Lizzy Yarnold is back in form ahead of her Olympic skeleton title defence - and team-mate Laura Deas looks her biggest rival.
Lizzy Yarnold is back in form ahead of her Olympic skeleton title defence - and team-mate Laura Deas looks her biggest rival.
Yarnold has endured a difficult World Cup with a solitary bronze her only return from eight races ahead of her arrival in PyeongChang.
But something changed as soon as she touched down in Korea, Yarnold, after all, has always loved the biggest stage.
After four official training runs at the Olympic Sliding Centre, Deas clocked the quickest time with a 51.96 second run, Yarnold’s best of 52.05 secs ranks her second, with Canadian Elisabeth Vathje the best of the rest - the pick of her runs, one hundredth of a second slower.
“We knew we could be very good here together and it’s about being strong as a team,” said Yarnold.
“Training runs are great because you can try different lines and have a but of fun. I’m becoming more comfortable with each run. I’m pushing myself and trying different things because that is what training is for.
“I love the track, it’s a joy to slide on. It’s very fast and the ice is so smooth and wonderful, it’s such a good quality track. You can hear the air rushing past you."
However, Olympic newcomer Deas - ranked seventh in the world - admits there will be no room for complacency, insisting one small mistake could derail her medal ambitions.
“I feel like I’m starting to put things together now,” said Deas. “I’m gelling with the track. It’s a nice environment and I can’t wait to race on it.
“There are still a few areas that can be pretty tricky and it’s the sort of track where one mistake can really have an impact. I’m just trying to stay on top of those small mistakes.”
Elise Christie stormed to an Olympic record in Saturday’s 500m short track speed skating heats and her quarter-final is scheduled for 10am UK time. Canadian Kim Boutin - who is ranked fourth in the world - looks her biggest danger but the three-time world champion looks the one to beat.
Two progress from the quarter-final to semi-finals - scheduled for 11.10am - and Christie will hope to go for gold shortly after midday UK time.
Elsewhere, Andrew Young competes in the cross-country men’s sprint at 6.05pm (9.05pm UK time).
Sportsbeat 2018