Day 15, Part 1 Winter Olympics

portions of the UK, the south and east staying

The last of 12 new events in the games, snowboarding's Parallel

Slalom exits debut. -- makes its debut.

The women's marathon, 30 kilometres of racing on skinny skis and we

could be in for another classic jewel between Bjorgen file check. --

and Koval check. Britain's first man to win a winter

Olympic medal of any colour, Dave Murdoch and his team have buoyed

everybody up with their curling silver.

It wasn't quite the curling grand finale we had hoped for, but we are

not complaining. Dave Murdoch said silver is still supercool, after his

mental were rather outmuscled by the Canadians -- his men.

There is a perception about curling that it is a genteel sports, it

stands out from the rest of the Olympic events, but make no mistake.

On their, in the ice, this is going to be a battle.

In David Murdoch we have a leader who has been defeated before, both

in jewellery and Vancouver, it ended badly, but he believed this was his

high. We also know these chances don't come along very often.

Putting so much work with these guys, it is a dream come true, we

are going to do everything we can, fight till the last.

Do you go through the same torture everybody else does?

I have been watching this for 20 years with the family, I tend to be

the quieter one, maybe get packages near the end. I don't get too

excited. He is an amazing skip, and amazing leader.

He leads the others on, and drives them to be the shots they do.

Then ultimately that is curling, it comes down to him.

That is when I started get a wee flutter.

The first end was dramatic, Canada at point line four.

COMMENTATOR: What a great shot! Fantastic shot.

The sweeper is watching it, they will guide it in, nice straw from

the Canadian skip, get their two in the first end. They do have the

early lead. Murdoch went straight into the

huddle, big smile. Cannot be that bad. Britain got one back in the

second. COMMENTATOR: It will be close. It is

not the two he wanted. Going to catch the guard. Oh, dear.

They need to work that hard to get past for instance. -- their own

stone. We have been hanging on, asking him to make a big shots, he

said he couldn't keep doing that. He has been trying to rescue his team.

Couldn't be going any worse. This has got to be right, he must get the

two here. He is looking to get an edge, it needs to move. Has it got

anything? It has got to turn quick enough to be able to catch that

Canadian stone. Stop there. Has he even got one? Move your head, can't

see. That was close. It is yet another little notch ratcheted up.

With one and to go before the break getting back on the board was

crucial. This should be good enough for one.

I think it is. Pretty close to a terrible start. It

is not the start we wanted. We really had to come out firing and

keep the score close. Is it all over? It is not over until the last

stone is thrown, there are ten ends to go. If we can get a two back here

and still a couple, just to get the scoreline tighter and put pressure

on Canada. We need to step up a gear and place the more shots.

Great Britain were really up against it. That is another two. A big gap

now. STEVE CRAM: this is a huge mountain

to climb. Not a lot of chances. Murdoch's men had the hammer, they

needed to score two to have any chance of getting back into the

game. That is sad. It has just been the

story of this Olympic final. 8-3 down, and Murdoch had very few

options. They have fought hard in this final

to try and resurrect something, get something going. It has been an

upsell struggle. -- uphill struggle. By Jacob sending out what could be

the last stone. -- Brad Jacobs. They will be 9-3 ahead. He just needs to

sit here. Canada lead 9-3. There is a discussion going on with the

British team. That visit. I don't see them finishing this. This is the

game over. Enough is enough. Brad Jacobs and his team the medallists.

Dave Murdoch and his team will reflect in the coming hours, on a

silver medal which was thoroughly deserved. HAZEL IRVINE: They have

just surfaced. We got to be pretty late, we thought

we deserved celebration. A great week, and enjoy the moment. I am

sure it was very well-deserved. When you look back on it all, does the

pleasure far outweigh the pain of defeat?

It does now. It was pretty tough last night, not the performance we

wanted, we believed we could get that gold, just had that bad start

or put us on the back foot. At the end of the day you look back, it has

been incredible. To come away with silver, it is something we have been

chasing for some time, great to get a medal.

You are chasing the game from the start. You played a brilliant last

stone to limit the damage. Unfortunately we didn't get our

stones in the right place. Against these boys, they can hit, once you

are done you never really clawing back. Was in the game we wanted but

we can still hold our heads high and we got our silver medal.

And you knew they just loved to hit, they were going to play a

hitting game all day. They are pretty well known for

that. We will always struggle to get back in when we are four down, but

we came down from four down against Denmark. Didn't gripe that the

stones in the right place and went further behind.

It was a fairly muscle-bound match. Some people felt it was fairly

intimidating, out there. Fair play to Canada for putting you through

that. Watching it from the sidelines, what was the feeling like

between the teams afterwards? You don't really say much, to be

honest. By the time you go through all the press and all that, and some

of them were drug tested as well, you don't see much of them. You

shake their hand, say well played, move on, do our own thing.

There was an interesting moment, will you auditioning early for the

charity curling calendar? It wasn't ideal, putting the wrong T-shirts

on. I was getting changed and I had the T-shirts we work around the

village, the same ones as we play in. I accidentally kept it on.

It was a very funny moment. We will always remember the progress

to the final, particularly the matches against Norway and Sweden.

Which was the better shot, the double against Norway or the draw to

beat the Swedes? I would definitely say the draw to be the Swedes in the

semifinal, get that medal. To be Norway, you get the chance to play

Sweden. We have had great shots throughout the week to put ourselves

in that position. And Dave, do you remember those

shots? Certainly be Norway one, this is do or die time, we got the call

right, just hope we have got the angle is correct and we did. When

you make a shot like that to go through to the semifinal, it is

spectacular. You one of three men that has taken

part in three games but for your rink here, this is the first time.

When you think about what you have achieved, what has it done for you,

increased the appetite for more? I think so. Right now we will enjoy

the silver medal, take a bit of time-out, and going forward,

certainly for myself I want to get back to the next Olympics and try

and do something special there. How do you capitalise on what has

been a fantastic time for curling, with a bronze for the women and the

sulphur for the men's, what can curling do to make sure it is

muscling in on the publicity? -- silver. A lot of rinks get people

through the door, there is a big uptake in people wanting to try it,

it is about capitalising on that I'm holding onto these people, getting

them to come back, it is difficult, because of the season. We are in

February, a lot stop in April because it is September until April.

You tend to lose them over the summer a little bit and come

September people have forgotten about it and moved on. It is about

capitalising on that, hopefully the governing body can come up with ways

and attract them and keep the people coming. You will be able to say that

your moment because you will receive your medals later. What will you

cherish from this campaign? There are so many great memories. Just

being here for the first day and taking everything in and seeing the

apartment and being around all of these other affiliates and then,

obviously, when in the semifinal and beating Norway. So many memories, we

cannot pinpoint just one. How different is this? How much of a

step up from the World Championship? It is massive, but we treat the sick

any other major Championship. We have been in the world finals and in

European medal matches but it is amazing to get away with that medal.

We are talking about the homecoming and is not only when you get home to

Aberdeen and Prestwick and sterling that you really will understand just

what is happening at home. Right now, I am probably the most talked

about person in Forfar. It is great to have the whole nation behind you

and we should really think the nation for that support. It has been

great, we have been on social media throughout and it has been

brilliant. It has. And you certainly deserve those accolades. There was

going to be you, Claire and Anna walking down the High Street in

Lockerbie with Olympic medals. Can you give us some idea of what that

will mean to your community? Incredible, for a small time like

that, it is great news. And the bad news that was in that time, such a

nice place and everybody has supported us. It was great to have

that support. The place has a lot of fond memories for me, a lot of good

people I will want to see and celebrate with. I am sure we shall

all join in. Can I just say thank you for everything you have done for

curling and Great Britain, it has been an absolute delight. Thank you

very much. And well played. Enjoy your silver medal. We shall head up

the mountain because we are back on the snow. We are going snowboarding.

This is one of the 12 new events for the Olympic Games, the parallel

slalom. The same as the parallel Giant Slalom but much tighter turns

and a lot more gates. Ed and Tim can take us through that. Welcome to the

Rosa could Extreme Park for the final day. A brand-new event.

