Day 5, Part 4 Winter Olympics

# Just the two of us, we can make it if we try.

# Just the two of us, just the two of us.

# Just the two of us, building castles in the sky. You and I.

CLAIRE BALDING: Good afternoon and welcome back to the Olympic Park.

Thousands streaming in for another packed evening of action here in

Sochi and as Valentine's Day approaches, we are getting up

close, personal and cosy with the double luge. Technically, this could

be a mixed pairing, it could be to women but over the years it has

always been to men because that is the fastest way to get down and I am

hoping that president but amid Putin will go to the sidings and to watch

this one in person. It has an amazing history because the luge

itself was invented by the Vikings, the word comes from the French word

for toboggan, the British ones were the first to race it, the Swiss

stage the first official meeting and it was won by an Australian but I

will be frank with you, I think they had all had a few drinks when they

came up with the doubles! It is part of the live action we have got

coming up for you between now and seven o'clock.

It is double jeopardy at the sliding Centre. A Swiss roll Ford Great

Britain's curlers. And to'ss two's company in the figure skating. So

that means that next we are live with the doubles luge final and at

4:50pm, we are taking Great Britain's men versus Switzerland in

their latest qualifying match and then we will be live for the

conclusion of the figure skating pairs competition and don't forget

it is today at the Games at seven o'clock taking us all the way to

eight o'clock. That is the scene at the ice cube at the moment, Great

Britain are playing Switzerland and it is live for you on the red button

and Great Britain currently leading 2-0 and they are just coming up to

half-time. They will have a break and then go to the 10th end if

needed. Also on the red button, live figure skating live at the Iceberg

Skating Palace when it gets to those players who are in contention for

the medals so you will not miss anything but if you want to skating

all the way through, you can. -- want to watch skating full top will

take you to the doubles luge, a competition won in the last two

Olympics by two brothers from Austria, they are called the Linger

brothers but they are under severe pressure, that is the word, from two

pairs from Germany who look strong. Two runs and we will show you the

highlights of the first run first. Data macro the Olympic champions,

Andreas and Wolfgang Linger. They have gone into the lead already and

this will put down a really big run. A big home for Germany, Wendl and

Arlt. -- a big hope. Anyone can beat Wendl and Arlt, it

is these two. -- if anyone. That has put the cat amongst the

pigeons. So after the first round, the

favourites lead, Wendl and Arlt, as Germany look for a clean sweep of

luge gold medals. You are seeing the location of the Sun ski Sliding

Center Sanki is where we are heading to catch up with the commentators.

Jayson Terdiman and Jayson Terdiman have just gone down. And here it is

in slow motion again, excellent. Eleanor Gass they have robbed of

Michael the right-hand wall there were two but then foot down on the

ice and a chance of pushing forward into the medals was gone there. A

classic luge size difference. A massive man in front, he is about

six foot four, Christian Niccum. Sascha Benecken and Toni Eggert now

with a chance but it is a slim one. 0.901 behind the leaders.

Not until the man in front is ready do they decide to go.

They were disappointing in the first run, probably the number two

favourites for this competition. The faster start of anyone in the

opening but they flooded in the end. Nearly a track record start by the

number two German crew. We are going in reverse order of the overall

placings. So Wendl and Arlt are coming out last. This crew are down

in 10th position. They might go into the lead here by

a big margin but it is doubtful they can challenge the leaders. They

managed to avoid the upright there as they came off. They are going

well, one more turn. Coming through in 49.944. That is much better. If

they had done that in the first round, they would be in sixth

position but instead they are down in 10th and they are now trying to

play catch up because it is the aggregate of two runs. They feel

pumped and happy but they are unlikely to get near the medals.

In the first run, you can see the good start. You have to get a

powerful start in luge. After the first one, Wendl and Arlt are up in

the lead. The number one world champions, a third of a second ahead

of the Linger brothers. We are going in reverse order in this doubles

luge competition. Here is the big Russian crew. About to come

through. They were disappointing in the first run. But with each and

every crew, they have a slight time advantage over the previous crews.

They have got three tenths of a second here on the Germans.

Yuzhakov at the front and Makhnutin at the back. You cannot see the

athlete at the back. And away we go. Almost taking off on the first one.

They are in the lead, ahead by 0.119 seconds. This event can be won by

zero point -- by 1000th of a second. They have gone behind by six

thousandths of a second. I think they touch the upright there. They

are in third place, a second-place, rather. Toni Eggert and Sascha

Benecken are still in the lead. The bigger of the two men know they may

still be in the lead but we know that they have eight crews all to

come all of whom have a time advantage over them getting bigger

and bigger with each group coming down. Let's look at this. The

trickiest corn on the track, back up the hill on the luge, and he is

pulling on the uprights, it bends the steel underneath the sled and it

helps you cut the ice and steer away from walls. Ideally, you do all your

steering on a corner, you try not to steer on a straight because you do

not have the G-force sending you down. You can get into a slide as

well, it is a dangerous place to steer, on the straight. The Italian

pair next. Can they go into the lead? Only four hundredths of a

second between the Russian pair who are behind them. The Russians did

well and they will not do well enough to finish in first place.

They are in the lead . A quick start by Rastner and M3 macro. -- Rieder.

You have to remember that Toni Eggert and Sascha Benecken where the

number one favourites for this. They have a shocking first-run but had a

great second run. They are keeping Menez ahead, the Italians. They must

avoid the touch out they had in the first run. Will of the top speeds we

have seen in that position on the track.

It is a fine run and there is circular -- circular -- Armin

Zoggeler. We still have seven crew crews to

go. Wendl and Arlt have been laying down the law after the first run.

An absolutely magnificent performance by the leaders who go

last on this track. Their effort is over and they can just go home after

this competition is over. They will wait to see what happens. Christian

Oberstoltz and Patrick Gruber go next. They get a one-minute clock to

start at the top, they don't have to go through the first time in being

until they want to. You can see the orange marking and that is where the

beginning is for them. They took back the European title

this year, they are 35 and 36 and lots of people thought they were

passed it, but they are now battling with their Italian compatriots. It

would be interesting to see if they can stay in the lead by the next

checkmark. They are going well. Staying streamlined and just in the

lead. Look at that, it is faster, by 0.02

seconds. That is magnificent. That was really tight on the line. That

is around three centimetres, the margin. Italy are one and two at the

moment with Germany down in third. We still have six crews to go. A

lovely steer on the exit of turn 11, he bent the steel and that kept

him over to the right-hand wall, exactly where you want to enter, 14.

Veterans of the luge circuit. You can guess who this is, this is the

face of the Russians. All the crews went done in under 30

seconds in the first run. They nearly took off there. That is

an absolutely massive start but they are only in fifth place at the

moment. They have still got the lead as they come down. A tiny margin

over the Italians. Just in the lead, my goodness. This

is so close. It is enough, and that could not

have been any closer. The timing system went white for a moment, one

of the split they don't show you and in other words, they went behind for

around 200 metres of ice. But then they managed to pull it back to the

last two corners so well done to the Russians. Five crew s to come and

they will have to just sit back and wait and hope that the pressure gets

too much for the other people. Goodness knows how the next pair

feel. It is the Sics brothers who go next.

That was a good time they set on the first run. How do they feel about

this one? Olympic silver medallists from Vancouver, they have done

barely anything since then, and here they are again. The further back you

can lean, the less your head is up in the air, the faster you will go.

They are going well. They have out started the Russians. Still a little

in the lead. They are going like a narrow, down

through 13. They are extending the lead, and I think the Sics are going

to go into first here. 1.39 .79. That could be good enough for a

medal. 141 kilometres an hour. Over 87 mph there for the Sics brothers.

These two are magicians on the track. Keeping cool at 87 mph.

