Good Luck from Ski Town U.S.A.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - Nearly 6,000 Olympic fans were on hand in Steamboat Springs Friday evening to send off the U.S. Olympic Team from Ski Town U.S.A. Around 30 Olympians were on hand, including the entire U.S. Olympic Moguls Team, which is training in Steamboat, and the Olympic Nordic Combined Team which flew in just for the occasion from its camp in Utah.

The traditional Olympic sendoff from the community that has more Winter Olympians than any other in America literally closed down Steamboat Springs. The town's main street, Lincoln Avenue, was closed with a huge stage, big screen TV and trampoline show.

The hour-long festivity was followed by a downtown stroll where Olympians signed autographs in local businesses. Huge lines formed for World Champions Johnny Spillane (Steamboat Springs, CO) and Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY) and Brett Camerota at Vectra Bank. Four-time Olylmpic moguls skier and World Champion Ann Battelle signed in High Country Sotheby's, while nordic combined skiers Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO), Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) and Olympic Coach Dave Jarrett were in the Smokehouse. Olympic bronze medalist Nelson Carmichael signe in Off the Beaten  Path Bookstore while Steamboat's own Billy Kidd was in Steamboat Ski and Sport.

Steamboat Springs has a roster of around 75 Olympians from the popular Colorado mountain town.

"This is a source of great pride to our community of Steamboat Springs," said Steamboat Ski Corp. Vice President of Sales and Marketing Andy Wirth. "It means a lot to have all of these great Olympians join us for a sendoff to Vancouver."

Athletes leave for Vancouver later this weekend, with the men's downhill in Whistler Creekside and women's moguls at Cypress Mountain kicking off the Olympics Saturday, February 13. The highly-touted nordic combined squad gets its first medal opportunity Sunday, February 14.