Conditions could not be better? It was raining yesterday. But the sun

has come out and we have perfect visibility and all that moisture has

frozen so it is absolutely no proof. We must look at the Swiss. They will

be looking to double up. But there will be stiff competition. The

Russian is the current world champion. And on home soil in such

close proximity, she will be cheered home. Also the world, the Russian,

he has a chance to become the first to get gold in two games. The

Russians have had so much to cheer on. The red and the blue. The

fastest combined over both. It will be Fast and Furious and any mistakes

will be punished. This is snowboarding, the parallel slalom.

No tricks or judges, just speed. This is another brand-new chapter

four Olympic sport. We will join them live at the Extreme Park. We

are trying to your places for the quarterfinals and we have got Tim

and Edward and this could be another family affair? Gold in the Giant

Slalom, and his wife getting bronze in her event. They are up for it

again? She is in fine fettle. And lick wild, qualifying tomorrow --

this morning, they have looked brilliant. -- Vic Wild. They will

have to build a brand-new mantelpiece for all of those medals.

Out of the gates. 49 Micro closest to the camera. -- 49 Micro.

This course is just 380 metres long with a vertical drop of 80 metres

and is this long, flat section in the middle. And when you see the

riders coming over and you get that changing pitch, the temple also

changes and you have to be on your game. But is where we have seen a

lot of races won and lost. The number one seed. 75 Micro.

Looking very smooth. Did you see that? The riders are using their

boards like coiled springs. The diving into the turns on the nose

and as they come through the turn, they start shifting weight onto the

tail. And the accelerate so, six Micra.

That is a very good showing. We have seen some very tight racing so far.

It is incredibly stiff. Unlike all of the other freestyle disciplines,

you cannot I these snowboards in the shops. They are custom made.

Talking about those boards, you could not ride on these unless you

are of this standard. They are just so stiff and unforgiving. We have

talked about this, coming out of the start, it is very difficult to ride

them until you get up to full speed. It is like a superbike. So effective

in the parallel slalom. Neck and neck. There is a sense of holding

nerve. Not letting the pressure get to you. In your peripheral vision,

you can see your opposite number. And the desire to try to let it hang

out. Ina Meschik, just taking it easy. And a maximum penalty time...

That is 5% of the fastest qualifying time. If you come in half of the

second behind, you will only have that deficit. And that gate, the

second run, it will not open for 1.25 seconds, which can seem like an

absolute lifetime. Back up to the top. Heat number seven. Selina Jorg.

And Anke Karstens. The Germans will have done this so many times. Anke

Karstens is a police officer. She just missed out in Vancouver. She

will be desperate to rectify that. Straightaway. Selina Jorg, she is

building up a bit of a lead. Anke Karstens, this is so close. It

is like gamer image. Coming into the finish. Selina Jorg just takes it.

There is so much for the Germans to cheer here. Looking at it, of those

four riders, they are all on one side of the draw, so they will only

be able to get one of them into the final. That is a shame. Yes. The

second-fastest qualifier. 20 oh macro. Up against Natalia Soboleva.

-- Ester Ledecka. They will force the nose into the gate. And they can

spring out. That is a very good start from Natalia Soboleva. Ester

Ledecka, hitting form. That is close at the moment. Nice and soft. Ester

Ledecka just seemed to take care of that. And the tempo changes. She has

got more speed. She has got it! Six hundredths of a second ahead. This

crowd will be roaring when they go in for that second run. Both ladies

just 18 years old. The rising stars of Alpine snowboarding. I must say,

Ester Ledecka has been phenomenal this year. 15, 16, 17. That was in

2012. In this winter season, she has moved up in the parallel slalom,

second place. Giant Slalom, she is third in the world. That is very

impressive. And the junior in. On paper, she looks to be one of the

strongest. That was a masterclass. It is time for the men. Taking the

first run. Some names to look out for. Three tenths of a second lead

from Vic Wild. Absolutely phenomenal. You could not have

described any more perfectly. He had lightning for breakfast! He has just

looked absolutely phenomenal. His training partner was second placed

qualifier. Whatever these boys are doing, they are doing it right. So,

Vic Wild, out of the gate already. Bordering on embarrassing! It is

surgical. He is so fast on his tail. You must give it to Michael Lambert,

he is managing to sit with them. Beautiful transition. He was

airborne. He just makes that look so easy. The biggest deficit between

two riders when someone did not follow. Phenomenal from Vic Wild. He

definitely has a second gold medal in his sights. I think he has

sprinkled glass on his breakfast also! That was incredible, and we

talk about the control of the edge and the board pressure. Just

generating through the edge of that board. Just sitting down on the

short side of those gates. Looking so relaxed and the confidence he is

taking into each race, knowing he is winning this easily. We he has just

seen his wife go down and beat one of the top seeds so he is extremely

happy at the moment. Roland Fischnaller and Kaspar Flutsch. Both

of these men looking very quick, Smith, fluid through the turns.

Roland Fischnaller is very tall, but he is beautiful. You think he would

be more suited to Parallel Giant Slalom but he gets down and it

works. Kaspar Flutsch went wide and it really cost him.

He has looked good, Roland Fischnaller. For the big guy he can

whip his board around. His head and shoulders don't move outside the

gates that much, he is centred and level, just swinging his legs out.

Really nice technique. Not quite as surgical as Vic Wild. Very smooth,

nonetheless. Patrick Bussler and Rok Marguc. I

love those gloves he has got. He was looking really good in the Parallel

Giant Slalom until he fell over. He has looked good here. There is a lot

of pace from Patrick Bussler on the blue course. Onto this bottom pitch

now. The little mistake fare from Marguc and he has let Bussler back

in. That just goes to show, you can make any mistakes. If you make one

mistake, you get punished. Everything looks better

inflammation. -- slow motion. Trying to get as far forward as they can.

Diving for the line. Benjamin Karl of Austria against Andreas

Prommegger of Austria. They have just a strong showing in the men's

as the Germans have in the women's. Benjamin Karl and training Parallel

Giant Slalom champion. As we have seen with a German woman,

pretty much a mirror image. Benjamin Karl just a little way back on the

Redgate. A bit of a mistake from Benjamin Karl, Prommegger will

capitalise on that. It is only one slip and as the course softens up we

will see more and more mistakes. The groups will get deeper, difficult to

keep your age. All that awaits them underneath is concrete ice. You will

have slush and you will just bounce through the ice, not pleasant at

all. Andreas Prommegger, he has had to ninth places here. Another

Austrian, the old rivalry. Again Stefan Baumeister, the German.

Lukas Mathies, so far steak results. -- some fantastic results. Good

form. Really low in those terms. There is the tempo change. Beautiful

technique as he comes into the finish.

It barely looks like he broke a sweat. Such a short, intense course.

While they'll be steering using their weight, by bending your knees

together you can flex the snowboard. Rotating them out and pulling your

knees together, you can arc the radius of the board to a much

tighter circle. Even more so with these boards, because you have got

ski boots on. Simon Schoch of Switzerland on the

bread course. Aaron March of Italy on the blue course.

He will not have his brother for company in these eliminations

stages. He managed sometimes to say that. Incredible. How did he get

back up? That was ridiculous. Just took a little power nap of way down.

He drove out of the turn so hard he got airborne. Then he lay down on

his stomach, engaged his edge and stood back up again. Too much in the

back-seat, didn't go forward. It shows how stiff those boards.

Somehow he got back around that gate. Simon Schoch, who announced he

will retire after the event to date, he will struggle to get back

in that race, incredible save, regardless.

The man who leads the World Cup standings at the moment in the blue

course. Impressive start for both of them. The only Frenchman in this

elimination round. Nevin Galmarini, he looks like he is working a bit

harder. He is actually quite slight. He is out, Mr gate, disqualification

for him. -- he has missed a gate. He will take the full penalty time.