The Olympic champions, the double Olympic champions will be coming

down second last. They await their turn. They are the Linger brothers,

of course. And if these two can finish ahead of the Sics brothers,

they have a shout of a medal. Walker not quite ready. He is the man with

the beard in front. They have out started the Sics

brothers. One tiny mistake, and they are in

trouble. Looking good. And riding superbly. Are they going to go into

the lead here? They are arrow straight, still, but

they have gone behind. It must be the steering in the corners. The

Sics brothers are sitting pretty at the moment. These guys are closer to

getting a medal. Yes, they have to beat one more crew now. Three crews

wrote ago. -- to go. It seems unlikely that they will get a

medal, the Canadians. The positions have altered a fraction. They have

come dangerously close to medals in the world championships last year.

They finished fourth. They have real belief in themselves, these

Canadians, but I don't think they are going to do it today. The Sics

brothers are in the running, here they are again in the lead up -- the

leaders box. And here are the faces of the two men who have got to

produce the ride of their life in order to get in amongst the medals.

If they go into the lead this time, they are guaranteed at least a

bronze medal. Who knows, it could be even better. But they have got to go

into the lead. If they nailed their start like they can do, they could

do it. That was a little sloppy there, but they corrected it in

time. That has set them on the course to having the 11th fastest

start of all time. The whole of Latvia is holding its breath right

now. Oh, dear, feet down on the ice. The man underneath put his arm out.

He has totally lost his cool now. They are trying to stabilise. They

are safe and sound. That is the main thing. He is just putting his hands

on his head now. He knows he completely blew it there. That is a

horrible, horrible moment. Just pleased they are down safely.

The Sics brothers are guaranteed a medal for the first time. But no

celebrating, they are gentlemen. They realised that could have been

ugly there. 54 seconds, poor Peter pens in

front. He was the man driving. We still have two pairs to go. This

is where it all happened. First of all he tried to put his feet down,

and the exit from that corner was terrible. He didn't have any ability

to steer. He nearly crashed out of line, and hasn't got his cool back

at all. He is just thinking about the dream that is exploding. Georg

Fischler must've been wondering what was going on. He couldn't see

anything. So, here we go. Andreas linger,

Wolfgang linger. The Linger brothers from Austria.

This is the other Linger pairing. They are not interested in the gold

medal. The silver would do. It is a big moment for them. Gold in 2006,

gold in 2010. They are in the silver medal position, and they have got to

go ahead of the Sics brothers. They are unlikely to lose this lead

unless they have a difficult moment. A good changeover there. Yes,

unlikely to lose the lead, surely. They have lost a bit of the lead,

but not too much. It is all about laying down a huge run here. 1:36.7,

it is the lead, and the Sics brothers are in second place. They

have made history already. They are now guaranteed to be two gold medals

from before and at least a silver now. They are just two minutes away

from knowing whether they have won the third goal. Absolutely superb.

That is the fastest of the second runs so far. These are the ice men

right here. How cool are they? Everyone had written off, and nailed

it. The Linger brothers, brilliant stuff. They missed a couple of World

Cups with injuries and family problems, wives and kids and things

going on. But well done to them. Guaranteed silver, one crew to go.

There is great sportsmanship in that winners enclosure. But here it is.

The final run, the final pairing. The whole destiny of the luge

pairings is here. It is all down to Wendl and Arlt. The Tobys, as they

are affectionately known. They are over a third of a second

ahead. That is a brilliant start. Can they keep it going? Can they

keep it together? That is one of the trickiest parts

of the track. It looks like Germany are going to do it again. They have

won everything so far. This could be the German gold medal run

continuing. It is absolutely wonderful. They could crash and win

this now. They have a massive margin. The Germans dominating

again. That is absolutely superb. That is a

winners' run. Wendl and Arlt have won it by half a second. That was

absolutely brilliant. And with Garrison -- Guisenberger winning the

winnings by over a second. Just having a look at the previous

runs. 49.56. They are laying down a marker to the rest of the world.

Wendl and Arlt tapped the start, as well. They went for it at the start,

didn't play conservative. Head was up there, in the air flow. That is a

really tricky part of the track will stop they probably lost a kilometre

an hour or two. The German nation have been superb

in this sport. There is the role of honour. The ad Wendl and Arlt get

the gold medal, the Lingers the silver, and that Sics brothers the

bronze. Walker and Justin Smith, a

disappointment for them, just off the podium, as they were in the

European Championships. But it is all about who is the best

on the day, and today it was Wendl and Arlt.

Look at that. A brilliant podium. Just exactly what you would have

expected from training, the Linger brothers suddenly pulled it out on

the day. Wendl and Arlt have been friends since primary school. And

the Linger brothers on the left, it is a very brotherly sport.

It was absolutely superb in the end. Germany, first of all, came along

and won the men's singles and then the women's singles and now they

have won the doubles. Wendl and Arlt are the champions once more.

Tobias Brothers. A reminder earlier of the incredible danger of this

board though and flowers were placed at the Sanki Sliding Center M

memory, four years ago for the Georgian athlete who was killed in

the training for the luge but Germany dominant across the

categories and my word, they will be strong in the relay competition

which is coming in tomorrow. Let's take another look at the athletes

who have struck a colour of gold. Alpine skiing history was made in

the million's history as two athletes shared the gold medal, will

the early races clocked 1.45 .56 seconds and then the exact same time

was clocked and it is the first time that an Alpine Gold has ever been

shared Chemmy Alcott was delighted with her 19th place. Shani Davis was

going for a repeat in the speed skating but like compatriot Shaun

White in the snowboarding last night, it did not happen, the

Netherlands took victory with Stephane Britt is winning, Shani

Davis was eighth. Kelly Clark leads the way with a score of 95 ahead of

tonight's halfpipe final, Torah Bright from Australia has also

qualified as the defending champion and we will show that later in

tonight's highlights. In curling, it came down to an all or nothing final

stone for the GB skip Eve Muirhead but sadly it did not work out which

means that Canada took a 9-6 victory to keep up their 100% record and

Britain have now lost two of their opening three fixtures. It is not

the best of startsstarts for the women. A tight match between the

British men and Switzerland. And we will be joining that match on BBC

Two very soon and it is live for you on the red button. Today, day five

of the Winter Olympics and so far touch wood everything is going

smoothly but as you well know, the build-up was dominated by talk of

corruption, security issues and by talk of gay rights and the attitude

of Russians to those in what President Putin calls nontraditional

relationships. He said everybody would be welcome but he also said

that there is a ban in this country on homosexual propaganda and

paedophilia and he put them in the same sentence as if they are both

linked somehow. So what do gay athletes think and those who are

spectating make of it all? David Bond has this.

This stunning setting is meant to stage what Russia hopes will be the

greatest Winter Olympics in history. But a new law has sparked outrage in

the gay community here and led to claims around the world that

Vladimir Putin is stoking homophobia. The Russian president

says there is no problem, he simply asks that people respect the

traditions of the host nation. The legislation passed in June does not

ban gay relations as such but it does prohibit the spread of

homosexual propaganda to children. Here in Sochi, the mayor seems to

advocate this. TRANSLATION: Our hospitality will be extended to

everybody who respect the laws of the Russian Federation and who

doesn't impose their habits and they will on others. So yes, everybody is

welcome. But when asked specifically about

the gay community, he seems to change his tune. TRANSLATION: We

just say that it is your business, your life but it is not accepted

here in the Caucasus where we live. We do not have them in our town. So

why does Sochi have a well established gay club? The cafe is

not exactly on show but according to the owner, things are not as bad

here as they might seem. TRANSLATION:

It is a view which would appear to echo that the mere Putin's more

diplomatic stance in the run-up to games.

