# Just the two of us, we can make it if we try.
# Just the two of us, just the two of us.
# Just the two of us, building castles in the sky. You and I.
CLAIRE BALDING: Good afternoon and welcome back to the Olympic Park.
Thousands streaming in for another packed evening of action here in
Sochi and as Valentine's Day approaches, we are getting up
close, personal and cosy with the double luge. Technically, this could
be a mixed pairing, it could be to women but over the years it has
always been to men because that is the fastest way to get down and I am
hoping that president but amid Putin will go to the sidings and to watch
this one in person. It has an amazing history because the luge
itself was invented by the Vikings, the word comes from the French word
for toboggan, the British ones were the first to race it, the Swiss
stage the first official meeting and it was won by an Australian but I
will be frank with you, I think they had all had a few drinks when they
came up with the doubles! It is part of the live action we have got
coming up for you between now and seven o'clock.
It is double jeopardy at the sliding Centre. A Swiss roll Ford Great
Britain's curlers. And to'ss two's company in the figure skating. So
that means that next we are live with the doubles luge final and at
4:50pm, we are taking Great Britain's men versus Switzerland in
their latest qualifying match and then we will be live for the
conclusion of the figure skating pairs competition and don't forget
it is today at the Games at seven o'clock taking us all the way to
eight o'clock. That is the scene at the ice cube at the moment, Great
Britain are playing Switzerland and it is live for you on the red button
and Great Britain currently leading 2-0 and they are just coming up to
half-time. They will have a break and then go to the 10th end if
needed. Also on the red button, live figure skating live at the Iceberg
Skating Palace when it gets to those players who are in contention for
the medals so you will not miss anything but if you want to skating
all the way through, you can. -- want to watch skating full top will
take you to the doubles luge, a competition won in the last two
Olympics by two brothers from Austria, they are called the Linger
brothers but they are under severe pressure, that is the word, from two
pairs from Germany who look strong. Two runs and we will show you the
highlights of the first run first. Data macro the Olympic champions,
Andreas and Wolfgang Linger. They have gone into the lead already and
this will put down a really big run. A big home for Germany, Wendl and
Arlt. -- a big hope. Anyone can beat Wendl and Arlt, it
is these two. -- if anyone. That has put the cat amongst the
pigeons. So after the first round, the
favourites lead, Wendl and Arlt, as Germany look for a clean sweep of
luge gold medals. You are seeing the location of the Sun ski Sliding
Center Sanki is where we are heading to catch up with the commentators.
Jayson Terdiman and Jayson Terdiman have just gone down. And here it is
in slow motion again, excellent. Eleanor Gass they have robbed of
Michael the right-hand wall there were two but then foot down on the
ice and a chance of pushing forward into the medals was gone there. A
classic luge size difference. A massive man in front, he is about
six foot four, Christian Niccum. Sascha Benecken and Toni Eggert now
with a chance but it is a slim one. 0.901 behind the leaders.
Not until the man in front is ready do they decide to go.
They were disappointing in the first run, probably the number two
favourites for this competition. The faster start of anyone in the
opening but they flooded in the end. Nearly a track record start by the
number two German crew. We are going in reverse order of the overall
placings. So Wendl and Arlt are coming out last. This crew are down
in 10th position. They might go into the lead here by
a big margin but it is doubtful they can challenge the leaders. They
managed to avoid the upright there as they came off. They are going
well, one more turn. Coming through in 49.944. That is much better. If
they had done that in the first round, they would be in sixth
position but instead they are down in 10th and they are now trying to
play catch up because it is the aggregate of two runs. They feel
pumped and happy but they are unlikely to get near the medals.
In the first run, you can see the good start. You have to get a
powerful start in luge. After the first one, Wendl and Arlt are up in
the lead. The number one world champions, a third of a second ahead
of the Linger brothers. We are going in reverse order in this doubles
luge competition. Here is the big Russian crew. About to come
through. They were disappointing in the first run. But with each and
every crew, they have a slight time advantage over the previous crews.
They have got three tenths of a second here on the Germans.
Yuzhakov at the front and Makhnutin at the back. You cannot see the
athlete at the back. And away we go. Almost taking off on the first one.
They are in the lead, ahead by 0.119 seconds. This event can be won by
zero point -- by 1000th of a second. They have gone behind by six
thousandths of a second. I think they touch the upright there. They
are in third place, a second-place, rather. Toni Eggert and Sascha
Benecken are still in the lead. The bigger of the two men know they may
still be in the lead but we know that they have eight crews all to
come all of whom have a time advantage over them getting bigger
and bigger with each group coming down. Let's look at this. The
trickiest corn on the track, back up the hill on the luge, and he is
pulling on the uprights, it bends the steel underneath the sled and it
helps you cut the ice and steer away from walls. Ideally, you do all your
steering on a corner, you try not to steer on a straight because you do
not have the G-force sending you down. You can get into a slide as
well, it is a dangerous place to steer, on the straight. The Italian
pair next. Can they go into the lead? Only four hundredths of a
second between the Russian pair who are behind them. The Russians did
well and they will not do well enough to finish in first place.
They are in the lead . A quick start by Rastner and M3 macro. -- Rieder.
You have to remember that Toni Eggert and Sascha Benecken where the
number one favourites for this. They have a shocking first-run but had a
great second run. They are keeping Menez ahead, the Italians. They must
avoid the touch out they had in the first run. Will of the top speeds we
have seen in that position on the track.
It is a fine run and there is circular -- circular -- Armin
Zoggeler. We still have seven crew crews to
go. Wendl and Arlt have been laying down the law after the first run.
An absolutely magnificent performance by the leaders who go
last on this track. Their effort is over and they can just go home after
this competition is over. They will wait to see what happens. Christian
Oberstoltz and Patrick Gruber go next. They get a one-minute clock to
start at the top, they don't have to go through the first time in being
until they want to. You can see the orange marking and that is where the
beginning is for them. They took back the European title
this year, they are 35 and 36 and lots of people thought they were
passed it, but they are now battling with their Italian compatriots. It
would be interesting to see if they can stay in the lead by the next
checkmark. They are going well. Staying streamlined and just in the
lead. Look at that, it is faster, by 0.02
seconds. That is magnificent. That was really tight on the line. That
is around three centimetres, the margin. Italy are one and two at the
moment with Germany down in third. We still have six crews to go. A
lovely steer on the exit of turn 11, he bent the steel and that kept
him over to the right-hand wall, exactly where you want to enter, 14.
Veterans of the luge circuit. You can guess who this is, this is the
face of the Russians. All the crews went done in under 30
seconds in the first run. They nearly took off there. That is
an absolutely massive start but they are only in fifth place at the
moment. They have still got the lead as they come down. A tiny margin
over the Italians. Just in the lead, my goodness. This
is so close. It is enough, and that could not
have been any closer. The timing system went white for a moment, one
of the split they don't show you and in other words, they went behind for
around 200 metres of ice. But then they managed to pull it back to the
last two corners so well done to the Russians. Five crew s to come and
they will have to just sit back and wait and hope that the pressure gets
too much for the other people. Goodness knows how the next pair
feel. It is the Sics brothers who go next.
That was a good time they set on the first run. How do they feel about
this one? Olympic silver medallists from Vancouver, they have done
barely anything since then, and here they are again. The further back you
can lean, the less your head is up in the air, the faster you will go.
They are going well. They have out started the Russians. Still a little
in the lead. They are going like a narrow, down
through 13. They are extending the lead, and I think the Sics are going
to go into first here. 1.39 .79. That could be good enough for a
medal. 141 kilometres an hour. Over 87 mph there for the Sics brothers.
These two are magicians on the track. Keeping cool at 87 mph.