Nevin Galmarini, he has got one foot in the quarterfinals. Just a toe

left dangling. Second place qualifier, Zan Kosir, training

partner of Vic Wild, up against Jasey-Jay Anderson. Snowboarding has

been in the Olympics for five and a big cycles and he has been in all of

them. -- five Olympic cycles. Look at the speed and technique of the

Janklow say. -- Yann Kosir. He is back in, risking it. He came

right back into that and pushed him hard.

It is a little and just for Jasey-Jay Anderson. Having a little

fun as they arrived in the finish area. I was saying about Jasey-Jay

Anderson, you can see your man pulling away, you just want to let

loose on the turns, carry some speed. It snowballs, almost. You get

a bit faster, everything starts to dangle out a little bit more and

before you know it you make a mistake. To keep your head and think

I am not going to open it up. He did it well. Did any of that make sense?

We are back to the women now. If Katarina Witt

Look at that. She has it all to do now. She has got nothing to lose.

She has gone. Marion Kreiner just taking her time. I am not sure if

she missed a gate. Heartbreak for the Russian.

Marion Kreiner will advance. The bronze medallist from Vancouver, in

Parallel Giant Slalom, makes it through to the quarterfinals. The

only remaining medallist from Vancouver who is still in this

contest. Parallel Slalom is a new event for snowboarding at the games.

It is almost exactly the same field as we see for Parallel Giant Slalom.

Quite easy to cross over. Slightly different technique. You need to be

far more precise with your terms. Less margin for error. The course is

so much shorter you have got to be perfect, consistent all the way

down. A bit like squash and racquetball.

Claudia Riegler, seventh in Vancouver. She has got 100th of a

second to make up. Karina Boccacini of Italy. She is fired up, the

Italian. She has got so much internal rage she can channel. She

is like a caged animal. Claudia Riegler, lovely technique. They are

like a metronome at the moment, total symmetry. I am impressed with

Boccacini. Claudia Riegler, heartbreak. For a 40-year-old,

really wanted a little bit more success for her. I am sure she will

be very proud to have made it through to the eighth finals.

Disappointment she made it a bit further. She maybe would have hoped

to be battling it out for a medal, maybe. It is a shame. Karina

Boccacini, she walks away with that one. I don't know what happened

there, washed out on the ice. Either way she has gone down, it is

heartbreak for her. Back to the top. Alena Zavarzina,

only three weeks of a broken arm. Up against Julia Dujmovits. A great

start from the Austrian. She is in the lead, just slightly. Alena

Zavarzina is under pressure. They come onto the final section. Careful

with the mistakes. Whoever crosses the line first will go through. It

is the Austrian. The husband and wife team will not get to repeat

their medal winning performance from the Parallel Giant Slalom. That is a

shame. You have to say, the best lady was the winner. I would have

the same level of disbelief if I saw them do this twice, the first man

who find the duck billed platypus must have felt that way! That is not

real! So... The Russian who took bronze in the Giant Slalom loses out

to Julia Dujmovits. I always think of the first man to climb onto the

back of a wild horse! He was a brave man. Almost as brave as these.

Taking on this icy course. Tomoka Takeuchi. Silver medallist in the

Giant Slalom. Looking to take on Julie Zogg. From Switzerland. Tomoka

Takeuchi is the first Japanese female medallist in snowboarding.

She is on the blue course. And she is pulling away quite comfortably at

the moment. Julie Zogg on the blue course, actually. That little

mistake! That has let Tomoka Takeuchi in! Julie Zogg managing to

just hold her nerve. Tomoka Takeuchi must have seen she made that mistake

but she instantly did the same thing. It gets to that point of this

course because you come over that and the tempo changes and you settle

into that tempo and you think, because it slows down, you think, I

am going to slow. And you speed up again. And discipline goes out the

window and use bid up and on this lower part of the course, you just

need to keep that tempo slower because this is where mistakes have

been made. Those gates suddenly widen up. Your buildings so much

speed and you must slow things down. So, disappointment for Tomoka

Takeuchi, but she will go home with a silver medal. She is OK. She wants

another gold medal. But she has a deficit. Against the German, Amelie

Kober. Patrizia Kummer, early on on this course... The German is going

very well. However, just going wide, there. This is neck and neck. They

can see each other perfectly. I think Amelie Kober has got this.

Yes! She has got it. One tenth of a second separating them. It is not to

be for Patrizia Kummer, she was on the hunt for her record second gold

medal. By one woman in one Olympic Games. No woman has ever done this

in snowboarding before. Amelie Kober did what many people thought could

not be done and she took time the Swiss maestro. The current world

tour leader as well. That was so close! Amelie Kober has been looking

very good. If she can keep that going... She got a silver medal in

Jordan. A couple of good performances. Especially with those

parallel performances. Back to the top. The Austrian, Ina Meschik. Up

against Isabella Labock. Isabella Labock will take the maximum

penalty. This will seem like forever! The world will be going in

slow motion. She has got that advantage. And Ina Meschik will know

that she cannot take your foot off the gas but she might be able to

look in her her a few times. -- murder. -- mirror. She is looking

very good. Ina Meschik. Well, she is catching up. It will be very tight!

That was so unlucky! She made up one second on that run. If it was not

for that mistake on the first run, I think we would have a very different

outcome. As it stands, well... You have talked about this, it is much

easier to chase someone than to hold them back. When you have a target in

front of you, you have got something to aim for. Ina Meschik, Olympian

twice. Sixth place in Vancouver. Very strong moving forward. Back to

the top. Heat number seven. All-German. Anke Karstens. Against

Selina Jorg. Some shouting. Firing up. Selina Jorg, really good,

competing at a national level. Nothing in that. Selina Jorg, on the

blue course. Just in the lead, probably. That was a lovely couple

of turns from Anke Karstens. She has gone into the lead. That is a very

good technique and Selina Jorg is under pressure. Straightening up.

Two hundredths! You can hear just how much that means to Anke

Karstens. Oh my goodness! She sounds like she has just fined ?20 in her

pocket! -- find. -- found. She has not gone over to consult team-mate.

Well, it is the Olympics! This is the one that you do want to win. You

can see the discolouration of that snow, cutting through that. This

will be so tired. Look at this! You have to say, with that little bit

between them, I think that Selina Jorg was leaning back too far. I

think Selina Jorg preloaded to just spring out. And she just could not

get former. She was always in the back seat. She could not get any

more forward. I would do the Peter Pan! Just died for it. Ester

Ledecka. And Natalia Soboleva. They have shown so much form. Can Natalia

Soboleva get back into this? They have turned up the volume. And she

has responded. They drop into that finish. There was a little bit of a

wash from Natalia Soboleva. Scrubbing of some speed. That will

set up nicely. She just needs to settle down. You can hear the crowd.

They are going crazy! It has just gone for Ester Ledecka. She has had

so many good results this year. She has been building. And then first

twice coming into this event. So, Ester Ledecka wins that battle. And

there are only three more left between her and a gold medal. I

think that Natalia Soboleva was too cautious at the top. It was

literally those last two. That was all it was.

Disappointment for Natalia Soboleva. Ester Ledecka. Taking her breath.

That was pure disappointment that we were witnessing before. But it was

really. So, Marion Kreiner. Anke Karstens will face Ester Ledecka.

The quarterfinals coming up after the men's event. They have got the

second run. The first eight men to be eliminated. Another good crowd.

The last day of place will see. And confirmation of the quarterfinals.

This has been a great venue at the Extreme Park. We have had the

parallel slalom today. And the Giant Slalom as well. Slopestyle.

Halfpipe. Skiing and snowboarding. It has been pretty epic, to say the

least. What should happen here is Vic Wild should actually give

Michael Lambert a head start! It is just demoralising. Anything can

happen. This will be his biggest competitor, himself. He just has to

take stock and relax and ride like he knows he can. And on this form,

Vic Wild will be in the final. That is the first sporting cliche I have

heard you use! His biggest enemy will be himself! Look at that. An

absolute masterclass again. They have got a television at the start

gate and a lot of men will wonder how on earth they can beat Vic Wild.

