Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport in Sochi

"Moving across the mountain I'm now at the alpine centre for the first run of the women's slalom. The skiers are up inspecting the course under the full glare of the floodlights, with the mist that has hung around the valley all day lingering just above the start hut.

"Who to watch for? Well, there is only one name here as far as the Americans are concerned. US teenager Mikaela Shiffrin, 18, is the world champion and hot favourite. Shiffrin, who was fifth in the giant slalom on her Olympic debut, was last season's slalom World Cup winner and has bagged three more wins this term.

"The defending champion is Germany's Maria Hoefl-Riesch, who has already won gold in the combined and silver in super-G in Sochi. Other likely contenders are Austrian veteran Marlies Schild, 32, and Swede Frida Hansdotter, second in the World Cup standings."

Liam Duddle tweets:, external Mouse curling in the office... #lovecurling

Three minutes to go in the first period of the first men's semi-final between Sweden and Finland and it remains goalless. Later on, at 17:00 GMT, Canada will face the USA in a repeat of the 2010 final, won 3-2 by the Canadians in overtime. US President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen will be interested spectators - they have a crate of beer riding on the outcome.

Some sad news ahead of the Winter Paralympics. Australian Para-snowboarder Matthew Robinson, who suffered serious head and neck injuries after a crash during the IPCAS World Cup finals in La Molina Spain last week, has died.

After spending eight days in the Hospital Parc Tauli in Sabadell on the outskirts of Barcelona - where he underwent surgery to treat his injuries - he was stabilised before being cleared by medical staff to be transported on board a specialised Air Ambulance to Melbourne, Australia.

Tragically, Robinson suffered a cardiac arrest on board the aircraft during a scheduled stop in Kuwait. CPR was administered by the Air Ambulance medical crew. Sadly, he could not be revived.

9. Curling made its Olympic debut in Chamonix in 1924 where Great Britain beat Sweden and France and, after demonstration events at Lake Placid (1932), Calgary (1988) and Albertville (1992), it finally made its full Olympic medal debut in Nagano in 1998.

Nick Hope
BBC Sport in Sochi

"The Great Britain four-man teams piloted by John Jackson and Lamin Deen have completed their pre-Games training with impressive final runs - finishing with the third and fourth quickest times respectively.

"However, Jackson was 14th and Deen 18th in the previous run, so it is difficult to establish exactly how they will fair come start of their event on Saturday, 16:30 GMT.

"'Everything is on target," GB bobsleigh performance director Gary Anderson told BBC Sport. 'We tested the final bit of kit and it confirmed what we thought - the team is in great shape and we will do all we can at the weekend.'"

Jared Earle:, external This is most likely the last Winter Olympics with professional NHL players competing. Enjoy it while you can.

Pete:, external Grr. Going to miss most of the Finland v Sweden match. I hope the Finns win...

Just over one hour to go before curling's gold medal men's match between Great Britain and Canada. GB slip David Murdoch sealed his team's place in the final with what he described as one of the best shots he had ever played. What he wouldn't give for another Stone of Destiny moment today, 12 years after Rhona Martin won Olympic gold for GB's women in Salt Lake City.

Ian Twitchen:, external All pumped up for the curling final today here at work! Come on Team GB #lovecurling

2002 Winter Olympic gold medallist Rhona Howie (nee Martin) on BBC Two: "Back then when we won there were lots of jokes about housewives cleaning up or curling their hair. Now, the profile for British curling is undergoing a tremendous boost.

"It was hard to boost the girls after the semi-final loss - they threw everything at Canada but didn't quite make it. But I'm so proud of how they came back yesterday and took that bronze.

"Right now the British men will be focusing on their game, doing everything as normal - arriving at the rink at the same time and warming up in the same way. Canada v Britain is always the big game in curling - our guys will be 100% determined to win this game today, there's no question."

Matt D tweets:, external Curling, British Army style! #lovecurling

The ice hockey semi is under way but if that's not your thing, why not time your Friday fish and chip dash around the first run of the women's slalom at 12:45 GMT? Mikaela Shiffrin of the USA is bidding to become the youngest-ever slalom champion at the tender age of 18.

Steve Cram
BBC Sport curling commentator

Image source, Getty Images

"For a long, long time it looked as though that match was China's to win - they had numerous opportunities but when they had to play their best shots they were found wanting. That's unfortunate."

Paul Williams:, external Great effort from Sweden! Bronze for them! Two burned stones costly for China.

Leigh Walmsley:, external Good on you, Team Edin!

8. In 2008, American TV network NBC secured an exclusive option to air a 10-episode sports reality show called Rockstar Curling., external The plan was to give the winners a chance at competing in the US Championships and even go to the 2010 Winter Olympics. Think X-Factor on ice. In the end, the option wasn't taken up.

Less than two hours now until the men's curling final, with David Murdoch and Team GB going for gold. In the meantime, why not catch the first men's ice hockey semi-finals between archrivals Sweden and Finland, starting here at 12:00 GMT.

Rosie Young tweets:, external Come on Team GB. Wishing luck from the kitchen curling team...

Steve Cram
BBC Sport curling commentator

"The Chinese men have been a revelation this Olympics, but look how much this means for Sweden. It would have surely been cruel for them to have finished fourth again. Hard lines for China. The tensions and nervousness that crept in at the end is what ultimately determined the result."

There are hugs and tears of jubilation on the ice for Sweden, while Chinese skip Rui Liu looks a picture of despair. Swedish coach Eva Lund embraces every one of her charges before the whole team unites in a joyous huddle while yellow and blue flags are waved in the crowd.

China's final stone slides past the house and Sweden claim the bronze medal in Sochi with a 6-4 victory.