE THE ICE ON TUESDAY, DAY 12 OF THE TORINO GAMES

"What She's Developed Over the Last Four Years is That Killer Instinct She Needs to be Competitive at the Highest Levels."-Hamilton On Sasha Cohen

"Four American Gold Medalists Competing in the 1500M- If You're Going to Watch One Speed Skating Race During the Olympics This is Probably the One You Want to Watch."-Gold Medalist Joey Cheek To NBC's Jim Lampley

TORINO, Italy--Feb. 20, 2006--Sasha Cohen, Emily Hughes, Kimmie Meissner and Irina Slutskaya take the ice as the ladies competition, the most anticipated event of the Winter Games, begins during NBC's continuing coverage of the Torino Olympics on NBC, USA Network, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC HD and Universal HD. NBC's Tuesday primetime coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Tuesday night the ladies' figure skating competition begins as the ice princesses of the Torino Games skate into the spotlight in a competition full of intriguing storylines that continued to evolve last Sunday with news that Michelle Kwan withdrew from the competition, ending her quest for the gold medal that has eluded her. Replacing Kwan on the U.S. Team is Emily Hughes (Great Neck, N.Y.), younger sister of 2002 Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes. The competition also includes U.S. National Champion and two-time World silver medalist Sasha Cohen (Corona Del Mar, Calif.), American newcomer Kimmie Meissner (Bel Air, Md.), Russian World Champion Irina Slutskaya, and Italian home-country heroine Carolina Kostner.

"I think the favorite coming in is Irina Slutskaya--she's completely embraced and adopted the new scoring system and has applied it to her skating and that's why she is now the dominant skater in the world," said NBC's figure skating analyst Scott Hamilton.

As for Sasha Cohen, Hamilton said, "Coming off last year's silver medal at the World Championships is a great confidence boost for her. Coming into these Olympic Games as a National Champion is another huge confidence boost for her and to see how much she has grown in the last four years is extraordinary. She's an amazingly beautiful artistic skater and what she's developed over the last four years is that killer instinct she needs to be competitive at the highest levels."

Chad Hedrick, Shani Davis, Joey Cheek and Derek Parra--four American gold medalists--race for gold in the men's 1500m speed skating competition. Chicago's Davis won the 1000m in Torino, becoming the first African American male to win an individual gold medal at a Winter Games. Houston's Hedrick, a former in-line champion, bested Davis' world record in November and won Torino gold in the 5000m.

Torino 500m gold medalist and 1000m silver medalist Joey Cheek told NBC's Jim Lampley, "Shani and Chad have been skating fantastic. We'll have myself, Shani Davis, Chad Hedrick, and Derek Parra, who won the gold medal in 2002, so four American gold medalists competing in the 1500 meters. It's going to be exciting. I think if you're going to watch one speed skating race during the Olympics this is probably the one you want to watch."

Highlights for Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2006, include:

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21

NBC

4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Nordic Combined--Sprint Gold Medal Final: Ski Jumping--K125-Large Hill Jump Cross Country--7.5km

8:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Figure Skating--Ladies Short Program Speed Skating--Men's 1500m Gold Medal Final Bobsled--Women's Gold Medal Final Freestyle Skiing--Women's Aerials Competition

12:05 a.m.-1:30 a.m. The Olympic Tonight Show with Jay Leno Figure Skating--Ladies Short Program Analysis Medals Plaza--Awards Ceremonies

1:30 a.m.-5:00 a.m. Primetime Replay

USA

6:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. Biathlon--Men's Relay Gold Medal Final

2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Hockey--Men: USA (1-2-1) vs. Russia (3-1-0) (LIVE)

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

MSNBC

5:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Hockey--Men: Latvia (0-3-1) vs. Kazakhstan (0-4-0) (LIVE) Men: Switzerland (2-1-1) vs. Italy (0-3-1) (LIVE) Men: Finland (4-0-0) vs. Germany (0-2-2) (LIVE) Men: Canada (2-2-0) vs. Czech Republic (2-2-0) (LIVE) Men: Sweden (3-1-0) vs. Slovakia (4-0-0) (LIVE)

CNBC

5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Curling--Tiebreaker (if necessary)

UNIVERSAL HD

5:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Hockey--Men: Latvia (0-3-1) vs. Kazakhstan (0-4-0) (LIVE) Men: Switzerland (2-1-1) vs. Italy (0-3-1) ( (LIVE) Men: Finland (4-0-0) vs. Germany (0-2-2) (LIVE) Men: Canada (2-2-0) vs. Czech Republic (2-2-0) (LIVE)

2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Hockey--Men: USA (1-2-1) vs. Russia (3-1-0) (LIVE)

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Primetime):

Tonight the ladies' figure skating competition begins as the ice princesses of the Torino Games skate into the spotlight in a competition full of intriguing storylines that continued to evolve last Sunday with news that Michelle Kwan withdrew from the competition, ending her quest for the gold medal that has eluded her. Replacing Kwan on the U.S. Team is Emily Hughes (Great Neck, N.Y.), younger sister of 2002 Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes. The competition also includes U.S. National Champion and two-time World silver medalist Sasha Cohen (Corona Del Mar, Calif.), American newcomer Kimmie Meissner (Bel Air, Md.), Russian World Champion Irina Slutskaya, and Italian home-country heroine Carolina Kostner.

