Day 6, Part 3 Winter Olympics

London 2012 is very much the people's Games. Part of what made it

so successful that against all the odds, Sochi 2014 has a similar five

with crowds streaming in. It is a great atmosphere but they are very

much the Games of London Britain and there is one game he values above

all else. -- southern Britain. -- Putin.

He said of Russia would win one gold medal, he hoped it would be in ice

hockey. They would never win just one of them but today is when we

find out just how good that Russian team is. We will have to see how

well they come together under the most intense scrutiny. A team of

stars that start this afternoon. At this rate, the organisers will have

to rename the other arena, such as being the dominance of Holland. It

is the Women's 1000 Metres today. And Norway have another crack at

history. Winter Olympics medal number 13 in the biathlon. First,

the new favourites bought, slopestyle. It has at all, including

kicking a Russian doll in the head, if you want to. We had a bronze for

Jenny and for Katie it was so close. This is what happened earlier on

today. Skip wedding, slopestyle, it is basically a blank canvas where

the idea is just to express the best you can do. -- skip morning.

Everyone is good mates. You have to be competitive to get there. Being

creative is massive. Everyone has the same course and features to use.

The same drawing board. And there are no rules, that is the most

important thing. You have to do it this way... It is all about

individuality. We have a game plan, definitely nervous because everyone

is nervous. Everyone will be nervous, it is just how you deal

with that. Everyone will be throwing down the best of the best. There

will definitely be a good show. There is more than one way of

getting down that slope. Basically, it is showing off to the best of our

ability at! -- ability! Nicholas Goepper. Without poles.

That is slightly frowned upon? He has had a problem with his hand

or his wrist all season so it is difficult to carry poles. He is just

sticking with what he knows. Whatever he is doing, it is working.

You can still hear that barrel reverberate! Flawless. Top section,

Don and dusted. What about the jumps? Heat-treated yesterday that

his training day was the best ever, in his words. He opened up early on

that! Really early. Yes! Oh, Mike goodness. And he never looked out of

control. He was not foreseen that triple. Into the last 270, he was

well on top of it. Double grab, he has not done that before. That was

not out of control. He was just untying that double grab. . Triple

1440. 92.4. No argument. There was not one single flaw in that. James

Woods of Great Britain, dropping in for the final. His first run. He

qualified in third place so he has the luxury of having seen nine

finalists going before him. Carrying a slight injury. It did not affect

his qualifying. He still went really well. Certainly the only rider we

have seen getting that rail. Absolutely perfect rail section. In

the bottom box. And nice, through that canon. The first of his jumps.

Not too bad. Look at that grab. He did not even land, the Earth came up

to meet him! My goodness! Beautiful run from James Woods. It was the

first kicker, this is gorgeous. This is a masterclass. What an amazing

shot! That is off the canon. Left double 1080. Absolutely massive. The

judges will knock him down a little bit further. That is why he had to

open out. Both of his toes almost meeting in the middle. Using all the

leverage of those skis. Great score. 86.6. Silver medal position. Only

two left to drop on this first run. Team GB enjoying themselves today.

Slopestyle delivering. One of the elder statesman of this world. He

went into this OK. Really nice on the rails. 450 of that. Of the

Russian doll. Some butter on his take-off! The second jump. Big 1260.

3.5 rotations. This is beautiful. This is like an ambassador's

hospitality. Very smooth at the moment. It was immaculate. It was

technical but not in the range that we have seen from Nicholas Goepper.

Smiling, always smiling! 89.6. He was given second place in the

booth, here. Nicholas Goepper is still in gold. Haatveit in silver.

James Woods in the France medal position. One left. He said he left

it late to qualify. Well-deserved? And outside shot. Using the double

angle to really lock those in. That was nice. Very smooth through the

third element. He linked all of those sections together. Finishes

the rotation beautifully. He has so much... In the air! Oh, my goodness!

Where is this going? That was very tidy. If you were looking for the

weak spot, maybe at the top, not as technical as we saw from Nicholas

Goepper. Or Haatveit or James Woods. He is looking for it but he is

coming that the opposite way. Coming into the switch. And with the

benefit of hindsight, that was not quite as brittle as it looked. --

brittle. -- brutal. This is really computer Games stuff, nine. -- now.

Yes, he can! 95.8. After the first run, Joss Christensen maintains the

status quo. First place. Fantastic first run. Hopefully James Woods has

somewhere to go with his second run. These glorious mountains that

oversee the course down here at the Extreme puck. -- puck. It is the

Men's final. This run was so beautiful up to the

last kicker. How much pressure would you be under? Absolutely massive

enjoy it? None of these guys have ridden at this level before, maybe a

television audience of 1 million. Suddenly in front of 2 billion

people at the Olympics! Solid, so smooth. Absolutely surgical. That is

the hardest, most technical trick we have seen over the big, curved box.

Immaculate! Absolutely ridiculous from him. He just needs to hold it

together. Backwards for his trouble 14. -- triple. That was absolutely

insane! He knows it! He kicks off his skis! And the switch. Talk us

through these? Just look at this. Big. Glorious, slow motion, double

12. So composed. Tail grab. He puts it down. The second and his head

comes down. Both arms under his legs, there, in order to keep his

body tucked up and keep that spin going round. Into second! Behind

Joss Christensen. America occupying all the medal positions. James Woods

needs 92.4 or better for a place on the podium. Come on! The whole of

the UK is holding their breath. He has worked so hard with James Woods.

Just brings him in. Quick hug. He is probably so pride. Just do have got

to this point. He will be enormously happy. James Woods. 450. Again,

really solid through this section. 270. Pretzel off. His confidence

will be running at this point. Tidy. It will be difficult to improve on

this score. Unless we see a triple, here. Well, you have got to give him

a round of applause. And I think Goepper, applauding, probably knows

that his medal is save at least this run. So close the Woodsy. The rail

section was immaculate, nothing you can fault. So, so solid. The grab

through their... His first kick, the landing, just sit back a little bit.

Just goes really big. You can hear the man saying over the PA that if

you have not got the triple, you are not going to bust into the 90s. But

his skis are almost parallel there, going the wrong way. Seven J .40. I

didn't think it was quite that low, but his first-round score, it was

good enough for fifth -- 78.40. And after his hip injury over the last

five days, he will be very very pleased with that result. Years, he

has done exceptionally well. -- yes. Currently in force, hard -- had

Andreas Haatveit. He dropped in W said he is a happy

dude and we have seen smiles at the top and bottom of course. When there

is no snow, he has won at the bottom of his garden and invites people

round. So he has a dry slope as well? Bat is a man who loves his

sport. -- that. He used the full flex of those tips just to hold

himself on. Switch ten to finish. It is not going to be enough, is it? If

Andreas Haatveit doesn't improve, it will be a USA, one, two, three and a

victory lap. That is a very impressive feat by the American, to

have used only one run in the final. Is he going to use it to

showcase his best run? You have got too, haven't you? It is either that

or backflips. 91 point AT! After everything we said. It is fourth.

So, so close to a bronze. But the Americans have done it. It is the

USA lock-out on the podium. Joss Christensen, Gus Kenworthy and Nick

Goepper. And that podium will not change because the only man left to

drop is this man, Joss Christensen. A lap of honour, where he will

descend to claim the gold medal he has already won. My goodness. And

you have got to say, the USA are the powerhouse. All four of their skiers

making it through to the final. It just goes to show how strong the US

team is, for someone to just squeezing for the last spot at the

Olympics and they end up taking gold.

For 50, 278. 270 at the opposite direction, known as a pretzel,

because it will tie you up. -- 450, 270. Taking the same line as Woodsy.

He is going to try and improve here, isn't he? Double 14? I think it was

the turn. But what an incredible finish to a quite spectacular day of

freestyle skiing here at the first-ever men's Olympics slopestyle

contest. A huge run from Joss Christensen, considering that he

didn't actually need to do that. Good on him for doing that, he could

have done some straightforward jumps and just celebrated. The score from

the first run stands and that is your podium. At the first ever free

skiing slopestyle Olympic contest, it has been an American one, it has

been an American one, two, three. Well, I think Woodsy acquitted

himself extremely well considering his injury problems. I find myself

in a lovely position. A lovely view of the mountains, the Olympic

flame, the Olympic Park, absolutely packed today and if we twist around

here, we have the Black Sea. It really is very close. That is all of

the back of house stuff for the arena where the women have been in

action with the ice hockey. Now it is time for the men. In there.

Here at the Bolshoy arena in Sochi, the home crowd are gearing up for

what they consider to be the biggest event of this year's Winter

Olympics, the man's ice hockey tournament. Russia, with a hugely

talented roster, R.N. -- are under incredible pressure to deliver gold.

We will play with our hearts and this will be a big moment. But if

they want to win on home ice, it won't be walking apart. They left

Vancouver empty-handed after being knocked out in the quarters by

Canada, who went on to to claim the gold. And the man who scored the

winning goal, Sidney Crosby, is ready to take on the best in the

world again. There are high expectations, as there are a lot of

teams, but obviously with Russia plane, a proud hockey nation, they

want to have a good showing. Being the defending champions, you have a

target on your back, especially being from Canada. It takes place

across two venues, where 12 teams will fight it out for the title. The

second consecutive Olympics, the NHL has been put on hold. So expect all

of the usual thrills and spills as team-mates opponents. You are

playing against team-mates, people who know you well and who you know.

