Is there anyone else who wants to guess just how much I love BBC Interactive Digital? Not only do they give us all the skaters, but also they give us live and uninterrupted the exhibition gala....if it is possible to be in love with a piece of technology, then in love I am....

Who needs sleep anyway?

The announcer tells us that we've seen them skate for the judges....tonight they're skating for you!

There's a Child of Light and some local iceskaters on first, skating to Fanfare of the Common Man ... it then goes into something far more drummy...and there's a juggler juggling the Olympic rings....

Ina and Zimmerman

She's wearing a little red dress that's shiny, he's in white shirt and black leather trousers....yum....american trilogy by Elvis.....lift to start...she's in front of him and he's moving her legs making her march....s/s spins....camels to sit...and great timing....split double twist....s/s 2ax and she gets hers all wrong...landed forwards on it...steps...as we move into battle hymn of the republic....they do their s/s bestis into throw triple loop....their sig lift where he's in besti and she's standing and leaning back....she kneels on ice and goes under his legs...he kneels in front of her, helps her up...into forward inside death spiral...gide where he's in spread eagle, she's holding onto his leg...and who wouldn't....pairs spin including natalia death spin....run hand in hand....and their candle lift....the more I see this the more awed I am by it...how do they DO that? carry lift with her all the way up and him holding her with one hand....and down from that....and they're done, facing each other on the ice and pointing up...and if all the programs are as good as this, then it was worth getting up for!

Todd Eldredge

And this is gonna be loud! He's all in black, shiny black top, with sparkles and its Il Mare Calmo Della Serra....I LOVE this!!!! Starts with steps back, stretches out....kneels on ice and slides....and stop...little spin....intoa camel change camel...lovely position....and he ends it right on the music with transitions to upright right on the music....builds speed up now....and he falls on the triple axel which kinda sucks.....but he gets up quickly nad goes on....turns into triple flip? .... steps along the ice into flying camel.....change to sit...music builds and he does a spiral....down the ice for the lutz triple....slide on the ice....double axel...split jump and another...and around to camel to sit upright change sit....to scratch spin...and he's done. And I love that piece. Love it love it love it. I'm not a Todd fan by any manner of means, but this is my favourite thing that he's ever done...great song, great singing andgreat skating too and he performs it so so well....

Lang and Tcherneshev

And it's Parisian Walkways! Same costumes as in the free....so for him....grrr...he starts with his little spinny thing....drool buckets at the ready ladies and gents, they've been underused thus far but they're back! Start with lift where she's on top of him, covering his face...that must hurt...spin....he lifts her and puts her down...liftwhere she's on his shoulder....and down over the other one....lift where he's in back spiral position...and she's draped acorss his back and he spins....she kneels on the ice , he skates over her...he looks at photo she skatesaround him and drapes herself over his back....and wouldn't we all? This would be the exhib version of this....she jumps on him and they do a hydroblading move...well, thats where we want him! both kneel and he runs to her and lifts and spins her....I fan myself...steps along the ice hadn in hand....he spins her in something like a death spiral...she skates away from him and he does turny things to win her over....he's won me over....lift where she's bent backwards in a cirlcle as he spins her....he neds up lifting her from a crouching position and she's drapedover his back and upside down.... and ends with her leanign back across him....and RObin thinks these two are sensational...and I agree and goshdarnit, I didn't want to love another ice dance couple after Shae and Vic, I told myself I wouldn't...and yet here I am!

Fumie Suguri

Black dress for her, long sleeves flowers on the bodice ...red flowers...music is Evita...she was unlucky with the draw Barry reminds us. Not once but twice...glide in small circle to begin....around she goes,.... spiral...double axel....dont cry for me argentina is the music.... lutz nailed the triple! steps....to layback.... and it goes into the dance version...and she was doing so well....split jumps in the steps...flying camel...steps...nicely fit in with the music at the start at any rate....and she under rotates the tripel toe badly....camel to sit to layback chagne sit to scratch spin and that's really good and she finishes bang on the music and the crowd lovedthat!