The only man with a decent idea is as trainer. When they meet, it will

be like Rocky and Apollo Creed. How good is the end of Rocky II? Vic

Wild, the American who defected to Russia. Because the Alpine snowboard

programme is not good enough in America. He married for citizenship.

And he is competing in Sochi. He already has one gold medal. But most

smart for the Americans. When you consider the wrist not one American

in the elimination coming here. So, Kaspar Flutsch. Roland Fischnaller.

He is coming down this course like a piece of string moving from side to

side. Really nice style. Sitting on his back leg. Through some of those

turns. And Kaspar Flutsch might just get this? Only just got that! When

you consider that Kaspar Flutsch started behind. That was a

phenomenal performance by him. But 102 macro... The Swiss have got a

very good programme in place. -- Roland Fischnaller. This will be his

best Olympic performance today. 13, 18 and 19, dating back to Salt Lake

City. His Olympic dream is still alive at the moment. Roland

Fischnaller, he is a baby at only 32. Especially with advances in

medical science! David and Goliath! So, 100 and Aaron March. -- Rok

Marguc. That gate will open sewer. He knows what he has to do. Ash

macro slower. That was a very good start. Nothing between them. Rok

Marguc, his arms are down by his ankles. He looks like a monkey

swinging through trees. He is just so in control! Can you believe that?

He is back up and he has managed to keep his speed. He will just

hope... He is really clipping those gates. He looks over his shoulder

and celebrates the win. It is the pitch change, not just the timing of

the gates, that catches people out. They are not looking at the gate

they are about to write, they have already committed to it, so when

they are at the apex, they do react and they have two reactor, however

they have already set their turn so they'll already thinking about the

next gate. Any changes in the slow condition or the ice knocks them off

kilter. Patrick Bussler is another one who

is shining here. He hasn't made it past a round of 16 before. At the

Olympics, at least. He had shocking World Championships. Benny Karl and

Andreas Prommegger. Benny Karl, feels like he has been around for

ages, probably the most high profile of all the Alpine snowboarders. One

of the guys who made it cool within free cell snowboarding -- freestyle.

Put him on an Alpine board and he can do this. Benny Karl on that blue

course has made about deficit, they are neck and neck. This turn is

crucial. Prommegger made a mistake or stop it has cost him. He just

didn't get off that edge. That turn is so crucial, the last proper turn

on the course, the third gate from the finish line, the last one where

you need to be 100%. The last two you can get through, but that one is

crucial. Prommegger made the mistake. He is out.

It was too close to call until that point. That was it there. That

wasn't it. That was a mistake, though, there. Too much pressure on

his edge, board go sideways. It has cost him. He will be livid.

Prommegger and Benny Karl. Benny Karl on the right-hand side in that

incredible chrome helmet. Benny Karl will go through. At the expense of

Andreas Prommegger. Lukas Mathies fees against Stefan

Baumeister. Baumeister looking very fluid on

this red course. They are hard on the edge. He loses a lot of speed.

Now he has got to chase. He has got to Brescia. -- push here. Lukas

Mathies, just the easiest thing he has done. Crosses the line, job

done. The Austrians still have lots to cheer about. They have got Benny

Karl and Lucas Mathews through. -- Lukas Mathies.

We don't get a second count, we cannot see what the times are on the

runs. Interesting to see if anybody has been pushed past their

qualifying time. A simple event format. Whoever crosses the line

first on the second run, wins. He is relying on a mistake from

Aaron March. March, just like Roland Fischnaller. The Italians have

obviously got a very good Alpine programme in place. Just want to

hire. -- too hard. He went through that gate, didn't go around it, he

would have been disqualified. Disappointment for Simon Schoch,

both him and his brother, they are both out. No silverware in the

parallel giant slalom. Aaron March from Italy moves through. He will

make the top eight. Sylvain Dufour taking the maximum

penalty time. Galmarini out first. Sylvain Dufour

is the current leader in the World Cup standings, racing through,

desperate to try and rein in Galmarini. Oh, no! Sylvain Dufour

has gone again. He really was going ever so good. He has overcooked

that. He had to. He needed to leave it all out there, you are not going

to catch up with somebody unless you are flat out. There was always the

chance you will blow up. Get a good putt on the back from Sylvain

Dufour. -- pat on the back. Nevin Galmarini of Switzerland

advances to the quarterfinals. In our last of these finals Jasey-Jay

Anderson has to make up 0.32 against Zan Kosir. Jasey-Jay Anderson, the

most experienced Olympic snowboarder in the world. We saw him make up a

deficit in the first run, anyway, in order to get back. He stayed with

him so well. He has done really well in the top section. Zan Kosir has

kept that advantage. If Anderson keeps the pressure on, will he

crack? He can hear him right behind him. He will be getting glimpses of

him. He stays on his feet. He lost a little bit. Zan Kosir held his

nerve. Zan Kosir, this script is chasing up

nicely. He will be a sparring partner's master and apprentice. Zan

Kosir and Vic Wild train together. Jasey-Jay Anderson, Gold medallist

in Vancouver, and parallel giant slalom. Retired to go and make

snowboards. Decided he didn't like that quite as much is racing so came

back. Jasey-Jay Anderson, a great ambassador for snowboarding. An

incredible competitor. HAZEL IRVINE: We will be back in a

few moments. I bring you news that Lizzy Yarnold has been selected to

carry the flag for Great Britain at the closing ceremony tomorrow night.

It is well-deserved. As we look back on the scenes from just over a week

ago, this has been a life changing fortnight for her. She became Great

Britain's 10th winter gold medallist with that dominant performance in

the skeleton, so look out for her and the British team from 4pm

tomorrow afternoon at the start of the closing ceremony. I have been

looking through some of the briefing rates they have given us ahead of

the ceremony -- briefing notes, it looks a very entertaining programme.

It comes highly recommended. I am sure all the athletes will enjoy it.

We will go straight back to the snowboarding, the first time we have

seen the slalom in the Olympics for snowboarding. It is very enjoyable

but this course is rotting up a fair bit. And we have got all the

remaining races to come on the same course.

COMMENTATOR: The temperature is almost nine degrees. It is getting

very slushy. Not easy. Underneath that slush is rock hard ice. They

are struggling with the conditions. Right now we have Corinna Boccacini

of Italy up against Marion Kreiner of Austria. The first of the women's

quarterfinals, the first run. They have one run on each side of the

course. Marion Kreiner on the red gate looking tidy. Boccacini, she

has been an absolute beast. Boccacini has been gifted it here.

Marion Kreiner is out and all she has got to do is stay on her feet.

Good racing from the Italian. Marion Kreiner making the mistake. She will

take the full 5% penalty time for the second run. Just to go back to

the conditions, you were talking about how ratty it is getting,

slushy, they are on the best equipment for the ice. You cannot

get sharper edges. Just pick the right and watched the ball for the

entire race. To see the boards, and what it does and the way it flexes,

it is quite amazing. Well worth having a look.

You will be able to see the riders preloading the boards, almost like a

giant bow, and they use that to fire themselves out of every ten. They

are so unforgiving. Classic Alpine battle. Ancient

enemies in downhill skiing. Not that different in snowboarding, either.

Very close. Julia Dujmovits is going very nicely. But there is nothing

between them. Regular riders. For the first time, Julia Dujmovits is

slightly out in front. And Julia Dujmovits went wide! Look at that.

One tenth of a second. So, Julie Zogg just losing out. Well, Julie

Zogg made one or two mistakes but she was still able to keep within

touching distance. I really like that Swiss rider, she has got such a

fluid style and she is just good. You can see Julia Dujmovits bouncing

around. Just getting across first. That will be a very good match. If

you are looking at those bindings, they are called plate bindings. They

clip on just like ski boots. Underneath you can have that angled.

And they do not release like ski bindings. Ina Meschik up against

Amelie Kober, the woman who to guide the gold medallist, Patrizia Kummer.

