These Are the California Athletes Chasing Gold

As the Olympic Winter Games commence in Pyeongchang, South Korea from February 9 thru 25, we’ll be watching from across the Pacific rooting on our U.S. athletes, particularly those who hail from right here in California. The Sacramento Bee compiled a list of all the California contenders vying for a spot on the medals podium. Here are a few highlights:

Figure Skating

Karen Chen
Hometown: Fremont
Instagram: karebearsk8
Twitter: @Karebearsk8

A post shared by Karen Chen (@karebearsk8) on Jan 15, 2018 at 9:38am PST

Chen, 18, has been ice skating since she was 4. This is her first Olympic appearance.

Adam Rippon
Hometown: Los Angeles
Instagram: adaripp
Twitter: @Adaripp

A post shared by Adam Rippon (@adaripp) on Dec 29, 2017 at 10:43am PST

This is the first Olympic bid for the 28-year-old, who was an alternate in 2010. He’s the first man to win consecutive World Junior titles (2008-09).

Bobsled

Nick Cunningham
Hometown: Monterey
Instagram: BOBSLEDR
Twitter: @BOBSLEDR

A post shared by Nick Cunningham OLY (@bobsledr) on Jan 16, 2018 at 6:10pm PST

This will be the 32-year-old’s third Olympic appearance. His highest Olympic finish in both the four-man and two-man events is 12th place.

Ice Hockey

Jonathon Blum
Hometown: Ladera Ranch
Twitter: @JonBlum7

Blum, 28, is the first California native to be selected in the first round of the NHL draft, going 23rd overall in 2007 to the Nashville Predators. The first-time Olympian is now playing in the seven-country Kontinental Hockey League.

Snowboarding

Jamie Anderson
Hometown: South Lake Tahoe
Instagram: jamieanderson
Twitter: @JamieAsnow

A post shared by Jamie Anderson (@jamieanderson) on Jan 26, 2018 at 9:05am PST

Anderson, 27, won a gold medal in slopestyle four years ago in Sochi. In 2006, she became the youngest Winter X Games medalist, winning a bronze in slopestyle at age 15.

Shaun White
Hometown: Carlsbad
Instagram: shaunwhite
Twitter: @shaunwhite

A post shared by Shaun White (@shaunwhite) on Jan 30, 2018 at 6:39pm PST

The most famous of this year’s California Olympians is competing in his fourth Games. White, 31, has two gold medals in halfpipe (2006, 2010) and is a star in the X Games as a skateboarder and snowboarder.

Chloe Kim
Hometown: Torrance
Instagram: chloekimsnow
Twitter: @chloekimsnow

A post shared by Chloe Kim (@chloekimsnow) on Jan 29, 2018 at 11:24am PST

The 17-year-old is heading into her first Olympic games. She has three gold medals in X Games halfpipe competitions.

See the full list of athletes here.