Day 7, Part 1 - 6.45am to 10.00am Winter Olympics

It is downhill date at the Winter Olympic Games, the blue riband and

event. Not it expected of this young man. It is the Austrian, Matthias

Mayer, who had skied into gold medal position. Bode Miller, with his

final Olympic downhill. It is too much for bodhi, no medals today.

To break Austrian hearts! Silver, Christof Innerhofer.

The new Olympic downhill champion from Austria. Matthias Mayer.

Good morning. When Matthias Mayer won the men's

downhill on Saturday, it was something of a surprise. He'd never

been better than fifth in any major downhill before. The Austrians

weren't complaining. They were, he said, freaking out back in Austria.

He's joined legends like Franz Klammer in their alpine hall of

fame. He'll be in the start gate again today. But it could be

America's turn to celebrate. We're racing again this morning, this time

in men's super combined. This title rewards both downhill

speed and slalom technique. Utah's Ted Ligety won it eight years ago,

and says he doesn't want to be a one-hit Olympic wonder.

Bode Miller won gold in this, four years ago in Vancouver. In his

farewell Games, could he become the first to successfully defend it?

Relief all round for Eve, Anna, Claire and Vicki. A much needed win

over China and, hopefully, some momentum, as they take on Japan

today. The men's ice hockey event is well

under way. The Russian fans have been piling into the Bolshoy Dome.

And there'll be another big crowd to watch the Czechs take on the

Latvians. And Lizzy Yarnold has an advantage

of four tenths of a second. Doesn't sound much, but that's huge in bob

skeleton, as we look ahead to the two deciding runs this afternoon

that could bring Britain yet more gold in this event.

If you are wondering about the tinkling of Ravel's Valero, we are

celebrating the anniversary of and the gold medal. I wonder if Lizzy

Yarnold can write another golden chapter in Bob skeleton.

Emma Carrick-Anderson has come down off the mountain to join us here in

the Costa del Sochi. It's warm. Disconcertingly warm for a Winter

Olympics. We are used to wrapping up and

racing at -10, but it is plus ten on the slopes.

They were competing in vest tops at the cross country yesterday.

It has been crazy. Beautiful as a spectator, but as a racer, with the

boots getting soft, it is not ideal. The problem for Alpine

events, they have had to bring forward the downhill section of this

combined even. That is why we are here a little

earlier. To try to make the most of the cooler conditions. One run of

downhill, followed by one run of slalom. We're starting a full hour

earlier. Graham has been on course expects --

inspection. The men's downhill of the super

combined. It is 8:40am, the sun is rising. All of these slopes that

face to the West will hit that Sun and get that radiation from an early

stage in the day. That is why they have moved the start time forward by

one hour, because they are worried snow conditions will soften up. This

is part of the course, they have used the water injection bar. There

is a lot of humidity underneath the snow. That has frozen quite hard.

The top layer of the snow will soften up. It means the early start

numbers have a definite advantage in the downhill section of the

combined. It comes down to laying down a good run in the downhill and

carrying that Ford to the slalom. As we saw in the women's race. It can

make all the difference. The favourites, Bode Miller, Ted Ligety

as well. If it all goes to plan, fair enough,

in terms of the best skiers, it is their best chance. As the race piste

deteriorates, are we in danger of some freak results? We have been

lucky so far in the course preparation.

The workers have done a great job. With temperatures now 12 degrees by

midday, it is difficult. Normally, they would down salt. But talking to

a technical delegate, he said that is not working because the snow

doesn't have enough moisture. They are having to add fertiliser which

takes the moisture out of the snow. People will be confused about

putting salt on. This is a chemical which reacts with moisture. Without

moisture, it doesn't react. It is freezing at a higher temperature.

It is not working so they are adding a fertiliser. They used it in the

men's halfpipe yesterday which worked very well. We will see, for

the first ten races, it will be great, then it will break. Who are

the men to watch? Definitely the slalom specialist, today.

Bode Miller is the defending champion. He says these conditions

will favour the slalom specialists today.

"Right now, the downhill is so easy and so basic, there is nothing

challenging about it really. There is no way to put any time on the

slalom guys. Everyone just skis normal, and everyone is within a

second and a half or so." "I think if they shorten the downhill the way

they do, they should shorten the slalom too If this downhill had been

run from the start the way it was before it got warm. And it was

full-length downhill and full-length slalom. Then, I think, it would be

fair, and would be a really good test".

In the downhill, now the top layer is softening up, these are the

fastest conditions possible, it makes the time differences between

the athletes left. Look for early start numbers. The young Norwegian,

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. He has a really good chance, he is a good

slalom skier. Looking down the list, looking for people who can ski well

in slalom, if they can be close to someone like Bode Miller in the

downhill, they can easily make up that difference in the slalom. You

could lose half a second in slalom, and it takes your whole downhill run

to ski out that lead. If we bought the downhill forward by

one hour, why not with the slalom event?

The issue for downhill is safety. You are travelling at speeds of 90

miles an hour. If the course breaks up, with holes on the course, then

it is leg breaking territory. On the safety terms, they have moved the

start forward for the downhill. The slalom is not about safety, the

slalom Hill should hold in order to be able to produce a fair race, it

will just be more challenging for the downhill skiers.

Great effort getting up early this morning, well done. We will let you

go and join Matt Chilton to get ready.

When we look at the likes of some other great names, Ted Ligety said,

I won this in 2006, I don't want to be considered a one-hit wonder. He

is coming into form. And capable of moving from place in downhill, into

the medal positions. He is a great technical skier. The

little ruts which form probably won't bother him. In terms of Bode

Miller, would you agree, he doesn't think, Graham, that he will make it

to the end of this one. He breaks all the rules. If he

finishes, he will be fast. Ted Ligety and Bode Miller, they don't

have any middle years, it is all for nothing -- gears.

That is what makes great spectating. I am looking forward to it. Let us

remind you of what is involved in this super combined event.

A combined event was first held at the 1936 Winter Olympics, making it

the oldest of the Olympic alpine skiing events. It was held over

three runs, one downhill and two slaloms. In 2010, one slalom run was

dropped. The super combined Olympic champion will be a skiing

all-rounder. It is a test of speed and nerve in the downhill before

they switch to shorter skis to tackle the slalom, a technique of

rhythm and agility. The skier with the fastest downhill time always

goes last in the slalom so dramatic climax is guaranteed. The times are

added and the fastest combined total the winner.

It'll be interesting, the Americans are in force to look at Bode

Miller. I saw Bodie mid-January. He did that pretty well. He attacked

and through everything. He straddled three gates from home so I think he

has a chance of giving the rest a run for their money. Aleksander

Aamodt Kilde, you may recognise his middle name, no relation to the

eight medal Olympic winner, but he is named in his honour. The first

man in the start gate. Christof Innerhofer, silver

medallist already. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde will be the man to open the

Olympic super combined. Wearing number one. Just 21 years old. He is

fired up. He is really getting himself psyched

up for this. Three training runs. One of a shortened distance. He went

well in both. Second fastest in training number one, fifth fastest

in the third. Here he goes. Opening proceedings. As we strive to find

the best all-round Alpine skier on the Russian mountains. Time to say

good morning to Graham Bell. Good morning.

It does not really affect the speed. You can hear how icy the snow

conditions are. The question is, how quickly will blame MacSoft and up --

while will they soften up? He is a little ragged. Leaning inside the

control gate. More in voting than it was on downhill day when Matthias

Mayer took gold. Matthias Mayer will be racing at number 14. That was a

huge flight on the late jump. He has really attacked this downhill stage

from top to bottom. He has gone a little bit off target on landing,

but he has tucked in and set a release all it time. That was fast.

-- a really solid time. Half a second faster than the last training

run. Really ragged off the Russian Trampoline. That would have cost him

only a 10th of a second. He has thrown down the gauntlet to everyone

else. Adam Zampa is next. He will have to be good to get near

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. They have shortened the starting intervals.

This was the turn that was so crucial in the downhill. Look how

lead he is there. Not only are you losing speed, you are skiing an

extra ten metres. You have lost a third of a second. Beat Feuz will be

skiing eighth. We should talk about Ivica Kostelic who has a good record

in super combined but the other factor is that the slalom course has

been set by his dad, which is unusual. They do a draw, there is

nothing controversial about it on paper although some would suggest it

is playing into his hands. His dad is a recognised ski coach, we should

clarify! It is just potluck which caught gets to do it. There has been

lots of talk about it. Alexander Khoroshilov. Desperate to put one

down and have a clean run. Let us see how it compares to Aleksander

Aamodt Kilde, it is pretty favourable. He is not bad slalom

skier. A lot of extra energy at the start because the Russian fans will

be making as much noise as they possibly can. You can hear it from

the start, the noise being produced at the finish area. The unfortunate

thing about changing the time is that not all of the Russian fans

found out so some of them will be arriving in the next hour only to

find that the downhill stage of the super combined is half done. They

will have a couple of hours to sit around in the sunshine and enjoy the

atmosphere at Rosa goods -- the Rosa Khutor X-treme Park. Alexander

Khoroshilov has done OK. It is a wrong all downhill and then a single

run of slalom at 11:30am in the UK. A bit of flapping from Alexander

Khoroshilov. Ondrej Bank set the quickest time in training. He has

been around for a while. He is a decent all-rounder. He needs a good

start to have a good chance heading into the slalom. I think he was

sixth in the combined four years ago so he has a good chance. Sorry, that

was in 2006. Email Dr fourth -- he moved up to fourth in 2010. I am not

sure he has the skills to climb up onto the podium. It is a good start

for and alleged -- Ondrej Bank. Getting some fabulous

high-definition shots. It is clean all the way and he is getting

faster. He is a very accomplished slalom skier and if he keeps this up

this could give him a ruler good chance this afternoon. That is solid

by Ondrej Bank of the Czech Republic. Look at how the snow is

already breaking up. I am not sure where that is on the course. Max

Franz got tangled up as he started. He has made up for it.