The gold medal favorites in the men's 1500m are two of America's newest speed skating stars and Torino gold medalists--Chicago's Shani Davis who won the 1000m, becoming the first African American male to win an individual gold medal at a Winter Games, and Houston's Chad Hedrick, a former in-line champion, who bested Davis' world record in November and won Torino gold in the 5000m. The USA's Joey Cheek, who won gold in the 500m and silver in the 1000m will also compete.

When women's bobsled made its Olympic debut in Salt Lake City, Alabama native Vonetta Flowers pushed her USA sled to victory and made history as the first African American athlete to win Winter Olympic gold. Flowers has since teamed with 2002 Olympic driver Michigan's Jean Prahm (formerly Racine), who made headlines for last-minute partner shifting in Salt Lake City and now returns to race for redemption--and a gold medal of her own.

Additionally, the USA's Emily Cook (Belmont, Mass.), who qualified for the 2002 Olympic team but was unable to compete after she severely injured both of her feet in a training accident just weeks before the Salt Lake Games, looks for redemption in Torino in the aerials competition.

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Daytime):

Colorado's Johnny Spillane won a surprise gold in the nordic combined sprint event at the 2003 World Championships with a resilient finishing kick. If he can recover from a shoulder injury in time, he'll attempt to become the first American to win an Olympic medal in this sport, which combines ski jumping and cross-country skiing.

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Latenight):

Olympic coverage continues with a breakdown of the Winter Games' most anticipated event, ladies figure skating, and look ahead to the free skate where gold will be decided.

USA HIGHLIGHTS:

Today's LIVE men's hockey lineup features a "Miracle on Ice" rematch between the USA and Russia.

MSNBC HIGHLIGHTS:

An Olympic showdown between the two most recent gold medal winning teams, Canada and Czech Republic is among the LIVE hockey coverage on MSNBC.

Highlights for Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2006, include:

Wednesday, February 22

NBC

4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Snowboarding--Men's Parallel Giant Slalom Competition Cross Country--Men's Sprint Gold Medal Final

8:00 p.m.?11:30 p.m. Alpine Skiing--Women's Slalom Gold Medal Final Freestyle Skiing--Women's Aerials Gold Medal Final Speed Skating--Women's 1500m Gold Medal Final Snowboarding--Men's Parallel Giant Slalom Gold Medal Final Short Track--Women's 3000m Relay Gold Medal Final Men's 500m Competition Figure Skating--Ladies Preview

12:05 a.m.?1:30 a.m. The Olympic Tonight Show with Jay Leno Cross Country--Women's Sprint Gold Medal Final Medals Plaza--Awards Ceremonies

1:30 a.m.?5:00 a.m. Primetime Replay

USA

8:00 a.m.?2:00 p.m. Curling--Women's Semifinal (LIVE) Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal (LIVE)

3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal (LIVE)

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

MSNBC

10:00 a.m.?1:00 p.m. Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal (LIVE)

2:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal (LIVE)

CNBC

5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Curling--Men's Semifinal

UNIVERSAL HD 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal (LIVE)

3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal (LIVE)

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Olympic Ice

Midnight-3:00 a.m. Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal

3:00 a.m.-5:30 a.m. Hockey--Men's Quarterfinal

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Primetime):

Alpine skiing's female superstars, Janica Kostelic of Croatia and Anja Paerson of Sweden, engage in another snowy gold medal showdown in the slalom, the sport's most technically demanding event.

China has ruled the skies in women's aerials skiing of late, led by reigning world champion Li Nina, a former competitive acrobat who will attempt to become China's first ever Olympic champion in a skiing event. Also watch for the USA's Emily Cook (Belmont, Mass.), who qualified for the 2002 Olympic team, but was unable to compete after she severely injured both of her feet in a training accident just weeks before the Salt Lake Games.

Jennifer Rodriguez, the Cuban-American speed skater who Bob Costas nicknamed "Miami Ice" in Salt Lake, won two medals at the 2002 Games and skates today in the 1500m, her best event, against a loaded field, including Germany's Anni Friesinger and Canada's Cindy Klassen.

Seattle's Apolo Anton Ohno skates in his sport's fastest race, the 500m, in pursuit of a chance to add to his growing collection of Olympic medals.

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (DAYTIME):

Cross-country skiing is typically about endurance and tactics--but today it's about speed as skiers sprint for Olympic gold.

NBC HIGHLIGHTS (Latenight):

Cross-country skiing is typically about endurance and tactics--but today it's about speed as skiers sprint for Olympic gold.

USA & MSNBC HIGHLIGHTS:

Welcome to a hockey fan's dream: LIVE coverage of the eight best teams in the world in four scintillating match-ups where only the winners will advance to play for a medal.

LIVE curling coverage on USA as the women's competition reaches the semifinals. Sisters Cassie and Jamie Johnson (Bemidji, Minn.) led Team USA to silver at the 2005 World Championships, and will try to slide and sweep their way to the Olympic gold medal final.

Listings subject to change, please check NBCOlympics.com for updates.