We do not ban anyone or anything, we do not detain people on the street,

that is why you can feel free, relaxed but leave children in peace,

please. And yet, this was Moscow on the night of Sochi's glittering

opening ceremony. It seems like this have prompted scenes like these. I

would like to welcome you here tonight to this global speak out

against Russian homophobia. This demonstration in London was one of

19 held in cities all across Europe and the Middle East and America. We

are here to tell Vladimir Putin that you cannot hide this behind the

sports page. We are calling on all the Government and the Russian

government passed the International Olympic committee to uphold

principle six of the Olympic Charter which prohibits discrimination. I

find it very disturbing that in Russia in a so-called civilised

country, gay men and women are being beaten to death in the street and it

is perfectly acceptable. With so much focus on the issue, is it any

wonder that gay athletes have been worried about the sort of reception

they might receive here. Johnny Wear is a former Olympian who was

celebrated in Russia and now he is less sure what to expect. I am a

very flamboyant gay man as you can tell. I am an athlete, I husband, a

father to a beautiful puppy. Russia is a place that I have been obsessed

with those I was very young and to say a Russo Russian -- mother of

Russian history, it would be an understatement a think about going

back there because I would be afraid. He retired last year, and

the Australian snowboarder Belle is the highest profile openly gay star

competing in Sochi. I want to go the because I am not afraid of these

laws and I want people who live in Russia who are wanting to compete to

see that. I do not want any official to end up not competing. I am

putting my Olympic dream first. Nickname estate, these are for the

mere Putin's aims to showcase a modern, powerful Russia but the

question of gay rights has become an unwanted distraction. What is so

terrifying about me and my people, that you want to deny us the ability

to live freely? But if attitudes are to change, there is one thing that

might help. A gold medal would be the best outcome for me. If I don't

get a gold medal, most people will not care about my opinion. It is all

good. And Bell goes in the snowboard cross

on Sunday. We have had two openly gay medallists, in speed skating,

Ireen Wust and ski jumping for Daniela Rushcliffe faults -- Daniela

erotica Stoltz -- Daniela Iraschko-Stolz. What is your view

here been wads sexuality here? -- towards sexuality? We were told

there would be also some controversy in the build-up and I don't think we

have seen anything from any athlete, any protests from anyone, there is a

protest but down the coast -- a protest park. We have not had anyone

making any political statement of any sort. It may change in the

coming days when athletes start to finish their events and they feel

they are freer to speak but so far, it has not materialised. It is rare

at an Olympics for anyone to make a political protest and it is in fact

banned on the podium by the IOC, the 68 Olympics was a sign from Tommy

Smith and Carlos Lee Mack and John Carlos and I think Tommy Smith said

in his biography that it was not a black power salute, it was a

democratic thing. Most athletes come here wanting to just concentrate on

their performance and if you look at the comments that Daniela who won

silver in the women's ski jump yesterday, she said there is no

point looking protests here because nobody in Russia is actually

listening. Nobody cares. That might be the case but in one sense, there

is a bitter pragmatism around it, athletes want to come here and just

do well. Daniel said that she was greeted by Vladimir Putin and she

just cuddled him. She made a big thing of the limo driver. It was

very interesting, what Thomas Bach said in his speech at the opening

ceremony. He is the new president of the IOC. He seemed to deliberately

use words that he knew would connect with the rest of the world, the more

liberal world, one might say that he used words like "tolerant" and said

people need to live in harmony and that he would not abide

discrimination. Yes, that is probably the most politically loaded

statement we have ever heard from an IOC president in an opening ceremony

speech. Clearly still very carefully worded. The IOC have to be

diplomatic specially when they come to countries like Russia but it was

a clear message to Russia and the rest of the world that dissemination

will not be tolerated. The problem for the president of the IOC is that

they only have a small window to apply any pressure. While the Games

are on, Russia and for the mere Putin will listen to the IOC. The

question is what will happen once the Games are over and the circus

moves on? Sport will come back here, a Formula one Grand Prix here

in October, and the football World Cup is coming to Moscow. Whether any

of those other organising bodies were -- will apply anything like the

Olympic pressure will get to be seen. It will bring with it the same

level of international media attention and I think the key

question is what the IOC does in future about trying to deal with

this conundrum which it has because on the one hand, it is just a sports

body that says we cannot get involved in politics and yet they

are a body with social and ethical values as laid down in the Olympic

Charter. The problem is the worlds collide and these problems continue

coming back when they try to take the Games to places with difficult

regimes. That is an interesting point. Generally speaking, people

are divided into two camps, either the IOC should not choose countries

in which human rights are an issue but as we know from Beijing and from

here, that is not the case or whether they depict the countries

that bed and they pick the best bed and they've pick delete -- the best

bed and they tried to embolden the spirit of sport. David, thank you.

It has been an historic Winter Olympic Games because for the first

time, women's ski jumping has been included and a huge good market in

terms of gender equality. It was quite competition, Matthew went

along to watch. Women's sport and the Olympics has

had a bit of a difficult past. When the modern games started in 1896,

there were no women -- no events for women. There was a thought that

physical exertion might have an effect on childbirth. You might

think that is so last century and decades ago but let me read you this

quote, this is from John Fraga Casbah, the president of skiing and

he said, " but forget, it is like jumping down from two metres onto

the ground, about 1000 times a year which seems not to be appropriate

for ladies from a medical point of view". He said that in 2005. When we

first started, we did hear some of those excuses and they were a bit

ridiculous. DD this woman made sure that part of

the Olympic movement included women's ski jumping. This was a

dream come true, for women's rights, women in sport, human

rights, all of the above. These women have been like family, we have

all been in this together and whoever gets a medal to night, we

are still excited because really, we have all won.

Good evening, what a very special night we have in prospect here at

the state of the art gawky jumping centre. The first Winter Olympics

levels in women's ski jumping are just hours away from being awarded

and the quality of the competition promises to be a fitting tribute to

all those who have worked so hard to ensure its inclusion. And now the

Americans will sing their hearts out for Lindsey Van, she has been

instrumental in this event, being included tonight. Vancouver would

have been Lindsay's chance. It is hard to put it into words right now.

I can truly say I was enjoying myself and living in the moment.

Jessica Judd Rome has played a huge role in this event being included in

the programme. -- Jessica Jerome. It is everything that I have been

fighting force of the last decade or so. I am really happy that I was

here tonight. The fierce competition defeated true

Olympic event. A decade-long battle, finally fully justified.

World number one and dead cert for the gold, tacking ashy of Japan, was

left just out of the medals -- Takanashi. Carine Vogt. To be a

champion would be fantastic. To be the first champion is immortality.

And Vogt, unbelievable. She has done it. What a moment. Germany

celebrates a piece of history that will never be forgotten. It is

incredible, and amazing feeling to be on the first posy am for the

first time. I am speechless. Look what just happened. We did

everything for that, and that to me is all worth it.

Well done. You are a pioneer. Thank you.

Just amazing. A wonderful competition, and it makes me want to

cry, watching the medals, and Lindsay Van who played such a big

part. We will see the conclusion of the pairs skating at 5.25. Russia

could easily win that. They have the most fantastic pair, and if you get

the chance, go to the BBC's website and watch them, they are absolutely

sensational. It has been quiet today in terms of the dish medal

contenders, because that is not the case tomorrow, when skeleton gets

under way, and we will be following these three.

# I can move in the right correction...

You saw James Woods in action there, and we are hoping he will be fully

fit for his competition tomorrow. Nick Hope has been catching up with

him to find out how he is recovering from his injury in training.

It was great to see you out there, how did it feel? I am pretty sore. I

love skiing and I want to be here so badly. It is a shame I'm not feeling

100%, but I'm not in the business of giving up, so... How far off 100%

RU? To be honest, I'm all right. It's just a few movements that I go

through. The hit is our pretty complicated area. -- the hips. It is

just trying to work out where on the course I feel it, and get ready for

it. Have you drawn on the experience of others who have been here

before? There are many people who have been through the pressure, that

builds and builds, you feel sick, you can't believe it is all just one

day. But it is good to know that you are not by yourself, and everyone

feels the same. Inspired by Jenny's achievements? Absolutely. We're

coming into this Games so hot. Everyone has so much talent. It is

wicked to see all the support and however one is dealing with it. Can

you still win a medal? If you had asked me an hour ago, I would have

had a different story, but I feel a lot better now after those last

couple of runs. Or I am going to do is go out there and do exactly what

I always do, which is ski the best I can. It might be just the same as it

has ever been. I am just going to try to fight through that pain

barrier. I went through a lot to get here, I want to go through the best

I can, and not just throw in the towel.