The leader is Ondrej Bank of the Czech Republic. Aleksander Aamodt

Kilde is second and Alexander Khoroshilov is third. Max Franz is

fighting against the course in the midsection. He is heading in the

wrong direction on the clock. He is not much of the slalom skier. You

need is to take out an advantage over the current leader -- he needs

to. He was the second best Austrian in the men's downhill on Sunday. The

winner was Matthias Mayer. Just over half a second off the

pace. Fantastic slow motion replay. Look at the aggression on his face.

Martin Vrablik of the Czech Republic is next. He is quite a character. A

little hit and miss. Remember the crash he had in Turin? You never

know what you are going to get with him. He looked totally solid during

that flight. That is where the holes are developing. You land from the

Russian Trampoline and it is facing due west. A slight mistake there

from Martin Vrablik. That will be difficult to keep firm. Two seconds

off the pace. That section also faces due west but the skiers are

not really turning on head so they can turn over the bumps. 133.8kph.

Max Franz hold onto third. Big holes starting to form on this men's

downhill. Maciej Bydlinski of Poland is next. The good thing about the

downhill as you get to see people you do not see every day. Second

division racers who get a chance to tackle the course. That was a lucky

escape. I thought he was going down. He was on his side going down the

fastest part of the course. He may not finish the way things have gone

so far with some big jumps still to come. Fingers crossed he manages to

stay on his feet and finish this stage.

Three seconds down. That has really affected his time. He does not

relate look happy with the high speed jumps at all -- does not look

happy. Safely over that jump. Maciej Bydlinski of Poland has had quite a

ride. He is going to finish up right, that will be a relief. This

is the section where he went down. Beat Feuz is an out and out downhill

man. He had a visit to hospital. He is a big man. He is wide rather than

tall I would say, short, stocky, powerful. He would need to have a

lead of over a second over the really good slalom skiers. He was

13th in the downhill on Sunday. He just doesn't have the strength.

It is worth going onto YouTube and checking out the summer training

regime. Beat Feuz, on his way back from injury, he hasn't reached full

fitness yet. He will finish this stage. And he will dig out the

slalom skis. Next to go, a man who has already

picked up a medal at these Winter Games, bronze medallist in the

downhill. And the man who took the gold there.

Number nine, for Norway. A big push out of the start, a good

all-rounder, he could go well on the slalom skis, but he needs a lift in

the downhill. We know he likes this hill. For me, he is more Super-G and

giant slalom. His slalom is not quite up there. If he can ski out a

lead in the downhill and carry that forward, it will certainly help. The

quickest of the lot. Norway are currently third in the

medal table behind Germany and Canada. Keeping it green all the

way. Off the bear's brow, makes a little adjustment mid-flight,

setting the inside edge of the left ski to continue the turn.

This course is softening up a lot more than the women's super combined

downhill. The topography of the slope, the women's is more east

facing. This is a west facing. We are getting the early morning sun.

It will not favour Bode Miller who starts way too late.

The new leader, Janz Ruud two -- Jansrud.

Continuing his good form on this Olympic course.

Christof Innerhofer was also a medallist on Sunday, he missed the

gold by six hundredths of a second. Aggressive, attacking start from the

Italian. He has won in World Championships.

In Schadming, I think, silver. No, it was in the Amish -- Garmisch.

Last February, Ted Ligety won gold. That course was really icy in

Garmisch. Its suited Christof Innerhofer more than anyone else.

His slalom skiing was slightly better back then. Off the bear's

brow, spectacular flight and landing from Christof Innerhofer. Couldn't

believe his luck when he crossed the line six hundredths of a second

behind. He was delighted to start with, thrilled with the silver

medal, then he started to think, goodness me, six hundredths from

gold. A mixture of emotions. The speed across the line of six

hundredths of a second is about a ski length.

Not so strong today, more than a second slower than the leader.

These high-definition shots showing the full facial expression. Look at

his eyes, you can just see them through his rating goggles.

This is Mauro Caviezel from Switzerland, he finished in fifth

position in the Kitzbuhel super combined.

As he came through that traverse, standing on his inside ski, which

means you don't have a safety net. If that edge slips away, the only

thing that will touch the snow next is your hip and shoulder, and more

than likely you are crashing out. Aksel Lunk Svindal is next to race,

fourth in the downhill on Sunday. He will be followed by the two

Austrians, Romed Baumann, then Mattias Maher. It will be good to

see him tackle this course once again.

Final jump. Skidding wide. He comes home.

He was born in 1992, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. The same year that

Aamodt won his medal. Fourth in the downhill last Sunday.

Aksel Lunk Svindal window is a good combined skier, he won gold in 2011

at the world. His downhill skiing has dropped off

but, in an event like this, you just never know. There could be a lot who

crashed out in the slalom section if it does get very bumpy. Aksel Lunk

Svindal might be able to get a medal, that will be his thinking.

He will need to ski well in the downhill and beat his team-mate,

Jansrud. You can hear the noise of the cable

cam, catching the athletes at full speed. This is good, aggressive

scheme from Aksel Lunk Svindal. This is where he was fast in the main

downhill, using his power and strength. The weight advantage he

has over his team-mate. He has lost time.

Off the final jump, and Aksel Lunk Svindal comes home. Good enough for

fifth at the moment. Unlikely for him to claw back that sort of time

in a slalom. He has plenty more chances for medals at the World

Championships and the Olympics. A shrug of the shoulders on his

finish, only the third fastest Norwegian.

Romed Baumann now. Coming and not of the gate. Bronze medallist at the

World Championships last February in the super combined in Schadming.

The Austrians don't really have any out and out combined specialists.

They have got if you younger downhill skiers who have slalom

skills. I include Mattias Maher in that. If they were to get to podium

today I would be very surprised. Billy Wright choosing to focus on

the technical basis. -- races. As we travel alongside Romed Baumann

on this cable camera, what a shot it gives us. A good impression of the

speed they are travelling. The only way to appreciate that is to stand

alongside the course, if you get to go to one of the World Cup races,

you will be blown away by the speed as they come past you in a flash.

He is miles away here. His chance has gone already. I can't see him

clawing back that sort of speed in a slalom.

More than two seconds slower. Next to go, the Olympic downhill

champion, Mattias May. The Austrians are here in numbers -- Mayer.

Looking for another gold medal today.

Here he is, the newly crowned Olympic downhill champion. Puffing

out his chest. He has got the big one, he has joined the long list of

legends. His father was an Olympic medallist, Calgary, 1988.

Skiing well again but doesn't really have the incentive I don't think

today to really risk it. His slalom skiing is not as good as others in

the field. If he were to get a medal in the combined, he would need to

lay one down today. Running slightly wide. Not too far away, 0.38. A

different angle on the bear's brow. Very different snow conditions

today. That is playing a part. The lead is safe at the moment. He has

found a fraction to move into third. A change at the top. Ondrej Bank

looking quite strong in second position. The skier from the Czech

Republic. He could fancy his chances heading into the slalom stage. I

don't think a check ski racer has ever won a medal.

Peter Fill. Italian veteran. He has been around a while now, Peter Fill.

No great shakes as a slalom skier, said he will need something tasty

here this morning. 31 years old. It is so important to use -- to keep

ski to snow contact. Every time you see the hand go up and down, it

means the skis have taken... And, on cue, Peter has shown what not to

do. You have to keep pushing forward. Otherwise you can't drive

forward. It is important to push forward, to push your weight against

the front of your boots, to pressurise the tips of the skis, to

shorten the radius of the turn and generate speed.

