The semi-finals of the women's halfpipe is under way. The top three from qualifying go straight through to the final, while those who finished fourth to ninth have a second opportunity to qualifying for the final in the semi-finals. You can follow the action at the top of this page.

That's me done for the day. Stephan Shemilt will lead you through to the close. Until next time.

Rachael Moody, external: Luge doubles is such a weird event! So strange

Tom Hercock, external: Luge doubles has to be seen to be believed!

Mel, external: THERE'S A DOUBLE LUGE!!! That's just asking for trouble. Cannot wait to see this.

Image source, facebook

Henry the Dog is appearing at his third Winter Olympics. Apparently, he's best mates with Australian ski cross athlete Jenny Owens. Click here to see more, external of his pictures...

Olympic organisers have dismissed the threat of warm weather disrupting events as staff work around the clock to maintain mountain venues.

Competitors have described the snow as "slushy, super sugary and very soft" after a week of sunny conditions but so far no events have been cancelled.

Oleg Kitov, deputy competition manager at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park, the venue for freestyle skiing and snowboarding, conceded the situation was proving "difficult".

Nick Hope
BBC Sport at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park in Sochi

Image source, Nick Hope

"Just been catching up with Team GB halfpipe skiers Rowan Cheshire and Emma Lonsdale, who are all 'desperate' to get competing after watching team-mate Jenny Jones' Olympic medal success earlier in the week.

"GB alpine skier Chemmy Alcott, who was 19th in the downhill today, drew the most attention though - big travelling support for the four-time Olympian!

"'I'm so overwhelmed by what I've achieved," she tells BBC Sport. 'Getting here [to Sochi] after all the injuries an finishing in the top-20 [19th] that's my gold medal!'"

I've flicked over to the Luge doubles and I suggest you do too. It's a remarkable event, which sees one athlete lie on top of his team-mate as they slide down the 1.5km track at the Sanki Sliding Centre.

There is no rule that say both athletes must be men. However, men usually ride together, with the larger man lying on top. Why? Because it allows for a more aerodynamic fit apparently.

It must be quite an uncomfortable 50-odd seconds for the one on the bottom....

Seth Bennett
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

"What a victory for Canada, you can see what it means to them, they finish Group A as winners and get the better seeding in the semi-finals. A game of great drama but the Canadians prevail."

It's all over. Canada hold on to beat fierce rivals USA and secure the better seeding for the semi-finals stage. Arguably the most competitive match of the Games so far. What a final this would be if they both progress as expected.

Image source, AP

At the halfway stage in the men's 1000m speed skating, Mark Tuitert of the Netherlands leads the way. The Dutch have dominated speed skating in Sochi so far, winning eight out of the 12 medals contested. American Shani Davis is favourite to claim the title though and he, along with Kazakhstan's Denis Kuzin are still to race.

Did you know? The Dutch have won more Olympic speed skating medals than any other nation. They pioneered the sport in the 13th century and the first World Championships were held in the country in 1889.

Seth Bennett
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

"The USA took the gamble and the gamble may pay off. This is the joy of ice hockey."

We're set for a thrilling finish at the Shayba Arena as USA pull a goal back against Canada with 30 seconds to go. The Americans call a time out to catch their breath. Can they force overtime?

Image source, BBC Sport

This has to be seen - and heard - to be believed. The Russian Interior Ministry police force performed Daft Punk's 'Get Lucky' before the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Sochi. Watch it right here. You won't regret it.

A video of the group rehearsing the song for a Kremlin function went viral last year with over four and a half million views.

Brent Pope
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

"That is some sweet Canadian syrup. Nobody was going to catch her."

The Canadians are running rampage over at the Shayba Arena as birthday girl Megan Agosto races clear and scores her second goal of the encounter to give her team a 3-1 lead over USA. What a third period they're having. Only four minutes remaining.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Luge Federation (ILF) will hold a ceremony in the mountains above Vancouver later today to remember Georgian athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili, who died in a training crash on 12 February four years ago.

"We are laying flowers at the luge centre in Whistler," said IOC spokesman Mark Adams, who added that the IOC and ILF had also held a "moment of reflection" at an early-morning meeting in Sochi.

Image source, AP

A great start to the luge doubles as the track record is broken three times in the first four pairings. Canada's Tristan Walker and Justin Smith record a time of 49.857 seconds, before Austria's reigning Olympic champions Andreas and Wolfgang Linger go faster in 49.685secs.

But that effort is then beaten by the German world champions Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt, who post a time of 49.373secs.

Each of the 19 pairings will have two runs today on the track at the Sanki Sliding Centre with the lowest aggregate time winning the gold medal. Germany have already won gold in the women's and men's singles and are hoping to strike gold in the luge for the third time in Sochi.

Image source, Zoe Gillings

Team GB Snowboard Cross (SBX) athlete Zoe Gillings, external has been busy this morning with appearances on British TV. Gillings will be in action on Sunday in what will be her third Olympics.

Skeleton slider Shelley Rudman on Facebook, external: So, it's the first race day tomorrow! (Eeek!!) It's been a great achievement to qualify for these Olympics, and I'm going to go out there and give it my best!

Thank you so much for all the support - especially from my family, friends, the people of Pewsey, Wiltshire, Sheffield & beyond! It's brilliant to receive so much encouragement from you all! Now onto race preparations - send me fast race vibes for tomorrow please!

Image source, Kikkan Randall

How do the athletes overcome the boredom? American cross-country skier Kikkan Randall has been busy experiencing a little bit of Russian culture in the Athlete's Village.

Wilf O’Reilly
Former Olympic short track speed skater on BBC TV

"The 1000m is very much an open competition. The Americans fancy themselves as favourites but we're not forgetting the world champion Denis Kuzin from Kazahakstan and Mo Tae-Bum from Korea. Dutchman Michel Mulder already has one gold in his pocket so he must be feeling good."