The Olympic champions, the double Olympic champions will be coming
down second last. They await their turn. They are the Linger brothers,
of course. And if these two can finish ahead of the Sics brothers,
they have a shout of a medal. Walker not quite ready. He is the man with
the beard in front. They have out started the Sics
brothers. One tiny mistake, and they are in
trouble. Looking good. And riding superbly. Are they going to go into
the lead here? They are arrow straight, still, but
they have gone behind. It must be the steering in the corners. The
Sics brothers are sitting pretty at the moment. These guys are closer to
getting a medal. Yes, they have to beat one more crew now. Three crews
wrote ago. -- to go. It seems unlikely that they will get a
medal, the Canadians. The positions have altered a fraction. They have
come dangerously close to medals in the world championships last year.
They finished fourth. They have real belief in themselves, these
Canadians, but I don't think they are going to do it today. The Sics
brothers are in the running, here they are again in the lead up -- the
leaders box. And here are the faces of the two men who have got to
produce the ride of their life in order to get in amongst the medals.
If they go into the lead this time, they are guaranteed at least a
bronze medal. Who knows, it could be even better. But they have got to go
into the lead. If they nailed their start like they can do, they could
do it. That was a little sloppy there, but they corrected it in
time. That has set them on the course to having the 11th fastest
start of all time. The whole of Latvia is holding its breath right
now. Oh, dear, feet down on the ice. The man underneath put his arm out.
He has totally lost his cool now. They are trying to stabilise. They
are safe and sound. That is the main thing. He is just putting his hands
on his head now. He knows he completely blew it there. That is a
horrible, horrible moment. Just pleased they are down safely.
The Sics brothers are guaranteed a medal for the first time. But no
celebrating, they are gentlemen. They realised that could have been
ugly there. 54 seconds, poor Peter pens in
front. He was the man driving. We still have two pairs to go. This
is where it all happened. First of all he tried to put his feet down,
and the exit from that corner was terrible. He didn't have any ability
to steer. He nearly crashed out of line, and hasn't got his cool back
at all. He is just thinking about the dream that is exploding. Georg
Fischler must've been wondering what was going on. He couldn't see
anything. So, here we go. Andreas linger,
Wolfgang linger. The Linger brothers from Austria.
This is the other Linger pairing. They are not interested in the gold
medal. The silver would do. It is a big moment for them. Gold in 2006,
gold in 2010. They are in the silver medal position, and they have got to
go ahead of the Sics brothers. They are unlikely to lose this lead
unless they have a difficult moment. A good changeover there. Yes,
unlikely to lose the lead, surely. They have lost a bit of the lead,
but not too much. It is all about laying down a huge run here. 1:36.7,
it is the lead, and the Sics brothers are in second place. They
have made history already. They are now guaranteed to be two gold medals
from before and at least a silver now. They are just two minutes away
from knowing whether they have won the third goal. Absolutely superb.
That is the fastest of the second runs so far. These are the ice men
right here. How cool are they? Everyone had written off, and nailed
it. The Linger brothers, brilliant stuff. They missed a couple of World
Cups with injuries and family problems, wives and kids and things
going on. But well done to them. Guaranteed silver, one crew to go.
There is great sportsmanship in that winners enclosure. But here it is.
The final run, the final pairing. The whole destiny of the luge
pairings is here. It is all down to Wendl and Arlt. The Tobys, as they
are affectionately known. They are over a third of a second
ahead. That is a brilliant start. Can they keep it going? Can they
keep it together? That is one of the trickiest parts
of the track. It looks like Germany are going to do it again. They have
won everything so far. This could be the German gold medal run
continuing. It is absolutely wonderful. They could crash and win
this now. They have a massive margin. The Germans dominating
again. That is absolutely superb. That is a
winners' run. Wendl and Arlt have won it by half a second. That was
absolutely brilliant. And with Garrison -- Guisenberger winning the
winnings by over a second. Just having a look at the previous
runs. 49.56. They are laying down a marker to the rest of the world.
Wendl and Arlt tapped the start, as well. They went for it at the start,
didn't play conservative. Head was up there, in the air flow. That is a
really tricky part of the track will stop they probably lost a kilometre
an hour or two. The German nation have been superb
in this sport. There is the role of honour. The ad Wendl and Arlt get
the gold medal, the Lingers the silver, and that Sics brothers the
bronze. Walker and Justin Smith, a
disappointment for them, just off the podium, as they were in the
European Championships. But it is all about who is the best
on the day, and today it was Wendl and Arlt.
Look at that. A brilliant podium. Just exactly what you would have
expected from training, the Linger brothers suddenly pulled it out on
the day. Wendl and Arlt have been friends since primary school. And
the Linger brothers on the left, it is a very brotherly sport.
It was absolutely superb in the end. Germany, first of all, came along
and won the men's singles and then the women's singles and now they
have won the doubles. Wendl and Arlt are the champions once more.
Tobias Brothers. A reminder earlier of the incredible danger of this
board though and flowers were placed at the Sanki Sliding Center M
memory, four years ago for the Georgian athlete who was killed in
the training for the luge but Germany dominant across the
categories and my word, they will be strong in the relay competition
which is coming in tomorrow. Let's take another look at the athletes
who have struck a colour of gold. Alpine skiing history was made in
the million's history as two athletes shared the gold medal, will
the early races clocked 1.45 .56 seconds and then the exact same time
was clocked and it is the first time that an Alpine Gold has ever been
shared Chemmy Alcott was delighted with her 19th place. Shani Davis was
going for a repeat in the speed skating but like compatriot Shaun
White in the snowboarding last night, it did not happen, the
Netherlands took victory with Stephane Britt is winning, Shani
Davis was eighth. Kelly Clark leads the way with a score of 95 ahead of
tonight's halfpipe final, Torah Bright from Australia has also
qualified as the defending champion and we will show that later in
tonight's highlights. In curling, it came down to an all or nothing final
stone for the GB skip Eve Muirhead but sadly it did not work out which
means that Canada took a 9-6 victory to keep up their 100% record and
Britain have now lost two of their opening three fixtures. It is not
the best of startsstarts for the women. A tight match between the
British men and Switzerland. And we will be joining that match on BBC
Two very soon and it is live for you on the red button. Today, day five
of the Winter Olympics and so far touch wood everything is going
smoothly but as you well know, the build-up was dominated by talk of
corruption, security issues and by talk of gay rights and the attitude
of Russians to those in what President Putin calls nontraditional
relationships. He said everybody would be welcome but he also said
that there is a ban in this country on homosexual propaganda and
paedophilia and he put them in the same sentence as if they are both
linked somehow. So what do gay athletes think and those who are
spectating make of it all? David Bond has this.
This stunning setting is meant to stage what Russia hopes will be the
greatest Winter Olympics in history. But a new law has sparked outrage in
the gay community here and led to claims around the world that
Vladimir Putin is stoking homophobia. The Russian president
says there is no problem, he simply asks that people respect the
traditions of the host nation. The legislation passed in June does not
ban gay relations as such but it does prohibit the spread of
homosexual propaganda to children. Here in Sochi, the mayor seems to
advocate this. TRANSLATION: Our hospitality will be extended to
everybody who respect the laws of the Russian Federation and who
doesn't impose their habits and they will on others. So yes, everybody is
welcome. But when asked specifically about
the gay community, he seems to change his tune. TRANSLATION: We
just say that it is your business, your life but it is not accepted
here in the Caucasus where we live. We do not have them in our town. So
why does Sochi have a well established gay club? The cafe is
not exactly on show but according to the owner, things are not as bad
here as they might seem. TRANSLATION:
It is a view which would appear to echo that the mere Putin's more
diplomatic stance in the run-up to games.
