Yuki Kadono of Japan moves into fifth with 75.75. Then it's Mark McMorris of Canada - he goes second with 88.75 to knock Nicholls down into the bronze medal slot for the moment.

Ed Leigh
BBC Sport snowboarding and freestyle skiing commentator

"When I spoke to Jamie he said he just wanted to make the finals and now he's sitting in a silver medal position!"

Jamie Nicholls only put down a top 10 finish in major competition for the first time in January and now he is sitting in a silver medal position. Billy Morgan is the one with more pedigree having finished fourth at the 2013 World Championships. Second runs starting now.

Hazel Irvine
BBC Sport presenter

"One of the most bizarrely brilliant mornings of sport I've ever witnessed - it's majestic."

The order for the second run will be the same as the first. A lot of you are baffled by the judges, but it looks like they are giving the highest scores to the cleanest performers and not necessarily the fanciest spins and tricks.

Ed Leigh
BBC Sport snowboarding and freestyle skiing commentator

"A lot of these riders are used to riding in front of big crowds, but not with this much pressure - with their parents, grandparents, friends all watching."

Last up in the first round is Max Parrot, the much-fancied French-Canadian. He pulls out a backside rodeo and a back triple but - amazingly - hits the floor as he comes off the last jump. To my untrained eye, this is pretty shoddy all round. Only about three of them have avoided falling over. Is it the pressure? Is the course too fast? The good news is that we are halfway through this final and Great Britain's Jamie Nicholls is in the silver medal position.

Image source, PA

Ollie Williams
BBC Sport at the Shayba Arena in Sochi

"Hockey is a game played in lines - the US have 18 skaters at their disposal but obviously can only use five at a time plus the goalie, so picking successful lines (i.e. groups of players who take to the ice at any one time) is a big part of the sport. Which players work best together, and how do you match your lines to your opponent's?

"Finland are actually putting up a decent fight against the US women in the second period here, but the US have one line in particular - forwards Kelli Stack (who just scored the second), Hilary Knight (scored the first) and Alex Carpenter - that the Finns are finding it very hard to live with.

"Those three have been a big part of the difference. Between them they're responsible for 12 shots on goal, three times the entire Finland team so far."

This slopestyle is nothing short of spectacular. The sight of these athletes twisting and flipping through the air at high speed against a backdrop of crystal blue skies and snow-capped mountains is breathtaking. Finland's Peetu Piiroinen goes fourth with a 78.50.

Image source, AFP

Swede Sven Thorgren's run looks pretty immaculate to me and even includes a "frontside double cork 10". Anyone? But the judges clearly aren't convinced and the commentators are baffled as he only posts 83.75. He's third, Nicholls remains second.

Sebastien Toutant's sweet run turns sour on the home straight as his hands touch the floor and he has to settle for 54.50. After seven of the 12 competitors in the first of two runs, Nicholls is second and Morgan is fifth.

Nick Hope
BBC Sport at the Extreme Park in Rosa Khutor

"Side-by-side BBC Sport and 5 Live commentary booths erupt with cheers, whoops and the sound of crashing chairs as Ed Leigh, Tim Warwood, Will Perry and GB snowboarder Aimee Fuller rise to their feet to celebrate a stunning run by Jamie Nicholls.

"'That was brilliant,' says Fuller.

"After the score of 85.50 is displayed she adds: 'That's lower than I thought it would be, but a solid start'."

Image source, Lizzy Yarnold on Twitter

GB skeleton medal hope Lizzy Yarnold has posted this picture on Twitter: , external"I've just finished training and we're watching the awesome Slopestyle boarders in the final!"

Ed Leigh
BBC Sport snowboarding and freestyle skiing commentator

"Jamie has a good score on the board and that run gives him the chance to explore possibilities on his second run."

Brilliant from Jamie Nicholls, a clean run and a backside triple to finish. But it's only an 85.50 and he looks really disappointed when the score is revealed, shaking his head and mouthing "What?". Oh well, he's in second place for now, with seven riders still to go in this first run.

Ed Leigh
BBC Sport snowboarding and freestyle skiing commentator

"There was a little bit of jitter there and there will be all the pressure on Billy for that second run."

Agony for Morgan as he comes off the first rail and hits the deck hard. He hauls himself up to complete the run - and even pulls off a triple flip - but the judges can't ignore the early error and it's a decidedly ordinary 38.00. But, remember, he will have another chance and only your best score counts.

Sage Kotsenburg of the USA produces a near-flawless run to go into first place with a score of 93.50. Next up the Brits...

Billy Morgan will be the fourth to run, with Jamie Nicholls fifth. First up is Yuki Kadono of Japan, but his backside catches the floor and he can only post an ordinary 53. Favourite Mark McMorris, who is carrying a broken rib, makes a pig's ear of his effort and posts a dismal 33.75. Two runs each, remember, with only the best score counting.

Graham Bell
Five-time Winter Olympic skier on BBC TV

"It is great we have two British guys in the final. Their biggest competition will be from the Canadians - Max Parrot is riding well - but Billy and Jamie will just go for it. I spoke to Billy earlier and he said he would go out and throw it as big as he can and that is what you have to do in this event - you have to go for it and if they land it, they could win a medal."