It'll help you and her true in some ways. The weirdest part is in the

village, when you walk by and by wearing different colours and with

different guys you usually play against. But when she get out there,

everyone knows what you have to do. An age-old rivalry will also

re-emerge as Russia face off against the United States, evoking memories

of the Miracle On Ice from the 1980s. The United States have beaten

the Soviet Union! When I saw we would be playing the Russians in the

preliminary rounds, I was really excited. Really? I was, really

excited to have that game, and you know it will be in their homeland,

displays will be off the charts. Alongside these ice hockey

superpowers are current champions Sweden and other European teams.

Slovakia have one of the best players in the world in Dino Char,

maybe they are medal contenders, but maybe just making bronze. Food you

think will cause problems for the big boys? -- who are giving. Finland

play with a North American flair, I think they will be a big surprise.

So the stage is set for the big one. The final gold medal of this Winter

Olympics will be won in this very venue. But which country will be

crowned Olympic champion? I cannot wait to find out.

Interestingly, the NHL, the National Hockey League in America, have

produced a 150 page guide in this tournament, such as their interest,

the tournament did start today, the big guns are in action, the USA,

Canada and Russia. We will join the second period of Russia against

Slovenia. There have been goals in the first period. We can catch up

with the highlights. The atmosphere is wonderful. Can the

Slovenians not be overawed? There is big danger. He scores! His first

shot of the game. Top corner, ice cream of delight. It ripples around

the Bolshoy eyes don't well, well, well. The poster boy delivers as

they play after side, and he announces his arrival in Sochi. That

is pinpoint perfect as he delivers a bullet over the shoulder and into

the top of the Slovenia goal. Forward it goes. Malkin, 2-0. The

one, to punch delivers. They are devastating. The red machine rolls

into Sochi, and it is rolling all over Slovenia. Intoxicating stuff.

Lays it off for Malkin. A lot of discussion about these people being

rivals, even though they are countrymen, and Malkin hammers it

home. A shot and a goal, into the top

corner! A wonderful finish. And the power play didn't work and the

Slovenians have their first ever Olympic gold. A moment of history

for Leglic. Up and over and the first ever Olympic goal is scored

here at the Bolshoy Ice Palace in Sochi. That is in a major -- a major

achievement in the Bolshoy. What a moment for Slovenia to school at an

Olympic Games. And this puts a slightly different complexion on

this game. The Russian lead cut in half. Maybe now they can create.

Malkin has options. Into Ovechkin, but doesn't pick out a team-mate.

Malkin goes to the ice. Ovechkin, the superstar, tries to find Malkin.

The two scorers. Deflected wide. The Russians like adversity, just to

get the rise. They started so well, but over the second half of the

first period, as we look at this play developed, it is a broken play,

but that there is a precise finish from that young man, and the

Slovenia, their first goal ever scored at the Olympics, and what a

moment to put this lead in half. The toast of Ludhiana tonight, no doubt

about that. -- of the capital. Irrespective of the scoreline. I'm

not sure many Slovenians would have given it a chance of keeping this

close after this time. A decent game package. -- of hockey.

They look less overwrought now, the Slovenians.

They will win possession back here. The Russians look ragged, actually.

It has changed, hasn't it, the complexion of the game. Another

giveaway and just saved. Varlamov Struggled with it. A clear a zipped

effort goes over the top. The Slovenians with an opportunity

to settle things down. Big slapshot into the glass and never Russians

will break they have a four onto -- on 2.

Crossed the line, that was a heat seeker. The Slovenians get it away.

Another Russian attack is repelled. The defensive poise Slovenia is the

tell-tale sign. It shows everybody they believe they can hang fire with

the mighty red machine. Six minutes had gone. A long outlet

pass towards the... Now, the Slovenians comeback the other way.

Collect possession in the zone. Offside whistle blows. The ice

cleaners are ready to come out. Accommodation is a good one at the

moment on the bench of the Slovenians. The coach will be happy

with what he has seen with his players -- the conversation. Look at

the turnover. Varlamov nearly sees that go through him. Not only is

Kopitar the star player on the ice for Slovenia, his father is the

coach. They are calm, we have a bit of a TV time-out as they sweep the

ice and get things organised. There is the Russian support and the

Slovenians support out there together on the fourth level inside

the Bolshoy. That lime green signature look of the Slovenian

national programme. The flags are very similar, actually, the red,

blue and white. But the tell-tale sign, as you mentioned, is the lime

green. All of the athletes, and a number of them are here in the ring,

trying to give their support to the Slovenian hockey players. It is a

stat worth repeating that just one in six of all registered mail hockey

players in Slovenia is playing in this tournament right now. It just

shows what they have been able to achieve by getting here. And they

are playing with a great deal of poise right now.

Turnover in the zone. Russia clearway with Ovechkin. Well cut out

by Slovenia. The question is now, these rising Starts of Russia, are

they all brightness and no heat? Mursak with options out in front.

Penalty coming. A penalty on the Russians and another power play for

Slovenia. A chance for them to try this game up. It is ill disciplined

by the Russian defence and when teams start taking penalties,

obviously it is a sign of trying to restrain the opposition. And

Slovenia right now are coming in force. It is a high stick, and

Kopitar gives it right back. For only one penalty to be given,

Slovenia are lucky, because Kopitar made no reception with his response.

The trade-off is a two-minute power play for the Slovenians. They have

five skaters and the aim is to move the puck around and try and isolate

the extra person. Find a bit of space with Kopitar.

Kopitar at the top. Trying to move it to the high percentage area

inside. I thought he had kept it in, but a shake of the head. He is an

offensive player, Kopitar, but he plays almost like the quarterback in

an American football team, he will argue -- orchestrate the shape,

position and eventually the shot coming from that position. A Stanley

cup winner, great pictures of he and his dad sharing the cup with his

team-mates. For those of you that don't know, Stanley Is the big

trophy you can win in your -- in Canada.

Kopitar and Ticar working the right-hand side. Nice distribution.

Less crisp, bad pass. Kopitar trying to spin off. Ticar helps it on.

Loses out, and it is given away. Cleared down the ice.

Mursak... Rubbed out. And away it goes, and that will do it the power

play, as Russian return -- Russia returned to five skaters. But it is

another two minutes of the man-to-man hanging in this game for

Slovenia, even if they didn't convert. They had possession for the

majority of the time and continue to put questions on the Russian

defence. I haven't seen another gear. We saw the incredible start at

the Blaze of glory from the Russians to start this game with their

superstars, Ovechkin and Malkin, but since then, we haven't seen another

Russian goal. We haven't seen another offensive player. Only three

shots in the second period through ten minutes, they had 18 in the

first 20. That just highlights that they haven't been able to create, as

they did. And the locals will start to get a little and see, you

suspect. He is the captain. . He is the man who can open things up. Not

the most dynamic but he is a very wise orchestrator. He will set the

table. But they need to start working harder.

Some good skating. The captain, of Slovenia. 21 shots, the total, for

Russia at the moment. Only 64 Slovenia. You can see this

scoreline. -- six for. This cried behind you, it could become a

negative if the Russians do not pick things up.

They have been very quiet in this second after dominating in the

first. The Russians might be guilty of taking their foot off the gas in

the first 20. They had a chance and they did not use it wisely. Slovenia

deserve to be in this game. Most possession. -- nice position.

Movement towards the net. There are two Rodmans on this team. Marcel and

David. The Russian crowd trying to do their bit to get their boys back

into this. Chipped into the zone. Side of the net. Great save! He

sends this one in five. -- high. Beautifully controlled.

They need to play with more of that attitude. This is the passion that

this cried wants to see. This is Datsyuk. They need to have more

purpose in the offensive zone. He has a back. Great play! The glass

wobbles and the crowd is silenced. It goes higher. It gets too tight.

His release for the goal was very good, technically.

He does brilliantly. Off the back foot. And he is raging in front. The

Russians will come and they will generate some fence. But it does not

seem to be cohesive as a five-man block. Synchronised in how they want

to attack. We watched those Finnish players earlier and the way the

overlap and underlay each other and move the puck around, it was

amazing. You can see him coming onto the ice. He is in a very good

position to get a shot off. He is a leading goal-scorer in the NHL at

this moment. A great outside move and that he lost possession coming

into that he area. They need a string of three or four plays to

generate something because the Slovenians are able to weather this.

They have not had the break and they have kept calm. The Russian play has

been drawn up on the board and when they have shot from a similar area

to where the drawing is, they do far better than when they have comment

to make too many passes and it has got to tight. They have allowed

Slovenia to get back into full on positions. This is game number one

for both of these teams. The USA against Russia is the big match at

the weekend. Everyone is looking forward to that. It might be the

hottest ticket in town. Great play to take under control. It goes wide

of the target. That may very well have got the post. That was a

surprise shot. It should not be a surprise that Slovenia will lead and

they can make plays happen and they can shoot and school. They will

press again, here. People talk about the miracle on ice and if Slovenia

when, it will not be too far off. -- win. The miracle on ice was not for

the gold medal. Nice play, download. And Rodman was caught between two

minds, there, passing and shooting. The Russians can clear this one away

and there is just the hint of an opportunity. It is too static for

the Russians. You can see the body language, going around the ice ring.

They have been disenchanted. That was a hard hat. -- hit.