We do not ban anyone or anything, we do not detain people on the street,
that is why you can feel free, relaxed but leave children in peace,
please. And yet, this was Moscow on the night of Sochi's glittering
opening ceremony. It seems like this have prompted scenes like these. I
would like to welcome you here tonight to this global speak out
against Russian homophobia. This demonstration in London was one of
19 held in cities all across Europe and the Middle East and America. We
are here to tell Vladimir Putin that you cannot hide this behind the
sports page. We are calling on all the Government and the Russian
government passed the International Olympic committee to uphold
principle six of the Olympic Charter which prohibits discrimination. I
find it very disturbing that in Russia in a so-called civilised
country, gay men and women are being beaten to death in the street and it
is perfectly acceptable. With so much focus on the issue, is it any
wonder that gay athletes have been worried about the sort of reception
they might receive here. Johnny Wear is a former Olympian who was
celebrated in Russia and now he is less sure what to expect. I am a
very flamboyant gay man as you can tell. I am an athlete, I husband, a
father to a beautiful puppy. Russia is a place that I have been obsessed
with those I was very young and to say a Russo Russian -- mother of
Russian history, it would be an understatement a think about going
back there because I would be afraid. He retired last year, and
the Australian snowboarder Belle is the highest profile openly gay star
competing in Sochi. I want to go the because I am not afraid of these
laws and I want people who live in Russia who are wanting to compete to
see that. I do not want any official to end up not competing. I am
putting my Olympic dream first. Nickname estate, these are for the
mere Putin's aims to showcase a modern, powerful Russia but the
question of gay rights has become an unwanted distraction. What is so
terrifying about me and my people, that you want to deny us the ability
to live freely? But if attitudes are to change, there is one thing that
might help. A gold medal would be the best outcome for me. If I don't
get a gold medal, most people will not care about my opinion. It is all
good. And Bell goes in the snowboard cross
on Sunday. We have had two openly gay medallists, in speed skating,
Ireen Wust and ski jumping for Daniela Rushcliffe faults -- Daniela
erotica Stoltz -- Daniela Iraschko-Stolz. What is your view
here been wads sexuality here? -- towards sexuality? We were told
there would be also some controversy in the build-up and I don't think we
have seen anything from any athlete, any protests from anyone, there is a
protest but down the coast -- a protest park. We have not had anyone
making any political statement of any sort. It may change in the
coming days when athletes start to finish their events and they feel
they are freer to speak but so far, it has not materialised. It is rare
at an Olympics for anyone to make a political protest and it is in fact
banned on the podium by the IOC, the 68 Olympics was a sign from Tommy
Smith and Carlos Lee Mack and John Carlos and I think Tommy Smith said
in his biography that it was not a black power salute, it was a
democratic thing. Most athletes come here wanting to just concentrate on
their performance and if you look at the comments that Daniela who won
silver in the women's ski jump yesterday, she said there is no
point looking protests here because nobody in Russia is actually
listening. Nobody cares. That might be the case but in one sense, there
is a bitter pragmatism around it, athletes want to come here and just
do well. Daniel said that she was greeted by Vladimir Putin and she
just cuddled him. She made a big thing of the limo driver. It was
very interesting, what Thomas Bach said in his speech at the opening
ceremony. He is the new president of the IOC. He seemed to deliberately
use words that he knew would connect with the rest of the world, the more
liberal world, one might say that he used words like "tolerant" and said
people need to live in harmony and that he would not abide
discrimination. Yes, that is probably the most politically loaded
statement we have ever heard from an IOC president in an opening ceremony
speech. Clearly still very carefully worded. The IOC have to be
diplomatic specially when they come to countries like Russia but it was
a clear message to Russia and the rest of the world that dissemination
will not be tolerated. The problem for the president of the IOC is that
they only have a small window to apply any pressure. While the Games
are on, Russia and for the mere Putin will listen to the IOC. The
question is what will happen once the Games are over and the circus
moves on? Sport will come back here, a Formula one Grand Prix here
in October, and the football World Cup is coming to Moscow. Whether any
of those other organising bodies were -- will apply anything like the
Olympic pressure will get to be seen. It will bring with it the same
level of international media attention and I think the key
question is what the IOC does in future about trying to deal with
this conundrum which it has because on the one hand, it is just a sports
body that says we cannot get involved in politics and yet they
are a body with social and ethical values as laid down in the Olympic
Charter. The problem is the worlds collide and these problems continue
coming back when they try to take the Games to places with difficult
regimes. That is an interesting point. Generally speaking, people
are divided into two camps, either the IOC should not choose countries
in which human rights are an issue but as we know from Beijing and from
here, that is not the case or whether they depict the countries
that bed and they pick the best bed and they've pick delete -- the best
bed and they tried to embolden the spirit of sport. David, thank you.
It has been an historic Winter Olympic Games because for the first
time, women's ski jumping has been included and a huge good market in
terms of gender equality. It was quite competition, Matthew went
along to watch. Women's sport and the Olympics has
had a bit of a difficult past. When the modern games started in 1896,
there were no women -- no events for women. There was a thought that
physical exertion might have an effect on childbirth. You might
think that is so last century and decades ago but let me read you this
quote, this is from John Fraga Casbah, the president of skiing and
he said, " but forget, it is like jumping down from two metres onto
the ground, about 1000 times a year which seems not to be appropriate
for ladies from a medical point of view". He said that in 2005. When we
first started, we did hear some of those excuses and they were a bit
ridiculous. DD this woman made sure that part of
the Olympic movement included women's ski jumping. This was a
dream come true, for women's rights, women in sport, human
rights, all of the above. These women have been like family, we have
all been in this together and whoever gets a medal to night, we
are still excited because really, we have all won.
Good evening, what a very special night we have in prospect here at
the state of the art gawky jumping centre. The first Winter Olympics
levels in women's ski jumping are just hours away from being awarded
and the quality of the competition promises to be a fitting tribute to
all those who have worked so hard to ensure its inclusion. And now the
Americans will sing their hearts out for Lindsey Van, she has been
instrumental in this event, being included tonight. Vancouver would
have been Lindsay's chance. It is hard to put it into words right now.
I can truly say I was enjoying myself and living in the moment.
Jessica Judd Rome has played a huge role in this event being included in
the programme. -- Jessica Jerome. It is everything that I have been
fighting force of the last decade or so. I am really happy that I was
here tonight. The fierce competition defeated true
Olympic event. A decade-long battle, finally fully justified.
World number one and dead cert for the gold, tacking ashy of Japan, was
left just out of the medals -- Takanashi. Carine Vogt. To be a
champion would be fantastic. To be the first champion is immortality.
And Vogt, unbelievable. She has done it. What a moment. Germany
celebrates a piece of history that will never be forgotten. It is
incredible, and amazing feeling to be on the first posy am for the
first time. I am speechless. Look what just happened. We did
everything for that, and that to me is all worth it.
Well done. You are a pioneer. Thank you.
Just amazing. A wonderful competition, and it makes me want to
cry, watching the medals, and Lindsay Van who played such a big
part. We will see the conclusion of the pairs skating at 5.25. Russia
could easily win that. They have the most fantastic pair, and if you get
the chance, go to the BBC's website and watch them, they are absolutely
sensational. It has been quiet today in terms of the dish medal
contenders, because that is not the case tomorrow, when skeleton gets
under way, and we will be following these three.
# I can move in the right correction...
You saw James Woods in action there, and we are hoping he will be fully
fit for his competition tomorrow. Nick Hope has been catching up with
him to find out how he is recovering from his injury in training.
It was great to see you out there, how did it feel? I am pretty sore. I
love skiing and I want to be here so badly. It is a shame I'm not feeling
100%, but I'm not in the business of giving up, so... How far off 100%
RU? To be honest, I'm all right. It's just a few movements that I go
through. The hit is our pretty complicated area. -- the hips. It is
just trying to work out where on the course I feel it, and get ready for
it. Have you drawn on the experience of others who have been here
before? There are many people who have been through the pressure, that
builds and builds, you feel sick, you can't believe it is all just one
day. But it is good to know that you are not by yourself, and everyone
feels the same. Inspired by Jenny's achievements? Absolutely. We're
coming into this Games so hot. Everyone has so much talent. It is
wicked to see all the support and however one is dealing with it. Can
you still win a medal? If you had asked me an hour ago, I would have
had a different story, but I feel a lot better now after those last
couple of runs. Or I am going to do is go out there and do exactly what
I always do, which is ski the best I can. It might be just the same as it
has ever been. I am just going to try to fight through that pain
barrier. I went through a lot to get here, I want to go through the best
I can, and not just throw in the towel.
