Martin Fourcade can make plans for his coronation. The Frenchman has finished in a time of 49:31.7 and suffered just one penalty. We'll have to wait until all the competitors have crossed the line before confirming that one, though.

Image source, Getty Images

We're about to go all arty on you. Alexei Almoukov of Australia is competing in the men's individual 20km and an image of him has been published using multiple exposure. It's very action man. Very arty. The Aussie is currently over five minutes behind the leader, and probable winner, Martin Fourcade.

Dave in Shropshire: Biathlon's been an obsession in our house for over a decade. My wife is rooting for Martin Fourcade, me for Bjorn Ferry but we both love Ole Einar Bjoerndalen. Off to Oslo next month to see his last ever race.

Ah. The Russians were gearing themselves for lung-busting cheers as home favourite Evgeniy Garanichev led by three seconds going into the third shoot in the men's individual 20km, but Martin Fourcade has ruined the party atmosphere by stealing the lead. The Frenchman now has a 34.5 second advantage.

America's men begin their campaign with a convincing 7-1 victory over Slovakia. Six goals in the second period helped see off the Slovakians. It's early stages, but the Americans top Group A on goal difference with the Russians second after the opening rounds.

Image source, Getty Images

There's obviously no limit to the number of gravity-defying stunts a person can watch in one day. "More!" cry the crowd (possibly) at the Olympic Park as they watch a group of tricksters perform summersault and other such gymnastic feats on the concourse.

Brent Pope
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

"There are many great teams for Russia still to play. They have a long way to go. They will need to build on that performance against Slovenia."

Brent Pope
BBC Sport ice hockey commentator

Image source, Getty Images

"Russia look like a team that needs to pump the emotional well a little bit more in their next match. They have been wasteful by trying to do to much to entertain the crowd. They remind me a lot of the French rugby team, in that they can be unstoppable but break them down and they can become very destructible."

The hosts have reason to cheer because their men have beaten their Group A rivals Slovenia 5-2 in the ice hockey.

It's 'halt-time' in the women's 1000m and some competitors are stretching, others are jogging and a few are listening to music via their gigantic headphones. I say half-time, what I'm trying to say is - there's a break.

Those familiar with the rules of speed skating will know that rather than competing directly against each other in a knockout format, skaters compete against the clock and the highest-ranked skaters race at the end of the competition. I could go into further detail but I'd have to pretend to understand.

Hello again. There's refreshed and there's being ice cool like a speed skater so let's turn our attention to the panthers of the ice where the women are competing in the 1000m. The home fans are cheering themselves hoarse because Russia's Yekaterina Lobysheva is currently fourth overall after a 1:17.31 cruise around the rink. You'd expect the Russian to fall further behind, though, because apparently the "big hitters" have yet to skate.

Aimee Lewis is refreshed and back in the hotseat, she's here to talk you through the next hour or so. I'm off to practice my shooting.

Emily Thomas:, external Would like to thank Sochi for introducing me to the compelling bloodbath that is ice hockey. Gloriously gladiatorial.

Adam Corlett:, external Think I'll support Canada in the ice hockey seeing as their gaffer used to manage/play for the Whitley Bay Warriors.

Image source, AP

Team GB men's curlers beat the United States 5-3 for their fourth win out of five and second place in the standings.

Skip David Murdoch said: "That was just a commanding performance and I think we really dominated them from start to finish. We were aggressive in the first five ends, got our lead and were clinical after that.

"We are drawing really well and were getting our rocks in perfect spots and causing them all sorts of trouble. There was some great shot-making today."

I'll be honest, this biathlon lark looks absolutely gruelling. For a start, how difficult must it be to ski 20km on the flat? Not only that, you arrive at the your four shooting stations in bodily turmoil and have to compose yourself for a shot a five targets 50m away. It's hard enough aiming an air rifle at a teddy bear when the carnival comes to town.

Image source, AP

This particular biathlon is the men's 20km kind. Competitors go off at 30-second intervals and the man with the fastest time wins. Severe time penalties of one minute are added with every missed target, with shooting bouts coming at 4km, 8km, 12km and 16km.

Biathlon is the sweatiest sport at the Winter Olympics - male athletes typically produce 2.3m litres (four pints) of perspiration in the 20km race.

Across the 11 events, biathletes cover distances of between six and 20km, stopping at a shooting range either two or four times to fire at five targets - sometimes as small as golf balls - from 50m.

In the individual event, each miss results in a one-minute time penalty; in other events, a 150m penalty loop must be skied instead.

Read more with our Biathlon cheat sheet

Wondering what on earth is involved in a biathlon? I can tell you it's lots of lung-busting skiing, combined with precision shooting. But we can go further than that...

Right then, more live action has just begun in Sochi. At the Adler Arena, women's 1000m speed skating is under way, as is the men's 20km individual biathlon at the Laura Centre. Lee Jackson goes for Britain in that, but isn't expected to contend for a medal. Both can be watched at the top of this page.

Image source, James Woods on Instagram

Team GB freestyle skier James Woods on Instagram:, external Thank you everyone for the unbelievable support - this is an amazing journey that I'm privileged to be a part of!! I can't wait to shred once I'm healthy again! Thank you for today & every day, sorry I couldn't completely hold it down - please know that I'm proud as can be to represent Great Britain with this crew!! (Among many others!)."