Totmianina and Marinin

He's in blue jeans red shirt and so is she...a girl like you by edwin collins....start a mile apart on the ice....he struts his funky stuff over to her....she does a biit of vamping of her own as they move closer to each other and dance on ice....going into spin....round they go...split double twist...and he lifts her and spins her around holding her by arm and ankles....round for throw triple sal squeaky landing but he....lift her upside down and all around....death spiral. forward inside...slide eher around he lies down on ice and does backstroke....she skates away from him and if someone thought they could swim on ice so would I...lift with great changes of position, her in splits mostly...jumps to double toe....glidey move where her boot is on his skate and she leans back....lift carry lift where shes' right up in the air and they sustain that most of the way aroudn the rink...great exit, her upside down on his boot...pairs spin with her in half biellman.....into move wehre he crouches and she's on his lap facing away from him flat out on his stomach to end. I really like that, shows way more musicality than their free program frankly.

Takeshi Honda

He's in white shirt, black suspenders and black pinstriple trousers....looking good! Sing Sing Sing by L. Prima the music...does a bit of fancy footwork to begin... triple toe to start...adn that was huge! steps ....waves the arms...hey who knew he could emote like this? axel triple just about! and dacnes out of that into sit spin....change sit.... steps....triple flip...to the boards and flirts with photographers...striaght line step which is blinding and includes a little jump....stars to flying sit.....and up.. and dance on centre ice and when he shakes his hips it don't look so bad...combo spin....good speed and changes of position....circular step....the boy can move! and ends bang on the music! Wow! And email to Takeshi - Dear Takeshi, Please consider something like this for short and long or one or the other next year. Robin Cousins agrees with me. Love, me.

Shae and Vic!

And it's Mack the Knife....droooooooooooooooooool........you know the costumes...he's all in black....love his facial expression! looks bored and ho -hum! she fiddles with his buttons...and pings the suspenders....a girl after my own heart....vamps around him....runs away from him...don't do that.....thats more like it....steps facing one another....she jumps on his back...he waves into the audience.....she kicks over his head....straight line steps....he pulls out the suspenders the tease...lift where shes upside down....steps...mirroring each other....deep knee gydroblades....steps she goes around him....s/s spins in sit position.....he kicks over her....dance victor dnace! steps....is excessive droolage really bad for a keybaord? Because the sparks might not be just from the dancing.....he lifts her as she faces him...and leans her back and skates low to theice...how do I get a job like that....she leans back and he hydroblades....she stands in front of him, and pulls down the suspenders to end....d'y'think that she'd keep going if we all wrote and asked her nicely? Huh? Oh I love that routine so much.....

Sasha Cohen

Little pink dress for Hernando's Hideaway....there are much sparkles...and pink fringe on the dress...vamp a litle ...and steps... around she goes.... double axel...slide tos top....into layback.....great position....steps around again....lutz triple with step off landing...she knocks three times....steps in straight line....arm movements to the music aplenty here....spiral is amazing....charlotte spiral....ina bauer....posing at the boards for a striahgt line step...stops at centre ice, poses and goes again...really using hte music well here...split jump...spiral to stop with leg straight up...camel to sit change sit....to shotgun with leg straight up and she ends right on the music....and that was fantastic. Great musicality from her here....

Shen and Zhao

He's in black pleather trousers and mottley pink nad blueshirt. her dress is pink and blue one side of each....Natalia Bestemianova would be proud...missed the music... double axels, mirror image as they skate around eachother...he does a press up...she comes around behind him slides under his legs....she does handstand on his leg....pairs spin, facing each other in camel....s/s steps...splti double twist huge delay and plain old huge.....throw triple loop which she made look easy....lift where shes on side holding onto him....for dear life I might add....music sounds like a variation on pink panther...steps....around we got lift ....spin and lift and again....steps...into double toes? .... s/s flyingcamel to sits and you can hear him call the change....dance and whirl and danceon the spot... into move like headbanger but he's holding her by ar mand ankles...adn they're done, her leaning back against him. Music was In The Dark....thank you Robin!