And she is a favourite after qualifying in first place. I would

say that Amelie Kober is the woman with the target on her back. She has

looked really good and heroes well. Closest to the camera. -- here is --

here as well. You can see her body is really low. I would not be

surprised if property developers started getting in touch after

seeing the speed they can dig trenches in! Putting so much

pressure through those boards. Driving through those turns. So,

Amelie Kober going in front in this first run. And Ina Meschik will

start 19 hundredths of a second behind. Her gate will not open for

that time. But that does mean whoever crosses first in the second

run will go through to the next round. That is the simple way to

remember it. That third to last turn is so crucial. She was really loose.

So, Ina Meschik, still in good spirits. She has a bit of work to

do. Next up. The policewoman from Germany, Anke Karstens. Against the

18-year-old who has been in Saint leading form, Ester Ledecka. So,

they are on the course. Ester Ledecka in blue. She has already

taken only Russian. Anke Karstens is just dropping behind Ester Ledecka.

Managing to scrape a little bit of a lead. And Anke Karstens will know

that and we'll desperately tried to undercut that. -- we'll desperately.

Nothing in that again. 15 hundredths of a second. As you can see, it is

very easy, even with some of those very good riders, to reel in

hundredths of a second. That is what it is worth, that chasing syndrome.

You can see someone in front of you, that will give you that time over

the whole course. But one mistake... It is like the old arcade game.

Outrun. The car behind you was always faster. And if you are

behind, you will somehow managed to find more speed. From somewhere.

That is magic. Really nothing between them. That is quite amazing,

considering 28 gates. 350 metres of course. We can go back to the start

for the first run of the men. The graphics come onto the big screen

and the crowd is just roaring for Vic Wild. Coming down on the red

course. He will be able to hear them, every single one of them. But

will really fire him up. And you must really feel for Roland

Fischnaller, he has an absolute mountain to climb. The boy from

Washington State who lives in Moscow. Powering. Look at that

distance. It must be his wax? Maybe. Look at the way he has just killed

his speed coming onto this final part. Throwing himself! Get off the

course! That was a very reliable, well upheld protest, there. If

anything had gone wrong, the man in the yellow coat... Especially doing

that to a Russian on home soil! He would be shipped off to another

country. If he was from Georgia, there would be triple.

-- there would be problems. He is making that look so easy! That is so

difficult. Onto the nose, reloading and then shifting his weight onto

the tail. Just like pressing the accelerator and springing out of

upturn. If he put his nose down first, then the edging shifts all of

his weight onto his back leg. Immaculate technique. He is looking

good. Well. Roland Fischnaller is lapping this up because he knows it

will all be over when they raced down this course in about 30

seconds. Next up... Patrick Bussler against Benjamin Karl.

Benjamin Karl on the blue course. And Patrick Bussler with the gloves.

Benjamin Karl is one of the elder statesman and one of the bigger

winning alpine snowboard is out there. Lovely technique. We get the

impression that 18 macro... Just as I said that, he danced over that.

Patrick Bussler has been looking good in the parallel Giant Slalom.

This will be very close. Patrick Bussler. Nine hundredths of a second

behind Benjamin Karl. Patrick Bussler doing some very nice work. I

watched Benjamin Karl very well and he got some very good lines through

that end section. But Patrick Bussler was just very tidy. Properly

ripping that. Looking out of the window at just help busy the

technicians are, these ruts are really starting to build up. You can

see that discolouration in the snow. It has been browned off. Perhaps

there is some dust. You can see these white marks glaring through.

The quarterfinals. Heat number three. Lukas Mathies. And Aaron

March. The Italians have a very good showing in these semifinals.

Quarterfinals, excuse me. Will they have a very good showing in the

semifinals? Well... At the moment, Aaron March is doing his part. On

the blue course. Lukas Mathies is one of the top performers.

Desperately trying to stay in contact with Aaron March. Struggling

to get onto his heels. He was caught. His body was twisted and

that has cost him. Lukas Mathies, half of the second to make up. Let's

have another look at that. That is what cost him. He came out of the

corner with his shoulders twisting in the wrong direction and his legs

did not want to follow. Pretty funny with Aaron March, he took the term

road to Sochi quite literally and recycled from Italy all the to

Russia. He did that for the test event last. Not this year! He left

one week before! Breathless! I am here! OK, take a breath. Here we go.

Nevin Galmarini. Up against Zan Kosir. Whether he has two take --

has what it takes to overhaul Zan Kosir. His training partner is Vic

Wild, the fastest man on this mountain. At the moment, that looks

like it shall be confirmed by an Olympic gold-medal. But Nevin

Galmarini is struggling at the moment. Zan Kosir is clinical. That

is beautiful, just watching him. He is so clinical. I would let him

perform a face-lift on the! -- me. He will take that penalty. Zan Kosir

was looking so fluid. By the getting close to what Vic Wild is doing? The

dream final at the moment would be Zan Kosir and Vic Wild. They are

both making it look just so easy. Well, they have got the easiest

route. Ploughing through the lower seeds. The semifinals, it will start

to see a little bit of competition. There will be a challenge. There we

go, Nevin Galmarini losing it from the end. But 100 and 34 macro... The

Slovenian holding up his finger to say, one more race! -- Dimi de Jong.

No, he said, I am number one! So, that was the first run of the

quarterfinals. We are into the second run for the women. No letup

in the action here the Extreme Park. It is absolutely relentless. It just

keeps going. I'm sad to say that strictly is not true. This is the

final event. The debut of this event at the other pics. This will mark

the end of the snowboarding competitions at these games. And the

last event at the Extreme Park. So... Everyone is very keen to walk

away with some heavy metal. Marion Kreiner and Corinna Boccacini.

Corinna Boccacini can someone aggression can she? Marion Kreiner,

34 years old. With that maximum deficit. But she is reeling in

Corinna Boccacini. It is that chasing syndrome we have been

talking about. You can find that speed. This will really put the

pressure on. Corinna Boccacini is regular, she can see Marion Kreiner.

Marion Kreiner will not know if she is level? But that was a phenomenal

performance! Is that enough? No! The Italian does it! She was in the

lead. But somehow, look at the way... Judging by her aggression, I

would not have liked to be Corinna Boccacini! She is a monster! I want

to see her in the final. She is really looking good. Whatever she

lacks in technique, she makes up for in brute force and aggression.

Well, it works and that is what it is all about. It does not matter how

would looks, it is all about getting across that line. You just realise

how much work Marion Kreiner did. What a performance! She was almost

ahead. That was so close! Ridiculously close! Considering she

was 1.25 seconds behind. Corinna Boccacini. She has got a nice little

smile on her face. She turns it on for the race and then sweet as apple

pie once it is all over. That means we have lost the last of our

reigning Olympic medallists. Marion Kreiner. Bronze in Vancouver.

She has got a bit of work to do. She lost it right at the start. What a

shame. We have been talking about preloading the board, getting the

energy from the board, she has just had a dose of weak legs, she has

stood up and it has put her on to the back tale. When legs are tired

it is very easy to do that in snowboarding. Julia Dujmovits hasn't

taken her foot of the gas. Julia Dujmovits, the Austrian, will

advance to the semifinals. Look at the legs here. Like a much energy,

you have just got to have your legs turned on. When we start to get into

the business end your legs get tired. These boards will snap back.

Ina Meschik against Amelie Kober. Ina Meschik finds herself in the

unenviable position of having to chase Amelie Kober done this course.

Ina Meschik on the red gate 's closest to us. Rather than trying to

ride through those ruts, they are taking a slightly wider line, that

is enabling them to carve the board. You can keep that key speed up. I

think Ina Meschik is slightly in the lead. Too much on that last day. She

went to wide on the third to last gate, it is so important. We have

already seen mistakes made there. She went to white-collar -- she went

to wide, carrying too much speed. It is an intense 30 seconds of pure

snowboarding. Pure power. We talk about how difficult the snowboards

are to ride. They need so much energy powering into them.