The Italians are still looking for their first gold medal of the

Olympic Winter Games. Peter Fill has skied OK. Ten at the moment.

he has a good Olympic record. Look at the holes starting to form. It is

lovely for a recreational skier but it is problem for a high-speed

downhill skier. Look at that! Excellent. There is a real end of

season attitude. What is going on? It is midwinter. Winter lasts five

minutes around here. He is getting clear in his mind what he wants to

do. Ted Ligety putting his race bib on. Getting himself fired up and

ready to go. He won the gold at the World Championships last year. Carlo

Janka will be hoping for a better start than he had at the downhill on

Sunday. Better this time. He has made areas -- a reasonable start. He

did not quite get the angle on that turn, did not lean his hip into the

turn as good as he could have done. Still hard and icy on the top of the

course, this is where it started and starts to soften. Beautifully

executed. In that short time that we had before he's -- he started, they

have sent crews down to try to shift the snow. It looks a bit easier than

it did before, so Carlo Janka benefiting from that. You do not

actually wants the course to be slipped on the flat part so they are

given instructions where to do their work, mostly the turns. That makes

him the fastest Swiss skier so far. Kjetil Jansrud is first. Ondrej Bank

is second. Alexis Pinturault, the big star of the French skiing. He

won the super combined in Kitzbuhel. He was second recently.

He is definitely one of the favourites to win gold today. The

question is, how close can he be in the slalom? You start looking at the

time differences between the downhill skiers who can ski slalom

and those who cannot, Ondrej Bank can ski a good slalom run, I am not

sure about Kjetil Jansrud. Not solid. He did not raise the

downhill. He trained in France and flow in late and skied the train

runs for the super combined. -- and flew in late and skied the training

runs. A French father and Norwegian mother, he speaks fluent Norwegian

so he is able to convert with the rest of the Norwegian team. He

clattered the gate. He courted with the end of his ski pole so that

would not have hurt too much. He is going to have to have the slalom run

of his life to get in amongst the medals this afternoon. He is 13. He

will be one of the medal starters in the second run -- middle. He will

regret his decision to come late. He is not going to ski two seconds

quicker than Ondrej Bank on one run of slalom. Natko Zrncic-Dim is next.

One of his coaches is the father of his team-mate. This is a good top

section. It is always interesting when you watch the super combined,

the guys who think that they have got a chance of producing a medal or

getting close to the podium always attack the downhill much more than

the downhill skiers doing it with perhaps a punt at a good downhill

run and hanging on in the slalom. It is all about how much you want it

and the will to win and you see that from Natko Zrncic-Dim. He knows he

has a good chance when the slalom comes around and he is really going

for it in the downhill. Kjetil Jansrud still the leader at the

moment. The Norwegians having a cracking Winter Olympics. Some big

names to come, Ivica Kostelic, Ted Ligety, Bode Miller. Everybody

looking forward to seeing how Bode Miller approaches the downhill part

of this super remained. -- combined.

When he had the fight, he had the will. He almost overcooked it

slightly on some parts of the course. Thomas Mermillod Blondin of

France is next. I said earlier I did not think the Czech skier had one a

medal, but I think I was wrong. Ondrej Bank is bidding to become the

first Czech man to win an Olympic medal, but not the first Czech

skier. This is looking good. Thomas Mermillod Blondin is skiing very

well. Nice light, a good high line -- flight. That was not so clever.

He had to fight for his line. That might have cost him the chance of

pushing. He will be more than a second removed at the next

intermediate time. Look at the difference between intermediate

number two, he was more than two seconds adrift. He has to go and

work on skiing the high-speed turns and rollers because he made two

mistakes back-to-back. He let off the pressure as he went into the

roller, his hip roared over the outside of his ski and he lost ten

metres. Kjetil Jansrud leads. Ondrej Bank second. That was Natko

Zrncic-Dim attempting the dismount and failing. Sandro Viletta of

Switzerland. Seven in Kitzbuhel -- seventh.

He is not a brilliant slalom skier. You have Ondrej Bank and Aleksander

Aamodt Kilde in their, he would not want to be more than half a second

away. Good start. Travelling nicely across the snow. He had his hand

behind his back as he tried to hold his position. This is the crucial

section. He skied that very nicely. A much better line over those

rollers. The middle part of the course skied

quite nicely. This is nice. He is their best chance today,

Switzerland. That was scruffy and am lucky to

stand up and ski away from that. That is going to cost him time

because right after that jump there is a flat section and you have to be

carrying the speed. He gave himself a real scare. The damage is

significant but possibly not terminal. Kjetil Jansrud holds on.

Sandro Viletta is 11th. Ivica Kostelic. Fired up and ready to go.

He has a good record in the big mind events, silver medallist that the

Olympic Games behind Bode Miller four years ago and silver medallist

behind Ted Ligety at the World Championships one year ago. The

course for the slalom has already been set. The Italian downhill start

is the coach. This is good. Ivica Kostelic does,

in his favour, skis very well on slalom courses that are softening up

and starting to get bumpy. He is a smooth skier, he doesn't put

pressure on the ski. And he skis a round line, so when the bombs

developed, he can carry his speed down the course. -- the bumps.

The sixth quickest training time yesterday. He is keeping his head

above water. Solid skiing. Not getting too far removed from

Jansrud's time. His sister was the most successful

Olympic skier of all time with four gold medals and two silver medals.

Ivica has yet to strike gold at the Winter Olympic Games. This might be

his last chance. Huge flight of the deer jump, landed a little further

to the right than he might have wanted. But that is all right,

seventh position. He can move up from there, good slalom skiing

later. To get in amongst the Olympic medals. He knows he has a good

chance of a medal. Looking at the top ten right now, he

is probably the best. Sadly the most accomplished slalom skier in the top

ten. Ted Ligety. Out of the gate, the

world combined champion. Out on his way, in his quest for the

first of potentially for medals he could win still at the Games. He has

a chance in Super-G, grand slalom and slalom. Fabulous chances in

Super-G and giant slalom in particular.

Certainly the late start number, 22. Miller starting 24. It is not

helping these guys in the downhill. The slalom, on the other hand, will

be the top 30 reversed. This is good from Ted Ligety. If he can keep this

deficit to less than one second, I think he has a very good chance of

taking gold. A smooth turn.

Still within six tenths of the league of Jansrud. He has skied good

downhill so far. Now it is starting to look less like a gold medal. He

is behind. These guys, I would still say,

Alexis Pinturault when he skis the scar them -- slalom, he will make up

time. Off the deer jump. Ted Ligety sets

up his skis for the line. Down in 14th, he will start in the middle

order of the second run, the slalom. Not that of it yet, Ted Ligety. He

needs things to go his way this afternoon.

The two best slalom skiers of the season of in this competition. They

have not really produced good runs in the downhill.

It will be fireworks in the slalom. Whether they can move all the way up

into gold is another matter. Bode Miller said before this race

that it would be difficult to ski out a big lead. What has happened is

that it is possible to ski badly and produce a big deficit. That is what

we have seen. Ondrej Bank will be excited about his position.

The fastest is Jansrud of Norway. The way things stand, he will be

last to ski in the slalom. I still think until Rose had a

chance of getting onto the stadium -- Alexis Pinturault.

Lots of chat going on between the races who are yet to push out of the

gate, and those who have already skied the course -- racers.

Andrew Weibrecht, number 23. I can't see anyone challenging the

time of Jansrud. Purely because of the start numbers. If you look at

the top five, all of the guys who finished are placed in the top five,

are placed in the top 15. With the snow conditions softening up, it is

a question of getting as close as possible.

A good start from Andrew Weibrecht who took bronze in the Super-G at

Vancouver. Since then, he has been largely anonymous on the World Cup

tour. 118 through the gun. Clocking the

fastest time of the lot. Jansrud basically has done today

what Matthias Mayer did, skiing goes rolling turns much better than

anyone else. That is where you can ski out a lead. That is when Miller

threw his race away in the main downhill. Miller coming next, he has

had good trading results, quickest in the first. -- training results.

He needs to eat with his mouth closed really!

Bode Miller. Classic stance in the start. Now he gets stuck in. That

relaxed look at the start belies the aggression, the hidden aggression

and determination that lies within. The defending super combined

champion. His only Olympic title came in the super combined in

Whistler four years ago. He needs to put down a good downhill run. It is

difficult from his start number, I can't see him taking away the lead

from Jansrud. But he is a more accomplished slalom skier. If he can

stay within half a second he has a good chance of defending his title.

He has won the World Cup slalom race in the distant past.

He can put the slalom skis on. Oh, no. He has blown it there. 0.39 down

at the intermediate time, but much more now. He ran massively wide, the

same time he made the mistake in downhill. What is he doing on that

turn? Off the lake jump, Miller is now 1.27 off pace. Exactly one

second he lost on that mistake off the final job, it hasn't gone

according to plan for Bode Miller, he is 11th.

If you subtract the second from his time, he would be sitting in fourth

position. And thinking he had a really good crack at a gold medal

here today. But his race in this combined has been blown on the

downhill section. Still got the chance of getting on the podium.

Parris is a way for Italy. Good aggression. Number 25.

His slalom skills are less obvious. He can't ski slalom but not fast. He

is too big. Look at the size of his thighs. You need to be explosive.

But he is not backed. He is a big lump of a man.

Talking of slalom skiers, we are seeing some skiers not skiing

downhill today, but focusing on other events.

The Italian supporters still looking for their first Alpine medal of the

Games. But let us not forget Christof Innerhofer.

It is a bit like rugby players, talking about size.