CLARE BALDING: That sounds a lot more positive from James Woods. He

is in action early in the morning with Hazel and the team, you can

keep them company from 5am. GB's women take on China first thing in

the curling. There is ice hockey as well, and freestyle skiing. That

final, 9.15 AM. We could see Lizzie win a medal.

On the red button, figure skating. The early pairs are on the ice. We

are going to be showing you later live coverage of those leading the

competition, but right now we are heading off to the Ice Cube to see

Britain's men in the curling. Let's pick up the action. Jackie Lockhart

is alongside Steve Cram. In the eighth end, and it is

developing quite nicely for Britain. They have been in control all the

way through this match, although it is not high-scoring. Switzerland,

who had a big win against Canada yesterday, they are up against it

here. They blanked the previous end when they couldn't find a scoring

opportunity. And Dave Murdoch and his team are controlling this well.

Each end that goes by, and there are two more after this, if they could

get away with only letting Switzerland perhaps get one here,

that would be good. This is Claudio Patz.

They have pushed one of our stones out of the back. We have to be

pretty careful here. David is going to block up that whole, because the

Swiss boys could come down and tapped that read back onto the

yellow. Greg Drummond has really been the

star of the show. They have all been playing well, that he is really on

top of his game. Just being asked to come and sit in

that gap, protect a possible shot. Let's hope this doesn't draw off too

much. We just need it to stop. That is good in. That has blocked up

whole. He is doing well, we were just

saying how composed he is out there. Most of the time he has come up

trumps. So, this is getting critical now for Switzerland. Claudio Patz is

chatting to the man whose responsibility it is to make the

decisions, and indeed to play the stones, Sven Michelle. We saw the

Swiss looking at the red run backs, and now we are looking at maybe

trying to take the red and the yellow sitting outside double Peel

as we would call it in our game. And that's to clear up the whole front.

That does still allow Great Britain the chance to guard their shot. It

does make it also a little bit easier for the Swiss boys to try to

come in. So it looks like they are going to try to go for the double

rip, I think. That would see as spinning the red

and yellow and the running stone. What he feed takes that red that is

there and jams it up against the yellow?

You get the feeling that every shot is crucial now the Switzerland. What

on earth is he doing there? I don't think that was the shot. It really

hasn't made any difference to it. We still have a shot in the house.

Great Britain potentially here could steal this end, but we have to make

sure we put the cover on. The scary thing is, there is a red sitting at

the back of the house. There is also the red out at the front of the

house. Sometimes they can use these to promote that.

You really want to get a second shot in there, to make it difficult.

A time-out is called. They want to make sure that they make the right

decision here, so the coach will come down.

It is the first time I have seen them looking perplexed. Often when

they call a time-out, it is just to make sure that they have made the

right decision. But this time, I think he really does want a bit of

advice. I can't quite hear what is being

said. Because we are not sitting behind them, we can't quite here.

There is a hole between the red and yellow, so you could potentially

come through and remove that red stone.

When they do take the time out, they were obviously try to get as much

discussion as they can. What happens is, they get a minute for the coach

to come down, and I think the umpire is coming to say that the minute is

up. The coach will have to leave. Great Britain's clock will still be

running now. When the time-out starts, another little stopwatch

starts for one minute countdown, and that reached zero 15 seconds ago.

They are only allowed one time-out for the coach during the game. You

will get an extra time-out if you have to go to an extra end. And we

had a technical time-out in the women's match this afternoon when

there was a malfunction with the clocks. They hadn't stopped the

clock when they transferred to Britain's turn to play. The Canadian

clock was still ticking. I do not know what he is going to play! I

think they are looking at removing this back red that we have seen.

They don't want to give any opportunity... My goodness!

Remembering that much against Germany, they picked up a piece of

rubber. Did they pick that up again? That definitely pulled big-time. It

might have got the same piece of debris or it could be a flat piece

of ice? His stone did exactly the same. In the game of curling, you

will often find the umpires will say, do not mature hand on the ice,

do not melt the ice. Sometimes if you leave it too long, it can leave

flat patches and when the stone runs across these patches that have been

warmed up, they will change the direction of the stone. That is

really disappointing for David. Absolutely nothing he could do about

it. Any small piece of debris can make that difference. Between the

smooth running of the stone and the ice. It is not curling enough? I

think they have overcooked this. Well, it has been a messy finish to

this end, hasn't it? Two stones left to go. One for Britain and one for

Switzerland. The ideal scenario is that Switzerland only get one of

them here? That was not a good shot performed by Switzerland. To be

honest, maybe the justice and reward for the fact that David had a

terrible pick-up? It is a cruel game if that happens and your opponents

have the opportunity to capitalise big-time when you have not done

anything wrong. We will see David taking this red. He would use his

other hand. The idea is that he will take this on the backline. Yes. And

then force them to take their one. They do not want to lose this

shooter. That is good enough. Pretty good place as well. The chance to

take those aren't? We cannot see the line. There is a guard at the front.

There is a yellow stone. They need to get the angle to take the second

one behind and not jam that against it. He needs to get those angles

right so that they both go. It is not easy. It is down to the weight

that he plays. You cannot throw big weight at this because he needs to

get the whole of the face of the stone that we can see, it has to get

past the guard at the top. It wants to combine here. -- come down here.

It also has to stay in. He definitely wants to make sure he

will get his one. So, Sven Michel. He has been keeping his team very

much in this. Sweeping very hard. There you go. It was too straight.

Just the one. Good jump as far as Great Britain are concerned. It was

a messy end from both teams and we had some pick-ups. But in the end,

Switzerland get one. But it is 3-2. Great Britain with the hammer in the

next one and still in control in this match. The boys will breathe a

sigh of relief after that pick-up. That was looking really bad for us.

How they made their shop, -- shot, we could have been three against. We

move into the ninth. We talk about momentum changed and

there was an opportunity for that to happen but it still has not

happened. In all of these matches, if your opponent makes any mistake,

whether accidental or not from David Murdoch, you have to capitalise and

Switzerland had a brilliant game against Canada yesterday, there was

a scrappy game against China and they lost with the last stone in the

final end. We both agree that they were carrying some of that into this

game tonight. They have always had the demeanour of chasing this game.

That will be put down to how well Britain have played as well. They

need to finish this off as well. Just waiting for the noise to die

down. Michael Goodfellow. The Russian cried watching their team

having a tough time against Canada. Canada doing well. Michael

Goodfellow being asked for a tech. -- tick. This is one of the hardest

in the book. Just catching the edge of the stone. Push it to the side of

the ice rink and as long as it does not fit the barrier, he has opened

that up by four feet and that is a perfect shot as far as we are

concerned. That is a delicate shot to play, you have to get it just

right, the angle of connection and the weight. Bromley hog line to the

highest stone, you cannot remove that from the game. -- from the.

That applies to the first four Stones played. He will replace that.

Simon will try to put this exactly where that previous one is sitting.

It will not quite come across this time. He was not sure of what was

being asked. He just wants to have this. Brilliant cheers going around

as you can here. It is a very small arena but once the crowd gets going,

you cannot hear yourself at all. Just looking to have this and roll

in. That is a nice shot coming across, further than he might have

liked. He may be left that too late. Should have been on that earlier,

trying to hold it. But he did the jump. That was what he was asked

for. We keep coming back to big Sandro Trolliet, in turns of throws,

he has had a couple of shoppers. -- shockers.

That is a great shot. Following the sweepers all the way down. He has

pulled that one to the right, very much up to the bottom. Sitting shy

of it. That is a good shot. Scott Andrews, next to play and Michael

Goodfellow is ready to sweep. From the Ayrshire coast. He has had a

good game today. Just a little bit full? They did not

want that to pole and jam onto the back yellow. These boys are training

six days a week in the gym. Their upper body strength is very strong.