CLARE BALDING: That sounds a lot more positive from James Woods. He
is in action early in the morning with Hazel and the team, you can
keep them company from 5am. GB's women take on China first thing in
the curling. There is ice hockey as well, and freestyle skiing. That
final, 9.15 AM. We could see Lizzie win a medal.
On the red button, figure skating. The early pairs are on the ice. We
are going to be showing you later live coverage of those leading the
competition, but right now we are heading off to the Ice Cube to see
Britain's men in the curling. Let's pick up the action. Jackie Lockhart
is alongside Steve Cram. In the eighth end, and it is
developing quite nicely for Britain. They have been in control all the
way through this match, although it is not high-scoring. Switzerland,
who had a big win against Canada yesterday, they are up against it
here. They blanked the previous end when they couldn't find a scoring
opportunity. And Dave Murdoch and his team are controlling this well.
Each end that goes by, and there are two more after this, if they could
get away with only letting Switzerland perhaps get one here,
that would be good. This is Claudio Patz.
They have pushed one of our stones out of the back. We have to be
pretty careful here. David is going to block up that whole, because the
Swiss boys could come down and tapped that read back onto the
yellow. Greg Drummond has really been the
star of the show. They have all been playing well, that he is really on
top of his game. Just being asked to come and sit in
that gap, protect a possible shot. Let's hope this doesn't draw off too
much. We just need it to stop. That is good in. That has blocked up
whole. He is doing well, we were just
saying how composed he is out there. Most of the time he has come up
trumps. So, this is getting critical now for Switzerland. Claudio Patz is
chatting to the man whose responsibility it is to make the
decisions, and indeed to play the stones, Sven Michelle. We saw the
Swiss looking at the red run backs, and now we are looking at maybe
trying to take the red and the yellow sitting outside double Peel
as we would call it in our game. And that's to clear up the whole front.
That does still allow Great Britain the chance to guard their shot. It
does make it also a little bit easier for the Swiss boys to try to
come in. So it looks like they are going to try to go for the double
rip, I think. That would see as spinning the red
and yellow and the running stone. What he feed takes that red that is
there and jams it up against the yellow?
You get the feeling that every shot is crucial now the Switzerland. What
on earth is he doing there? I don't think that was the shot. It really
hasn't made any difference to it. We still have a shot in the house.
Great Britain potentially here could steal this end, but we have to make
sure we put the cover on. The scary thing is, there is a red sitting at
the back of the house. There is also the red out at the front of the
house. Sometimes they can use these to promote that.
You really want to get a second shot in there, to make it difficult.
A time-out is called. They want to make sure that they make the right
decision here, so the coach will come down.
It is the first time I have seen them looking perplexed. Often when
they call a time-out, it is just to make sure that they have made the
right decision. But this time, I think he really does want a bit of
advice. I can't quite hear what is being
said. Because we are not sitting behind them, we can't quite here.
There is a hole between the red and yellow, so you could potentially
come through and remove that red stone.
When they do take the time out, they were obviously try to get as much
discussion as they can. What happens is, they get a minute for the coach
to come down, and I think the umpire is coming to say that the minute is
up. The coach will have to leave. Great Britain's clock will still be
running now. When the time-out starts, another little stopwatch
starts for one minute countdown, and that reached zero 15 seconds ago.
They are only allowed one time-out for the coach during the game. You
will get an extra time-out if you have to go to an extra end. And we
had a technical time-out in the women's match this afternoon when
there was a malfunction with the clocks. They hadn't stopped the
clock when they transferred to Britain's turn to play. The Canadian
clock was still ticking. I do not know what he is going to play! I
think they are looking at removing this back red that we have seen.
They don't want to give any opportunity... My goodness!
Remembering that much against Germany, they picked up a piece of
rubber. Did they pick that up again? That definitely pulled big-time. It
might have got the same piece of debris or it could be a flat piece
of ice? His stone did exactly the same. In the game of curling, you
will often find the umpires will say, do not mature hand on the ice,
do not melt the ice. Sometimes if you leave it too long, it can leave
flat patches and when the stone runs across these patches that have been
warmed up, they will change the direction of the stone. That is
really disappointing for David. Absolutely nothing he could do about
it. Any small piece of debris can make that difference. Between the
smooth running of the stone and the ice. It is not curling enough? I
think they have overcooked this. Well, it has been a messy finish to
this end, hasn't it? Two stones left to go. One for Britain and one for
Switzerland. The ideal scenario is that Switzerland only get one of
them here? That was not a good shot performed by Switzerland. To be
honest, maybe the justice and reward for the fact that David had a
terrible pick-up? It is a cruel game if that happens and your opponents
have the opportunity to capitalise big-time when you have not done
anything wrong. We will see David taking this red. He would use his
other hand. The idea is that he will take this on the backline. Yes. And
then force them to take their one. They do not want to lose this
shooter. That is good enough. Pretty good place as well. The chance to
take those aren't? We cannot see the line. There is a guard at the front.
There is a yellow stone. They need to get the angle to take the second
one behind and not jam that against it. He needs to get those angles
right so that they both go. It is not easy. It is down to the weight
that he plays. You cannot throw big weight at this because he needs to
get the whole of the face of the stone that we can see, it has to get
past the guard at the top. It wants to combine here. -- come down here.
It also has to stay in. He definitely wants to make sure he
will get his one. So, Sven Michel. He has been keeping his team very
much in this. Sweeping very hard. There you go. It was too straight.
Just the one. Good jump as far as Great Britain are concerned. It was
a messy end from both teams and we had some pick-ups. But in the end,
Switzerland get one. But it is 3-2. Great Britain with the hammer in the
next one and still in control in this match. The boys will breathe a
sigh of relief after that pick-up. That was looking really bad for us.
How they made their shop, -- shot, we could have been three against. We
move into the ninth. We talk about momentum changed and
there was an opportunity for that to happen but it still has not
happened. In all of these matches, if your opponent makes any mistake,
whether accidental or not from David Murdoch, you have to capitalise and
Switzerland had a brilliant game against Canada yesterday, there was
a scrappy game against China and they lost with the last stone in the
final end. We both agree that they were carrying some of that into this
game tonight. They have always had the demeanour of chasing this game.
That will be put down to how well Britain have played as well. They
need to finish this off as well. Just waiting for the noise to die
down. Michael Goodfellow. The Russian cried watching their team
having a tough time against Canada. Canada doing well. Michael
Goodfellow being asked for a tech. -- tick. This is one of the hardest
in the book. Just catching the edge of the stone. Push it to the side of
the ice rink and as long as it does not fit the barrier, he has opened
that up by four feet and that is a perfect shot as far as we are
concerned. That is a delicate shot to play, you have to get it just
right, the angle of connection and the weight. Bromley hog line to the
highest stone, you cannot remove that from the game. -- from the.
That applies to the first four Stones played. He will replace that.
Simon will try to put this exactly where that previous one is sitting.
It will not quite come across this time. He was not sure of what was
being asked. He just wants to have this. Brilliant cheers going around
as you can here. It is a very small arena but once the crowd gets going,
you cannot hear yourself at all. Just looking to have this and roll
in. That is a nice shot coming across, further than he might have
liked. He may be left that too late. Should have been on that earlier,
trying to hold it. But he did the jump. That was what he was asked
for. We keep coming back to big Sandro Trolliet, in turns of throws,
he has had a couple of shoppers. -- shockers.
That is a great shot. Following the sweepers all the way down. He has
pulled that one to the right, very much up to the bottom. Sitting shy
of it. That is a good shot. Scott Andrews, next to play and Michael
Goodfellow is ready to sweep. From the Ayrshire coast. He has had a
good game today. Just a little bit full? They did not
want that to pole and jam onto the back yellow. These boys are training
six days a week in the gym. Their upper body strength is very strong.