Uncompromising but he is strong, Datsyuk. Getting involved in a bit

of a war. We are unlikely to see any fight in this competition. You don't

really do that at the Olympic Games, but you never know! There is no

reason for it at this stage. This is Datsyuk, trying to come out. And

then some, from Russia with Love. That shot goes away from the right

bar. That was how close it was. From just a couple of months ago. --

moments. The Slovenians have that in nature menders performance. Have

they got the energy to continue? Radyulov again.

Beautiful. Radyulov, but it was stolen. Datsyuk wins it back. And he

then gets knocked to the ice. No penalty called. Really good, great

defensive play, that. It was, and that played back to Radyulov, that

was a precise, quick movement from the Russians. A moment ago, he would

love to have drawn a penalty himself but it was not called. An important

moment. Russian power play. And it is the goal-scorer who will sit for

two minutes. The look of anguish on his face. He gets the stick in. That

was a sloppy play and the way this game has gone, you have a sense that

Russia will use this to their advantage. When he looks up, he will

see... He cannot win it. That was a big shot from the blue line. And the

whistle-blower. Outside the zone, the faceoff came off the Russians

stick last. That is the rule. If it was convenient, it would have been

faceoff in front of the goal. They will have to work it over the blue

line. He changes the formation of his draw for the Slovenians. You

cannot even see him on the screen, he is so far away. There he is.

Coming back into focus. This is a good time for the Russians

to school. It has been a good period for Slovenia but Russia could end

any hope with a goal, here. -- scorer. -- score. The options are

far away. A one-man advantage not utilised

yet. That is really skilful by Malky on.

Oh, yes! Took some time, took some space and then picked his corner

out. And the penalty comes back to bite the Slovenians right before the

end of the second period as Russia extend their lead. A very calm

build-up. And right in the middle waiting for the service. It goes

right in up under the bar and bounces down and then Malkin taps it

in. But there is no question now as they drop the pub. What does it do

to the Slovenian spirit? They have been hanging tough all day. Not only

have they been up against the Russian side, they have have been up

against the crowd, but what can the Russians do with the momentum. In

Olympic terms, they are debutants. Have they got the right stuff. They

have shown so much in this period. May well get a turnover here, and

they do. That allows them... Too many men on the ice for a moment the

Russia. -- for Russia. Leglic is through! And it is two!

What a response from Slovenia. Russia looked like they were going

to pull away but a break from Leglic. He was devastating with his

first, he was deadly accurate with his second. And he is the man for

Slovenia. Leglic does it again, and he has got a goal itch. He takes it

away from those defenders and he knows the far side is available.

What a finish, simple and easy, and it is on the board. I am stunned. 68

seconds. The Russians with the history, but it is the Slovenians

that are showing the spirit here. They have put in a tremendous

performance. Whatever happens from here, this has been quite

remarkable. From a tiny nation of less than 2 million people.

Well we don't get a track of the turnovers in the broadcasting

position, but what concerns me about the Russians, they are turning the

puck over too much. I would look to see the Kovalchuk goal again, I

think it goes in, but it was so quick, Malkin then tapped it in. But

the Russians are not making enough place to really show the sort of

form they need to if they are serious about getting a medal this

tournament. Medvedev sends it in. It bounces off the boards. Ovechkin

does shoot but it comes high of the Plexiglas.

Ovechkin will be a little concerned, but he never seems to get too

serious. Kovalchuk does get credit. Sorry, just going to that goal

again. Ovechkin is always poised to shoot, as he will on the straw right

now. -- on this draw. It is somewhere underneath the pack

as the whistle blows again. Still time to create at least one chance.

In fact, so much so, they are going to change lines, the Slovenians, as

we look at this again. Ovechkin trying to sniff out an opportunity

and again, great coverage download to get on that puck. The Russians

use the set pieces to try and get advantage. A horn in the crowd

blows. There will be a big noise shortly.

The period two is over, a period won by the Slovenians. They trailed

3-2. Malky in and Ovechkin to start things off -- Malkin. Kovalchuk

extended the lead again but another goal from Jeglic has stretched the

game again. Already ahead of the Austrian was

the 22-year-old champion Dick Button. John Curry did not put a

foot wrong. Robin Cousins completes his programme to a great round of

applause. Brian Boitano of the United States

banking the Canadian audience. Plushenko, that was a breathtaking

performance. The spotlight is on Lysacek. The crowd are on their

feet, Lysacek at his very best. I tell you what, Robin Cousins can

jump! You could do the triple jump! I don't do that anymore. So, men's

downhill, men's figure skating, two of the blue ribbon events. How

excited are you for those getting started? Probably as excited as any

Olympics since I competed. There is such an energy. Plushenko has come

back, there are eight or nine boys who could be in the top three by the

end of tonight who know what to do, they are so hungry for it. And the

last two days, if they are raping to go by, let's either delete it will

be thrilling -- if they are anything to go by. Plushenko wasn't going to

be selected, but he was, and he has owned this place so far. He owns

every place he goes into, it is always only about him and that is

how he has managed to stay around so long. He may not be the person he

was when he won in Turin, but he obviously thinks he is capable.

There is only so much bravado you can have, you have to be able to

back it up. He did well in the team event, skated extremely well in the

short programme. We weren't sure how he would deliver the long

programme. That performance will not put him on the podium but if it is

the least he can do, he has it in him to pull something out. In the

commentary for the free programme event, you talked about smoke and

mirrors. How does he pull the wool over the judges all tee eyes? He is

performing from the waist up, engaging every single person in the

audience, down the camera lens, and then if you go below the knees and

look at the level of difficulty within the step sequences, in the

old days, they didn't have to be that difficult. Now we are requested

to do a certain amount of turns, using the blades properly, and for

me, it wasn't the best. It is swings and roundabouts, you can find

different skaters with different opinions and from different eras,

everyone has something to offer, the other doesn't, and that will make

that so interesting. So your evaluation is that it Plushenko

skates to his best, it is not good enough to win if the rest do their

best? It is going to be a really hard push for him. He will think

he's the best, no matter what, which is the glory of watching his

performance. Who would you look to to get on the podium? The Japanese

number one, and very calm in the short programme. But Plushenko in

his place, below him. You cannot discount Patrick Chan, the Canadian

world champion. He has been up and down but he knows how to work that

crowd, as well as the performance. Then you have to look at someone

like Hernandez, the European champion from Spain. Who would have

thought a Spanish man competing for the Olympic gold medal? But they are

there. The Japanese have three great boys, all of whom can deliver a

performance that puts them top. You were inside the team event and

inside last night for the pairs, both won by Russia. How much

difference is that crowd going to make? The Russian skaters feel

support. They are incredibly knowledgeable. It might be polite

applause from other countries but if you give them the performance, they

will give you the credit. They have not wavered under the pressure. It

has been phenomenal. And I would expect Plushenko to be buoyed by

that support. Figure skating in general, this young 15-year-old, she

was captivating. You cannot teach that. You must look at the videos of

her aged ten, 11 and 12 and already doing triple jumps. The maturity

with which she skates, going out in front of the home crowd, in your

very first senior year, but being focused and controlled like that,

unbelievable. How she can cope in a few days, you will have to wait

because a lot of the ladies have left the country to do training and

they will be back and it is another open book. Experience against you. I

have to bring it back to Plushenko, what does your gut tell you about

where he will in? It would be for medals in four Games. The most for

any figure skater? In remarkable achievement and it is tough but if

anyone can do it, if there is anyone who can respond to that, it will be

Plushenko. That starts at 3pm. Do your preparation and we will look

forward to that. From die here, back to the mountains. And the biathlon

and cross country center. The ten kilometre classic. Look out for

those Norwegians. He was what happened earlier on.

The woman's ten kilometre classic. It has been in the cross-country

programme from right at the beginning. This is a brutal climb.

The first of those lips is the easier. The switchback Texan the

lowest part and then it is a very long climb to the highest part. That

is where we could see some breaks occurring. Back into the stadium

after that look, they then have the hardest one to go. This long descent

past the athletes village. And some twists and turns at the far end.

Some technical corners which will certainly test Justyna Kolwalczyk.

And then that five-minute killer hill climb, that has decided all of

those injuries races. I do not expect things to be different today.

-- injury and is. -- endurance. For gold medals. Will she add to that

today? -- four. What sort of impact can this experienced athletes bring

to the party? Charlotte Kalla. Could she become the first woman in

history to defend this title? It was freestyle in Vancouver and she made

that gold-medal in North America look effortless. It was a wonderful

performance. Justyna Kolwalczyk, the reigning champion over 30

kilometres. Is this her moment to shine here on her favourite

technique? She has won the tour to ski for times and the sprint title

once. Her major success is very much below par. -- Tour de ski. Really

driving. It is not so much the tech week, it is the tempo. -- technique.

This time is going to be impressive. She still has ten seconds to get

inside that time. As long as she is within five seconds, that is a good

start. Started with gold on the opening day, will she complete her

medal collection? The reigning world champion, Therese Johaug. She will

be still hungry. She is a monster when it comes to climbing. Dixie

Alena Prochazkova. This is where she always gives time on her opponent.

It is not always pretty. It is not about technique with Justyna

Kolwalczyk, it is about the engine. Let us look at the split. Marit

Bjorgen. She has gone for the high tempo. And here comes the current

World Cup leader. She is dying, at least five seconds off the pace.

Justyna Kolwalczyk leads, then Marit Bjorgen. The German is going very

well into this. The defending champion, Charlotte Kalla, in sixth

place. You have to admire... She still has such an appetite for the

hard work and the training. She is a former world champion. Back in 2009.

