Estonia at the 2006 Winter Olympics

Infobox Olympics Estonia
games=2006 Winter
competitors=28 (19 men and 9 women)
sports=6
flagbearer=Eveli Saue (biathlon)
gold=3
silver=0
bronze=0
total=3
rank=12

Estonia sent 28 athletes to the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy [ [http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/torino2006/athletes?lname=all&country=est&sport=all Yahoo! Sports - Athletes - Estonia] ] . Half of them competed in cross-country skiing, where Estonia won all of their three Turin Olympic medals [ [http://www.nbcolympics.com/countries/5056746/detail.html NBC Olympics - Country Detail - Estonia] ] . Olympic champion Andrus Veerpalu participated on his 5th Winter Olympics.

Medalists

Gold

* Andrus Veerpalu — Cross-country skiing, Men's 15 km classical interval start
* Kristina Šmigun — Cross-country skiing, Women's 15 km (7.5km + 7.5km) pursuit
* Kristina Šmigun — Cross-country skiing, Women's 10 km classical interval start

At the 1968 Winter Olympics, Italy won 4 gold medals and no silver or bronze medals. Estonia was one gold medal away from matching the record with the 3 gold medals won in cross country.

The 2006 Estonian Olympic Team

Estonian Olympic Committee sent 28 athletes and 30 representatives to those games. ; Representatives
NOC representatives were president Mart Siimann and secretary Toomas Tõnise. Estonian team representatives were delegation head: Martti Raju, press attaché Sven Sommer, Kristjan Oja in biathlon, Tiit Pekk in cross-country skiing and Gunnar Kuura in figure skating.

; Team coaches
Kenneth Ellis - alpine skiing, Raini Pohlak and Hillar Zahkna - biathlon, Mati Alaver and Anatoli Šmigun - cross country skiing, Anna Levandi and Ardo Rennik - figure skating, Toomas Nurmsalu - nordic combined, Hillar Hein - ski jumping.

Biathlon team: Egert Ispert and Tiit Orlovski biathlon service team, Margo Ool - biathlon massage therapist.

Cross-country skiing team: medical doctors and therapists ( Tarvo Kiudma, Mihkel Mardna, Lauri Rannama, Meelis Albert) and service team (Margo Pulles, Peep Koidu, Kristjan-Thor Vähi, Are Mets, Magne Myrmo, Eero Bergman, Michael Hasler, Urmas Välbe, Oleg Ragilo, Raul Seema, Assar Jõepera).;VIP guests
*Arnold Rüütel - the President of the Republic of Estonia,
*Andrus Ansip - the Prime Minister of Estonia,
*Raivo Palmaru - the Minister of Culture,
*Urmas Paet - the Foreign Minister.

;Judges
Kalju Valgus in biathlon.

;Press

Gunnar Press, Jaan Martinson, Tarmo Paju, Mati Hiis (SL Õhtuleht), Andrus Nilk, Risto Berendsen, Tiit Lääne, Marko Mumm (Eesti Päevaleht), Veiko Visnapuu, Deivil Tserp, Priit Pullerits, Raigo Pajula (Postimees), Raul Ranne (Eesti Ekspress), Enn Hallik (Pärnu Postimees), Sulev Oll (Maaleht), Marko Kaljuveer, Lembitu Kuuse, Ivar Jurtšenko, Helar Osila, Anu Säärits, Tauno Peit, Teet Konksi, Valeri Tiivas (Eesti Televisioon), Tiit Karuks, Tarmo Tiisler, Erik Lillo, Hanno Tomber (Eesti Raadio), Margus Uba (European Broadcasting Union).

;Estonian team at the opening ceremony
Flag bearer: Eveli Saue (biathlon)
*Athletes: Eveli Saue - biathlon and Tiiu Nurmberg - alpine skiing
*Representatives: Hillar Zahkna, Raini Pohlak, Egert Ispert, Margo Ool, Gunnar Kuura, Ardo Rennik, Kenneth Ellis, Mart Siimann, Toomas Tõnise and Sven Sommer.

Results by event

=

;Men's giant slalom:

;Women's slalom:

=

Men's large hill (K120) individual

Men's normal hill (K90) individual jump

Estonian 2006 Olympic Books

*Indrek Schwede - XX taliolümpiamängud. Torino 2006. Tallinn, Inreko Press, 2006.(ISBN: 9985-9666-0-0) et icon
*Gunnar Press - Torino 2006. XX taliolümpiamängud. Tallinn, Ajakirjade Kirjastus, EOK, Postimees, SL Õhtuleht, 2006 et icon

References