For sweeping. So much has changed in this game
from 20 years ago. All these young athletes are training on the ice and
they are in the gym. To be the best they can be. Sandro Trolliet was
trying to play the Double, there. You are right. People think we look
at the sweeping as the part of the sport that people least associate
with the effectiveness of this match but it is so important. The fitness
required, you are here for about three hours and there is a lot of
sweeping involved and it is very strenuous. Some people might forget
that it might only be short bursts but you are putting a huge amount of
effort into that and you have to be able to can yourself down, keep your
heart rate down because it is a very delicate delivery that you have to
do. Yes, there are a lot of aspects to this game. They are critical.
That is a very good point because just after sweeping, your heart rate
shoots up and the fitter you are, the less strain that puts on your
system because you want to -- you want to come back and be very calm.
Claudio Patz, putting up the guard. People might also be supervised that
we are on an ice rink and its associated with being a very cool
venue and these boys are wearing T-shirts. The actual ice in the
arena... It has been quite warm here and it has been outside. It will be
extremely hot for the boys down there. That is a great shot. Very
good. I cannot help repeat myself but this young boy is excelling
himself, here. Yes, Greg Drummond, right from the very first match, he
has been playing really, really well. Let us not pick out
individuals. It is so important that they work together. And we have seen
scenarios when one or two of them have had a poor shot and their
team-mate has redeemed them. They need to continue to work together
here. Just to make sure they keep control of this. The Swiss boys are
hoping to steal one against Great Britain and that is the reason why
they're putting these short stones out of the house. Hoping we will
make a mistake. And they will try to come behind it. One of the options
for David Murdoch is to carry on into the tent with his hammer. He
has the three - to lead. -- 3-2. Some of the mistakes have been when
there is no pressure at all. We mentioned yesterday, the Russian
women, the skip had only one of her stones in the house and no others
and she had to finish inside the rings to get two shots and level up
her match and she sailed all the way through. We can often see that.
These players sometimes play those big crucial shots to win. But the
bread-and-butter shots in the curling world would be a simple
draw. These sometimes they shot but are going to help you win Games. The
concentration is required all the way through.
The Swiss boys still trying to put up that centre guard.
They have that look about them. They were carrying on that defeat from
China. The British men did not have a game in the first session so just
came here for the evening session having had a fairly relaxing day.
Switzerland just going to remove this stone and they will want to
remove it and then asked the question of David Murdoch, if he is
going to run it out and take a blank end. Surely that is a good policy at
this stage. The chances of a steel in the 10th and taking it to an
extra and with Denmark will appear slim the way this has gone.
The score has not been a reflection of how this match has gone. It is a
tight score and anything can happen in this final end to come but
Britain have been in charge of this pretty much from the off. They had
the hammer at the beginning after another good last draw before the
match started. David Murdoch ensured they have the hammer at the start.
He still has two concentrate here. He wants to hit this stone.
That is the ninth and Great Britain will retain the lead with a score of
three - two. They go into the last end and they still have the hammer.
He stays with the team who had it. A good position to be in. Keeping
control of this match and not allowing any opportunities for
Switzerland to really get back into it. As we have seen before, remember
the match that the British men played against Germany where it
looked like Germany were going to come out on top. It came down to the
last couple of stones and it went Britain's way. Let us hope that
doesn't happen here. Even a steel and they go into an extra end. They
will be very happy with the situation. Playing well also. Nice
shots, particularly Greg dumbo -- Greg Drummond, David Murdoch has
played some nice shots. This is Switzerland, a team that won the
European Championships in December. They beat Norway on home soil. They
have already beaten Canada in their second match. In China, they looked
like they will be sitting on top after four matches. They could end
up with four wins over four matches. They are not an easy team to
overcome. Great Britain haven't done it yet.
Unlucky there. Michael Goodfellow trying that. A short way you want to
try and move your opposition's stone of the center line. You can push it
out to the wings. You are not allowed to remove it from play but
it will free up that space because you do have the hammer. You don't
want any of your opposition stones in the way.
The Swiss boys hoping this stops short of the rings. They have
decided they are going to bring it fully in. That is a mistake there
from the Swiss boys. They won't be happy with that at all. He will make
every effort to remove this. Michael Goodfellow. They have to be careful
that they do not remove that top shot.
All the way through. That is a not -- that is not a nice way to finish
for him. The first one was not as bad as that one.
We have seen this happen before and since what you're fellow player will
be able to follow web. It could be a costly one for us. -- able to follow
with. He just makes it. Very well swept
and held by the Swiss boys. A second attempt at this. Tried to remove the
top stone once again. Scot Andrew is concentrating here. There is a lot
of noise around him. If you have a lead, you should not
let them create a scenario where you are having to try and rescue it.
Keep it nice and clear. Keep that route into those inner rings clear
as you possibly can. That one is sitting out even further
now. He has asked Greg Drummond to come
up. He is asking for an opinion on this. There is two red Swiss stones
out there. Either of which will cause us bother. Both sitting very
close to that center line. Even a shot here, move the thing --
moving either of those stones is fine but he wants to hit this one.
He even wants to get it right on the face. Scott Andrews, had one of his
better games here. He has been really solid here.
He would like to have hit it straight at them this. He was a
little bit high of the brush. He didn't give this stone a chance to
come on. Even if you get it on the nose, it is not a disaster. At least
he has cleared the guard. The Swiss team here come the edge is going to
try and replace that. You always get the sense of anticipation as these
shots are made. You are still moving towards those last couple of stones.
These stones are a little bit closer now and there is a possibility of
that double ripper. Greg Drummond is the man that has been asked to do
it. He is playing and out-turn. Very good shot. The most important
thing was to move those two stones at the front and he has done very
well. Just continuing the excellent match he is having. I bet he thought
for a second he had got all three. I was holding my breath though. I
think he was as well. Claudio Patz, trying yet again to put another
guard up. It is quite short. It has come down
a little further. This is all they can do. They have to hope for a
mistake. There hasn't been any from Greg Drummond so far. There hasn't.
These Swiss boys will continue to put on a short guard and hope for a
mistake from Great Britain. At the end of the day, the Swiss may choose
to freeze on the back red. I know that is their stone. They may choose
to coming closer to it. Four stones and Britons to leading mess. We will
have the last stone to play. -- four stones and Britons are leading this.
It will be a tough one for Switzerland to take the steel but
you have to play each stone. You have to finish this off. If they
were to win this, it is an excellent start.
Sven Michel has not been playing as well as he could have been. They
have really got to work best. They need to take this as far as they
possibly can. That is a little discipline
pointing. -- disappointing. He has two be very careful here because if
he takes this short and lies slightly...
I don't mind that. That looks pretty nice. He wants to set up against the
stone. They don't want to over kernel. -- curl.
To stones to play. -- two. He has kept control all the way through
this match and he does not want to lose that. Perhaps being asked to
play one of the more difficult shots he has had to play all evening. If
he gets this right, it might just shot the Swiss art. -- shut the
Swiss out. They are happy with that. The Swiss boys are just going to
ignore that. Play the draw. That is the only option left. They will hope
for a mistake. Even at that, he has not been too bad on the draw. We
have seen him having a couple earlier in the match which did not
work out well for him. He has to make is perfect. -- make this
perfect. Even if he does a good jump, the guard is so high. David
would have the chance to tap that through.
The line is good, here. That is a pretty good shot. It has come out
the other side. Well, as ever, coming down to the last stone and
great written leading 3-2. It would be a shame to throw this away at the
very end. David Murdoch just needs to come down and move that stone. He
just needs one and it is sitting there, the yellow. Confirmation from
the other end. You can see half of that. Very straightforward shot and
he has the insurance. Very difficult also because you have that high
guard. He just has to concentrate and play the brush. We have watched
David Murdoch playing the shot a good few times over the last three
days and he is well capable. But I will still hold my breath! He is
looking perplexed. He has to be comfortable with the shot he has to
play. He is concerned about what weight to play.
