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Shelley Osterloh Reporting Tonight in Olympic viewing it's freestyle aerials, one of the most popular events at the Olympics. Only one American athlete made it into the finals and he lives in Utah.
We're talking about Jeret Peterson, also known as "Speedy."
He has come up with his own line of Speedy clothes, which he sells online. He's got the hat and belt buckle. He says it's also a way for him to connect with his fans. And he's done plenty of that through the air waves, on TV, and through email.
We sat down at the free internet computer at the USA house. Speedy says that email is the best way for he and other athletes to comunicate, because they travel and train in so many different time zones.
"Speedy" Peterson, U.S. Freestyle Aerialist: "I can send it to somebody, a friend or family member, and wish them well, that kind of stuff. So they can see my face and hear my voice rather than just talking on the phone or sending an email. That way they get a real feel for how I'm doing, see if I'm nervous or see if I'm stressed out, that kind of stuff. Or tell them that I'm genuinely doing well and having a great time."
Speedy's from Boise, but has mostly grown up in Park City, living and training at the Utah Olympic Park. It all leads up to tonight.
Speedy spent the first week in Torino with The Today Show, doing things like dancing in one of the night clubs with Katie Couric. But now he is getting down to business as the only American to compete in freesytle aerials.
The Hurricane is likely to be the toughest jump out there-- three flips and five twists, with three of the twists on the middle summersalt.
"Speedy" Peterson: "That's the whole reason I call it the Hurricane, is because once you start the jump, you get completely lost. And the only way you are able to tell where you are is when your feet touch down."
A complicated jump that, done well, just might land him on the podium. But still, he says it's okay if it doesn't.
"Speedy" Peterson: "People feel if you don't come home with a gold medal, you haven't won. And that's so not true. For me, if I get first or I get last, I'm going to come home a winner as long as I know that I tried my hardest and I did my best."