For sweeping. So much has changed in this game

from 20 years ago. All these young athletes are training on the ice and

they are in the gym. To be the best they can be. Sandro Trolliet was

trying to play the Double, there. You are right. People think we look

at the sweeping as the part of the sport that people least associate

with the effectiveness of this match but it is so important. The fitness

required, you are here for about three hours and there is a lot of

sweeping involved and it is very strenuous. Some people might forget

that it might only be short bursts but you are putting a huge amount of

effort into that and you have to be able to can yourself down, keep your

heart rate down because it is a very delicate delivery that you have to

do. Yes, there are a lot of aspects to this game. They are critical.

That is a very good point because just after sweeping, your heart rate

shoots up and the fitter you are, the less strain that puts on your

system because you want to -- you want to come back and be very calm.

Claudio Patz, putting up the guard. People might also be supervised that

we are on an ice rink and its associated with being a very cool

venue and these boys are wearing T-shirts. The actual ice in the

arena... It has been quite warm here and it has been outside. It will be

extremely hot for the boys down there. That is a great shot. Very

good. I cannot help repeat myself but this young boy is excelling

himself, here. Yes, Greg Drummond, right from the very first match, he

has been playing really, really well. Let us not pick out

individuals. It is so important that they work together. And we have seen

scenarios when one or two of them have had a poor shot and their

team-mate has redeemed them. They need to continue to work together

here. Just to make sure they keep control of this. The Swiss boys are

hoping to steal one against Great Britain and that is the reason why

they're putting these short stones out of the house. Hoping we will

make a mistake. And they will try to come behind it. One of the options

for David Murdoch is to carry on into the tent with his hammer. He

has the three - to lead. -- 3-2. Some of the mistakes have been when

there is no pressure at all. We mentioned yesterday, the Russian

women, the skip had only one of her stones in the house and no others

and she had to finish inside the rings to get two shots and level up

her match and she sailed all the way through. We can often see that.

These players sometimes play those big crucial shots to win. But the

bread-and-butter shots in the curling world would be a simple

draw. These sometimes they shot but are going to help you win Games. The

concentration is required all the way through.

The Swiss boys still trying to put up that centre guard.

They have that look about them. They were carrying on that defeat from

China. The British men did not have a game in the first session so just

came here for the evening session having had a fairly relaxing day.

Switzerland just going to remove this stone and they will want to

remove it and then asked the question of David Murdoch, if he is

going to run it out and take a blank end. Surely that is a good policy at

this stage. The chances of a steel in the 10th and taking it to an

extra and with Denmark will appear slim the way this has gone.

The score has not been a reflection of how this match has gone. It is a

tight score and anything can happen in this final end to come but

Britain have been in charge of this pretty much from the off. They had

the hammer at the beginning after another good last draw before the

match started. David Murdoch ensured they have the hammer at the start.

He still has two concentrate here. He wants to hit this stone.

That is the ninth and Great Britain will retain the lead with a score of

three - two. They go into the last end and they still have the hammer.

He stays with the team who had it. A good position to be in. Keeping

control of this match and not allowing any opportunities for

Switzerland to really get back into it. As we have seen before, remember

the match that the British men played against Germany where it

looked like Germany were going to come out on top. It came down to the

last couple of stones and it went Britain's way. Let us hope that

doesn't happen here. Even a steel and they go into an extra end. They

will be very happy with the situation. Playing well also. Nice

shots, particularly Greg dumbo -- Greg Drummond, David Murdoch has

played some nice shots. This is Switzerland, a team that won the

European Championships in December. They beat Norway on home soil. They

have already beaten Canada in their second match. In China, they looked

like they will be sitting on top after four matches. They could end

up with four wins over four matches. They are not an easy team to

overcome. Great Britain haven't done it yet.

Unlucky there. Michael Goodfellow trying that. A short way you want to

try and move your opposition's stone of the center line. You can push it

out to the wings. You are not allowed to remove it from play but

it will free up that space because you do have the hammer. You don't

want any of your opposition stones in the way.

The Swiss boys hoping this stops short of the rings. They have

decided they are going to bring it fully in. That is a mistake there

from the Swiss boys. They won't be happy with that at all. He will make

every effort to remove this. Michael Goodfellow. They have to be careful

that they do not remove that top shot.

All the way through. That is a not -- that is not a nice way to finish

for him. The first one was not as bad as that one.

We have seen this happen before and since what you're fellow player will

be able to follow web. It could be a costly one for us. -- able to follow

with. He just makes it. Very well swept

and held by the Swiss boys. A second attempt at this. Tried to remove the

top stone once again. Scot Andrew is concentrating here. There is a lot

of noise around him. If you have a lead, you should not

let them create a scenario where you are having to try and rescue it.

Keep it nice and clear. Keep that route into those inner rings clear

as you possibly can. That one is sitting out even further

now. He has asked Greg Drummond to come

up. He is asking for an opinion on this. There is two red Swiss stones

out there. Either of which will cause us bother. Both sitting very

close to that center line. Even a shot here, move the thing --

moving either of those stones is fine but he wants to hit this one.

He even wants to get it right on the face. Scott Andrews, had one of his

better games here. He has been really solid here.

He would like to have hit it straight at them this. He was a

little bit high of the brush. He didn't give this stone a chance to

come on. Even if you get it on the nose, it is not a disaster. At least

he has cleared the guard. The Swiss team here come the edge is going to

try and replace that. You always get the sense of anticipation as these

shots are made. You are still moving towards those last couple of stones.

These stones are a little bit closer now and there is a possibility of

that double ripper. Greg Drummond is the man that has been asked to do

it. He is playing and out-turn. Very good shot. The most important

thing was to move those two stones at the front and he has done very

well. Just continuing the excellent match he is having. I bet he thought

for a second he had got all three. I was holding my breath though. I

think he was as well. Claudio Patz, trying yet again to put another

guard up. It is quite short. It has come down

a little further. This is all they can do. They have to hope for a

mistake. There hasn't been any from Greg Drummond so far. There hasn't.

These Swiss boys will continue to put on a short guard and hope for a

mistake from Great Britain. At the end of the day, the Swiss may choose

to freeze on the back red. I know that is their stone. They may choose

to coming closer to it. Four stones and Britons to leading mess. We will

have the last stone to play. -- four stones and Britons are leading this.

It will be a tough one for Switzerland to take the steel but

you have to play each stone. You have to finish this off. If they

were to win this, it is an excellent start.

Sven Michel has not been playing as well as he could have been. They

have really got to work best. They need to take this as far as they

possibly can. That is a little discipline

pointing. -- disappointing. He has two be very careful here because if

he takes this short and lies slightly...

I don't mind that. That looks pretty nice. He wants to set up against the

stone. They don't want to over kernel. -- curl.

To stones to play. -- two. He has kept control all the way through

this match and he does not want to lose that. Perhaps being asked to

play one of the more difficult shots he has had to play all evening. If

he gets this right, it might just shot the Swiss art. -- shut the

Swiss out. They are happy with that. The Swiss boys are just going to

ignore that. Play the draw. That is the only option left. They will hope

for a mistake. Even at that, he has not been too bad on the draw. We

have seen him having a couple earlier in the match which did not

work out well for him. He has to make is perfect. -- make this

perfect. Even if he does a good jump, the guard is so high. David

would have the chance to tap that through.

The line is good, here. That is a pretty good shot. It has come out

the other side. Well, as ever, coming down to the last stone and

great written leading 3-2. It would be a shame to throw this away at the

very end. David Murdoch just needs to come down and move that stone. He

just needs one and it is sitting there, the yellow. Confirmation from

the other end. You can see half of that. Very straightforward shot and

he has the insurance. Very difficult also because you have that high

guard. He just has to concentrate and play the brush. We have watched

David Murdoch playing the shot a good few times over the last three

days and he is well capable. But I will still hold my breath! He is

looking perplexed. He has to be comfortable with the shot he has to

play. He is concerned about what weight to play.