Exactly the same, this is a Formula One of snowboarding. These boards

are just as hard to control and push properly as a Formula One car is to

drive. I don't know, I think I could write one of these better. I don't

think I could drive a Formula One car. They don't even work until you

get them up to about 90. Go and give it a test. I think the world speed

record on a snowboard is a snowboard is 112 mph. Anke Karstens up against

Ester Ledecka. Ester Ledecka has looked very fluid, elegant. Anke

Karstens using that frame perfectly. Ester Ledecka just clipping one of

the gates. It is a deceiving angle. Whoever is on the blue course, it

looks like they are in the lead. Anke Karstens well and truly in the

league. It is hers. Ester Ledecka. She lets out a scream, she cannot

believe it. Anke Karstens, a very serious competitor. We haven't seen

much consideration for anybody she has vanquished so far, not even her

fellow countrywoman. Interesting indicator, just to show you, I don't

think there was any love lost between the Germans in the eighth

finals. Karstens was against Selina Jorg. That is one of the best ways

to see who is ahead because you can see where they are in the timing of

the ten. -- turn. We don't have any control over the cameras. I would

like a few more of those shots. Anke Karstens, ecstatic without victory,

and a place in the semifinals. -- with that victory. Confirmation in a

moment of Gucci will be facing. -- who she will be facing. Anke

Karstens will go against Amelie Kober, her countrywoman. We are

guaranteed a German in the final. The rage in Boccacini will carry her

through to the final. It will be very interesting. The German gold or

silver. They know they have got it. They should all get medals give them

all one. Then they are not special. You are 315 times more likely to win

the lottery than a gold medal. Is that true? Torah Bright hobby that,

her coach had waited out. You are 650 times more likely to be crushed

by a shark... Now you are being silly. Put your nose against the

wall. Men's quarterfinals. The masterclass will continue. Four

tenths of a second for Roland Fischnaller to wake up -- make up.

His technique is nowhere near as effective as this man. Fish and

Allah is staying with him. -- Roland Fischnaller. Vic Wild is human after

all. It will be very close. He caught the gate. Roland Fischnaller

could not hold on. Vic Wild, getting a little bit wild. He let it go a

little bit loose. He is shaking his head, he thought it was close. It

was close. He ended up going completely sideways, just somehow

managed to put his edge down. Strong legs there. My goodness. Was that a

bit of a false start from him as well?

They really have found a hero in Vic Wild. He is making this look so

easy, nobody is expecting any mistakes. If he can do this, pull of

two gold medals, literally pick the flavour of cereal you want your face

on the box of, because he will be a megastar. Two gold medals,

incredible. What a feat. As a husband and wife team they will be

Richard and Judy before they know it, surely. Alena Zavarzina, the

bronze medal from parallel giant slalom. They will never be as good

as Richard and Judy. Benny Karl starting with nine

hundredths of a second deficit. Nothing in that. Patrick Bussler on

the blue course. Looking to extend his lead. Benny Karl a little bit

untidy as they come over the bridge. -- Ridge. Benny Karl letting it all

go. It is his. That last third, look at him, he is absolutely pumped! We

have got some serious pedigree going into the semifinals. I think you get

to this business end, it is about strength. It is about the willpower

and the technique, but you have got to have the strength. They are

working so hard. So much energy at the end of these

races as they come across the finish line. UCB explosion of emotion. Give

him a lump of coal, he will crush it into a diamond for you right there.

He has come back from ankle surgery in 2012 after he smashed his

motorbike up. He is desperate to win an Olympic medal. And fortunately

for him he will be meeting Vic Wild in the semifinals.

He did get a silver in Vancouver. Whether he can better that, we do

not know. Austrians still with plenty to cheer four.

Aaron March from Italy on the Red Cross, he is out first. Lukas

Mathies, flying around these gates. March is tapping the floor between

each gate. You have got to watch your hand doesn't hit the polls. It

could be enough to just set you off. It is a little technique he has got.

So close. Did he make it round that last day? I think he went straight

over it. I think the judges might have a look at that. The penultimate

gate, did he go properly around it? Just look on a computer screen here.

This is the flat section. He was powering through those turns. This

gate here. Oh, yes, he was fine, well in. It was very deceptive on

the first shot, from the other angle. You couldn't see the

perspective. Aaron March, the Italian, goes

through to the semifinals. Who will join him? Nevin Galmarini, with a

maximum penalty time, to wait in the gate, while Zan Kosir makes his way

down the course. Kosir has looked flawless as well, training partner

of Vic Wild, as we have said. Look at this. Incredible. I cannot tell

you how difficult it is. Look at his arms, they are by his side, by his

knees, he is just cruising down. It is that separation of upper and

lower body, to write like this you need to be able to make your legs do

the work while your body stands really stable over the top. Zan

Kosir, that was a lot closer, he did an incredible job of trying to reel

in his opponent. He gave him the nod of respect. That was close. 92

hundredths of a second, but there's a lot. But Zan Kosir would have been

riding at 95%, making sure he did not fall down but was also fast

enough not to get caught out. But Nevin Galmarini was just so unlucky,

he raced his heart out. All right! Time for the semifinal. We know

about the men. So, Vic Wild will face Benjamin Karl. And Aaron March

and Zan Kosir. Vic Wild and Zan Kosir have already been set up, they

would like to meet each other in the final. They are the highest seeds

from the qualification. And they are at opposite ends of the draw. It is

looking very likely. It is all going to plan. And they have similar

styles. The top half of their body is rock-solid and their legs to all

of the work. Just ability to snap that board through those turns and

accelerate is just phenomenal. So, on one side we have the ice cold

Austrian, Julia Dujmovits. So solid in her work. She is in the blue

gate. And then Corinna Boccacini, the Italian. This is quite subdued

from her. That made me jump! She has been fired up for this! So, the

first run of the semifinals. So important to get a bit of a lead.

Get through these runs and you know it is gold or silver. Corinna

Boccacini behind. Julia Dujmovits was slowing right down on that turn.

That has cost her. Going wide. Yes, she has to hang on. As quickly as

possible... OK. So, Corinna Boccacini, eight tenths off the

pace. There is no war cry! Well, Julia Dujmovits has been so fluid

through this course. I have said that for billion times today. But

there is a lot of finesse to that. And it will be very hard to make

that up. Echoes of surfing. That was beautiful. Kelly Slater looks a

little bit like that. 11 or 12 times world champion? One of the worlds

best surfers. He is 41. I think he is got size 13 feet. -- has got.

Magnificent. It is a thing of beauty. They are racing against the

clock. But not many people in the world can do that. Amelie Kober

against Anke Karstens. German semifinal on the other side of the

draw. This guarantees one of these women silver or gold. Whoever loses

will be in the smaller final, battling for the bronze medal. Anke

Karstens, that Lord battle cry. Come on! The jihad the gate? -- did she

get the gate? It did not seem to knock her out. Oh no! She has gone

really wide. Waving about wildly. Disappointment. Anke Karstens makes

her way down. So, Amelie Kober will take... She is back up and running.

So, Amelie Kober will take a penalty. I think she has hurt

herself. It looks like she is carrying a bit of a knock, looking

out from this commentary booth. It was a good start. Amelie Kober

got away. And that was a mistake. She has got arm up. She was protect

in her elbow. Good spot. And from then on... Anke Karstens had a free

ride. Certainly looking, from appear, you can see that Amelie

Kober has disappeared. Whether someone can help out in time, we do

not know. She is just around the bag. -- back. So, the semifinal for

the men. This will be interesting. Benjamin Karl. He wants to add

another big Olympic medal to his collection, he got silver in

Vancouver. Can he take a medal at the first ever parallel slalom at

the Olympics? Vic Wild on the red course. For once, you are right, we

have not seen a lot of daylight preen both of them. So, Vic Wild has

to work a little bit harder. He looks across. Where is his man?