Not a bad start for Adrien Theaux, a downhill man through and through.

It is a fascinating result we are getting here from the downhill. It

is really going to be hard to call. I think that Aleksander Aamodt Kilde

has a good chance. Ondrej Bank has a good chance. Bode Miller

potentially. We have two of the downhill

medallists among the top three at the moment. Jansrud took bronze on

Sunday. Matthias Mayer took the gold. I can't see either of them

ending up on the podium today. If they do, it will be a bit of a

shock. Lake jump for Adrien Theaux. Ivica

Kostelic has a good chance, he is lying in seventh. 0.93 down. Miller,

if he makes the finish, the chances of that are slim.

That is a great shot, that must be from the wired camera, looking down

on the Traverse -- wire cam. 27, Morgan Pridy from Canada.

The top of the course is still icy and hard, still in the shade.

This section has been in the sun, breaking away. -- baking away.

Some spectators are starting to strip off and improve their

suntans. The temperature is due to rise until about 14 or 15 degrees in

the mountains, possibly five degrees higher than that on lower ground.

All the reflection from the snow, it feels much warmer than that. Morgan

Pridy starting number 27. Off the final jump.

We are heading into the realms of the unknown because that will be

some names coming up that we do not normally see racing regularly on the

World Cup. Some guys coming to take that chance on the Olympic combined

and hoping for a bit of luck. Jared Goldberg is next.

Certainly pushing hard at the top. He is in touch at the first

intermediate. These guys will be kicking themselves they did not draw

an early start. The second 15, those ranked between 16 and 30, could

potentially go 1-7, or they can start in the later group and it is

pot luck. Once you have benefited from that particularly in the

downhill -- the ones who benefited include Travis Ganong, Carly -- and

also Carlo Janka. He comes from Utah. He has gone well. 15th.

Starting so late, that is not bad. That is some hat! There is Bode

Miller with his professional beach volleyball playing wife.

Klemen Kosi from Slovenia. The 22-year-old from Maribor. On the

inside ski. As he came down the valley. A lot of people would think

you would want the snow to soften up so you could get a better agent

Brett on the ice, but these racers skiing with their edges as sharp as

they are, they would rather have it as I -- icy as possible. We saw home

a chit slowed down when the conditions got slushy. Some of the

girls were having difficulty carrying speed off the kicker and

not enough landing on the knuckle and that is what was causing

problems. He was 24th in the downhill on Sunday. Kjetil Jansrud

looks unstoppable. The slalom is due at 11:30am. Great body angle, inside

and heading onto the snow -- hand. Krystof Kryzl from the Czech

Republic. A couple of his team-mates have already gone, including the man

in second position, Ondrej Bank, and he will have been able to top to him

via the two-way radio to pick up some advice.

He does not seem to be getting any deeper -- it does not, the cuts and

holes. In the section where they used the water injection bar, that

was a six-man job getting it to work, you need a pump and two or

three men pushing it down into the snow and it freezes really deep and

you do not get any break-up underneath the ground. The top layer

is getting soft and underneath it is still quite firm. Off the late

jump, lands softly. He is one gate from home. He is 29th. Kjetil

Jansrud is fast, Ondrej Bank second and Matthias Mayer third. A great

shot of the outside. Kjetil Jansrud taking his time to sign some

accreditations before he heads off to consider his next move. He is

going to check on the standings. -- let us.

The top 30 goal reverse in the slalom. This is the man who leads

the way at the moment and if things stay the same then Kjetil Jansrud

will be the last skier on the mountain in the slalom later. It is

interesting that Alexis Pinturault is hoping for a couple of skiers to

come in and knock him down so that he can start earlier in the slalom.

If you can start in the top five he can easily ski out a two second

lead. This is Jorge Birkner Ketelhohn. You may be familiar with

the catsuit, his sister was wearing a similar one on Wednesday. It is

not a good look in my opinion! I preferred it to the American white

suit. I will give you that. The third sister did not get selected

for the Argentine Olympic team and lost her appeal yesterday. Two of

the siblings racing this time. This is his third Olympic Games. Macarena

Simari Birkner used to go out with someone who is now a coach. Cristian

Javier Simari Birkner is the best of the siblings. He needs to be in the

top 30. If you are not in the top 30 in the combined, you have no chance,

because you will be skiing down the slalom run in the ruts. Marcel

finished 31st in the super-G -- 35th and claimed all the way up and came

to finish in third in Kitzbuhel. It was remarkable. Pavel Trikhichev is

next. Let us see if he can give himself a boost going into the

slalom. You would expect the Russians over the next few years to

start producing serious World Cup and champion contenders, but there

is no one really at the moment. Talking about legacy, you Billy need

a school. It takes a long time to produce alpine skiers. He could be

the second man on the mountain in the slalom. He is right on the

bubble. I do not see him staying in the top 30. That is headwear of the

highest calibre. I saw him coming in earlier and I saw the fees of the

people sitting behind him -- the face of the people sitting behind

him, with their heads in their hands! Olivier Jenot's compatriots

recovering from a broken ankle. The forward rotation is winding them

up, the backward rotation is winding them down. It is more of 70s disco

dancing from him. Dad dancing. Great to see some of the less established

alpine nations racing. This is Ferran Terra from Spain.

The World Championships were held in Spain right in the south. Massive,

that is probably the biggest flight we have seen. It is a good facility

but it is used more for some athletes for all to Jude training

than four the alpine skiers -- used for all to altitude training. When

they returned in February 2006 there was too much.

Markus Fux from Slovakia. -- Matej Falat.

So, no change, Kjetil Jansrud leads the way in the first stage of the

men's super combined. The second in this two-part alpine

drama goes off at 11.30. We have had an early start because

this event was brought forward by one hour. Emma Carrick-Anderson, it

is looking like a good session -- decision.

The top section was fairly firm until the trampoline, but then it

softened up. Temperatures in Sochi are rising. We saw some holes

starting to appear particularly in the landing areas.

I am surprised it didn't get worse, it broke through at about number

eight, luckily it didn't get any worse because it could have been

dangerous. Let us talk about those who have made the most of the

conditions. Jansrud, bronze medallist in the downhill the other

day. This is where it gets confiscated, this is a 2-part drama.

Is it now in the hands of the slalom skiers? I would say so. And

fortunately for the likes of Alexis Pinturault, he has a lot to do in

the slalom. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde has put himself in a good position.

Ivica Kostelic has twice had silver in this event. 34 years old. If his

body holds up, many people would love to see him win a gold medal. A

very nice bloke and a fantastic ski racer. You have talked about his

father, many will say how can his father have set the slalom course?

It is legitimate. One world cup will be set by an Austrian, the next by a

French. It happens his father, a Croatian, has set the Olympic

slalom. Ivica Kostelic has set a lot of slalom

. A good time posted by Ivica Kostelic. From harm -- how far back

could this be one? That is a tricky one. I am not writing off Alexis

Pinturault. I think somebody from about two seconds back could still

win it. He may not actually get the gold, but I think he could medal.

That includes Ted Ligety who won this eight years ago. Not done a

great deal in Olympic terms since but he would love to establish

himself again. 1.93 seconds. He still has a big chance. He is

starting just after Alexis Pinturault. Decent conditions for a

second run. We have had two Norwegian victories

in the last 20 years. Three Norwegians in the top six. Just

hovering is Aksel Lunk Svindal. He has said he is angry at the snow

conditions because he does not feel he has done himself justice. He is

fired up. The conditions are in the hands of the gods. Aksel Lunk

Svindal, Ivica Kostelic, it will be an exciting one. Are you going to

call it? No! 11:30am is when we are looking forward to the second run of

the men's super combined. There was a big fat asterisk in the

calendars of Russian sports broadcasters and fans today. The

men's figure skating free programme. Because it was supposed to mark the

attempt by the legendary Yevgeny Plushenko to try and win a record

fifth Olympic medal. But, to much consternation last night, the Great

One had a surprise parting shot for his adoring public during the short

programme. Before he was due to take to the

ice, he was clearly struggling. After a chat with the coach and the

judges, he decided to withdraw from the men's competition on medical

grounds, back injury, we are hearing. He announced his retirement

shortly afterwards. He took gold in the team event but not the way he

wanted to say goodbye. Members afterwards, Jeremy Abbott took to

the ice. He had a nightmare, and fell. He was cheered all the way

afterwards. A touching show of support from the Russian fans for an

American competitor. Delivering a gutsy performance to a standing

ovation. It was a magical moment. Wonderfully touching. Disappointment

for two medal contenders but an opportunity for everyone else.

How Nuer was the start of the short programme during the team event --

Yuzuru Hanyu. In Japan have never won the men's Olympic gold medal. He

is one of the favourites. opening with his quad combination.

Oh, absolutely easy! Beautifully centred, great position

on the spin. He needs to stay focused and in

control for the triple axel. Yes! From a difficult entry, left back

inside turn without the push, superb work.

His combination, triple toe loop, that is it! Watch him enjoyed the

steps sequence. -- enjoy. Wow! That is what we have been

waiting for. Outstanding. Nerves of steel. It is only the Olympic Games!