The last stone of this match against Switzerland and David Murdoch

looking to push that Swiss stone out. It is looking pretty good. And

he has done it! Very well done, David Murdoch. Great button take

this against Switzerland. They have won three out of their first four

matches. And they are sitting very nicely indeed in the round-robin.

Well done. They play the USA tomorrow. We shall take you away. We

are heading to the Iceberg skating Palace. This is the final session of

the pairs. This is a gold medal that has been one out of 12 of the last

13 occasions by Russia and they have another outstanding chance because

they are just compelling. They are so beautiful. We will join with the

penultimate group, Canada. Zang Jialiang and Zou Dejia. Sue Barker

and Robin Cousins are in the commentary box. They have been in

the top two of three grand prix events this season. Third in last

year 's World Championships. The first of the top eight teams. Can

the improved on their position? Just taking their time to steady

themselves. Getting into the right frame of mind to start. They are

ready. Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford, of Canada.

Slight misstep. Coming into this triple twist.

The hardest of the side-by-side triple jumps tonight. Triple lutz,

is what they are after. And they have got them. Certainly better than

last night. Nice, deep position. Outside that

spiral. The second of their solo jumps.

Trouble Zokos. -- triple Salchows. Elements coming back to back. First

with the loop, the second, the lutz. The hand goes down. That was a

costly element. Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford.

You concede the cigarette as Asian has gone. Travelling quite a bit

around the ice. Both of them not managing to contain that spin. Not a

clean finish. We will cease in a different styles of performance over

the next hour or so and they love their speed and power but there were

mistakes. Quite a few mistakes, that will be costly. Fifth place. The

other Canadians and Chinese are only one point behind them. They have

opened the door. When they open the door, it becomes very messy. And

they need that finesse and control over those elements. Will they hold

on fifth-place? We will find out. But they are a beautiful pair to

watch and when it is right, it really does work. I mentioned the

speed and power. It is all about that so when that goes wrong, their

timing was off in a couple of those those. They're usually very

consistent. It did not quite happen but right from the word go, there

was that misstep leading into that triple twist. It told me they were

not in perfect single resolution. Just with each other. --

synchronisation. Side-by-side, better tonight than in the shorter

programme yesterday. Triple Salchow. Lovely for him with that Double toe

loop. But Meagan Duhamel not making that rotation. Again, such tight

rotation so soon after the throw. And now the of them was centred. He

was travelling towards us and she was going in the other direction.

Not the best. There were a number of errors, there. Fifth place after the

short programme but they will have a nervous wait. They will not like

what they see. That is a new season best. But there are some strong

teams left to come. 127.32, might not be the cushion they need. There

are hoping to move up the rankings. I am not sure that will happen. But

the Canadian champions leading at the moment.

The Canadian champions have made some errors and that has opened the

door for the second Canadian team. Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan

Moscovitch. They were lying in one place behind them. The battle for

Canadian supremacy. They showed so much speed and power in the team

event and some daring moves. And they are always fun to watch. Here

we go, Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch from Canada.

Bubbling with the triple twist. -- opening. That was very nice and

light. Great speed and flowed through that take-off into the

landing. Triple toe loop. Very nice! The second one even better than the

first. Side-by-side, triple from her. But

not from Dylan Moscovitch. Love the little feature with her

foot resting on his foot. Excellent footwork and great control

on the left. Lovely. -- lift. Again, multiple rotation in both

directions. Good, strong lifting. Celebrate indeed. That is the

performance of the night so far. Difficult elements and beautifully

choreographed. She just held some incredible positions in the air.

They were super in the team event and they have delivered again

tonight. Better tonight even with the mistake. This is a programme

that plays right into their strengths. There is a little bit of

story telling. It is sweet, it is cute but it is controlled and very

dynamic. One of those types of routines that I hope will play down

the cameras as well as in reality. I hope you enjoyed that as much as

everyone did here. Wonderful from the Canadians. There is a lot of

vitality out there and she does bobble on the ice but you have to

contain it. Sometimes it is a little bit hit and miss. She has two be in

control. The Russian supporters are chanting because the third Russian

team are on the eyes preparing for their routine. He is just saying

that he nailed the spin. This was just the error. He just did the

double cell co-. She did the triple. She really does have to control that

rotation of where she is in the air for those landings. Rotating quite

early on the take-off. Hits that position. Again we were talking

earlier about the quality of the footwork that the boys are doing

during the lifts. Dylan is one of the strongest ones for me tonight.

She hasn't stopped smiling since she got here in Sochi. Enjoying the

whole Olympic experience as I think they will enjoy the look of these

marks. 131.18. The judges loved their choreography and that puts

them number one in the free skating. Head of the Canadian champions.

Wonderful performance from them and so much to be proud of. Excellent.

Stand-by. Here come Russians. The crowd here in Sochi have so much to

celebrate in pairs skating. This is the Russian number three pair.

Yesterday, there cheeky Charlie Chaplin routine was not perfect.

Because of the quality of the other skaters, they are down in eighth

place. Can they move up? The triple on two feet. The timing

was off as well. Double axle combinations. Made the first one.

They made their second one but it was slightly under rotated by Vera.

The first element of the throes. The triple flip. Clean as a whistle.

What a strong second half to that programme. Is it going to be good

enough to put them up the rankings? It is a style that really suits

them. It is more traditional. Very famous faces there. They are

enjoying the pair skating. We enjoyed watching them many years

ago. There were errors. Yes. This is the style that really suits them. I

wasn't sure about the Charlie Chaplin yesterday. I much prefer to

see them skate like this. It was very much on two feet and the double

axle was very slow. It didn't quite pick up for me at the end as I hoped

it would. We will see eighth after the short programme. Is that good

enough to see them further up the rankings? The difficulty was

certainly there in a lot of the moves. They get bonuses for the

lifts within the combination skin -- combination spin. I would have to

plump with the Canadians over that one. Of what we have just seen.

There lifts are exquisite and she doesn't hit a bad position but we

have seen them like that since they came onto the scene. Their lifts

were always brilliant. It will be interesting to see the second mark.

Coming in for the triple toe loops. She was jumping way too early. She

was definitely on two feet. Maybe triple flip. A check of

whether the hand did or did not touch on this throw loop. Lovely air

position. Yes, it very much did. The points to look out for if they

go over 132.44 they will be the new leaders. Nervous watch for them and

the crowd. Oh, no. Not to be. 129.94. In second place in the free

skate and second place overall. They are still below the Canadians. I can

say that double axle combination was drat -- was downgraded. It was

costly. This will be interesting. It is his

fourth Olympic Games. He is enjoying a new partnership. They have only

been skating together for two years but putting in more dangerous moves

all the time. Lying seventh Ave the short programme. From China, here we

go. Taking his time. He wants peace and

quiet after all the excitement of the Russians. Composing himself and

his younger partner for this performance. The only quadruple

twist of this competition and it shall be their opening move.

Troubled toe loop, double toe loop, she did not quite have enough speed

coming out of the double. They have got ten points for that quadruple.

10.39, to be precise. They need this. And she has fallen again,

bless her. The double axel. They need the throw. Triple loop.

