America's top skiers and snowboarders are Vancouver Bound, headed for the world's biggest sporting event that occurs every four years this February. They head to Vancouver with goals, dreams and aspirations, following in the footsteps of U.S. athletes who have established a legacy of Olympic success since the Winter Olympics began in 1924. Here's another story of a great American Olympian whose accomplishments captivated the world as only an Olympic medal can do.

After a medal-less 1968 Olympics in Grenoble for the U.S. Ski Team, the 1970's dawned on a new age for the sport. Metal skis and buckled boots brought broader popularity to skiing from coast-to-coast. New resorts, like Vail, were springing up and the Olympic Winter Games went to Asia for the first time. The world saw towering alpine peaks on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, as the Olympics came to Sapporo.

The eyes of America were on a family from Vermont, the Cochrans. Mickey and Ginny's kids loved skiing. So, in 1961, he built them their own ski run outside their new home in Vermont. The 1972 Team was stacked with Cochrans: Bobby, Marilyn and Barbara Ann (Lindy would make her Olympic debut in 1976).

It had now been 20 years since an American had own gold. But there were no real expectations that would change given the strength of the French women. Midway through the Games, American Suzy Corrock came through with bronze in the downhill. Then, on closing day of the Games, it was Barbara's turn.

Heavy snow was falling on the slalom course. Cochran had drawn bib number one and battled into the lead. But her early start meant a later start on the second run, on a course that was rapidly piling up speed-sucking snow. She charged hard onto the course knowing the challenge that she faced. But the snow never phased her.

As she crossed the finish line, she knew in her heart she had skied a great run. But was it enough? Soon she glanced into the stands and saw the Americans burst into cheers. At that point, she knew. She had become an Olympic champion!

Her margin of victory was a mere two-hundredths of a second – a record that would stand for 26 years until Picabo Street won the super G by just a hundredth. Barbara Ann has spent a lifetime as a school teacher, as well as coaching and serving as an ambassador to kids for the sport her family loved.

America's top skiers and snowboarders are Vancouver Bound, headed for the world's biggest sporting event that occurs every four years this February. They head to Vancouver with goals, dreams and aspirations, following in the footsteps of U.S. athletes who have established a legacy of Olympic success since the Winter Olympics began in 1924. Learn more about the great accomplishments of American skiers and snowboarders at www.usskiteam.com/vancouverbound. And to help support today's Vancouver Bound U.S. Ski Team - athletes who have made a lifetime commitment to their sport - you can join the new U.S. Ski Team Fan Club.