It would be fantastic if she could roll back the clock and get yourself

back in contention for another medal, five years after winning the

world crown. Here is Charlotte Kalla, the final hill. They turned

to the left and in front of them appears this wall. The same one they

had to climb at the end of the sprint. It is absolutely brutal.

Coming towards the finish. Aino-Kaisa Saarinen. Will she claim

a third Winter Olympic medal? She is getting it absolutely everything as

she drives towards the finish. It is a fantastically brave performance

from Aino-Kaisa Saarinen. She has left everything out on this course.

This is as good as it gets in turns of commitment and effort. Justyna

Kolwalczyk is such a gutsy competitor, she never does when she

is beaten. -- never knows. She is way inside the time of Charlotte

Kalla. 22 seconds. Charlotte Kalla, heading towards the finish. What can

she managed to produce? It was the steepest part of the incline that

resulted in her getting away from everybody. She is the defending

champion. No one has ever won this crime in successive Games. This is

Marit Bjorgen, heading towards the base of that really sharp incline.

She was detached at the last checkpoint. Here comes Charlotte

Kalla, inside the slipstream at the moment. Switching tracks. She is

pushing, watching the clock. They currently do, 28.48.1. No woman has

ever defended this title. What an effort from Charlotte Kalla. Into

the lead. She has gained another two seconds on Aino-Kaisa Saarinen. That

could be crucial. And here is Marit Bjorgen, slipping and sliding. But

the most brutal of climbs. Justyna Kolwalczyk, around the corner. She

dreaded so much excitement when she won the 30 K, four years later, on

her favourite technique, will it be gold again for the Polish woman?

Overcoming ankle problems earlier this year. She was out of the

medals. They think this is good enough for gold. What a performance!

What a commitment from Justyna Kolwalczyk. Could it be that she has

once again delivered a gold performance here, four years after

her victory in Vancouver? She was agonisingly close to a medal in the

skiathlon. Marit Bjorgen, already has a gold medal in the skiathlon

and she said anything else was a bonus. She picked up bronze in

Vancouver. Can she raised something in the last 150 Metres to give

herself a chance of a bronze medal? The iron Lady can she get a medal?

She will finish outside the time of Aino-Kaisa Saarinen. She does not

add to her glittering array of gold, silver and bronze medals with this

event but you cannot take anything away from her commitment. Therese

Johaug. Driving, pushing, can she get roles? She got fourth place in

the skiathlon, she does not want to miss out. Yes, Therese Johaug is on

the podium, she finds something heroic in the last few hundred

Metres. And what about that reaction from Justyna Kolwalczyk? She is such

a tough competitor, she is so passionate and she rarely shows

emotion. Once again, the golden girl from Poland and the crowd will

celebrate. A second Winter Olympic gold medal. The best chance for gold

for Justyna Kolwalczyk and she has delivered that in style. Tetyana

Antypenko -- Therese Johaug, she upgrades.

That is a brutal sport, the aerobic engine of the Games. Very good

performance from Justyna Kolwalczyk. Back in the hockey... Russia are up

against Slovenia. The tribal expect more from the home nation. I was

speaking with the President of the Federation and he said this would be

the biggest result in Slovenian sporting history, should they get

victory here. They will have to defend well to do anything like that

and they need another couple of golds. -- golds. To become under

that -- to be poised, that is an indication of just how relaxed they

are, even within this potentially historic moment for their programme.

Chip and chase. Quickly back onto it. There is space for the Russians

to break forward. If they use this wisely, they can create something

big. It does not make. For Valeri Nichushkin. They may get a couple of

opportunities but they have not had enough and am to really push on. And

you watch great defensive play. Robert Kristan has been doing his

jump all day in the Slovenian gold. -- goal. The response is good.

Slovenia in possession, good possession also. He will hold on and

the whistle will blow. Offensive zone face-off. The defensive stance

of the Russians is very evident as it are retreating from putting too

much pressure in the offensive zone and is trying to turn it over, they

don't want to take a chance with the scoreline as it currently heads.

That is where the Slovenians have hurt them on the break. They have

pulled back that this is a dangerous game to play, playing defence for

the rest of this period. An overpressure start to come? -- when

will the pressure starts to come? Chipped over the top on the

redirect. Slovenia go on the change. Gets the

chip in front, then stands they and watches. Yes, waiting for return

service, waiting for it to come back, but they have to work harder,

the Russians, as they turn it over again. With a bit of speed they come

back the other way. This could be danger. The puck doesn't go in, or

does it? The red light is on. The Russians will celebrate this one,

and I'm sure it will go upstairs. Did you see it crossed the line?

Well, unfortunately this is a no-go. Becomes like a rocket maa cuts in

the middle of the eyes. Let's watch it again. -- the middle of the ice.

He takes the goal out, maybe you are right, that is a goal. We did not

see that from our position, but here it is and that should be awarded as

a goal. He obviously knows more than we did from our vantage point, but

that should be a goal. Good job by the officials to go over to the

timekeeper bench and review it. That is without doubt across the line

before they come off the moorings. The two captains skate away.

Razinger looks resigned. I will be stunned if this is not given. I

can't believe it was that smooth, the puck Sorter kicked itself out

freely, and we didn't realise it had gone in with the initial rush.

Nichuskin will get the credit for the goal. Let's have a look at it.

He never touches it again. A natural momentum carries it through the

legs. Now the Russians starting to respond when they realise it will be

awarded. The discussion continues on the Slovenian bench. You could not

see the puck crossed the line. You only saw it on the wrong side of the

net after it was removed. What a response, and a shake of the cheque

-- head from the coach. The Russians doubled their advantage, and ugly

goal, but a goal. A goal that the home fans will be quite happy to

discuss the bars around Sochi tonight. -- in the bars.

Have the Slovenians got another goal in them?

It's been the second unit that has done so well. Nichuskin, the

goal-scorer. No offside given, tries to feed it,

but well blocked. Really good defensive play.

Takes a bad deflection, but takes it on with his feet.

I think there is more in store. Now the goal has gone in and the crowd

is ignited, whilst it was a sloppy goal, his matches the execution,

because of the net coming off at first sight, but you can still

expect the Russian to take something from this.

Medvedev, finishes well on the hit. A pause for a moment as this one is

building again. Nice defensive play. Second opportunity from the knees,

but denied twice. Very impressive from the

Slovenians, who continue to come. Quite rightly, these should not be

in the same weight division. Nichushkin has it again, the

goal-scorer, the man who made it 4-2.

Swinging the opportunity, Nichushkin again. A big shot from the blue

line, but over the top of everybody. It came from Anton Belov. The

Slovenians are running around a bit in their own zone. Just wide of the

target. Wonderful strike! Beautiful

slapshot, Anton Belov. A bolt from the blue. And now normal service is

resumed. Belov receives the accolades. Now

they are on their feet and the flags fly high. This venue marches to the

drum of the Russian band. And there it is Belov ringing the bell. Look

at the stick curl as he blasts it up and over the blocker's side. More

cowbell is what they wanted, and the Russian fans are excited now.

This is the scoreline we were probably expecting, 5-2, 6-2, but it

has been so much closer. In a similar way to the Japanese in the

women's competition, the lowest ranked side has come in and worked

very, very hard and looked the part. Tarasenko, when low. The Russians

are on their toes now. -- went low. Anything could happen from here.

They have so much firepower. Anisimov blaze that one in. In

football terms, this is like having Reynaldo -- Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney,

it's like the all stars, the best players in the world. And an

impressive performance from this man, who collected one of those

goals, the fourth. He just had so much speed and power, Nichushkin. He

just makes the decision, and he made it somewhere halfway up the ice that

he was going to go and cause mayhem in front of the Slovenian goal. We

will see what happens. He does more than that, he just stings the

Slovenian hopes with a fourth goal, and who saw the reaction from the

coach of Slovenia. They know the game was just getting away from

them, and now with the fifth, it's a long way to combat the Slovenia now

to really try and get points in this game. And watch Belov again. Oh,

my. The old Russian faithful. He drops the hammer.

A shot from Slovenia from the blue line.

It went high on the far side, and nearly beat the blocker. Well, he

did beat the blocker, but he also beat the net.

Easy enough though, that one for Markov. The options are there.

Rodman, Now in his 30s. Open ice to skating, and this is

where he is dangerous. -- to skate in. He misses high.

Medvedev with the crossing pass. Malkin snuff out -- snuff out by

three. There is the scorer of the fifth goal, Anton Belov. There it is

one more time. He has rung the bell himself as he goes away and

celebrates. A talented young player. Good

skating, into the offensive zone. Mersak Still has it, but unable to

finish it. Now there is trouble at the other end. A hard-hit coming on

the play. The puck is released and Slovenia have it again. They do work

hard. They work hard to get back in defensive positions and they skate

well. Every single opportunity they have to compete and get the puck

back, they don't give up. Goes cross corner. It is a soft

dump. We will explain those in a moment. Soft dumps are nothing bad,

don't worry. Now moving forward. Maybe looking

for more. Belov, On the blue. Just explain when I say a soft dump, what

am I talking about? It is territorial. Control. You try to put

the puck in a soft space to pursue it and put pressure on the defence.

I sometimes call it a pressure puck, where you put it in an area

that gives you the advantage and then you can try and win it back in

a better area on the ice. Sort of like an up and under in rugby, quite

possibly. You know you will possibly give possession away, but you might

gain it back in a better position. The difficulty here is, as soon as

you turn your back, the forwards are trying to get the puck behind the

defence and make them turn, so if you turn, you lose track of the

player other than the one pursuing you, so that is where you make

mistakes. Get the puck behind them and see if you can cause pressure.