Lovely. Again, nice and light. Softly into

the landing. What a delightful programme. And a

pat on the back from Felicia Zhang because he knows that those jumps

will prove costly. The nerves have been here and the big Olympic

competition might just be too much for her. Just 16 years old and a

superstar in the making. They are a lovely pair together. Glorious

quality from somebody is so young. Skating with the Olympic silver

medallist. Yes, it was a tough warm up and he was doing his best. Where

will the judges but then? That was a huge start with that quadruple

twist. The reigning Olympic champion, who is coaching them. He

knows exactly what it is like to skate on these big occasions and he

will give her some reassuring words. Level four on both of those

final lifts. Look at this rotation. Yes, she is there. Eight points each

for those last lifts. They have made some points. But she was just very

tense in her shoulders on the take-off. On that double axel. We

have been watching practice and she has been nailing them time after

time. That is easy. Triple toe loop. She can rotate easily. Just

experience, she just needs the experience. Well, she has got two

men on the right-hand side, her partner, fourth Olympic Games. Those

men will certainly help regain that experience. And they will learn from

it and she will learn from it. The man on her right is the man who,

during our time, was learning everything about figure skating by

video taping any Championship you could get to. Amazing to watch them.

They were lying in seventh place after the short programme.

128.5, their season best. I am not sure it will be close to that. No,

not with those falls. 125.13. Fourth place in the free skating. The crowd

are enjoying that in the Iceberg skating Palace but they are getting

very excited because they have a chance of medals. We can rejoin the

action for the final four players. Here we are, completing the warm up.

All this so important, just to get rid of those nerves and

anticipation. And the gold medal is at stake and for the Germans and the

Russians, this is the ultimate competition? It is. And just looking

at the planned programme, there is no actual planned by the Germans.

They are going for what they know. The top four coming up. The couple

in third place. Then the favourites. Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim

Trankov. Then the Chinese, silver medallists in Vancouver four years

ago. The experienced Jian Tong and Qing Pang. And then the Germans will

be the last. And they are lying in second place after the short

programme. The first of the top three. Their outstanding at the

European Championships. Can they put the pressure on the top two? A

lovely programme. Opening move. Triple twist left. --

left. Beautifully done. Easily through. The take-off and the flow.

Strong landing. The speed and the flow coming out of

that spiral. Double axel Pramac. -- double axel.

Well, into the second half of this routine. Extra bonus points for all

of those elements. I love this. Love the extra feature

with the entry. Very strong and just one element left. It is the throat

salchow. -- throw. And the crowd erupts! They are delighted. That was

fun and fabulous. They have delivered all of the elements again

tonight and boy, do the three that are left to skate have plenty to

worry about. That was glorious. Such a great routine because none of

those little added extras detracted or do anything away from how classy

and clever those elements are. It was supreme. Very strong,

technically. And the favourites for the gold-medal, waiting patiently.

They will know just how good that is. As it was at the European

Championships. You cannot ask for more at the Olympics. The Russian

crowd absolutely delighted. They will have seen them performing like

this in training. But the pressure that they are under and look at what

they have delivered. A wonderful way to start this final group. Featuring

will not stop. The next they're coming on. Russia want to have two

on the podium and they want gold and silver and did very well could be.

Straight in on this flip and she is as solid as a rock when she jumps.

In for the triples. The timing is superb. Struggled very slightly

there. That is the last one. She rotates before he let her go but

that is how it works for them. A strong triple twist as well. Those

component scores will be very big. You just know that this stadium is

going to erupt when they see these scores as well because the judges

have to be impressed with that. Seasons-macro best by a mile. That

is some score. That will surely be a medal. But what colour? 72 points in

the technical score alone. That is what you want. You have to be equal

parties in an overall routine and it doesn't get better than that. I hope

it does and we are about to see it. Here they come. They are a couple

that don't seem deterred by the immense pressure they are under

here. They are the leaders after the short programme by some way that

they have made mistakes in the free programme at the European

Championships. Will this support that we are hearing now carry them

through to gold? Steadying themselves. The three-time European

champions, the reigning world champions going for Olympic glory to

win their second gold medal here in Sochi.

Huge triple twist lift to open. Side-by-side triples that they want.

Yes! Easy. Second solo jumps also triples.

Hopefully in combination. Into the speed for the first two

throws. They will review that if the hand went down.

What did I say? This is their time and that added with their short

programme, surely unbeatable. The pressure, you can now see the

pressure release. They have been the team for the last couple of years

and the team to beat. They came as favourites for the gold medal and

they haven't put a foot wrong since they came out on the ice in the team

competition and in these championships. It wasn't perfect but

it is good enough. One touchdown. There were a few little moments that

were not quite as secure as they can be. I am being very picky but there

are nine people down there doing exactly the same thing. There are

12,000 people waving their flags and they are convinced it is the goals.

They are wearing the right colour. Maybe they will be wearing that

medal out in the Olympic Park tomorrow.

That second school is going to be huge. There is such a quality to

their movement. A class to every shape that she particular --

particularly puts into every move. There with their coach who has been

at their side. A new partnership after the last Olympics and they

have got better and better as every year has gone by. They have saved

the best for here. The triple twist is join enormous and it is so soft

and secure on the landing. It was probably one of their best elements.

It was the loop here. The hand did go down. There is no deduction but

execution will be affected. They got 6.4 for the throw loop.

It was the quality of the skating. What a great reaction as well. I can

tell you now that the score they need to beat is 134.52. It is just

how many more it will be them mad. And whether it matches their

season's best. Not quite but certainly good enough. 152.69. A

little error just proving costly. Look at the presentation. They are

the leaders by almost nine points from their fellow Russians. There is

still two to skate. I believe they think they have done enough.

Follow that. They will be wisely taking all the time that they can to

prepare for the start. They are lying in fourth. Can they

close the gap and earn a place on the podium once again? She is 33 and

he is 34. Bay open with a double axle

sequence. The second axel not happening. They need to recompose

now. Stepping with conviction on the toe loops.

Watch for the power and height on the triple twist.

What a beautiful routine to choose to say farewell to figure skating.

They are retiring after such an after so many great romance at the

Olympic Games. Silver medallists four years ago. The desperate to be

on the podium. I wonder if they just might miss out but what a beautiful

way to say farewell. Those first few elements in the jump sequences were

sadly lacking and they are usually very consistent. Some of those

lifts, fairly straightforward, and not necessarily better positions for

the girl in the air. What a trip and has been, producing magnificent

performances here in the team event and here tonight in the short run.

He carried the flag at the opening ceremony. Great memories to take

away. 8.94 that one left in the middle. 7.4, that was for the triple

loop. That was their highest jump element. Neither me the rotation.

Under review. Double axel, single axel sequence. That is the trouble.

-- triple. Throw loop. Beautiful. Fourth place they are at the moment.

Will they still be in fourth place? A nervous watch for them to see

where they will be. This Russian crowd know exactly what that score

means. They have not moved above the second Russian pair, Ksenia Stolbova

and Fedor Klimov. They are lying in third place with just one team left.

It looks as though they will miss out on a place on the podium in

their final competition but they leave with some great memories. Two

of the greats. Here we go, the final power. Where

will those medals go? Four points behind the Russians. When they risk

this with the triple Axel? -- triple Axel. Will they be brave enough to

put this in? It will be the final element of the programme. So, they

came here for the gold medal. But they are a long way from taking it

from the Russians. Will they keep hold of silver? Because Ksenia

Stolbova and Fedor Klimov were so strong tonight. The last to skate.

Aliona Savchenko and 90 macro. -- Robin Szolkowy.

Huge, lovely, soft landing from Aliona Savchenko.

Robin has gone on the first triple toe loop. The second one will not

happen and that is the gold-medal gone.

That ripple of applause from the crowd is lovely to hear, willing

them on, even though they know that the gold medal is for the Russian

team. I think the Germans are fighting for bronze.

