Well it’s the Ladies 500 meters and the start of the Mens today, I cant wait!

The ladies 500 meters took place in the afternoon in the Longotto, what a place that is! It is brand new and built at a cost of over 65 million Euros, that about 70 million dollars I think! There is a fantastic atmosphere in the arena especially fore the sprint races.

Unfortunately I do my commentary for all the speed skating from a cabin in the International Broadcasting Centre which is adjacent to the arena.

The 500 is run over two races with times of both added together to give the eventual winner. Svetlana Bajanova from Russia won the gold, winning the first race and finishing second on the second run. It was very exciting and good to commentate on, sometimes it is hard to make the speed skating exciting, especially on the longer races!   Take a look at this………………….

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The mens short was a real disappointment. I had to watch the first group in the IBC as the speed skating finished just as the figure skating started (quite funny really having to hand over to myself and Simon) We only went on for three skaters then had a break for some skiing, during which time I was able to make the run from the IBC to the Pvaleva. Security is tight so when you go fro one arena to another you have to go through metal detectors – Oh I think I have mentioned that before……. Sorry!

The event was strange, but sometimes that happens, the pressure of the games makes it really impossible for the top ranked skaters to perform at their best.

I loved Plushenko who has over a ten point lead! Lambiel was good, can you imagine that he changed his program between Europeans and Olympics, it was amazing. I think Joubert was a little lucky, I didn’t really like the program and he was off on the night.

One of the highlights for me was the Ukrainian guy Anton Kovaleski. I don’t know if he was shown in the US but he was brilliant, it was great to see someone come out and skate outside the their box but once again the judges stuffed him! He is 20 years of age and has never skated at worlds, he was however at Europeans where he finished 16 th.

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Evan, he is a nice guy and seemed shell shocked at the end of his program. He has not missed a jump in the short program all year and to do it here is a real shame!

It is difficult for the journalists to get to the skaters but I did manage to talk to Kevin Van der Perrin. He told me that it didn’t feel like an Olympics for him and he misses home so he is leaving on Friday! Can you believe that, most people would do anything for an Olympic ticket!

I can tell you that for me it really does feel like an Olympics, I love being here and having the chance to soak up the Olympic spirit, it is like nothing else on earth!

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