? That is also the reason why plush

Ancona -- Plyushchenko knew that if he wasn't at his best, it wasn't

worth trying. That lovely flow, down on the knee,

soft and light for the triple. Easy with the triple toe loop.

Excellent, wonderful performance. Oh!

Watch out, everybody. He is heading for the top of the podium. If he can

deliver another performance like that. A different class.

Javier Fernandez. He has been European champion for the last two

years. He has struggled on the Grand Prix circuit but looks back on form

just in time for Sochi. He became doubled European champion. Aiming to

win Spain their first figure skating medal at the Olympic Games.

His opening quads. He stayed on one foot.

Oh, no, too slow on that junk. -- jump. The whole programme is very

tight. Not choosing the traditional music

as always, always a fun performance. One wonders how he was affected by

the marks by Yuzuru. But they are training makes, he knows what he is

capable of. I just felt, he looked a little tired halfway through that. I

know that music is Jimmy well, I won a world approach as a world approach

have shipped with it. -- extremely well. Little things all the way

through, I felt there was a lot of tension in that programme.

It is mandatory to minus two for that kind of mistake. Not the best

marks. All of his big jump elements are getting him less than ten

points, which is not good at all. That has him just ahead of Jason

Brown, so at the moment he is in second place. Patrick Chan came in

as the favourite for the gold medal but that disappeared in the team

event in the short programme where he made a number of errors. The

judges liked the programme. The component score was above his

components. If he can deliver the elements, he could be right up there

for the gold, but he has to be clean, he has to nail every element

and he knows that. Quad toe loop, triple toe loop. He

needs to do the same with the triple axel. Maybe just a little bit too

much. There may have been an error, but

some of the elements, there is such a quality to his skating, he is not

going to be far away, but he will have wanted every element nailed and

it wasn't, so he has opened the door. He flew into this quad with

conviction. It was exquisite. Beautiful presentation in the air.

Suitably landed, plenty of time. He did not need to push quite as much

on the axel. Does not have such a big jump. You see the body leaning,

he is over it. Just the step out, no deduction as such. The grade of

deduction will be two or three points which is mandatory. Not easy

is an's best. -- a season's best. Almost four points behind. Not the

best to take into the free programme, but anything can happen.

He is in the mix. Peter Liebers finished sixth at the European

Championships, but he was rewarded with a season's best in the team

event. Can he repeat that? Beautiful quad tool -- quad toe loop

combination. With the triple mac toe loop.

He was good in the team event. Even better tonight. The jumps were spot

on. He got every element. The commentators beside us are standing

uploading. A superb performance. I loved it. The spins are not quite at

the same level as the jumps, but the jumps were on form. This quad toe

loop was on the money. Top about speeding with conviction. --

skating. He has a very open stance. Down, hands out, his body placed

exactly right. 79 was his season's best. All the technical elements

were there. What a performance. These super Takahashi -- Takahashi

gets a round of applause. Such a popular skater. Can he deliver the

elements tonight? He wanted the quad toe loop, just

under rotated. He got the triple axel.

Triple lutz, triple toe loop. He made the rotations.

A huge cheer from his adoring fans, he has given them so much to cheer

about over the years, world champion a few years ago, but there were

mistakes, he knows that, he will not celebrate, it is not what we are

used to seeing from him from years ago, but it has not been his season.

Let us look at the quadruple where he was not fully rotated and he was

on two feet. It has been downgraded to a double from a triple. Just two

points for that. 10.21 credit for the triple axel and 11.01 for the

triple lutz, trouble to look combination.

A great component score. The Japanese fans were silent because

they wanted more. They know he could be bidding for the gold medal. But

he finds himself in fourth place. In touching distance of the podium.

It was his Japanese colleague, Yuzuru Hanyu, wait in front, after

becoming the first figure skater to go past the 100 figure mark. Nearly

a four-point lead over Patrick Chan of Canada. We have the free

programme this evening at 6:15pm when the top six skaters go. It has

been interesting to gauge their reaction of the departure of Yevgeny

Plushenko. There is a universal sympathy for his very sad exit, it

has to be said. But a hint of controversy. One of the daily

newspapers saying, a genuine human tragedy. They quote Yevgeny

Plushenko saying, I beg forgiveness for my fans.

Something like this from one of the big sports newspapers, why has this

deprived one of our other great chances representing us in the

final. Sympathy but a little bit of sniping.

That free programme is at 6:15pm. It looks like a cracking contest.

Good morning to you. We are staying on the ice for a little bit of bonus

cologne, David Murdoch and his men will be playing Denmark later today.

A chance to catch up on the medal hopefuls, Canada against Norway.

Also a chance for us to see some of the most anticipated sets of

trousers of the entire Games, courtesy of the Norwegians! I hope

this isn't too loud for you over your breakfast cereal.

We picked them up in the seventh end.

A good and set up here already for Jacobs. The lead stones came in and

let an opportunity. This is the situation. That has

helped Norway's cause, if it got buried enough. A great try, two in a

row. Almost perfect on his first one as well. His second attempt. Rolling

from the corner to the centre line, a pretty good drive.

That is not easy to do. To have good control to throw that as asked for.

And to keep your shooter on the side, well done.

Trying to hit and roll on the other side.

If Jacobs wanted, he could try to go around the centre.

He would hate to go to that centre line behind the Norway guard.

Hitting and rolling is a little safer.

I have never seen a skip that calls the sweep from a squat position.

Holding that position. The entire way. It is amazing.

Playing the hit and rolled to the centre line. Ryan Fry is playing

exceptionally. Two or three are in play. One small

mistake from Norway... It doesn't look as if he likes it,

he is casually walking beside it. It finishes hard at the end. About as

good as he could have done really. Pretty good.

It is tricky. The rock that is in his way is his own. If he tries this

soft weight. It is one of those ones where you sweep it to get by, once

you are past it, you could move it back. It is over buried. Visually,

it is a tough shot. Watch that centre line. Another test for the

Harndens. A bonus from sheet B, China and

Sweden. Impressive performance on the sheet B from team China. They

will be one up. A nice draw, but great force.

Nervous for Norway because it is a lonely yellow stone in there. They

need to get a second yellow in, how are you going to do that? The hit,

the double, the role to the corner? If he can hit that red stone at the

top of the eight foot anywhere from the hit and rolled over, into that

pile. He could get unlucky in theory. Anything on the outside with

the right weight will either rolled into this one or that one. -- roll

into. A multiple school could come into

play. That was fierce looking. Jacobs and

Fry. They don't lack for intensity.

There is a double that was left, as you pointed out. A mistake.

A little frustration there. It is the only way that he gets a bad

result, he could easily hit it then. If the double is made, the rock will

probably rolled into that area. The question is whether they will try to

go around that corner guard. A big shot. Putting some pressure on

Ulsrud. There it goes. Oh. Not a good results. -- result.

So, a good throw. They were surprised it didn't cull more. He

didn't overthrow it, the shooter still stayed in the ring. Still no

danger for a steal. Ulsrud has to make a decent shot here to get a

piece around that yellow. That is why he drew it around.

You just don't get that many opportunities to score multiple

points so you hate it when you lose them. That, and the fact the second

stone will be that much more difficult.

You have to change your mindset. From going from opportunity to

making a save. Four Ulsrud, if this slips back,

even with the stone at the back, this might be a double. This isn't

curling. Could this be a 44, oh, my goodness. -- could this be a four.

He can't believe it. The wait was great -- weight. It just didn't take

the big cull. Can he get past the guard tight enough to make contact

with both of these stones is the question. It looks like he can.

So, back to opportunity for Brad Jacobs. Get close to the guard, make

the double. The danger here, if you overthrow and it runs straight, it

ends up being a steal. This is a massive point.

What an opportunity. The final stone, and seven. This could be it.

I love that reaction! I can't get enough of that.

The family loves it. Mike, on the right. Watch the boys. We'll go back

to that in a second. There is the four. Does that feel good. Take

advantage of opportunity, good throw. Every Canadian faith goes

instantly read! -- red! STUDIO: That proved decisive, Canada

went on to win it 10-4. A very good performance from them. They have

lost too already but they are on a roll.

We have just heard that China have been beaten in their match against

Sweden. Their first defeat. Dave Murdoch and company will be on

the ice later today against the Danish. What would you doing 30

years ago today, if you were both about at that point? 30 years ago

today marks one of the ground-breaking performances of the

Winter Olympic Games. Torvill and Dean at the 1984 Sally Eval

Olympics. -- Sarajevo. In everyone's eyes, it was ours to

lose. This was our Olympics. Our chance. Going into the competition,

we were so focused, like a caged lion. Using the music Became so

popular it went into the charts. It went into a frenzy. When we were

performing it, I see it outside, like an outside body experience. It

feels like a dream sequence. It feels like I was looking down on

someone else doing that. Because it was such an emotional piece as

well. It was one of those routines that felt eerily silent. When mayhem

is going on in a movie and they will play music in slow motion, it felt

like that. We had so many flowers that people were giving us by the

side of the ice and throwing onto the ice and we were collecting them.

