Risk taker gets it done at Cypress Mountain...

How many of us take risks and are awarded for our efforts?

And to go a little bit further, how many of us take a risk and go for it all when we're 50 feet above the earth on a set of skis forced to do a thing called a 'Hurricane' and then land on a dime on a snow-packed surface?

Not too many, I would think.

In fact, I can think of only one. His name: Jeret "Speedy" Peterson. On his final jump, the gusty USA Olympian did what the other 23 contenders couldn't do at Cypress Mountain last night and that was to rocket off a snow-covered ramp, go straight up in the air, do three somersaults and five twists -- all within three and half seconds, and then land on his feet with his hands held high in the air and a big smile on his face. That's exactly what Peterson accomplished.

The payoff: A silver medal for him and the United States at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C. Peterson's performance at the Men's Aerials event helped Team USA lengthen its lead over Germany in the overall medal count. The USA has 32 medals -- six ahead of Germany. Norway is in third with 19 medals, while host Canada is fourth with 17, as all the Olympians head into the final two days of competition.