The last stone of this match against Switzerland and David Murdoch
looking to push that Swiss stone out. It is looking pretty good. And
he has done it! Very well done, David Murdoch. Great button take
this against Switzerland. They have won three out of their first four
matches. And they are sitting very nicely indeed in the round-robin.
Well done. They play the USA tomorrow. We shall take you away. We
are heading to the Iceberg skating Palace. This is the final session of
the pairs. This is a gold medal that has been one out of 12 of the last
13 occasions by Russia and they have another outstanding chance because
they are just compelling. They are so beautiful. We will join with the
penultimate group, Canada. Zang Jialiang and Zou Dejia. Sue Barker
and Robin Cousins are in the commentary box. They have been in
the top two of three grand prix events this season. Third in last
year 's World Championships. The first of the top eight teams. Can
the improved on their position? Just taking their time to steady
themselves. Getting into the right frame of mind to start. They are
ready. Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford, of Canada.
Slight misstep. Coming into this triple twist.
The hardest of the side-by-side triple jumps tonight. Triple lutz,
is what they are after. And they have got them. Certainly better than
last night. Nice, deep position. Outside that
spiral. The second of their solo jumps.
Trouble Zokos. -- triple Salchows. Elements coming back to back. First
with the loop, the second, the lutz. The hand goes down. That was a
costly element. Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford.
You concede the cigarette as Asian has gone. Travelling quite a bit
around the ice. Both of them not managing to contain that spin. Not a
clean finish. We will cease in a different styles of performance over
the next hour or so and they love their speed and power but there were
mistakes. Quite a few mistakes, that will be costly. Fifth place. The
other Canadians and Chinese are only one point behind them. They have
opened the door. When they open the door, it becomes very messy. And
they need that finesse and control over those elements. Will they hold
on fifth-place? We will find out. But they are a beautiful pair to
watch and when it is right, it really does work. I mentioned the
speed and power. It is all about that so when that goes wrong, their
timing was off in a couple of those those. They're usually very
consistent. It did not quite happen but right from the word go, there
was that misstep leading into that triple twist. It told me they were
not in perfect single resolution. Just with each other. --
synchronisation. Side-by-side, better tonight than in the shorter
programme yesterday. Triple Salchow. Lovely for him with that Double toe
loop. But Meagan Duhamel not making that rotation. Again, such tight
rotation so soon after the throw. And now the of them was centred. He
was travelling towards us and she was going in the other direction.
Not the best. There were a number of errors, there. Fifth place after the
short programme but they will have a nervous wait. They will not like
what they see. That is a new season best. But there are some strong
teams left to come. 127.32, might not be the cushion they need. There
are hoping to move up the rankings. I am not sure that will happen. But
the Canadian champions leading at the moment.
The Canadian champions have made some errors and that has opened the
door for the second Canadian team. Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan
Moscovitch. They were lying in one place behind them. The battle for
Canadian supremacy. They showed so much speed and power in the team
event and some daring moves. And they are always fun to watch. Here
we go, Kirsten Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch from Canada.
Bubbling with the triple twist. -- opening. That was very nice and
light. Great speed and flowed through that take-off into the
landing. Triple toe loop. Very nice! The second one even better than the
first. Side-by-side, triple from her. But
not from Dylan Moscovitch. Love the little feature with her
foot resting on his foot. Excellent footwork and great control
on the left. Lovely. -- lift. Again, multiple rotation in both
directions. Good, strong lifting. Celebrate indeed. That is the
performance of the night so far. Difficult elements and beautifully
choreographed. She just held some incredible positions in the air.
They were super in the team event and they have delivered again
tonight. Better tonight even with the mistake. This is a programme
that plays right into their strengths. There is a little bit of
story telling. It is sweet, it is cute but it is controlled and very
dynamic. One of those types of routines that I hope will play down
the cameras as well as in reality. I hope you enjoyed that as much as
everyone did here. Wonderful from the Canadians. There is a lot of
vitality out there and she does bobble on the ice but you have to
contain it. Sometimes it is a little bit hit and miss. She has two be in
control. The Russian supporters are chanting because the third Russian
team are on the eyes preparing for their routine. He is just saying
that he nailed the spin. This was just the error. He just did the
double cell co-. She did the triple. She really does have to control that
rotation of where she is in the air for those landings. Rotating quite
early on the take-off. Hits that position. Again we were talking
earlier about the quality of the footwork that the boys are doing
during the lifts. Dylan is one of the strongest ones for me tonight.
She hasn't stopped smiling since she got here in Sochi. Enjoying the
whole Olympic experience as I think they will enjoy the look of these
marks. 131.18. The judges loved their choreography and that puts
them number one in the free skating. Head of the Canadian champions.
Wonderful performance from them and so much to be proud of. Excellent.
Stand-by. Here come Russians. The crowd here in Sochi have so much to
celebrate in pairs skating. This is the Russian number three pair.
Yesterday, there cheeky Charlie Chaplin routine was not perfect.
Because of the quality of the other skaters, they are down in eighth
place. Can they move up? The triple on two feet. The timing
was off as well. Double axle combinations. Made the first one.
They made their second one but it was slightly under rotated by Vera.
The first element of the throes. The triple flip. Clean as a whistle.
What a strong second half to that programme. Is it going to be good
enough to put them up the rankings? It is a style that really suits
them. It is more traditional. Very famous faces there. They are
enjoying the pair skating. We enjoyed watching them many years
ago. There were errors. Yes. This is the style that really suits them. I
wasn't sure about the Charlie Chaplin yesterday. I much prefer to
see them skate like this. It was very much on two feet and the double
axle was very slow. It didn't quite pick up for me at the end as I hoped
it would. We will see eighth after the short programme. Is that good
enough to see them further up the rankings? The difficulty was
certainly there in a lot of the moves. They get bonuses for the
lifts within the combination skin -- combination spin. I would have to
plump with the Canadians over that one. Of what we have just seen.
There lifts are exquisite and she doesn't hit a bad position but we
have seen them like that since they came onto the scene. Their lifts
were always brilliant. It will be interesting to see the second mark.
Coming in for the triple toe loops. She was jumping way too early. She
was definitely on two feet. Maybe triple flip. A check of
whether the hand did or did not touch on this throw loop. Lovely air
position. Yes, it very much did. The points to look out for if they
go over 132.44 they will be the new leaders. Nervous watch for them and
the crowd. Oh, no. Not to be. 129.94. In second place in the free
skate and second place overall. They are still below the Canadians. I can
say that double axle combination was drat -- was downgraded. It was
costly. This will be interesting. It is his
fourth Olympic Games. He is enjoying a new partnership. They have only
been skating together for two years but putting in more dangerous moves
all the time. Lying seventh Ave the short programme. From China, here we
go. Taking his time. He wants peace and
quiet after all the excitement of the Russians. Composing himself and
his younger partner for this performance. The only quadruple
twist of this competition and it shall be their opening move.
Troubled toe loop, double toe loop, she did not quite have enough speed
coming out of the double. They have got ten points for that quadruple.
10.39, to be precise. They need this. And she has fallen again,
bless her. The double axel. They need the throw. Triple loop.