Keeping him in check. Benjamin Karl on the blue course is really hanging

on! He has gone! Vic Wild has gone! Benjamin Karl has done the

unthinkable and put enough measure on Vic Wild Jamaican crack. You were

saying that he was not really tested and we would see him tested in the

semifinals and Benjamin Karl has done exactly that. Obviously,

Benjamin Karl was not intimidated by the Russian. Instead, he gave as

good as he got. For three quarters of that course. Until Vic Wild,

usually flawless with his technique, had a look across... And he gets a

little bit... He just gives it too much. He basically gives it too much

gas. Going into that turn. That has been his technique. He has been able

to really put the edge in. That time, he has come unstuck. So there

is a chink in the armour. If we look at the quarterfinal, I think you

will see, who was at? You have got... It was Roland Fischnaller,

who did real in Vic Wild. He did catch up quite a bit. -- reel in.

Can he do the same? Zan Kosir. And Aaron March from Italy. Zan Kosir

will know the result from his training partner. Desperate to make

sure that if ten one does not make it, he does. -- Vic Wild. He looks

so fluid. Nice and compact. Zan Kosir, starting to get away. Despite

the technique. Zan Kosir is busy. And he has me that kind. All three

quarters of a second. There was not a lot in that. Nothing. Zan Kosir is

looking good! He reminds me of the Prince of Persia. I do not know why.

Zan Kosir, such a very good line through that flat. Beautiful timing.

He knows exactly where he is and what wants he to do on every single

one. So... Zan Kosir, steadying himself. Aaron March knows he has an

uphill struggle. He will have that deficit to make up. Back to the top.

And time for the woman. -- the women. The second semifinal. This

will decide who goes into the big final to battle at four silver and

gold. And who goes into the smaller final to play for the bronze medal.

Corinna Boccacini with the deficit. Can she came the beast that is

Corinna Boccacini? -- tame. Keep your eye on Corinna Boccacini. One

of the big seeds. And Corinna Boccacini is up. There was that look

across. And she has gone loose! Corinna Boccacini! She has gone! She

has thrown it away. Julia Dujmovits taking her team. -- her time. And

Corinna Boccacini had done so well to get back into that race. She must

have seen Julia Dujmovits making that mistake. I am going to win it!

Oh, no, I have made a mistake! The moment you take your mind off and

start thinking about winning, you will leave the course! Just as

Corinna Boccacini did just there. That is the final result for the

semifinal. Julia Dujmovits advancing into the big final. She will go

forward gold or silver. Corinna Boccacini racing in the smaller

final and the winner will take the bronze medal. All looking good at

this point. This was the mistake. Oh, yes. These boards have been set

up in a directional way so they can only be read in one way. -- ridden.

I have been inspired. I will give this a go! Really? Yes. I will go

back. No British entry... Could we see you representing Great Britain?

I love the commentary box. Anke Karstens. Up against Amelie Kober.

She has got that 1.25 second lead. We have seen mistakes in every

semifinal so far. The police officer, Anke Karstens, looking

comfortable. Amelie Kober is hard at work. Anke Karstens might have taken

her foot off the gas too much. Look at how fast she is going! Oh my

goodness! Heartbreaking. Heartbreaking for Amelie Kober. She

came so close. That was phenomenal. She reeled in 1.6 seconds. I think

Anke Karstens was a little bit shocked when she saw just how close

she was on that flat section. That was the boost that she needed.

Wonderful gate ahead. -- one full. Look at just how tight that was. Oh!

Isn't life cruel? That is the Olympics for you, why can't anybody

when? -- everybody. We talked about the importance of not being afraid

to fail. Especially the freestyle event, that is something that has

been promoted. Nothing original comes from being afraid to be wrong.

If you are afraid to fail you will never come up with something new.

Beautiful words. Anke Karstens makes it into the first ever Olympic

parallel slalom final, facing Judi Dench of its -- Julia Dujmovits.

We will watch the member for their second runs. Dashed the men go for

their second runs. Will he not be the pantomime villain

if he knocks Vic Wild into the bronze medal race? First time we

have seen Vic Wild really under pressure.

He has got the technique. It is a huge deficit. A whole flag. Vic

Wild's technique is fantastic. This top section really suits fit while.

He has got him already. Vic Wild has reeled him in. They are neck and

neck. Benny Karl will see him here. This will be so tired. I think it

will be Benny Karls. He cannot believe it. Benny Karl cannot

believe it. The crowd cannot believe it. They are going absolutely

mental. In a semifinal that is mildly humiliating for Benny Karl.

That is phenomenal. Benny Karl will be shell-shocked. He cannot take a

snowboard. The one thing Benny Karl can take from it is he has been

soundly beaten. That is the only thing he can take. Look how far

ahead he is here. This man, if you were to rip off his skin he would be

a titanium robot. Where is he getting the power from? And the

finish, he has no business doing that. Oh, my goodness. That looked

like an absolute rule. -- draw. The Russians are going crazy. Benny Karl

giving the props to Vic Wild, he knows how good he is. That is

absolutely incredible. Truly phenomenal. You would be forgiven

for thinking he might rest on his one gold medal, but judging by that,

he wants another one. That is brilliant. When you are that much

better than somebody like Benny Karl, who has dedicated his entire

life to Alpine snowboarding. Time for the second run of the second

semifinal, Zan Kosir of Slovenia up against the Italian, Aaron March.

In Zan Kosir, what is he going to do? When you are chasing you can

find the speed from somewhere. Zan Kosir, he has seen him early. He

landed on his face on the wrong side. He got a chest slammed there,

that would have heard. Zan Kosir is through to the final. He will meet

Vic Wild. His training partner. This was the final they wanted. We have

been setting this up all day as the equivalent of Rocky when they are

battling. They will have had this race seminary times in private. --

so many times. His arm got caught on the gate, they are getting as close

to the gates as possible. It doesn't matter if they knock the flags of,

they just need to make sure they go around the smaller post. He couldn't

keep his weight down. That is how much power there is. We have been

going on about this, pre-loading the board. When you see it believes like

that and the rider is not in control. It has just flogged and --

flung a 13 stone man into the air. Zan Kosir advances to the final.

Aaron March will face Benny Karl for the small final. Bronze medal.

Parallel slalom hasn't disappointed. On its debut at the games. No

shortage of excitement. Mildly concerned at how many cores workers

are still shovelling on the course, while the ladies or in the gate. I

am sure that will clear. Amelie Kober against Corinna Boccacini, the

Italian, for the bronze medal. Amelie Kober has done so well to

fight her way this far in. She is on the blue gate. My goodness. She is

like a lion. A big stallion in a rodeo pen, coming out kicking and

blocking. Look how fluid she is. Making light work of this top

section. Boccacini barging the gate in comparison. Boccacini looks a

little tired. Amelie Kober is looking fresh. Amelie Kober will go

into the second run with the advantage. Corinna Boccacini needs

to find that instantly accessible rage. It is definitely her

superpower. Amelie Kober, very space. Transferring the weight,

pre-loading the nose of the board. Storing up that energy and letting

it explode out of the tail. Did she have the broken arm? No, that was

Alena Zavarzina. Bronze medallist from the parallel giant slalom. Now

it is the big final. You have got to say, the Austrian, she has just gone

about her business. There wasn't really a lot of pomp and ceremony to

this. She has been really stoic in her work. Karstens, there is that

shout. The big one forecasters was beating Selina Jorg. As soon as she

got that done, she was on a roll. Karstens, a goofy rider. They are

facing each other, can see each other. Karstens is looking stronger

and stronger with every game. That is a big deficit. And no

characteristic screen from Karstens. Judging on the form of the

quarterfinals and semifinals, a fair final would probably have been the

two Germans will stop -- the two Germans. Amelie Kober looked really

good. They both look like they have got a lot of energy, spring in their

step. Good to see them battle it out in the final. Dujmovits, she has

done it right, she has rightfully won her case here in the final.

We have got Dujmovits, and we will have her barracks cheering for her,

because she is in the Army. And there will be constabulary cheering

her opponent on, because she is in the police force. Imagine getting

pulled over for speeding and it is the gold medal from the Olympics.

Aren't you Anke Karstens? Do you want to see my medal?

