"can i help you, sir?"

This is the Swoon List, Winter Olympics edition.

It’s no secret how much I love sports. But there’s something about the Olympics in particular that really gets to me. It’s the competition. The camaraderie. The stories of struggles and triumphs from the athletes. It’s all very inspiring to me. Watching a compelling athletic performance can bring me to tears like Steel Magnolias never could.

So yes, I’ve been looking forward to tonight’s opening ceremonies for a while. I might profile a few specific athletes next week, but today’s Swoon List is made up of women who perform one of my favorite winter sports – snowboarding! I like to believe in my heart that if I were ten years younger, two knees and one back better, I’d be hurtling myself down that halfpipe, too. Or at least wearing some of those clothes.

You’re incredibly talented, you’re hot, you’re bad ass, and you work your asses off to be the best in the world, ladies. Welcome to the Swoon List, Gretchen, Hannah, Lindsey, Kelly and Elena.