Do I really have to go any further? There was a roar at the first set of

scores and at the second said there was a mass of -- massive roar. I

remember looking up at the scoreboard and seeing all the sixs.

There has never been any resentment. It is not Torvill or

Dean by themselves, it is Rolls-Royce, fish and chips. Torvill

and Dean returned to face the music and dance ten years later when Peter

Gummi bronze, many feel that they were robbed. You never hear that

piece of music without thinking about that performance. We wonder

whether we will have another one this afternoon because Lizzy Yarnold

is going for gold with a 0.4 second advantage. That is that the 40 M --

3:40pm your time. Ice hockey could be the sport for you. We are going

to see action from Group C shortly. After we have reminded you how it

works. Ice hockey is one of the fastest

team sports in the world. With pucks travelling fast, this can be brutal.

The aim is to score more goals than the opposition. Matches consist of

three 20 minute periods with two 15 minute breaks in between and start

with a feast of in the centre of the ice. Penalties are given if a

player's actions are said to have broken the rules of the game. If a

player is sent off, the team is said to be playing short-handed while the

opposing team is on power play. This is the best opportunity for a team

to score. We are going to check out the form in Group C of the Czech

Republic and the Latvians. The Czech Republic were the shock winner in

1998. One of the players was in that team and is still playing, years 42.

-- he is 42. He already has a gold in this

competition. One of the greats to ever play in any era. The Czech

Republic are looking to bounce back after opening defeat. Looking to win

their first match of the 2014 Games, the Latvians, who were beaten

with a late Swiss gold. -- goal. The Czech Republic are in white. The

Latvians will go right to left. I think it would be a big ask for them

to get anywhere close to the medals but they are not the worst team in

the competition and they beat Great Britain in qualifying to book their

place here. He hangs onto it. He plays with

Everton in the National Hockey League. You can see how far away he

is. You can see the puck trickling potentially towards goal. Face off.

A very important part of the game is hitting a little bit for

intimidation. No penalty called. Petr Nedved needs to be careful. He

has taken a few penalties in the opening match. Time to set things

going. When we talk about the zones, that

is the fence of, the neutral -- offerings offensive and the

defensive. Sandis Ozolinsh is in his 40s. He is

one of the few in the tournament that featured for the USSR in early

on in his international career. The Czechs have been offensive so

far. The Latvians are in danger of being

caught cold. Too many players on the ice for the

Czechs, not cold. I am surprised about that. The Czechs are going to

go on a power play. Skating six Czechs against the five Latvians.

The whistle blows. That is one of the fears, it is going to be hard

for him when the younger skiers get the pace, Sandis Ozolinsh. He is a

roaming player. He does a lot of looping. He gets a high stick call.

It looks incidental but it is the one hand sweep and you're not going

to be able to control your stick. He is fortunate to get two because he

could have been assessed as double minor. There is Ted Nolan, he has

won the Jack Adams trophy which is awarded to the best coach. He has

taken the Latvian job and made the season and the opportunity presented

itself to return to the pinnacle of the sport in club hockey. The Czechs

have looked much better today, much better movement. A lot of these

players have come halfway across the world to get here and they are right

into intense action. A big shot, that was great power

from Zidlicky. We saw him in game number one getting it into the net.

Jagr had a good shooting angle. That was well blocked and away by the

Latvians the length of the ice. They go for a full change, all four

players go off and for new ones come on. You saw them try to load up the

shot. He can shoot it, as we saw against the Swedes.

Nedved was a prime scorer earlier in his career. These days, not so much

but he still does all right. Nedved crashing. He couldn't find

the puck, it was easily away. The Czechs had good possession in

the zone, but given away. That was a poor clearance.

The opportunity now, great poise from the big man, spinning it

through. Nearly found the net. Hemsky bringing it back the other

way. Erat scores. Good transition. That puck low and hard, no chance

for the Latvian netminder as it went through his legs. The set up was

perfect. Erat, rolling his way through the legs of Masalskis.

Getting themselves on the board first.

Erat, a late call into this squad, he wasn't part of the initial

selection. It comes at an interesting time for him. At home in

North America, his wife is due to give birth to their second child

next week. Not what the Latvians were hoping

for. Hemsky feeding that in front, tipped

just wide by Krejci. Finally, some relief. Sending it forward, this

could be a chance. A slight slip from Michalek.

Latvia haven't created anything offensively yet. Just the one played

by Ozolins. The Czechs are getting nicely settled into this

tournament. A great execution from Erat. Taking a half opportunity and

making a full conversion. That's where the game rests. You get

yourself an opportunity but it is about execution in the moment and

you can't be too picky. Take what you are given. Well saved. Have a

lecture macro, the check -- Czechs goal-tender -- Pavelec.

Six, a massive man mountain. -- Six feet.

He will sit down for two minutes, or less.

A good save, a quick rebound, but unable to finish it. A wonderful

chance for the Latvians to equalise. Ozolins circles deep in the zone.

Looking to go back door but that hopped over a stick.

This is a two on one for the Czech Republic. He shoots, nearly scores

second chance from behind the line. Ozolins will step clear. That was a

big saved, a very important one. Even though they had the advantage,

offensive opportunities get created for the opposing team.

Down the length of the ice by Erat. Out to play it is this gal skis

macro -- Masalskis, the goal-tender. The shot deflected over the top,

back door, how did that block go in, Sprukts was somehow a denied. --

somehow denied. 18 to go on the power play. They have had some good

opportunities. Maybe the Czechs welcome back, a good save!

Remember that 30 seconds. If it is a save made, my goodness. It will be

something special. Hanzal is at the box but the danger

is not cleared yet. Another penalty coming, a tripping

call. A bit of conversation here. We are looking at Sprukts who had

the opportunity. A little bit of television time out. This is almost

like theatre stage where they readdress everything, cleaning up

and tidying. That was a goal, wasn't it? Without a doubt. Watch it again.

That is a goal. They never celebrated. That was a clear goal. I

don't know how. Sprukts doesn't know himself that that is a goal.

Goal-scorers know. Particularly standing five feet away. I hope

there is a discussion to review this. Please don't have controversy

on something that is so clear cut. They have the orange lights

flashing. I think they are going to review it. The referee has come

over, they are having a conversation. Sprukts is going to

get an Olympic gold. In commentary, we have said we don't know how it

has not gone in. It clearly did. The rest were perfectly happy to resume

play with a faceoff. Until the timekeepers made the request. Is not

as if this went on the near side post, this was essential. You can

see the camera move. Look! Surely he can see? That has gone in, clearly.

The one problem we have had in this tournament is that the nets are

strong so slightly -- tightly. The puck is in and out in the blink of

an eye. You do need a replay. Finally, it is under review. Sprukts

should made -- have made more of a deal. You need more emotion. That

was clear-cut. That is scary. That moment almost left us. Sprukts

wasn't going to be awarded. That is very concerning to think that needed

to be called upon and the officials come and Sprukts himself who was

standing five feet away from recording history. Absolutely. I

have got to say, I have never seen this in my life. The second time

this has happened in this tournament. This time, at least, the

right decision has happened. For the Japanese women, a different story

earlier. The last 45 seconds of play is scratched out of history now, the

time will go back on the Kop -- the clock.

This is one of the vagaries of ice hockey. Video replays are there. I

am more amazed at the Latvian players. You can see the frustration

for the Czechs players. -- Czech. They are saying, they never asked

for the goal. We are fortunate enough to review it again. I

understand, the speed of the action for the referees, it is difficult to

monitor. We are all human. My goodness, gentlemen, that was clear

for all to see. So, why is Hanzal still in the

penalty box? You can't go back, award a goal, then not scratch

everything that happens after that from history. It looks like that is

going to be the case. Now, more clarification. We not done with

this. I think everybody is just as confused as the referees. There

should be zero confusion here. When the goal is scored, play stops. If

you have to review it, you go all the way back, everything that

happens after that... The referees are talking upstairs. Come on! This

is embarrassing. The men in charge there. Unfortunately for themselves,

I am not sure this situation is reflecting well on their ability to

manage this accurately, swiftly and efficiently, to keep this contest

rolling. Eventually we will get the right situation. Surely?

Hanzal will remain. If I was the coach, I would be losing my rag, it

doesn't make any sense. You can't order a goal and keep a penalty that

happened in between times. They have done that. There will be a long

process whereby the Czechs will be very frustrated. The Latvians could

very well take the lead here. We will have a number of referees

watching in the UK. Feel free to get in touch and give us your views on

what you have just seen. Technology helping out and hurting the

officials right now. The school is level. The Latvians have a power

play. The Czechs are on the back foot. The most important thing is

that the goal was recorded. They have a great opportunity to take the

lead. A bit of pushing and shoving, it

might get nasty. Smid having words. That might hand is cut. Zidlicky is

having words. Ozolins is a man mountain.

This is the penalty. A little bit in it. This will get Sparky. We have

had some controversy. Frustration for the Czechs. This will build up.