Lovely. Again, nice and light. Softly into
the landing. What a delightful programme. And a
pat on the back from Felicia Zhang because he knows that those jumps
will prove costly. The nerves have been here and the big Olympic
competition might just be too much for her. Just 16 years old and a
superstar in the making. They are a lovely pair together. Glorious
quality from somebody is so young. Skating with the Olympic silver
medallist. Yes, it was a tough warm up and he was doing his best. Where
will the judges but then? That was a huge start with that quadruple
twist. The reigning Olympic champion, who is coaching them. He
knows exactly what it is like to skate on these big occasions and he
will give her some reassuring words. Level four on both of those
final lifts. Look at this rotation. Yes, she is there. Eight points each
for those last lifts. They have made some points. But she was just very
tense in her shoulders on the take-off. On that double axel. We
have been watching practice and she has been nailing them time after
time. That is easy. Triple toe loop. She can rotate easily. Just
experience, she just needs the experience. Well, she has got two
men on the right-hand side, her partner, fourth Olympic Games. Those
men will certainly help regain that experience. And they will learn from
it and she will learn from it. The man on her right is the man who,
during our time, was learning everything about figure skating by
video taping any Championship you could get to. Amazing to watch them.
They were lying in seventh place after the short programme.
128.5, their season best. I am not sure it will be close to that. No,
not with those falls. 125.13. Fourth place in the free skating. The crowd
are enjoying that in the Iceberg skating Palace but they are getting
very excited because they have a chance of medals. We can rejoin the
action for the final four players. Here we are, completing the warm up.
All this so important, just to get rid of those nerves and
anticipation. And the gold medal is at stake and for the Germans and the
Russians, this is the ultimate competition? It is. And just looking
at the planned programme, there is no actual planned by the Germans.
They are going for what they know. The top four coming up. The couple
in third place. Then the favourites. Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim
Trankov. Then the Chinese, silver medallists in Vancouver four years
ago. The experienced Jian Tong and Qing Pang. And then the Germans will
be the last. And they are lying in second place after the short
programme. The first of the top three. Their outstanding at the
European Championships. Can they put the pressure on the top two? A
lovely programme. Opening move. Triple twist left. --
left. Beautifully done. Easily through. The take-off and the flow.
Strong landing. The speed and the flow coming out of
that spiral. Double axel Pramac. -- double axel.
Well, into the second half of this routine. Extra bonus points for all
of those elements. I love this. Love the extra feature
with the entry. Very strong and just one element left. It is the throat
salchow. -- throw. And the crowd erupts! They are delighted. That was
fun and fabulous. They have delivered all of the elements again
tonight and boy, do the three that are left to skate have plenty to
worry about. That was glorious. Such a great routine because none of
those little added extras detracted or do anything away from how classy
and clever those elements are. It was supreme. Very strong,
technically. And the favourites for the gold-medal, waiting patiently.
They will know just how good that is. As it was at the European
Championships. You cannot ask for more at the Olympics. The Russian
crowd absolutely delighted. They will have seen them performing like
this in training. But the pressure that they are under and look at what
they have delivered. A wonderful way to start this final group. Featuring
will not stop. The next they're coming on. Russia want to have two
on the podium and they want gold and silver and did very well could be.
Straight in on this flip and she is as solid as a rock when she jumps.
In for the triples. The timing is superb. Struggled very slightly
there. That is the last one. She rotates before he let her go but
that is how it works for them. A strong triple twist as well. Those
component scores will be very big. You just know that this stadium is
going to erupt when they see these scores as well because the judges
have to be impressed with that. Seasons-macro best by a mile. That
is some score. That will surely be a medal. But what colour? 72 points in
the technical score alone. That is what you want. You have to be equal
parties in an overall routine and it doesn't get better than that. I hope
it does and we are about to see it. Here they come. They are a couple
that don't seem deterred by the immense pressure they are under
here. They are the leaders after the short programme by some way that
they have made mistakes in the free programme at the European
Championships. Will this support that we are hearing now carry them
through to gold? Steadying themselves. The three-time European
champions, the reigning world champions going for Olympic glory to
win their second gold medal here in Sochi.
Huge triple twist lift to open. Side-by-side triples that they want.
Yes! Easy. Second solo jumps also triples.
Hopefully in combination. Into the speed for the first two
throws. They will review that if the hand went down.
What did I say? This is their time and that added with their short
programme, surely unbeatable. The pressure, you can now see the
pressure release. They have been the team for the last couple of years
and the team to beat. They came as favourites for the gold medal and
they haven't put a foot wrong since they came out on the ice in the team
competition and in these championships. It wasn't perfect but
it is good enough. One touchdown. There were a few little moments that
were not quite as secure as they can be. I am being very picky but there
are nine people down there doing exactly the same thing. There are
12,000 people waving their flags and they are convinced it is the goals.
They are wearing the right colour. Maybe they will be wearing that
medal out in the Olympic Park tomorrow.
That second school is going to be huge. There is such a quality to
their movement. A class to every shape that she particular --
particularly puts into every move. There with their coach who has been
at their side. A new partnership after the last Olympics and they
have got better and better as every year has gone by. They have saved
the best for here. The triple twist is join enormous and it is so soft
and secure on the landing. It was probably one of their best elements.
It was the loop here. The hand did go down. There is no deduction but
execution will be affected. They got 6.4 for the throw loop.
It was the quality of the skating. What a great reaction as well. I can
tell you now that the score they need to beat is 134.52. It is just
how many more it will be them mad. And whether it matches their
season's best. Not quite but certainly good enough. 152.69. A
little error just proving costly. Look at the presentation. They are
the leaders by almost nine points from their fellow Russians. There is
still two to skate. I believe they think they have done enough.
Follow that. They will be wisely taking all the time that they can to
prepare for the start. They are lying in fourth. Can they
close the gap and earn a place on the podium once again? She is 33 and
he is 34. Bay open with a double axle
sequence. The second axel not happening. They need to recompose
now. Stepping with conviction on the toe loops.
Watch for the power and height on the triple twist.
What a beautiful routine to choose to say farewell to figure skating.
They are retiring after such an after so many great romance at the
Olympic Games. Silver medallists four years ago. The desperate to be
on the podium. I wonder if they just might miss out but what a beautiful
way to say farewell. Those first few elements in the jump sequences were
sadly lacking and they are usually very consistent. Some of those
lifts, fairly straightforward, and not necessarily better positions for
the girl in the air. What a trip and has been, producing magnificent
performances here in the team event and here tonight in the short run.
He carried the flag at the opening ceremony. Great memories to take
away. 8.94 that one left in the middle. 7.4, that was for the triple
loop. That was their highest jump element. Neither me the rotation.
Under review. Double axel, single axel sequence. That is the trouble.
-- triple. Throw loop. Beautiful. Fourth place they are at the moment.
Will they still be in fourth place? A nervous watch for them to see
where they will be. This Russian crowd know exactly what that score
means. They have not moved above the second Russian pair, Ksenia Stolbova
and Fedor Klimov. They are lying in third place with just one team left.
It looks as though they will miss out on a place on the podium in
their final competition but they leave with some great memories. Two
of the greats. Here we go, the final power. Where
will those medals go? Four points behind the Russians. When they risk
this with the triple Axel? -- triple Axel. Will they be brave enough to
put this in? It will be the final element of the programme. So, they
came here for the gold medal. But they are a long way from taking it
from the Russians. Will they keep hold of silver? Because Ksenia
Stolbova and Fedor Klimov were so strong tonight. The last to skate.
Aliona Savchenko and 90 macro. -- Robin Szolkowy.
Huge, lovely, soft landing from Aliona Savchenko.
Robin has gone on the first triple toe loop. The second one will not
happen and that is the gold-medal gone.
That ripple of applause from the crowd is lovely to hear, willing
them on, even though they know that the gold medal is for the Russian
team. I think the Germans are fighting for bronze.
