The XX Winter Olympic Games are in full swing in Torino, Italy, with athletes from around the globe vying to bring home the gold. Back at home, those in the dating game face equally stiff challenges the difficulty in meeting the right people, synchronizing overfilled calendars to schedule a date, and creating that medal-winning first impression.

Although Im in a long-term relationship and thus have removed myself from the competition, I understand the hurdles faced by those in the dating game. As the founder of lunchSpark (www.lunchSpark.com), an online lunch networking and dating community, Im trying to bridge the gap between the virtual and real worlds. The site is equal parts meet-and-greet and restaurant reviews, and moves ahead of traditional online network and dating sites by taking the connection to the next level: meeting over lunch. When it comes to dating, lunch is a fun, casual way to connect, without the stress of traditional evening dates.

Just as every Olympic athlete has a unique approach to his or her chosen sport, those in the dating game have their own strategies for coming up a winner. The following quiz will help you define your style in the Dating Olympics.

Select the one answer for each question that most reflects your feelings.

1. Does the concept of speed dating a round robin where you spend three minutes with each of 20 potential dates appeal to you?

a. Sure! Its a great way to immediately know whether or not you click with a potential date

b. No way! I cant get a sense of who a person is in only three minutes.

c. Definitely! I know exactly what Im looking for, and speed dating would let me compare each person to my mental checklist.

a. I have nothing to lose, and Im intrigued by the mystery of a blind date.

b. I love the unexpected, and can always find a way to have fun on a blind date.

c. I cant stand blind dates. I want to be the one to choose who I go out with.

a. Dinner I like the variables and the open-ended nature of an evening out

b. Coffee A coffee house is a great place to start a conversation that can last anywhere from a few minutes to more than an hour.

c. Lunch I like knowing what to expect, and the beauty of a lunch date is that is has a finite beginning and end.

a. I love to date and have been on dates with at least a dozen different people.

b. I havent gone on many traditional dates, but have met lots of fascinating people in a variety of settings.

c. Ive gone on several first dates and have had a great time, but things havent worked out in the long term.

Scoring: Add up the number of times you chose answer a, answer b, and answer c. The letter you chose most often corresponds to your style in the Dating Olympics:

A - Downhill Racer: You hurl down the proverbial dating mountain with a devil-may-care attitude. Your goal isnt to establish a long-term relationship; rather, your enjoyment comes from the thrill of the chase. By trying to beat the clock to the finish line, the dating games Downhill Racer sometimes misses the scenery along the way. By all means, enjoy the ride. But be sure that you see the people you date as individuals.

B - Halfpipe Hopeful: Just like a snowboarder dropping into the halfpipe, your approach to dating is laid back. You value both substance and style, and take the time to get to know your dates. Your bottom line, though, is having fun. Its true that dates shouldnt be work; they should be fun. At the same time, the tendency of Halfpipe Hopefuls to hang out and have a good time can hurt their chances of building a solid long-term relationship. There comes a time when you have to make a commitment, or the good ones will get away.

C - Ice Dancer: An Olympic figure skater must control every element of his or her program, and each movement is carefully orchestrated. Your efforts to control your dating experience can serve to protect you both emotionally and physically, but youre a person, not a machine. Strong boundaries are crucial for a successful dating experience, which is why meeting for lunch can make for a perfect first date. Check out lunchSpark (www.lunchspark.com), relax over lunch, and youll open up and allow yourself to shine.

Charles Tran

Charles Tran is the founder of lunchSpark, a free site to help people meet new lunch buddies at recommended restaurants across the U.S. and Canada.

Whether you're seeking a lunch date in your hometown or on the road, lunchSpark lets you search member profiles and restaurant reviews for both the right person and right place.

For more information, visit lunchSpark.