The Bolshoi is getting a little narky, there is an air of thrush

Trish and. -- frustration. Jaromir Jagr has not been on the ice

for the two penalties. They save his energy. It hurts the Czechs when

they cannot get their best players on the ice.

Jaromir Jagr has such a strong lower body. Jagr again. This has been a

breathless game for various reasons. We will seek clarification

between periods as to why the referees called it as they did.

Janis Sprukts is denied by a wonderful save. He was looking for

his second. This should not come as a surprise. Each huge save from

Ondrej Pavelec. Although they are ranked 11th, the Czechs have an

average age which is lower than that of the Latvians.

Penalty coming on the Latvians, I sticking. If the Czechs are serious

about getting something from this game, they have to steal something.

It is one of those absent flaws in a hockey match where you have to steal

at the end of the period and if you can grab momentum going into the

break it will be huge. There is the high stick. They cannot be too

disappointed because the goals the Latvians scored was a goal. Perhaps

just disappointed that the penalty remained.

A bit more pushing and shoving going on. There is an edge to this game.

That was then Gus Gergen since -- Girgensons.

Jagr does not take the 1-timer. He pumps it home. The second of the

tournament for Jaromir Jagr. What a finish that was. Just like that, the

Czechs are back in front. This is potent from Jaromir Jagr as he holds

and fires. They talk about slow release and he gets a nice bit of

control on the trigger and then clutches and pumps it past the

keeper who knows nothing about it. The bad news for the Latvians with

they remain on the penalty kill. There is a second power play. It

means the Czechs will start the second period on a one-man

advantage. Jaromir Jagr has put the Czechs in

front. A good performance from him. Plenty of controversy, but it is

Jagr and the Czech Republic who have a 2-1 advantage after 20 minutes.

Confusion as well as controversy, technology helping and hindering. We

are thinking of freedom in these the spring Olympics. -- re-naming. I

know that you are battening down the hatches for another storm later, but

we hope we can bring you good news later because this is a key moment

for Great Britain's gold-medal hopes.

It is Bob skeleton time. Focus, concentrate. An explosion of power

and strength. You feel your way, shoulders and feet in position. A

tap of the tour and a move of the head. Lightening fast reflexes, you

feel the track. It is a quest for the fastest line, finding the

perfect angle. You have to is they calm -- Steed calm, the tiniest

errors will cost you, making the smallest adjustments and

split-second reactions. It is about accuracy, precision. One false move

and you are off on cold ice. Lizzy Yarnold was cool as ice yesterday

with a point for second -- 0.4 second advantage. The woman who

because her the most problems, what a journey she has had. She missed

the 2006 Olympics after a freak accident. She made a full recovery

and you will have heard about the course worker who was injured by a

runaway bobsleigh yesterday. They are said to have undergone surgery,

two broken legs, but we understand they add in a stable condition. That

could have been much worse. One of the athletes retired, we thought

that was it, but she came back driven by the thought of a chance of

another medal in the Olympics. I used to be distracted by other

athletes. I would see that times and it would scare me because I would

think, they are going so fast. This year I stood at the line and I do

not even recognise the Thames. -- times. It has nothing to do with

their time, or how fast the ice is, it is to do with me and what I can

handle and what I can put together down the track. I've really like

this track. It is very different to any other track in the world. It is

the longest track in the world and there is simplicity but also

technicality, so I love it. The last time I was here was in February, a

year ago, and I won the World Cup here and hopefully I will be able to

feel that rhythm again and get back on the podium. She is going to be

gathering at her best. She has pushed me mentally and physically to

be my best, and I hope I do the same for her. This is it. The last one.

We have 14-mac races apiece. In 2006, being hit by a bobsled and

then retiring and I was very happy retiring, but for me with what I

have been through, I have dealt with it. If I had gone to the -- Italy, I

would have been completely satisfied with a medal. I was happy. Finishing

fourth, so close, but I gave it my best, I could not ask any more of

myself. All those hours of training and sacrifice at the time that goes

into training to be an Olympian. It is the blink of an I've. There it

goes. I do not know what will come the last and final run. I know that

is my last medal for the taking so it is about everything coming into

one moment so it could be a little emotional, I guess.

It could all be over in the blink of an eye, so fast this sport, speeds

approaching 80 miles an hour. Lizzy Yarnold has four tenths of a second

advantage. That is the advantage she holds. You need so much guts to go

on a bob skeleton. It is about so much more than bravado. Lizzy

Yarnold from Kent is certainly a cool customer.

You always feel nervous before you compete or chain in the skeleton. It

is something where you need to be aware of feeling nervous, because it

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

love. As you walk to the start block, you have to be completely

focused, yet really exhilarated and ready produce -- to produce a really

fast sprint. As soon as I am in two position, I am completely relaxed. I

let my body mould into the sled. I have come so far in a short three

years. When I came into the programme, Amy Williams had just won

a gold medal. It was the same team she had around her that I have

around me. So I slotted into the amazing machine that is British

skeleton. Your mind just takes over, your

peripheral vision takes over. You are feeling the interaction between

you and the ice, all your senses are working at 1 million miles an hour.

There is no perfect run, there is always something you can improve on,

the slight angle, the angle, 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 that my hardest condition is within my own

team. Shelley Rudman is an amazing athlete, an ambassador of the

programme that I got involved in, in 2008. We are friends away from the

track. On the start block, she is one of my hardest rivals. Her

performance has pushed me into trying to be better. I can't let up,

every session means everything. I have to try to be the best version

of me that I can. Lizzy Yarnold of Great Britain, a World Cup leader.

Victory! A very impressive slide, World Cup champion, Lizzy Yarnold.

The great thing about the Olympics from what I have heard is it is a

magical event, not like anything else. It is my first Olympics. I am

taking it one step at a time. I hope to perform at my best. I am

unbelievably motivated. Fingers crossed.

She talked about Shelley Rudman who is in 11th place. Lizzy Yarnold will

have two shoulder the expectations, she goes in the third run, live on

BBC Two. Lizzy Yarnold, aiming to follow her

land lady, Amy Williams, to the top of the podium. The very last day Amy

Williams will be able to call herself the reigning Olympic

champion. Skeleton athletes maybe have a screw

loose, I don't know! Are we fearless? No, but we are brave. I

think you learn to control the fear. In 2002, I remember watching the

skeleton race, and the bronze medal. I took myself down to the

bottom of the playing fields of the university. There was a special

track where skeleton and bobsleigh can practice just starts. I started

on the ice for the first time in October 2002. I didn't love it to

begin with. I remember the first run, you don't know what to expect

or feel. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The second time I did

burst into tears. I had to hide because I did not want to look like

a wimp. That addiction to wanting to become better, just happened. Then,

I didn't want to stop. The Olympics 2006, there was only one place for a

girl to go. It was always a battle. Didn't get to go. It fed me this

fire in my belly that I was never going to watch another Olympics, I

would be competing. I became obsessed. Every decision every day

was, is this going to help me get to the Olympics? Yes, or no. Vancouver,

when I heard I had got a place and I was going, it was unbelievable.

Every dream come true, all that hard work, suddenly, you were part of a

team. I remember collecting the kit, having my parents and grandma

around. Opening it up. It was like Christmas day, time is a million.

The Olympic race... It is so hard to remember it all. It seems like it

was over in a blow. -- blur. I had a quite confident that if I did

everything consistently, the fact I had worked so hard over the last

four years, it was all coming together exactly how I wanted it to

on that one day. On her way to the gold medal.

There was so much pressure, I wanted it so badly. I remember before my

final run, being in the changing room on my own. Not a single sole. I

had to stand on the start line, thinking, this is for the gold

medal. Then I just had to slide. Amy Williams, going for gold, for

Great Britain. Amy Williams could become Olympic champion.

Surely it is gold for Great Britain? Oh, yes!

I hugged my coach who was hugging me. Then I had to whisper in his

ear, where did I come? He whispered, you are Olympic champion. I didn't

know what to do. It was a really special moment.

We will know soon enough, Amy Williams will be delighted if Lizzy

Yarnold can take her crown. We will know by about 6pm tonight.

Have we cleared up all the confusion in the Bolshoy Dome? We were

watching the men's ice hockey. We are going straight back. It has been

an eventful morning already. Goodness me, without doubt, there

has been confusion. Next to us, we have the French-speaking Canadians,

CBC, and at the end of the period, everyone took their head set off,

through their rounds up and said, what is going on? We have

clarification. There are slightly different rules here. Which is what

will explain the confusion. Essentially, this is one of the few

differences between how the ruling body operates to the National Hockey

League. The International Ice Hockey Federation sanctioned this

tournament and their rulings are such that if the goal counts, it

counts. The camera recorded the goal, therefore, we record the goal.

But the penalty that happened and the play is also recorded. Which

would not happen in National Hockey League. I am not sure we entirely

understand it. We are about to start the second period.

OK, clear, vaguely... The Czechs lead, that is very clear.

Jagr is on the ice. Another of their scarlet -- scorers, Zidlicky.

