[ritchiebaby]

As Snooty says, the GB curlers should be pleased with their opening games. The Men beat Switzerland 6-5 after an extra end, but were beaten by Canada 4-6 at the last end. They held onto Canada's coat-tails and had a couple of decent chances to really rattle them, with a few poor shots spoiling their chances. Tomorrow they play Japan, who beat a very experienced Norway team today.

The Women had a much more comfortable time against OAR, winning by 10-3 after only 7 ends. Tomorrow they play USA and China and must be favourites for 2 wins. But it's a slippery game, so total concentration and commitment is required for both teams.

In other sports, our sliders are looking good in their practice runs, although it's all down to the real thing over the next 2 days. I always understood a slider was an ice cream with 2 wafers (like a sandwich), but you live and learn. One good thing about the practice runs is that some of the other athletes are complaining about our good form, casting aspersions on the reasons for it. Of course we will ignore their comments, but it's gratifying that we've managed to unsettle them before the competition even begins.

At the Short Track Speed Skating, Farrell Treacy qualified for Saturday's 1500m quarter-finals.