The Russians having a bit of pressure themselves, and they are

taking a penalty. This will give the Slovenians the extra man advantage,

and maybe the chance to school. -- to score. Artem Anisimov puts the

pressure on. There are a number of different penalties. It will cost it

going off very period of two minutes or less. -- going off for a period.

Obviously, minor and major penalties and the management of this penalties

and your physicality throughout the game and your discipline is so

important because it will limit or create opportunities with the

advantage or disadvantage and this is an opportunity for Slovenia to

get this game back within only two goals. If you treat someone up, two

minutes but if you had someone at stake punch them, you will get done.

-- hit someone with your stick. It is only illegal if it gets seen!

Make some noise. This is a power play, an extra man advantage. They

have two utilise this, they need to score. Anze Kopitar. Possession

gained. Playing up front, he had a stint on the back-end of the power

play Addie Hazard, he is there superstar. Forced back in to

neutralise. Anze Kopitar, he is the man they will want to remain but he

has orchestrated a good offence across the line. Back to Jan Mursak.

He was denied twice. He is quite happy just to keep possession for

Russia and kill some time. 50 seconds remain on the power play for

Slovenia. That is a great clearance by Yevgeny Medvedev. A red wall

confronts him. Ziga Jeglic is on it. What can they

come up with? Good play by the Slovenians to keep them under

pressure. Working this one really hard. On the blue line, if you want

some. Assessing the options. All-out war going on in front of the net. He

was sat upon, there, wasn't he? The Slovenians are going to the net and

that was a good shot. It is a little bit of popping it over. Ride them,

cowboy, in front! 5-2, in favour of the Russians. Time is running out

for Slovenia. It has been a heroic effort as the Russians look for

more. The power play comes to a close. 11,633 in this facility. This

is a 15,000 seat facility but there is just so much media that it

reduces. But this is a cathedral for ice hockey. The President of

Slovenia will be here at the weekend, as will the President of

Russia. There is the small matter of Russia versus USA. Again you can see

on the BBC. -- again. -- a game. They have had to work for it and

perhaps that is the best kind of win in these early Games. Here is David

Rodman. Tomaz Razingar, holding on a little bit. The referee will want

him to let go. There is a break. This could be a problem. That was a

decent save in the end. The puck went all the way back. One of the

elite. From the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is integral to Russia's hopes.

Strong play defensively by Russia but still Slovenia with possession.

The side of the net! That was really close from Rodman. Evgeni Malkin

clears. That was a lovely pass. He gave and he went. Cleared away.

There could be a break here. Jan Mursak lost possession but he will

be hit hard. Nearly a chance from Anze Kopitar. Half-hearted from

everybody. Wide from Ziga Jeglic. It feels like a training game. The

Russians have 16 from the National hockey League. That is a nine hour

difference from North America. Perhaps some fatigue setting in.

This is a good learning experience. Great puck possession.

Robert Sabolic. Big contact. He controls that well, no. And he

cannot clear the zone. They will look to recycle and eventually...

Anton Belov will clear that. Two minutes remaining. We have seen a

few things today. That is more good skill. And they come away. Big shot.

Valeri Nichushkin. He has had a very good game. He is the one player who

has kept going all day, Valeri Nichushkin. ?176! I don't believe

that, he is a very big boy! Once this red Russian train gets on the

track, you want to get off. The way that Valeri Nichushkin converted, it

is very impressive, their power and speed. Have Russia looked like a

team under pressure? Not necessarily but 18 that needs to play better in

their next match. The Slovenians have played a very clever and very

determined brand of hockey. And they have also been very applied, they

have executed when they had a chance and they have been very resourceful

but the Russians have also been wasteful. Trying to do too much to

entertain this big ride at home. And they often do that, they remind me

of the French rugby team. When things are going well, they are

unstoppable but when you break them down, all of a sudden there is

emotional confusion and some congestion and they can become

breakable. Could not quite excited that pass. Alexei Emelin back in his

own end. -- execute that pass. He wanted that the other way. A bit of

possession, this. Controlling nicely. It is keep away

from the Russians. They will count down the clock. Very shortly you

will hear this place erupting. There you go. The home fans are happy,

Russia starts with a win, beating Slovenia. Not the greatest

performance but a few moments of magic along the way. But is it

enough to convince that they could go on to get a gold medal? Hard to

tell, there are a number of great teams still today. The Russians have

started but they have got a long way to go to build on that performance

to go. Russia run-out as the victors against Slovenia.

After a sticky second period, Russia comes through. One of their big

rivals, USA, will play at the same time. The other venue, some

psychological warfare from the organisers. There were lots of goals

on this one. -- in this one. He fires and scorers! -- scores! And

the Americans are on the board first.

Here is the turnover. He shoots and scorers! -- scores! Slovakia would

be happy with that first period. This is what Slovakia will do. They

will sit out and wait. Just a nice little shovel step and a beautiful

shot on Jonathan. Captain at the line. Knocked down. Callaghan tries

to wrap it around. Popping the puck along the board. Look at that, the

other way. Ryan McDonagh, he has been the best new range this year

with some nice defensive play. And he scorers! And the Americans retake

the lead. Going back to Ryan McDonagh. He skated up the ice.

Recognises that his team-mates are going on the change so he gets it in

deep. He goes down to protect the puck. Kept in. Another chance! The

USA fourth line lights up. 3-1. Comes over to stop his team-mate in

the wide open net. Three goals in just over two minutes in the second

period. 20 seconds late in the American power play. Kessel again.

Kessel attacks the net. His shot is deflected. Kessel again. The loose

puck! Where is it? It is in the net! Racegoer. Kessel finally hangs it

in. -- banks. - bangs. Kessel whacking added. It was like a

baseball game here. It was bouncing. Dancing through the neutral zone.

Chipset in, and he can't get the shot away. -- chips it in.

Slovakia getting a change, the long bomb hops over the stick. Backes.

Into the glass. . Loose puck in front of the US net. It stays out.

The nearside, Stastny chips it out, and the US escape a great chance.

Here is Paul Stastny, he scores! His left leg looks badly injured,

Marchenko. And Stastny makes it 5-1. I think -- I think Jonathan Quick

owes him a favour. He remembered what he was like playing street

hockey commie goes the other way and it goes right to Paul Stastny. He's

looked really good on the power play, jumping up, good defensively,

nice job by Paul Stastny. Martin takes the past. He is pushed off the

park. Regains it in centre. The passes in behind Kessel.

Along glove by Quick. Phil Kessel scores for the United States.

Welcome to the copy -- hockey game Peter Budaj. The first one he faces

is just a tick tack Blake from Phil Kessel. It comes all the way up,

nice strength on the pass to Kessler. Quick puck movement, all

the time in the world for the USA to make the play, and they will make

you pay. Great puck movement, dominating on

the scoreboard, 15-3 in the face-off circle. The Slovakians have been

chasing all right. Now, Kessel in the corner. To the near boards,

holding the puck up high. A nice backhand saucer pass. Dustin Brown

this time. A frustrated and disconsolate

Slovakian bench as the Americans are running it up. He hasn't even taken

his helmet off, and he is still fuming. Let's give the youngster the

benefit of the doubt, but you see him standing around, 68, blue, doing

it the entire period. No step upon Dustin Brown. No awareness by the

Slovakian team of whether US players are on the offensive zone and it is

gift after gift. If you're joining us, quite a

dramatic day for team GB. We have the slopestyle earlier on with James

Woods. But he has had an injury problem, a bad training for and

ended up in fifth, which was creditable. Then a surprise finalist

in the 500 metres short track, the first time there's ever been a woman

make the final, but she was disqualified, but is still in great

form, heading to her favoured events, the 1000 metres. Then there

was Lizzie Yarnold, Britain's brightest hope for a gold medal. You

always feel nervous before you compete or train in the skeleton.

It's something where you need to feel aware of being nervous, because

it can be quite dangerous. But it is the thrill and the adrenaline that I

really love. As you walk to the starting block, you have to be

completely focused, yet really exhilarated and ready to produce a

lot of power, and Sprint really fast.

As soon as I am into position, I'm completely relaxed, and I breathe

out, and I let my body mould into the sled. I have come so far in just

a very short three years. When I came into the programme, Amy Lewis

had won the gold medal, and it was the same team she had around her

that is around me, so I slot into the athlete position in the amazing

opportunity that is skeleton. Your mind takes over. The peripheral

vision and everything takes over and you are feeling the interaction

between you and the ice, and it is all your senses working at 100 mph.

There is no perfect run. There's always something you can improve on.

A slight angle into the corner, the speed, the line, there are different

lines you can take on one or the other corner. It is not only about

doing well against other athletes, it's seeing how good I can be

against myself. I am so proud to say that my whole -- main competition is

in my team. Shelley is a great ambassador. She was part of the

programme I've got into in 2008. She has so much experience. We are

friends away from the track, but once we are in the starting block,

like any other athlete, she is my rival. Her performance has pushed me

to be better, because I know I cannot let up. Every session means

everything. Every gymnasium session, sliding session, I have to be the

best version of me that I can. A very impressive slide. World Cup

champion, Lizzy Yarnold. The great things about the Olympics is that

it's a magical event -- the great thing. It's only my first Olympics,

someone taking one step at a time. I hope to perform at my best, and I'm

unbelievably motivated. So, fingers crossed.

