Olympics-Figure skating-Americans hit Vancouver jackpot

VANCOUVER Feb 12 (Reuters) - After being hit by "Snowmageddon" and being forced to change their travel plans 12 times, Olympic silver medallist Benjamin Agosto feels like he has already hit the jackpot simply by arriving in Vancouver.

"We feel we've got the hardest part of this experience out of the way," Agosto, hoping to go one better in the ice dance competition with partner Tanith Belbin, told reporters on Friday.

"We were in Philadelphia with several feet of snow and we were able to plough our way to the rink to get our practice in.

"We were booked on 12 different flights in the last couple of days with flights being cancelled, delayed. But we made it," the American grinned as he punched the air in delight with both fists.

Belbin added that the snowstorms that have crippled eastern United States over the past couple of weeks, and led President Barack Obama to dub it "Snowmageddon", proved to be a welcome distraction in the build-up to the Vancouver Games.

"We also had other difficulties because our costume maker is in Brooklyn and she was trying to drive to us to deliver our tango and original dance costumes," the 25-year-old said.

"She was driving out on Tuesday and then called us halfway there and said 'I can't deal with the snow, I'm turning back'. Then on Wednesday, no one was moving as it was just snowed in. Then Thursday, finally one of her assistants got a train to Philly.

"So there were a lot of complications but in the end it helped us as it took our minds off what was coming up."

Following such a fraught build-up to what could turn out to be her last Olympics, Canadian-born Belbin was delighted to see that flamboyant team mate Johnny Weir had laid out a laid on the creature comforts for her in the athletes' village, where they will be rooming together.

"I feel very lucky. I've only been in the room for five minutes but it smells amazing, which he claims smelt like a wet dog when he moved in," Belbin said.

"It's beautiful and he has Audrey Hepburn posters up and motivational quotes on the wall and he setup my bedroom and put all my clothes away in the closets. I definitely feel really well taken care of."

For Belbin, who switched allegiance to the U.S. just before the 2006 Games, competing in Vancouver has an added poignancy as it is the city where her skating career took off.

"Vancouver has in a way brought me full circle. My first national competition (as a Canadian) was in Vancouver. Our first world championships together were in Vancouver and now possibly our last Olympic Games will be in Vancouver. It makes sense to be back here and feels good to have family nearby," she said.

(Editing by Miles Evans; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)