Karstens has one hand, gold medal for top with that lead, you have got

to say it is Anke Karstens to lose. Now we come to the man's small

final. Benny Karl and Aaron March. Where is your money going? Are we

allowed to bet? No. I will say Benny Karl. I just think Aaron March has

got a lot of fire in him. Benny Karl has already got a silver. He doesn't

want the bronze. Of course he does. The Italian looking good in this top

section. Benny Karl has got the style for me. A good key to look

for, if they are still crouched down throughout the flat, it means they

have still got a lot of energy. It is close. Benny Karl has just got

this, I think. Benny Karl, just up after the first run. Aaron March

will have two watch Benny Karl leave the gate. He will have seen what Vic

Wild did to Benny Karl in the semifinals and will think you might

be able to do it too. Anything is possible. I am amazed Benny Karl can

concentrate on this, I would be wondering how on earth Vic Wild

Courtney, questioning whether I don't. -- caught me. I just trained

since I was 15, I am 28, 13 years, and I went as fast as I could and

somebody beat me by 1.29 seconds. Unbelievable. We will get to see him

now truly tested, Vic Wild. He was tested in the first semifinal. He is

up against Zan Kosir. Benny Karl will start ahead in the

second run. Now the Russians in fine voice. Vic Wild goes up against the

Slovenian, Zan Kosir. Vic Wilder will be on the red gate closest to

the camera. They have done this in private. Training so many times now,

now it is time to do it on the big stage. The men's parallels Alan

final underway. Vic Wild is in the lead already. He looks like a

Springbok. They can see each other. Facing each other. Regular and

goofy. He is pulling away. There is no sign of any tiredness. Oh! Just

12 hundredths of a second. The Russians are on their feet. It is a

sea of video cameras as they tried to hold on to this moment. Zan

Kosir, wondering what he can do. But Vic Wild could be about to make

history. If he wins, he will be the first man ever to take two gold

medals at one Winter Olympics in snowboarding. Has that been done in

skiing? Yes, I think so. As you say, history in the making. And he will

cement his place. This lost or a very interesting debate in the

United States because Vic Wild was born in Washington State. He

defected when the American Alpine programme would not support him. And

here he is, about to claim two gold medals. At the start, if you ask

anybody which snowboarder would be going home with two gold medals, you

would have said... Why put me on the spot? You would have said Shaun

White! Oh, yes, sorry. I thought you meant Alpine racing! Of course,

Shaun White. But he pulled out of slopestyle and he did not win the

gold medal in the halfpipe. The small final, the second run. The

powerhouse, Corinna Boccacini, she might not have the same finesse...

She is on course. Corinna Boccacini is up there! Straightaway! And not

far behind, Amelie Kober. You can hear that grunting. Corinna

Boccacini is shouting at yourself. She once this so badly. Without that

all Amelie Kober? It might be working. And Corinna Boccacini must

know it, but that is a very beautiful style. Oh, no! What if it

has to grace! That was absolutely beautiful. Corinna Boccacini really

pushing Amelie Kober. They shake hands. And the velociraptor goes out

the window. Once she crosses the line. That was very good racing and

Corinna Boccacini was a very worthy opponent. Amelie Kober has to

knowledge that. These gates or about 20 feet apart as you look at them.

But you do feel so close when racing side by side. You can hear the

noises and you get hit eyepieces of their snow. It just feels so

intense. It is compact. You are isolated on your own track but

somebody is always bearing down on you. It is a very different

psychology. Amelie Kober, just hanging on. Corinna Boccacini had

the speed. 11 Metre and that would have been her bronze medal.

Absolutely. -- one more Metre. That is very nice to see. She will

realise just how close when she watches that at home. It might

reawaken that velociraptor. So, Amelie Kober, absolutely made up.

Can we give her a medal of some description? Corinna Boccacini? I am

sure we can manage it. We will buy them superhero capes. This is a very

big final. One of these women will be going home with the gold medal.

Right now, it looks like it could be German gold and bronze. Anke

Karstens. The police officer. She has the lead. And Julia Dujmovits,

she is in the hunt. On the first run they could see each other. They are

back-to-back. They will feel that presence. Julia Dujmovits. Just a

little bit of a wash. Oh no! Julia Dujmovits has held on! It is not

over! How did she do that? I think Anke Karstens has taken that to

easily! Look! Oh! Julia Dujmovits, after that huge mistake, she made up

three quarters of the second. Then she almost fell down. She pulled it

back. There must have been a big mistake from Anke Karstens. It just

looked, to me, like Anke Karstens was taking it easily. She did not

look like the same athlete from the quarterfinal and the semifinal. And

that is the podium. Well, German bronze. And German silver. And it

very and expect did Austrian gold medal. -- a very unexpected. Can we

pick this part in the replay? Despite the deficit, Julia Dujmovits

had a fantastic start. That was a big mistake. She newly fell over. --

nearly. You actually could see her powering out of that. I mean, it was

probably one with the handle new line. Well... She has such

technique. So much explosive lament from that last turn. -- momentum.

The coaches cannot believe it! Absolutely phenomenal. We said that

she flew in under the radar and she has gone about your business. Julia

Dujmovits has taken the gold medal, Anke Karstens takes the silver

medal. And Amelie Kober with the bronze medal at the first ever

ladies parallel slalom Olympic final. But it is not over. We still

have the small matter of the men to decide. Aaron March and Michael

Lambert in the small final. And then Vic Wild and Zan Kosir in the big

final. Benjamin Karl will be closest. His blue helmet. Benjamin

Karl already has a silver medal from Vancouver. Can he and -- added

bronze medal from Sochi? -- add a. Aaron March has gone! Benjamin Karl

will just glide down to claim his bronze medal. It looks like he has

not realised yet. Do not fall over! Aaron March would have been

powering. I think he did see him coming down. We nearly had that turn

that use of desperately wanted. And his team-mate joins them. Austrian

medals today. That was a very successful Olympic for the Austrian

snowboarders. The boys share and embrace. And that is good to see.

Lovely to see just how much the bronze medal means to him. I was

literally just thinking that. He is absolutely over the moon. He is

waving to the crowd at the bottom. Thrusting his board into the air.

Aaron March, out of his line. He sets Benjamin Karl free. One of the

most prominent figures in Alpine snowboarding. Overwhelmed at his

victory. Somebody wake him up! He cannot believe it. Aaron March is

very upset. Well, he will be upset with himself because he made the

mistake and that has cost him. He is coming down from a massive

adrenaline high. There is one race left at the Extreme Park. This will

close down the event for Sochi 2014. And it is a good race, Zan Kosir

against Vic Wild. So many stories here. The American who defected to

Russia is racing his training partner and they have such similar

styles. Just 12 hundredths of a second separating them. Vic Wild, if

he takes this, will be the first man with a double gold medal in

snowboarding disciplines. Vic Wild is out and Zan Kosir right behind.

Nothing between them. The crowd are willing him down. The volume has

gone up to 11. He is starting to pull away. Zan Kosir trying very

hard, looking fluid. And that is a mistake from Vic Wild! He goes into

the front! He has done enough! He is going to do it! It is so close! Zan

Kosir managed to shave 100th of a second from his deficit. But the

Russians are rapturous. Zan Kosir is the first man to lead double gold

medal. And he has done it with an absolute masterclass in parallel

slalom. Vic Wild! You said Zan Kosir! That is just the energy

pouring into the commentary with. We are beside ourselves up here. Well,

what is he thinking? A fantastic performance from Vic Wild to earn

the gold medal. In the silver medal position, it is his training

partner, Zan Kosir. And then Benjamin Karl from Austria with

bronze. It is official, Russia is just wild

about Vic Wild. The 10th gold medal for the host nation. And two of them

have come from a man born in America and three of them from a skater born

in Korea. They will take them anyway they can. Wonderful performance from

this morning. And that brings to a close the programme. So much more to

come, e-mail and slalom, the first run from 12:30pm. And then the

four-man bobsleigh. That is it from me, I harbour ambitions for the

closing ceremony. Thank you to the team in Sochi. And a brilliant night

shift in Salford. Thanks for your company on the Olympic backlist.

Goodbye. -- breakfast.