And you can see highlights of those first two runs coming up a little

later, but it is fair to say that Lizzy Yarnold has made the perfect

start, nearly half a second in front after the first two runs, and you

can see the final runs starting tomorrow at 3:30pm. Lizzy Backes

going for gold. Shelley Rudman is 11th after her first two runs. --

Lizzy Yarnold. Completely annihilating the

competition. Two gold medals to the Dutch, they are loving it.

Another clean sweep by the Dutch. She has won the first medal ever for

the ladies of the Netherlands in the final. Fantastic performance there

by the Dutch. Holland house it's known as now, and

we already have had a winner of the 3000 metres. Two Americans to look

out for. We will join them live shortly, but one of the early

starters has laid down a marker. Zhang Hong Doing her best to get

into the medals. She was sixth in scope -- Salt Lake

City when they skated over that 5000 and 10,000. She was seventh in the

thousand metres on this very nice in March of last year. Christine

Nesbitt made her Olympic debut insuring. She got a silver in the

six lap pursuit -- in children -- Turin. Then in Vancouver she got the

goal. A personal best for Nesbitt is 1.12.68. She has a season best of

1.13 .77. The Chinese competitor, Zhang Hong, as a season best of

1.13.82. Remember, Zhang Hong not particularly quick over the opening

200. A good opening effort from both skaters. Nesbitt had a hip problem

earlier this month, and also an eating disorder where she could not

eat certain products, but it's not showing here. It is the bell this

time. Can they maintain it? Look where the market is for the leading

time. Zhang Hong is absolutely blazing away around the ice. If she

can continue with this kind of tempo she could do a long 15, or a 16, and

that is getting close to the rink record. I said this would be a fair

pairing, and it is certainly reflected. Coming into the finishing

straight, lining up the run. Zhang Hong coming up to the line. Let's

look at the finishing time. Look at that. 3.13 seconds off the previous

leader's time, and we have in charge of the contest, Zhang Hong of China.

And the Vancouver gold medallist, Christine Nesbitt, she going -- is

going 1.15.62. So Zhang Hong with a new record. That is sometime. That

is a marvellous time. She really went out hard, and maintained the

speed during the last lap. Sitting nice and deep, full extension of the

leg. The boots are custom-made, so they are only made for each

individual. I'm sure she could go so much quicker if she had kept her

upper body a little bit more still, and the high-5 from the coach as she

goes past, that says it all. Could that be the gold medal skate?

The marker certainly laid down by the Chinese athlete. We will join

the action live. And before you talk about this, have you recovered from

the drama of earlier on with Elise Christie?

The answer is no. I don't think I'll ever recover from. I called a winner

in short track, and that was history in the making, but will talk about

it over it over and over again, but Elise Christie, she blazed away, and

instead of going underneath or outside the skates, she literally

tried to go through Fontana because she was so inspired to try and rob

her of a medal. Would you agree? I would indeed. What we must draw from

that is that Christie is in the unequivocal form of her life,

nothing will face, and I think we're going to hear a lot more about her,

particularly in the thousand metres. The skaters almost ready to get

underway here. And as you can see, we have Wang of China, and Erbanova

of the Czech Republic. The fastest 200 we have had so far is 17.94. The

leader, still sitting right up there, Zhang Hong, and I think she

will stay there sometime. Although they've gone away quick, it's about

sustaining the effort. Wang moving to the outer lane, her team-mate on

the leaderboard in first position. She will know what she has to do.

Incidentally, there has never been a Chinese skater that has won an

Olympic gold medal at 1000 metres, so this could be a first. You can

see the mark across the rink, which is the time marker for Zhang this

the same scenario as the 500, when she's not a good starter, skated the

fastest lap of the 500 competition, and then had to settle for fourth,

first loser, a non-podium visitor. We saw the smile on her face after

the time here, and I think she will sit there sometime. the latest to

skaters to complete the distance. Erbanova of the Czech Republic has

gone into third position with that time, just shy of the leader, and

Wang Beixing of China is fifth. Erbanova of the Czech Republic is

1.7 seconds off the time of Zhang, it is enormous. Zhang did set the

track record here, 1:14.02, and Erbanova no really pushing on to get

the best possible time she can achieve -- now really.

Unfortunately, that 1.7 seconds difference off the leader is huge.

It certainly is, and you were making reference earlier to the fact that

China have never won the gold in this. They did get a silver in 1992

and a bronze in 1994. That is what they do, they warm up on those

standing bikes. That is how they are robustly get themselves organised.

-- aerobically. Now, Angermueller and Kaylin Irvine I'm from Canada.

Irvine making her Olympic debut. 13th in the world singles

championships back in March. And Angermueller, actually one place

better in 12th. Angermueller competed in Vancouver in the 1500,

the 1,000 and the 500th. But the trophy cabinet was empty after that.

-- the 500. I think that was. By Angermueller, but we have to weight.

It was marginal, wasn't it? I think it was Irvine. Again, the skaters

are only allowed one false start, unlike speed skating, when you are

allowed two. If either makes a false start now, they have to leave the

ice. The skater wearing the red armband starting on the outside will

finish on the outside. It is used for identification purposes.

Angermueller has the white armband, starting on the inside.

Now we are away. So this is pair 13 of 18, 36 competitors in 18 pairs

tackling the 1,000m, that was first held in 1960. The Soviet Union won

it on that occasion. You can see, that is the line across the track of

the split time of the leader, and both skaters have a lot to do. We

have a fall. The German has gone down. She slid across the ice,

Angermueller. So Angermueller is out of the contest and now Irvine of

Canada continues to cover the distance in a time trial mode. She

needs to keep her concentration, just 1.42 seconds off the leader,

Zhang. Angermueller having a down her ankle. Maybe she is severely

injured. One of the blades of the skate cut into the other leg. Irvine

coming down the home straight. It is not going to affect the overall

standings, it is just a classification skate for her. It

puts Irvine in ninth position. The closing time, 1:17.24. Well, Holland

Avenue 110 medals so far in this long track speed skating -- have

won. She just lost balance there and tried to correct. Lucky not to take

out Irvine as well. Fortunately, those barrier protection pads are

cushioned. The skaters are travelling at something like 35, 38

mph, so when they do eventually crash out, you see the hand go out

first, just completely lost it. She did actually just get out of the way

in time. So we are onto the next pair, 14. What I would like to

underline here is that Holland have won ten medals here, four of which

have been gold in Sochi. They have won this on three occasions, the

last time in 2006. We are going to get the first of the Dutch skaters

coming onto the ice in this next pair. Can you imagine what kind of

tension Zhang of China must now be under, having to watch the coming

four pairs Mister Mark she is used to it, she was in the same position

in the 500th. She lead and lead and it almost came down to the final

pair. Marrit Leenstra up against Aydova. Just freezing the ice

again, where Angermueller will have caused a divot. They freeze it and

then refreeze it. I wish they could show us a shot of that, I thought it

was a fire hydrant. It is the same principle. So Leenstra against

Aydova. The Netherlands against canister -- Kazakhstan. If what you

are watching is inspiring you, go to the BBC website for information

about where you can take part. Not just long track, but short track as

well. There is a profusion of Dutch again in the arena and every time

they win a medal, they all congregate in our hotel, which means

we never get any sleep. That is the problem. Well, not until the early

hours. This event is a real aerobic challenge. Being welcomed to the

starting area. Leenstra, but 24-year-old, 19th in the 500. A

former world junior all-round champion, she was 11th in the Sprint

Championships insults -- in Salt Lake City. And for Aydova, this is

her second Olympics. She skated in the 1,000 in Vancouver, when she was

16. Waiting for the crowd to be quiet.

Aydova are Kazakhstan is the national record-holder but Leenstra

has got a quicker time. Only Zhang has gone inside 1.15, so they are

going to have to skate their socks off. They are already behind the

Chinese skater. Leenstra won the Dutch trials to make this, so she

is, on paper, the quickest Dutch female skater over this distance.

They still have Margot Boer to come and they are talking her up. But

here comes Leenstra to get the bell. She is 1.7 off the pace, which is a

lot to ask her to close down on Zhang. It is important with the

exchange that Leenstra has the right of way, so Aydova will have to wait

and allow Leenstra to go over to the inside. Leenstra lining up for the

run to the line. They pierce the timing beam which sends the signal

to the finishing times. Good enough to put her second in the competition

at this stage. 11th place for her opponent, Aydova. That was a good

skate by Leenstra. Of course, we have Ireen Wust, the Olympic

champion at 3,000m. She is coming later on, in one of the later pairs.

But Leenstra really has set a challenge to the other Dutch female

skaters. Just while we are seeing the images of the last two skaters,

it could change. There are two very handy Americans in this competition,

the next one particularly, Heather Richardson, who has been on fire all

season. She has won three of the last four rounds of the World Cup,

and she has had some sensational times. We are just going to see

whether or not she can take over the lead here. She has a 1:13 to her

credit in Calgary, but her season's best, 1.4 Tienpont 22 in Kazakhstan,

so she has to go faster. Richardson is a former in-line skater, engaged

to a man who won the bronze medal in the 5,000m. He will be somewhere in

the stands. She has failed to get a medal in the

last three events in Vancouver, but she is peaking at the right time,

Richardson. An interesting style of start. Against her is Kodaira Japan.

