Five more sliders to go in this first heat. As it stands, Yarnold is still in first, with Laura Deas six.

Deas trails Yarnold by 0.34 seconds.

It's been a productive Games so far for the Netherlands and they could be set for another speed skating medal. We've reached the halfway point in the women's 5,000m final and, while the ice is being smoothed over, here's an update on how we stand.

Six of the 12 finalists have gone so far, with Annouk van der Weijden the quickest at the Gangneung Oval. She posted a time of 6 minutes 54.17 seconds, with Canada's Isabelle Weidemann in second place and Maryna Zuyeva of Belarus in third.

Image source, Getty Images

Amy Williams
Olympic gold medallist skeleton racer on BBC TV

That was a good, solid run. She looked great on the sled and in total control.

Yarnold takes the lead! 51.66 for the Brit!

She goes head first into the block at the end as she slows down and looks a litle shaky as the helmet comes off.

She does have a disorder than can cause dizziness, but there's a smile for a crowd as she leaves.

Image source, PA

Composed start from Yarnold. She takes some hammer from the ice as she comes through the corner but to my untrained eye, it looks quick...

Germany's Jacqueline Loelling is leading the pack at the minute, with 51.74.

Lizzy Yarnold claps her hands together and crouches. Here she goes...

Here's the defending champion, Britain's Lizzy Yarnold...

Amy Williams
Olympic gold medallist skeleton racer on BBC TV

It was not even that bad, a tiny, tiny clip but that was enough. Laura held it together and kept it calm but she lost it on the uphill section. This track is so unforgiving.

Ouch!published at 11:43 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

11:43 GMT 16 February 2018

Skeleton: Women's heats

Looking at the replay, it was a clip from Deas' shoulder that cost her.

In fact, the next slider out, Canada's Mirela Rahneva has done the same thing. That looked painful - her body jolted off the sled! She's in ninth.

Image source, Reuters

Sweden have the hammer in this third end - for those of you not overly familiar with curling jargon, that means they throw the final stone of the end. In terms that you and I understand, it's a huge advantage.

So the Swedes clear out the house with a rudimentary skittle, bumping their guard on to two British stones which are sent flying out of the side doors.

Two stones left apiece.

Oh, Deas couldn't make that time up! It was the smallest of clips but it just lost her that crucial bit of speed.

She logs 52.00 - fifth place, as it stands.

Image source, Getty Images

Laura Deas, making her Olympic debut, steadies herself and gets off to a good start.

Through the corners she goes, although there's a slight quiver of the foot that slows her...

Here's the first of the two Brits: it's Laura Deas time...

Austria's Janine Flock, body pinpoint straight, is next, and she holds her speed well, but not well enough to steal first place!

She clocks 51.81.

William Orr: Coach Lindberg has really got this Swedish outfit looking cool and calm. Fear for this end. Need some clutch from Muirhead jnr

Phil Haigh: Sweden's men's curlers must be up for best beards of the Winter Olympics

Here's 2017 world champion Jacqueline Lolling, and she leapfrogs compatriot Tina Hermann to get herself to the top of the tree.

Seven sliders down, 13 more to go...

Brit skip Kyle Smith dumps the broom of his stick into ice in frustration after slightly miscooking his penultimate stone... but wait!

His Swedish counterpart Niklas Edin puts too much into his final stone, leaving the front door of the house wide one. He must have overdone the spiced matcha latte this morning.

Smith does the business with his final delivery, cleaning up two points for the Brits. A great start against the European champions!

Image source, PA

Bosh.

That's a cracking run by Germany's Tina Hermann - she's slid her way into a 0.44 second lead in this opening heat.

Image source, Reuters