Just the final throw left to come. This is it. Triple axel. All or

nothing. Well, they had to go for it. And,

boy, they did well to keep going. They knew that mistake at the start

would prove costly and they seemed to lose momentum during the

programme, they knew the gold medal had gone and that is what they came

here for. It got quite slow toward the end, that final lift was a

glorious position but extremely slow. I could feel they were

possibly just preparing themselves for the throw. And at the expense

quality of some other elements I have to say. Has that cost them the

silver medal? Gold is definitely gone. I do not know if you felt

that, but there was that moment of realisation with this audience that

they were not going to win the gold and the Russians had got it and yet

they were applauding them, trying to will be on. I thought that was

lovely. -- will them on. They have won all of it over the years, Ford

times world champions. But it was the Russians who took over a year

ago. Still 5.25 points for that triple axel. Worth the effort for

trying. But probably not going to make the difference. They came here

for the gold and we will find out if they even hold onto silver. It is

likely to be bronze. They have been so innovative over

the years, pushing the boundaries. But it was just Tatiana Volosozhar

and Maxim Trankov who got together after the Olympics and are proving

to get to know themselves as a couple, they have moved ahead of

them, they had to try those special throws to catch them. They need to

work. And the things they can do in their sleep, as Robin does, it is

easy. But this is the Olympics and the pressure is on. The height, just

how light and easy this triple flip is... Glorious. Lovely running edge

on the exit. Stepping in, slightly ahead of him on the take-off. I do

not know if that caused her to try and rush but they were planning on

the triple toe loop combination. And they did not get downgraded. 1.18.

Triple axel, makes the rotation but not in a position to try to get that

landing. Where would you put them? Probably fourth place. Third

overall. They gave everything to win this, they changed their short run

in the last few weeks and with that triple Axel into the performance.

Ouch! Look at that. That does put them into fourth place. But that is

third overall. So they do take home bronze. Confirmation, it is a bronze

medal for the Germans. Gold and silver for Russia. And Tatiana

Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov have given us another night to remember.

They have saved the best for the Olympics. Indeed. And all teams came

out and did exactly what they needed today. There was talk this afternoon

that it could be Russia one, two and they certainly deserve that.

Outstanding performances. A second gold medal for the great Maxim

Trankov and Tatiana Volosozhar. Silver for Fedor Klimov and Ksenia

Stolbova. We hope they can carry on, they are talking of retiring, the

Germans, Robin Szolkowy and Aliona Savchenko. That is a fantastic

result for Canada, fifth place. They were wonderful tonight. They put in

another star performance. Even further down, the other American

team have certainly moved up. We have seen some wonderful

performances but there is no one going anywhere in this stadium

because although there are no medals awarded, they will get to see

Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov and they want to celebrate with

them. Did you enjoy that? We had a big crowd of Russians watching the

screen and they were delighted with that. I would love from -- to know

from you both, how do they compare to others? They have been getting

stronger and stronger. What we could see was as soon as they had

finished, it was like the steam being let out of the kettle, that

pressure was released. They finally showed us what pressure they had

been under and yet they performed all so cleanly. The new judging

system that they have brought in, the difficulty that those two

perform out there, they have taken skating to a whole new level. We saw

that one tiny error of that hand down on the ice but a great

recovery. It is a great recovery and there is no deduction on that but

the judges that are sitting there will bring down the execution. We

can see it coming up but it wasn't going to be enough. Glorious. Seeing

highlights now of all three medallists. The second Russian pair

took the silver medal. On the Germans and skating under that

pressure, when you know early on that it has gone wrong, how

difficult is it to keep going? That is why you train every day for hours

and hours. In training you will be falling, doing every routine

hundreds of thousands of times and you want to make sure. They knew

that they were going to need that triple axel at the end. They get the

points for the effort in the new system. You lose a deduction for

falling but it wasn't enough. They had already lost points at the

beginning. They did really need that triple axel because they were seven

points behind the Russians in the free skate. They needed to land

that. They had to take the risk. Thank you so much to Robin Cousins

and Sue Barker. Brilliant action there from the skating palace. They

will be presented with flowers and the medal ceremony will take place

tomorrow. These were the scenes outside as a group of Russians

gathered around the Sochi trolley. This was the moment they realised

that Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov had won the medal and Russia

had also taken the silver medal. I like to think they are cheering and

applauding the trolley as well as the performance. It is great to be

surrounded by that warmth and we will be reflecting back on the best

of the action from day five at seven o'clock. We are going to head over

to the Bolshoi Stadium now for the ice hockey. The USA were up against

Karen -- Canada. She scores. The US take the

advantage. She blasted it home. The American fans go mad.

Thank you very much. Megan Augusta. Tried and tested way for the

Canadians. Great presence of mind and Megan Augusta will not miss from

6.5 feet out. The whistle has gone before they

cross the line, or has it? I thought we heard it. The Canadians will

celebrate. I thought I heard a whistle in my headphones. I think

they are going to go upstairs. The referee is doing up a helmet in the

box. Where will she point? She points to the centre. It is a goal.

Megan Augusta looking to make it two. Thank you very much. The

Canadians now lead by three goals to one. Canada are happy. The flags fly

high for Megan Augusta. Help coming. This is a real opportunity.

A second goal of the game for the US and now we have a Grand Slam finish.

It may have deflected. There is going to be some fantastic

ice hockey here. We will show highlights of the best

matches. If you get a question in a pub guests -- quiz in which sport we

are the most stressful, it is the skeleton. Four years ago Amy

Williams won gold in Vancouver and before that, Shelley Rudman talk the

medal ensuring. Lizzie Yarnold won the World Cup series and she is not

afraid to set her sights firmly on gold here in Sochi.

You always feel nervous before you compete or train. It is something

where you need to be aware of feeling nervous because it can be

quite dangerous. It is that thrill and the adrenaline that I really

love. As he walked to the start block, you have to be really focused

and ready to produce power really fast.

As soon as I am in position, I let my body mole into the sled. When I

came into the programme, Amy Williams had just won the gold

medal. I slot in the amazing machine that is British skeleton. Your mind

just takes over. Your peripheral vision completely takes over. You

are feeling the interaction between you and the ice and it is all your

senses working. There is no perfect run. There is always something you

can improve on. The angle into the corner, your speed or your line. It

is not only about doing well against other athletes, it is seeing how

good I can be against myself. I am so proud to say my hardest

competition is within my own team. Shelley is an amazing athlete. She

has so much experience. We are friends away from the track but once

we are on the start block, she is one of my hardest rivals. Her

performance has pushed me to be better because I know I can't let

up. Every single session, I have to try and be the best version of me

that I can. Lizzie Yarnold of Great Britain. Our World Cup leader.

Victory. A very impressive slide. World Cup champion, Lizzie Yarnold.

The great thing about the Olympics from what I have heard is it is a

magical event. It is my first Olympics so I am taking it one step

at a time and I hope to perform at my best and I am believably

motivators so fingers crossed. -- motivated. She is absolutely

brilliant and I love that line, I want to be the best version of me

that I can. Digital to bout Amy Williams and how her team surrounds

her so who better to guide us down the track than the Olympic champion.

Here we are for skeleton. It is 1500 metres long with 17 corners. It is

the best track I have ever seen. This start here is beautiful. It is

long and flat and the athletes will have to decide the crucial point

when to load onto the sled. It is designed for the Russians because

they are very fast starters. The Porsche is really important and to

continue that for the first two corners. -- push. We have three

uphill sections in this track that really unique. No track has ever had

that before. One of them comes out of this corner. You don't notice how

steep this is that you notice it and if they are lying on the eyes, they

will see the uphill. It is important that they don't move around on their

sled otherwise they will be skidding.

It is pretty steep on the way down here.

Big corner ten. Big oscillations and big ways that they will have to try

and steer out. This is corner 12 and 13 into 14. Vital that the athletes

take a little clip on the left to line themselves out. Keep that

speed. Position is vital. Aerodynamics are really important

now. Exit 17, finish line just there and hopefully you will get over in a

really good time. It is a technical track, it is beautiful, the ice is

wonderful and I have high hopes for our Team GB men and women. Amy has

good reason to be positive because Lizzie Yarnold has been going faster

and faster in training and Shelley Rudman has been going well also.

This is the time plan for tomorrow. The Olympic Park is lit up all

around because the sky is dark. The ice hockey dome here, they put the

score on the actual roof and they animate every time a goal is

scored. It is wonderful. We will be back shortly with the highlights of

day five. See you for now.