She was third in Vancouver. -- of Japan. We are looking for a faster

200 and Zhang. And she is ahead. -- van. Very good start by Richardson.

The USA have been telling everybody all week, " we have the quickest

racing suits" . Until now, the Dutch had proved differently but

Richardson is making a statement. They are off the pace, it underlines

the quality of the skate by the leader of the competition. Into the

back straight now, they have less than 400m to go. Richardson knows

she has two pick the pace appear significantly. 23 years of age, the

American. Nearly at the line now. Here comes Richardson. 1.21 seconds

off the pace. That puts her into the bronze-medal position at this

stage. Kodaira, seven. -- seventh. So 1.21 seconds off the time of the

leader for Richardson. That just shows you the quality time that was

set by Zhang Hong of China. Richardson coming from in-line

skating, that is wide there is that unusual start position she adopts --

that is why. Actually putting a hand down on the ice while starting. Not

a very good technical skater but, until now, has always produced very,

very fast times. The overall leader of the World Cup, as I said, but she

has not got the power and speed to deny the Chinese skater Zhang the

lead. Can her fellow country woman, the world record-holder Tom do it?

Brittany Bowe is out on the ice next. In fact, my apologies, it is

going to be Margot Boer next of the Netherlands, versus Fatkulina.

Margot Boer, there she is, got the bronze medal in the 500m and the

Dutch, well, they feel that Margot Boer can get a medal here in the

1,000m. Fatkulina of Russia got the silver in the 500m, so you are

looking at the silver and Bronze medal winners here from the 500m

that took place a little earlier in the competition. Margot Boer, fourth

in Vancouver, sixth in the 500 metres, then finally got her medal

here just the other day when she got the bronze in the 500th. Away they

go, and a roar in the arena. The noise is resonating around as they

tried to kick Fatkulina on. She has one medal already, the silver from

the 500. They are both inside 17.94. Both posting the same time for the

first 200. That's a fabulous opener by both skaters. Fatkulina charging

down the back straight behind Boer. Really working at closing the gap.

It's all about maintaining the speed during this last lap. The second lap

was 20.09. A combined time, what are they on? Boer beginning to pay the

price. The quads are filling with lactic acid, but Fatkulina is still

embracing the challenge. Can she had another medal to the silver she won

in the 500? Off the bend, lining up the runs the line. Remember the time

to beat, 1.14 .02. It's going to be Boer that takes the clash on the

line. They failed to be the Chinese skater's time, but seconds Boer, and

third Fatkulina with two more heed to go. -- second for Boer. -- two

more to go. Excellent second section, especially by Boer. There

was a big smile from Zhang Hong, still leading, she went in the first

group. She has been waiting an awful long time now watching the number of

skaters go by. Only two more pairs to skate. Four left. Zhang will not

be able to watch. After this next pair, then she can watch, if they

don't beat her time. A chance to look at the technique of the

finishing effort from Margot Boer. There she is. She is celebrating

because she thought that was another pair out of the way, I'm still the

leader of the contest. Now, out onto the ice is Ireen Wust. She finished

in the silver medal positions in the world championships. And on that

occasion, Brittany Bowe, the world record-holder, she was third, so we

have a silver and bronze medal pair of winners of last year 's world

champions against each other in the penultimate heat. That world record

held by Bowe, in Salt Lake City. Away we go. Now then, 17.94 is the

time to beat the first 200. To skaters on the ice who are both very

capable performers -- well within their compass to go quicker. At the

moment Bowe is inside it. Ireen Wust is likely to pick up the tempo as

the distance unfurls. Bowe will be able to creep in behind Ireen Wust,

nice and tight, trying to draft her as she comes into the inner bend.

13th in the 500 was Bowe, but this is our speciality. But the world

record-holder cannot match the pace of the Chinese skater. If this

continues, and they do not pick up pace, it will mean that the Chinese

skater is guaranteed a medal. What colour it will be, we have to wait

and see with the conclusion of the contest. But these are the final

metres. Ireen Wust, and Bowe the world record-holder, and they're not

going to do it. No, they come up to the line and post their times. What

that means now, with one pair to go, is that Ireen Wust has gone into

second, so she cannot beat the time of Zhang, that that has put her in

the silver medal position, and Boer has gone to third.

Ireen Wust, such an outstanding athlete. She has really come to

these Olympics, to come to win five medals, possibly five goal, but that

won't be the case any longer. She had really set her heart on getting

a medal in the 1000 metres -- possibly five gold medals. She still

has the 1500 metres where she is the Olympic champion, and the 5000

metres, which I am sure she is bound to win. It looks like the triple

Olympic gold medallist Ireen Wust has a very good chance of getting

another medal to add to the tally. A bronze in the 1500. Gold in the 1500

in Vancouver, and a gold just the other day in the 3000, and it looks

at the moment she has a fair chance of getting another medal. Final pair

on the ice. Lotte van Beek got a silver in Sochi a year ago. Lee Sang

Hwa Is the queen of the 500. She won the gold medal in Sochi, a couple of

days ago, posting the Olympic record. And in Vancouver, she also

got the goal for the 500 metres. So, a 500 metres pair, the last, ready

to go. On the right, Lotte van Beek. We can expect a quick start from the

Korean, but it is all about measuring your effort over the

complete laps. Here comes Lee Sang Hwa. Remember, the time to beat,

inside 17.94. Has Lee Sang Hwa paced herself good enough for the 1000

metres? Lotte van Beek crouched in behind. Trying to get some valuable

speed. Coming into the inside lane. They are lining up for the run to

the line, and then it will just be 400 metres to go. She is just about

on the tempo here. But what it does mean at this stage of the

competition, only Lee Sang Hwa can deny Zhang Hong, because the other

skater is behind, so she's guaranteed a medal this time. It

looks to me as though Lee Sang Hwa is beginning to tire a little, but

here comes Lotte van Beek. Lotte van Beek with a storming finish down the

inside. Watch the clock. There it is, fifth place for Lotte van Beek,

and for Lee Sang Hwa, the celebrations are unfolding away.

Zhang Hong has got a gold medal after finishing fourth in the 500.

She is the number-1 finisher here in the 1000 metres, and that is the

first time in the history of the event that China have ever won the

gold medal. Being congratulated by Boer, who got the bronze in the

500th. She has had to wait and wait because she went very early in the

competition, but she did not disappoint. She stormed around the

eyes. She was the seventh pairing of 18, so she had to Joerg -- enjoy

incredible pressure while 11 other pairs came on. But she has conquered

the distance and become the gold medal winner in the 1000 metres.

Wust second, Boer third. The Chinese having a magnificent day in the

short track. A somewhat peculiar final, I must say, also winning the

1000 metres here. That makes the haul of medals by the Dutch 12 in

all. The gold medal haul is still four. But for the skater from China,

she is the Olympic 1000 metre champion. And deservedly so. There

she is. The time, up 1.14.02. She went in the first raft of skaters,

up against Christine Nesbitt, who was Olympic champion in Vancouver,

she had to enjoy all the pressure -- ensure all the pressure. I did get

the tip early on, keep an eye on Zhang Hong, because as I said in

commentary, the complete lap in the 500 was the fastest of the whole

contest. Not a quick starter, but certainly fast once she gets going.

There is the national flag. They all do that, a few laps of honour to

celebrate. Boer He's getting a bit of a flavour for this. Now she has

been the eternal fourth, she's got a couple of bronze medals. The 500,

the thousand and 1500 still to come. Did she fall? Let's confirm the

official result. Not surprisingly, more medals for

the Dutch, silver and bronze, and amazing golf of the Chinese

athlete, especially because she was skating so early -- an amazing gold

medal for the Chinese athlete. We will head back up to the mountains,

a potential chance in the biathlon for Winter Olympic history. Rob

Walker is the commentator. Can he pull out a brilliant last lap

and give himself an opportunity, Moravec? He has only missed one

target. Beatrix, he is leading at the moment. All he can do is ski his

heart out on the last lap and hope that others feel the pressure in the

range for the last time. Only one miss so far for the

Latvian. That's good stuff from the Latvian,

he was certainly one of the names that we thought might be able to get

in amongst the leaders. His last five shots, and he starts with this.

And the man who was eighth in the world championship is going to

struggle to replicate a finish in the top ten. That is why he finds

himself adrift at the moment. Svendsen, How important will these

next five shots before his career? Still short of the time, and he

might be able to trace him down if he gets five. Good solid shooter --

solid shooting. Svendsen Just the one miss for him. You can see that

Beatrix is already out in 29.54. Taking his time here. Extraordinary

how the French always seem to produce a champion.

Svendsen, 18 seconds behind Garanichev. Fourcade is 15 seconds

behind his compatriot, exiting the third shooter. Everybody watching

around in the area around the north of Italy. Hofer, he has done so much

for Italian biathlon. He misses number 20. How many times have we

seen that? He took so long over that. You sense the agony in his

face. He was composing himself, taking extra seconds, and it just

went wrong at the crucial moment. That is desperately unlucky for

Hofer. I wonder what was going through his mind.

the mental control is what this is all about, and Bjoerndalen has been

quick to say there has been a lot of criticism about the Norwegian team

and their form and has been quick to say that as soon as everybody

relaxes, the results will come. He says it is not physical, it is

mental and that is where they have gone wrong so far. And if anybody

knows about keeping cool under pressure, it is Bjoerndalen.

Anev is usually so reliable with a weapon but it has started to go

wrong this season. Can he finish in style. No his campaign for the 13th

medal will have to wait for the relay. Simon Eda, just the one miss

so far. -- Simon Eder. He has thrown away his chance with two misses.