Just the final throw left to come. This is it. Triple axel. All or
nothing. Well, they had to go for it. And,
boy, they did well to keep going. They knew that mistake at the start
would prove costly and they seemed to lose momentum during the
programme, they knew the gold medal had gone and that is what they came
here for. It got quite slow toward the end, that final lift was a
glorious position but extremely slow. I could feel they were
possibly just preparing themselves for the throw. And at the expense
quality of some other elements I have to say. Has that cost them the
silver medal? Gold is definitely gone. I do not know if you felt
that, but there was that moment of realisation with this audience that
they were not going to win the gold and the Russians had got it and yet
they were applauding them, trying to will be on. I thought that was
lovely. -- will them on. They have won all of it over the years, Ford
times world champions. But it was the Russians who took over a year
ago. Still 5.25 points for that triple axel. Worth the effort for
trying. But probably not going to make the difference. They came here
for the gold and we will find out if they even hold onto silver. It is
likely to be bronze. They have been so innovative over
the years, pushing the boundaries. But it was just Tatiana Volosozhar
and Maxim Trankov who got together after the Olympics and are proving
to get to know themselves as a couple, they have moved ahead of
them, they had to try those special throws to catch them. They need to
work. And the things they can do in their sleep, as Robin does, it is
easy. But this is the Olympics and the pressure is on. The height, just
how light and easy this triple flip is... Glorious. Lovely running edge
on the exit. Stepping in, slightly ahead of him on the take-off. I do
not know if that caused her to try and rush but they were planning on
the triple toe loop combination. And they did not get downgraded. 1.18.
Triple axel, makes the rotation but not in a position to try to get that
landing. Where would you put them? Probably fourth place. Third
overall. They gave everything to win this, they changed their short run
in the last few weeks and with that triple Axel into the performance.
Ouch! Look at that. That does put them into fourth place. But that is
third overall. So they do take home bronze. Confirmation, it is a bronze
medal for the Germans. Gold and silver for Russia. And Tatiana
Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov have given us another night to remember.
They have saved the best for the Olympics. Indeed. And all teams came
out and did exactly what they needed today. There was talk this afternoon
that it could be Russia one, two and they certainly deserve that.
Outstanding performances. A second gold medal for the great Maxim
Trankov and Tatiana Volosozhar. Silver for Fedor Klimov and Ksenia
Stolbova. We hope they can carry on, they are talking of retiring, the
Germans, Robin Szolkowy and Aliona Savchenko. That is a fantastic
result for Canada, fifth place. They were wonderful tonight. They put in
another star performance. Even further down, the other American
team have certainly moved up. We have seen some wonderful
performances but there is no one going anywhere in this stadium
because although there are no medals awarded, they will get to see
Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov and they want to celebrate with
them. Did you enjoy that? We had a big crowd of Russians watching the
screen and they were delighted with that. I would love from -- to know
from you both, how do they compare to others? They have been getting
stronger and stronger. What we could see was as soon as they had
finished, it was like the steam being let out of the kettle, that
pressure was released. They finally showed us what pressure they had
been under and yet they performed all so cleanly. The new judging
system that they have brought in, the difficulty that those two
perform out there, they have taken skating to a whole new level. We saw
that one tiny error of that hand down on the ice but a great
recovery. It is a great recovery and there is no deduction on that but
the judges that are sitting there will bring down the execution. We
can see it coming up but it wasn't going to be enough. Glorious. Seeing
highlights now of all three medallists. The second Russian pair
took the silver medal. On the Germans and skating under that
pressure, when you know early on that it has gone wrong, how
difficult is it to keep going? That is why you train every day for hours
and hours. In training you will be falling, doing every routine
hundreds of thousands of times and you want to make sure. They knew
that they were going to need that triple axel at the end. They get the
points for the effort in the new system. You lose a deduction for
falling but it wasn't enough. They had already lost points at the
beginning. They did really need that triple axel because they were seven
points behind the Russians in the free skate. They needed to land
that. They had to take the risk. Thank you so much to Robin Cousins
and Sue Barker. Brilliant action there from the skating palace. They
will be presented with flowers and the medal ceremony will take place
tomorrow. These were the scenes outside as a group of Russians
gathered around the Sochi trolley. This was the moment they realised
that Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov had won the medal and Russia
had also taken the silver medal. I like to think they are cheering and
applauding the trolley as well as the performance. It is great to be
surrounded by that warmth and we will be reflecting back on the best
of the action from day five at seven o'clock. We are going to head over
to the Bolshoi Stadium now for the ice hockey. The USA were up against
Karen -- Canada. She scores. The US take the
advantage. She blasted it home. The American fans go mad.
Thank you very much. Megan Augusta. Tried and tested way for the
Canadians. Great presence of mind and Megan Augusta will not miss from
6.5 feet out. The whistle has gone before they
cross the line, or has it? I thought we heard it. The Canadians will
celebrate. I thought I heard a whistle in my headphones. I think
they are going to go upstairs. The referee is doing up a helmet in the
box. Where will she point? She points to the centre. It is a goal.
Megan Augusta looking to make it two. Thank you very much. The
Canadians now lead by three goals to one. Canada are happy. The flags fly
high for Megan Augusta. Help coming. This is a real opportunity.
A second goal of the game for the US and now we have a Grand Slam finish.
It may have deflected. There is going to be some fantastic
ice hockey here. We will show highlights of the best
matches. If you get a question in a pub guests -- quiz in which sport we
are the most stressful, it is the skeleton. Four years ago Amy
Williams won gold in Vancouver and before that, Shelley Rudman talk the
medal ensuring. Lizzie Yarnold won the World Cup series and she is not
afraid to set her sights firmly on gold here in Sochi.
You always feel nervous before you compete or train. It is something
where you need to be aware of feeling nervous because it can be
quite dangerous. It is that thrill and the adrenaline that I really
love. As he walked to the start block, you have to be really focused
and ready to produce power really fast.
As soon as I am in position, I let my body mole into the sled. When I
came into the programme, Amy Williams had just won the gold
medal. I slot in the amazing machine that is British skeleton. Your mind
just takes over. Your peripheral vision completely takes over. You
are feeling the interaction between you and the ice and it is all your
senses working. There is no perfect run. There is always something you
can improve on. The angle into the corner, your speed or your line. It
is not only about doing well against other athletes, it is seeing how
good I can be against myself. I am so proud to say my hardest
competition is within my own team. Shelley is an amazing athlete. She
has so much experience. We are friends away from the track but once
we are on the start block, she is one of my hardest rivals. Her
performance has pushed me to be better because I know I can't let
up. Every single session, I have to try and be the best version of me
that I can. Lizzie Yarnold of Great Britain. Our World Cup leader.
Victory. A very impressive slide. World Cup champion, Lizzie Yarnold.
The great thing about the Olympics from what I have heard is it is a
magical event. It is my first Olympics so I am taking it one step
at a time and I hope to perform at my best and I am believably
motivators so fingers crossed. -- motivated. She is absolutely
brilliant and I love that line, I want to be the best version of me
that I can. Digital to bout Amy Williams and how her team surrounds
her so who better to guide us down the track than the Olympic champion.
Here we are for skeleton. It is 1500 metres long with 17 corners. It is
the best track I have ever seen. This start here is beautiful. It is
long and flat and the athletes will have to decide the crucial point
when to load onto the sled. It is designed for the Russians because
they are very fast starters. The Porsche is really important and to
continue that for the first two corners. -- push. We have three
uphill sections in this track that really unique. No track has ever had
that before. One of them comes out of this corner. You don't notice how
steep this is that you notice it and if they are lying on the eyes, they
will see the uphill. It is important that they don't move around on their
sled otherwise they will be skidding.
It is pretty steep on the way down here.
Big corner ten. Big oscillations and big ways that they will have to try
and steer out. This is corner 12 and 13 into 14. Vital that the athletes
take a little clip on the left to line themselves out. Keep that
speed. Position is vital. Aerodynamics are really important
now. Exit 17, finish line just there and hopefully you will get over in a
really good time. It is a technical track, it is beautiful, the ice is
wonderful and I have high hopes for our Team GB men and women. Amy has
good reason to be positive because Lizzie Yarnold has been going faster
and faster in training and Shelley Rudman has been going well also.
This is the time plan for tomorrow. The Olympic Park is lit up all
around because the sky is dark. The ice hockey dome here, they put the
score on the actual roof and they animate every time a goal is
scored. It is wonderful. We will be back shortly with the highlights of
day five. See you for now.