Good play. That was a blind pass. Couldn't find

Kaberle clean. So, it winds around again.

Jagr will have it again. Considers his options. Now, he goes to the

net. That was over. Raising it into the

top corner. Kaberle, didn't hold in the zone.

And cleared away. We are back to five on five. The

double minor penalty taken by the Latvians, they conceded one to Jagr

at the end of the first period, they did well not to concede again.

Resuming normal business defensively.

Into the zone. The Czechs have started well, that power play help

them. Latvia are coming back. They wear the burgundy shirts. For the

first time this period, they have a chance. That could have been a

penalty. Hemsky moving forward. The way it goes for the Latvians. --

Away it goes. A bit petulant but there could be an

opportunity. Back on level terms! Something out of nothing for

Vasiljevs, a mistake in the defensive zone.

That was impressive by the Latvians. They pulled the puck out

of the corner. Vasiljevs squeezed that in the far left post. You can

see it sticking in the back of the net. Perfectly just inside that post

and wrapping around behind the camera. What a take and finish from

the Latvians. There was no question.

The referees will breathe a sigh of relief at that. The controversy of

the first period will be put to the back of everybody's mind until the

press conferences after the game when the two quite -- coaches will

be quizzed on it. Looking back at the goal scored in

the first period... As we see the second one again. It is a flat puck.

Look at that. Right off the left. It comes down to a different ruling.

The goal still stands regardless of what happened. It happened in live

play. The curious part is the fact that the time that happened after

the goal was allowed and awarded, was allowed to continue. The penalty

was allowed to remain which would have been wiped out in the National

Hockey League. Nearly a big opportunity there. The

Latvians lived to finish -- fight another day.

If a goal is scored but not given, it can be reviewed. But if a penalty

was given and assessed, the clock goes back but the penalty remains,

the clock goes back to when the goal was scored. Ironically, had either

scored, neither of those would have The goal remained at when the

penalty was taken by the Czech team. That is what did not get completed

in the whole chain of events. As Simon once said, he does not make

the rules, he enforces them. This is a good game of hockey. I hope you

are enjoying it. If you are new to it, there is a lot of ice hockey in

the UK. You can check the BBC sport website for details of where your

closest ice rink is. A broken stick on the ice. Play

continues. When you talk about ice hockey in the UK, I would hazard a

guess quite comfortably that there are more ice rinks in the UK than in

Latvia and they are in the Olympic games so it is a credit to the ice

hockey programme in Latvia. There are also more in the UK than there

are in Slovenia. They only have seven and they were playing

yesterday. That shot was juggled a bit. It was

a good move from the Latvian netminder who has done a decent job.

That one was high and over the top. Ladislav Smid hast to turn and

recycle position -- possession. Sandis Ozolinsh will have time to

play it back. There is space. The first pass is always crucial,

that was rather telegraphed. That was a big collision as they

tumble into the boards. It was nasty looking but they both climbed up no

problem. A blind pass is a giveaway. Thomas Kabbalah was the roadblock.

That was easily claimed I Ondrej Pavelec. That last goal has calmed

things down a bit. They went through the stage with the uncertainty of

the first period and the clarity ran back call -- goal. The Latvians have

been taking six penalty minutes and the check team have taken a four. --

Czech Republic team. The Latvians have the advantage overall. There

have not been many face-offs in this match. It has been pretty open as

both sides are content to play a free swinging game as they have

avoided the face-offs and allowed themselves to continue in open play.

You can see the Latvian bench there. They will be feeling decent

but they know how to hang tough. They are right where they want to be

and there are a few Latvian jackets. They are here in a zone.

Area of the Bolshoy Ice Dome. This stadium holds 12,000 people for the

Olympic Games. It can hold more when there are no Olympic media seats. It

will be used as a concert venue and they will probably place ice hockey

matches here. This is not a big region in Russia for ice hockey this

is a region that I suppose the Winter games lends its more to them

somewhere further north in the country, we are as far south as it

can get in Russia. This is more of a resort and it had rich memories for

bladder may Putin when he came here as a child and it is his legacy to

develop this area which has in many ways been totally reconstructed.

That was high end over the top from Michael Barinka. He screamed at

himself in frustration. That was tipped to the goal. A low shot and

nice play from Jacko for a check. It was enough to find its way into the

back of the net and the Czechs take the lead for the first time. --

Voracek. It was a good shot from the Czech team. Voracek has a voracious

appetite for goal. This is his first one in the Olympic Games of 2014 for

the Czech Republic. Voracek was the man to finish. That was amazing hand

/eye from that man. That was really tough to do when you were extended

and one of his hands was taken off the stick but he did just enough.

You do not want to do too much when you redirect it but he did just

enough to knock it out of the air. He is a big man, isn't he?

He has a nice touch in and around the front of the goal area. It looks

like one of his team mates have been giving him some grooming tips! Who

does he remind you of? There is another shot that comes in from

range and it is cleared away. A big body and a big ginger beard as well!

The Latvians come to the net. There are a number of different players.

He is long and lanky powerful but you are right, Hartnell very much

the same type of player with his team. Tomas Kaberle sets things up.

He used his hip. Letters have another look at this. This is lovely

because he is on the ice. He managed to get that second hand on the

stick. It was very close. It was very impressive. He was at a Latvian

party and the only Czech Republic player but he came through and stole

the goal. He walked out. Jaromir Jagr has never thrived in physical

play. He was initially in Pittsburgh where he won the Stanley cup. These

days, after a stint in the KH Elliott Russia he is back in the

National Hockey League with the New Jersey Devils. One of the question

marks you have set yourself about Jaromir Jagr is whether he enjoys

the game enough to play as long as he has done and you would not have

thought about it. When he was a Pittsburgh Penguins I was playing in

the minor leagues in North America and one of my team-mates was friends

with him. He loved his heyday then but he went through a spell of

uncertainty but now he is back. The Czech Republic have been given

latitude here. The Latvians are looking for a third comeback in this

game. I am sure they coach will be gutted that they have had to come

back twice and now they will have to come back three times in order to

get a result. Michael Barinka does well to hold.

That was a nice outlet play. Now Cipulis wind one up from range.

There have been some close matches in this first round and there has

not been an upset yet. This is as close as we have come. The

Slovenians hang tight with the Russians yesterday and many people

were surprised to see that from the Slovenians. They were writing it

with the Russians until they sped off in the later stages of that

match. Right now the Latvians are in good cherry to try and get something

and potentially have the first upset of this round. You can see how

steeply banked the arena is. One of the faults of this place is that all

of the steps are at slightly odd depths so you find yourself walking

up and down them and I have nearly fallen about ten times. It is quite

off-putting. Can the Latvians create here? They are trying. No penalty

called again. Ted Nolan looks a little bit perturbed at that.

Voracek sends it behind them let. -- the net.

We have not seen much of Patrick Kelly at G8. He was an NHS all-star.

A high chip into the zone and icing will be called. That is one of the

vagaries of the difference in rules from the different forms of this

game. Jaromir Jagr whereas 68 as a tribute

or a memory to the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 by the then

USSR. Michael Frolik's nickname is Baby Jagr. He is from the same town.

And when he was younger he looked a lot like him. They were both tall

and lanky and they had a lot of skill and Michael Frolik got that

nickname which is one that you probably would not want. Jagr, if

you look at his first name, he was named after another player as well

so the hands of time passing on from one generation to the next.

Tomas Plekanec took over. This is good play. It was not cleared out of

the stone. It bounced in the air. The players were a bit confused for

a moment. That was a little too deep. Away goes.

The Latvians continue to come back. They have been on the back foot ever

so slightly in this period. That one was easily handled and

dealt with. Now we have a break in play. The Latvians are a little bit

on their back foot. That was the first time I have seen a pass from

behind the goal line of any team in this tournament outward player who

is coming in with speed from the neutral zone and quickly into the

offensive zone. The Latvians were not able to get up to the ice in

time to prevent that movement. They are much more freewheeling to day.

Although there is only one goal separating it, they are starting to

show their pedigree. You can see the discussion going on on the bench

there. Just three players on the Czech

Republic squad are in the top 100. Jaromir Jagr is the man of the

moment, 49 points for New Jersey. He is pushing away the trainer. He has

a smile on his face! He gave him a shove in the chest, and a great big

smile on his face. He was trying to give him a Valentine's Day kiss!

There we go! Hang on! You will be glad you can't see that. That should

have been post-watershed, that is all I will say! Let's concentrate on

the hockey. Goodness gracious me! I saw how many cavities he had! We are

all getting hot under the collar after that!

The shot came into the Max, well covered again. The shot was from

Milan Michalek. That is the Latvian bench. The coach has got a

tremendous story. He was in the NHL, he played with Wayne Gretzky in

his youth. He was based deep in the North of

Ontario, the middle of nowhere. Patrick Ally is nearly got that one

through. Just denied. He is a great servant to Latvian

hockey, Sandis Ozolins. He was tempted by the thought of playing at

an Olympics in Russia. He was eight key cog in their qualification