Excitement over at the Shayba Arena where the Canadians are celebrating a goal that will take them into the lead having been a goal behind just a few minutes ago.

The decision is referred upstairs as there is some chat the puck went in after a whistle is blown. However after a minute or so the goal stands and is awarded to Natalie Spooner. Defending champions Canada lead USA 2-1.

Image source, Reuters

Mark Tuitert of the Netherlands currently tops the standings in the 1000m speed skating. The Dutchman took gold over 1500m at the 2010 Games and looked strong over the shorter distance today.

His time of one minute 9.29secs is just a smidgen off the rink record in Sochi. We still have a long way to go though with over 20 skaters yet to race. Competitors compete in pairs to set a time, with the fastest time taking gold.

We've got a game on our hands at the Shayba Arena as Meghan Agosta smashes defending champions Canada level against fierce rivals USA. Game on. You can follow this match at the top of the page.

GB skip Eve Muirhead believes she made the right decision in going for the high-risk shot with the final stone of their group match against Canada. It didn't work out and Canada won the match 9-6.

"I don't go for shots if I don't think they are there," said Muirhead. "I definitely thought it was there, we had a good chance in that last end.

"I think we can take a lot out of that second half - managing to claw back how we did taking the ones and taking the twos."

Image source, Reuters

Who would have thought sunbathing would have been on the cards at a Winter Olympics, eh? But that's exactly the case in Sochi.

BBC presenter Jonathan Edwards has ditched his jacket for a shirt and rolled up sleeves while his cameraman has broken out the shorts.

And these fans (pictured) are taking the weight of their feet and catching some rays in the middle of the Olympic Park.

Lizzy Yarnold

Image source, facebook / lizzy yarnold

Britain's Lizzy Yarnold on Facebook:, external "The final track walk before the final official training, before the final competition of the season. Am I ready? I sure hope so!!! Let it fly ;-D"

Yarnold, along with GB team-mate Shelley Rudman, begin their quest for medals in the skeleton from 07:30 GMT on Thursday.

Image source, Jamie Nicholl

British snowboarder Jamie Nicholl, external: We are out! Next stop...London for a couple days. The Olympics were amazing. Media time with TeamGB and Aimee Fuller

Steve Cram
BBC Sport curling commentator

"The first three matches for the women's GB curling team were tough, including Sweden and Canada who are medal candidates. I thought they played OK today. Themselves and Canada were trying to put pressure on each other.

"Eve Muirhead and Jennifer Jones both played some big shots but it was important to match them and they did that pretty much throughout the game. Imagine if the last shot came off? I admire the gumption from her to go for the big shot.

"It didn't come off but we shouldn't be too hard on her. She will put it behind here and if the shot comes up against, I would like to see her going for it again."

Jackie Lockhart
2002 world curling gold medallist on BBC TV

"Eve Muirhead loves the opportunity to to play big shots and could have knocked all three stones out at the end. She could have gone for the easy shot by taking the two and forcing a tie-break. She won't be disappointed by that though because later in the tournament she will start taking out the big shots.

"Games against Sweden and Canada were always going to be difficult and losing to them isn't the big issue. They now need to win the games they are expected to. Eve needs to pick herself up and roll on."

Thanks Stephan. It's been a disappointing morning for Britain's women curlers after Eve Muirhead's high-stakes approach to the final stone. Can the GB men do any better? They're taking on Switzerland at 15:00 GMT having won two and lost one of their opening three games.

That's short and sweet from me, Lawrence Barretto has finished his lunch and is here for a little while. I'll be back for the evening action.

Image source, facebook / team gb

James "Woodsy" Woods completed his final training runs ahead of Thursday's ski slopestyle, but BBC Sport's Nick Hope reports that the Briton's hip injury is clearly affecting him.

Set the alarm clock for a 06:15 GMT start.

The men's 1000m speed skating is just getting under way at the Adler Arena. As always, you can watch live coverage at the top of this page.

Deadlock broken, the United States taking a 1-0 lead over Canada at the end of the second period.

Image source, AP

The doubles luge fun gets under way at about 14:10 GMT, with the medals being decided at around 16:30.

Luge involves hurtling feet first down a track on a tiny open sled at speeds in excess of 80mph.

There are four runs in the men's and women's events, two runs in the doubles and one in the relay, with the lowest aggregate time winning.

Competitors steer using their legs and shoulders; the smallest mistake can prove costly - luge is the only one of the sliding sports that is timed to one thousandth of a second.

How do decide that doing luge solo isn't for you, that you'd actually prefer a partner? When you first go down together, if there some confused awkwardness when it comes to getting on the sled? Is it comfortable? Does the lycra stick together?

Are you as excited about this as I am?

...and this is doubles luge.

Image source, Getty Images

So many questions.

This is luge...

Image source, Getty Images

Allow me, if I may, to tell you why I am so excited about doubles luge....