Shani Davis countdown: The American is huge in the Netherlands, where speed skating is king. When he visits the European nation, he says: "It's like being a rock star."
Ice queen, you scream Tom. Thank you. I'm back at the helm as we edge closer to Shani Davis' appearance on the ice. The 1,000m speed skating begins in five minutes' time.
GOOOAAALLLL!!! Team USA takes the lead! Anne Schleper gets the opening goal in the Pool A decider against Canada deep into the second period.
Just like Shani Davis I must get my skates on right now if I am to grab another Sochi-inspired snow cone before he hits the ice. Taking over the reins on this blogging sleigh ride is Mr Ice Cool Tom McGowan...
Shani Davis countdown: In 2006, Davis became the first black athlete from any nation to win a gold medal in an individual Winter Olympic sport -- in his case the 1,000m speed skating title. He's aiming to defend that title for a second time at 1400 (GMT).
And while the weather is being debated guess what's happened?...
None other than CNN's Rachel Nichols, who is in Sochi with our Atlanta team, has the answer for you Jonathan...
Shani Davis countdown: By the age of three, Shani was roller coasting so fast that the skate guards at his local rink had to get him to slow down!
Also into the final, Spain's Queralt Castellet and French boarder Sophie Rodriguez. All three were a McTwist or two ahead of the rest of the field in qualifying. The medals will be decided at 1730.
The women's field slid into the tricky zone of the halfpipe earlier today with three women spinning into the finals. Top of the tree is former Olympic champion, American Kelly Clark (pictured below). The 30-year-old boarded to gold in 2002 and took bronze last time out in Vancouver. Is Clark back on her A-game? She could be if her massive scores of 92.25 and 95.00 in her opening runs are anything to go by.
We need to catch up on some sport people. Stand by.
"Is that lift music I can hear?" was the question asked earlier at CNN HQ. No, it's the music from the figure skating competition in Sochi. And there will be more of that to come when the skaters must work in perfect partnership when the medals are decided in the pairs free program. Everyone on the ice from 1545 (GMT).
Shani Davis countdown: Did you know the name Shani was picked by his father, Reginald, who took it from the Swahili dictionary. "Shani" means a mixture of "light" and "weight" in translation. How perfect is that for the muscular grace of a speed skater?
Pucker up!
Finland’s women have secured their place in the quarterfinals of the ice hockey tournament following a 4-3 overtime win against Switzerland.
But here’s the thing – both teams go through to the knockout phase….
Confused? Yes, me too.
This year, the four teams in Group A which also includes the USA and defending champion Canada, all advance irrespective of their results.
Bizarre, right? Yes.
So that means that the Swiss, who were outscored 14-0 in their previous two games, still qualify.
Switzerland will face the winners of Group B which will be either Sweden or Russia while Finland will play whichever country finishes second.
The U.S. and Canada, by finishing in the top two, advance straight to the semifinal stage.
That make sense?
I’ll be keeping an eye on the U.S. vs Canada game which starts at 12.30pm UK time and will have all the latest from this big grudge match.
It's at this point we must introduce today's special blog correspondent. It's none other than James Masters, who is puckering up as we speak... Calm down ladies.
Hi Pip. This is the first time that a gold medal has been shared in alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics. In 1998, Swiss Didier Cuche shared silver with Hans Knauss of Austria in the men's Super-G event. In 2002, the gold was shared in the 10km freestyle pursuit in the cross country skiing between Thomas Alsgaard and Frode Estil.
We'll have more tidbits on Shani Davis as we countdown to the start of the men's 1,000m speed skating at 1400.
Pipat 11:15 AM