That is a real shame. Let's have a look at Eder's time. Comfortably

inside. Out he comes, ten seconds or so in hand for Simon Eder. Speaketh

a clear those two missed attempts for Eder. The son of Alfred Eder,

the coach of the Austrian team but also a world champion himself, what

a fabulous feeling that must be. Of the damage is done, it would be a

very quick time from Lowell Bailey. As I mentioned at the start,

normally between two and 5% of the field should clear in the

individual. No one has got through four shoots. We have six or seven

who has shot 19 out of 20, three of them are in the podium position. Is

it going to be Bjoern Ferry's Bay? No. -- they. Huge noise here in the

stadium for our first finish -- our first finisher Garanichev. He

has not had a bad night at all on the biathlon course. He may have

taken the perfect advantage starting first. Only ten seconds behind

Eder, he had a lead over Svendsen, it could be a medal, which would be

a fantastic occasion for the home fans. Beatrix is in for his

lassitude, this crucial for the Frenchman. 19 goes wide, and now

Beatrix is going to have to ski for the gold medal, rather than shoot

for it. Looking pretty good for Erik Lesser. 15 out of 15 for the German.

Great stuff so far. His grandad was in the relay the East Germany and

fell after colliding with a spectator when he was in

silver-medal position. There is Winter Olympic history in the

family, and plenty of it. After the second shoot, he is in third

position. After the third should, in third position. You have to remember

that Beatrix has already missed. And Kaukenas had a meltdown on the last

three. That miss on his 19th attempt for Beatrix, he was now in third

after shooting four. Eder leading. It is going to be a very hard for

kilometres for Svendsen, who will be in very shortly, having started

number nine -- four kilometres. Certainly an advantage to go in

group one. All of the flags hanging limp in the firing area, just the

occasional puff of wind coming through but nothing to trouble them,

especially not in the standing position. Hoisting up his bib number

just so he gets more traction between his race suit and his ski

suit. I think that Miss will prove expensive for Moravec. Eder's time

was beyond them anyway. A messy shoot, what a shame, having started

so well. So Moravec had said for the last four kilometres before the

finish -- heads out. Fak has finished, three minutes down on

Garanichev. Semenov, the Ukrainian, first in the sprints. One miss so

far. Simon Eder's time has ticked by. Good shooting. Good finish to

his efforts in the range from the Ukrainian. Rastorgujevs' 19 out of

20 could see him into the top five. 10th position after the third

should. But that Miss... And again. The confidence has gone. The legs, I

suspect, have gone as well after 16 kilometres. Svendsen has missed out

on the top spot. This difficult time here in Sochi continues. I shake --

a shake of the head, a disparaging look up at the scoreboard. Something

is not working for Svendsen and he will need to gather himself. He has

lost another ten seconds to Garanichev on that final four

kilometres, so he is well below his best at the moment.

For Cade is a brilliant finisher. -- Martin Fourcade. That is why he has

is not lost on individual since 2008. He should stop the clock in

around five seconds' time. He has got a lead of just shy of 12

seconds. He held his nerve beautifully on those last five shots

in the range. Didn't panic about the miss, because he will know that you

can still win with one miss. Svendsen's challenge has come and

gone, but the dream of another gold is very much still alive for Martin

Fourcade. Lukas Hofer comes along the line into third place at the

moment. You can tell from the reaction of him crossing the line

that it is an opportunity missed and they will be so disappointed, his

growing army of fans back home in Italy. Great celebrations when he

tied for that first World Cup win. Head in hands full Svendsen. He

needs to figure out what is going wrong here in Sochi.

Eder has got the company of a very good skier with him.

Eder is really driving now. Garanichev's time is now starting to

look like it is one that could get him in the mix for a medal. Simon

Eder, eighth in the sprint, seventh in the pursuit, still pushing, still

driving. How close can he get to Garanichev's time? This is a Berlin,

brilliant effort from the Austrian. But he is going to be outside the

time set by the Garanichev. So the Russian has managed to survive a big

threat. Good performance from Simon Eder. He has left everything out on

that course. Will it be enough to get him on the podium? Bronze medal

is the best he can hope for. Garanichev has produced a

sensational last lap and he went very quick on the first one as

well, he certainly save something for tonight. Garanichev has taken

ten seconds out of Svendsen, ten out of Eder, what will he do out

Fourcade? You have say Martin Fourcade looked very composed coming

out of the range. Business as usual for the French number one and of

course, the world number one. A long established record when it comes to

the individual event for the Frenchman. He has found his rider be

read in the pursuit and the celebrations will be huge among the

French team if he was able to make it two golds in two races. Bjorn

Ferri, a hugely experienced campaigner. Preparing for a life

after biathlon and he has sacrificed lunch to try and -- sacrificed much

to try and squeeze everything out of the latter part of his career. I

gold medal in the pursuit in bank over Piccadilly -- Vancouver last

time-out. You can see these facilities here are absolutely

packed. It is the best crowd we have had here at the Games. Those

supporting cross country were basking in the sun for a few hours

and then taking the hike down to the biathlon stadium. Enjoying what they

have seen so far. They could be on for a Russian medal. Well still

waiting to track Martin Fourcade out on the tracks. Garanichev still has

the lead. Beatrix coming into the finish. He won't be quicker than

Garanichev. Simon Eder is drifting past. A good effort by the

Frenchman, but there will not be a medal to him. That miss on the last

shoot is going to be the most expensive mess that Beatrix ever

makes, because Martin Fourcade has now opened up a gap of 23 seconds

over Simon Eder at 17.8, with just over two kilometres to go. He is yet

to go through 80. We'll be there any moment now.

Erik Lesser. This looks good. This looks very good indeed. Is he on his

way to shooting clean and giving himself a huge, huge chance of

getting on the podium? Two more. This can sometimes be the Georgiou

one. And he is there. -- the dodgy one. Four clean shoots, the coaches

put their hands in the air. What a chance. And a 16 second advantage

over Martin Fourcade coming into the range for the last time. Fourcade

was very quick with the rifle, so the margin has been cut and he is

flying around the last lap but a 9-.6 second advantage to the German.

Fourcade extends his lead and the message will get to him very fast

that Erik Lesser is a threat. This is the kind of race where one of the

unfancied competitors gets onto the podium. Leicester -- Lesser is a

quality performer, but we weren't talking about him getting on the

podium. Everybody connected with him loves that. Huge composure from the

German. Moravec, coming towards the finish. It will not be a recreation

of his magnificent silver behind Fourcade in the pursuit. But

nonetheless, he is having a great Olympic games overall. A good season

all round for Moravec, and with the bronze medal in the sprint, they

have the good makings of a relay team, but note further medal for

Moravec in the 20 kilometre individual. -- no further medals.

So the question out on the course is how quickly will Erik Lesser go on

the last lap. Schempp, The winner of the last two events in the World Cup

going into these games. Semenov, bringing his campaign to

the end. Pretty steady from the Ukrainian, but that was better. Now

then, Martin Fourcade. How much has he extended his advantage on the

last four kilometres? He will be being fed information that Lesser

had shot clean and was ahead of him. Martin Fourcade, unbeaten in

the 20 kilometre individual as far back as 2012. He already has one

gold medal. Back came in the pursuit. He is the best in the world

so far -- that came in the pursuit. He has once again produced a

masterful performance here, full of composure and confidence. He is

going to go into first place, weight quicker than Garanichev, but will it

be fast enough to stay ahead of Erik Lesser, who is out on the course

behind him. Fourcade extending his lead to 43 seconds over Garanichev,

but you have to remember that Lesser was quicker in the pursuit, he skied

faster him as well. Don't write him off just yet. I think the big

question is whether Lesser as recovered in the 48 hours since the

pursuit and filled up his fuel tanks again for the individual race -- has

recovered. This is the most taxing of all of the races. Fourcade knows

that the gold medal is by no means a certainty. He is not a man shy of

celebrating. But he needs to wait and watch and see what Erik Lesser

can do on the last lap. That is as it stands. He left the shooting

range with a nine second advantage, but that is cut down to 3.2. From

17.8 up to 18, a lot of climbing to be done. If he gets to 18 with the

lead, he has a chance, but if he is three or four seconds down with 18

kilometres to go, then Erik Lesser will be looking for the silver

rather than the gold. Garanichev in second and Eder in third. But it is

all about how quickly Erik Lesser can compete -- complete the last two

kilometres of the course. Bergman has been around for awhile. This is

fourth games. His best form was in 2012 in the world Championships.

Medal after medal, but just getting outsprinted by people like Fourcade

and Svendsen. This is good from Bergman, but not

challenging the leading times. One of the most astonishing facts is

that after three shoots, he is right up there with the best. Plenty of

drama to still come on the range. Erik Lesser, 21st in the sprint,

16th in the pursuit, he peaked early in the season to make sure he

qualified for the German team. And as he drives on through the last

kilometre and a half, Martin Fourcade's older brother coming to

the finish. What expectation there was for him after becoming the World

Cup leader overall just a few weeks before Vancouver. He since admitted

that the pressure got to him. Now, Erik Lesser has drifted six seconds

outside the time set by Martin Fourcade. That is a nine second

swing in 800 metres. Six seconds to make up on the downhills into the

stadium, virtually impossible, and I think Fourcade can start to think in

terms of his second gold medal. Well, he would surely go down as one