Tim Goebel

He's in a glittery blue shirt, with sequins on collar and cuffs, short sleeves, USA flag on pocket...American Pie.... bless him....and his little curly headed bonce...does a jump to start which I miss because it wans't his feet I was admiring...ahem.....spreadeagles....flying sit.....steps the length of the ice, moving the music....stop and crouch....and go again... steps...mimes beating heart....dance but not as good as Brian B....triple loop...I'd teach him to dance real slow....he dnaces on the ice...slides back on one knee....slides on teh ice ....triple toe....steps....striaght line....circule....hydroblading move....spiral...flying camel.....travel like mad....to the boards....for the slow partt...and it speed again and I remember hating that beofre....stars and turns to flying sit to scratch spin.....and ends kneeling on the ice.....Mr American Pie Barry calls him, and I say once more bless him and bless him, and bless him once more....aaaaaah!

And we've now got an ice resurface. On the bright side, we get a really nice clip show, including a great clip of The Screams, which rivals anything that Tara ever produced!

Fusar Poli and Margaglio

And it's the thing with the jackets and the hats. Dear Lord above ,please let Maurizio's jacket stay on. Because I know he's got a string vest on under there, and it's just too Stan Ogden for me.....The Mask soundtrack...dance along the ice...hats go...business of love...he catches both hats and helps her do a somersault but not at the same time....he spins her on the ice as shes on one knee....hes on one leg, the other one up she's leaning on him....shes got her hat back as he kneels beside her and she bumps him flying...didn't they do that in the free too? Ooops that was mean....lift ... steps...both hats on as they slow walk along and there goes her top and he's fiddling with his button nad no! and he puts on hsi jacket again...oh thank you....dance on the ice as the music speeds up.... lots of fast footwork and turning, and he nearly goes again....they're doig this with hats in hand and then drop them as he swing her by the ankle....RObin tells us that she's definitely the leader of the pair....geez, ya think?

Michelle Kwan

In a little itty bitty gold dress...this couldn't be the Eva Cassidy Fields of Gold by any chance could it? Because if so, I'm'a going for me earplugs....can't stand that version! maybe the noise from the crowd will drown it out? Standing O before she even starts....spiral to start...lovely and well held back spiral...double axel... along the ice for triple toe.... charlotte....into spiral.... flying camel...to sit...to Y spin....split jump....lovely flow along the ice does she have....steps to camel to sit to out of that.....around she goes....lutz triple....spreadeagle...that was lovely that was.... ina bauer.... hydroblade...I didn't know she could do that! Into kneeling...to camel to layback to sit to spin with leg in front of her..... steps the length of the rink....back spiral...and that was just enchanting. Ethereal. And she's bawling....that was lovely....oh wow.....I will not cry.

Jamie and David!

Big hug for Michelle from Jamie...she's in sparkley blue, he's in blue pinstriped shirt nad black trousers her skirt is black...Rocking the Boogie is the musci...and can I just say something? David. drooooooooooooooool.......she pushes him about the place....death spiral with spreadeagle entrey.....she walks away from her...shake it david! he mimes hitting her rear.....I'll leave you imagine my thoughts on that...lift....change of position and cartwheel out.... split single to lift with her on her stomach....he chases her...could chase me anytime...throw triple sal.... dance david dance..... lift where she's lying on his back him in s/e not hands! pairs camel spins her in sit.....he watchhes her...they get the crowd clapping.....he drags him by the hand...he spins...and jumps....this is great.....steps in perfect time.... lift over the back..... steps.....banana lift....one armed....dip to star lift....flying sits....he beckons her over and they end uwith her in his arms....lcuky her.....and I don't know if the sparks are from them or from my droolage and the keyboard not getting on....10! and that's just him!

and they're calling them abck out! split triple twist.... she throws him in single axel...and he kisses her hand then her forehead and I just might melt right here and now....oh good lord.....and he really nailed that landing position!

Evgeny Plushenko

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! My eyes my eyes! Carmen...and the shirt is red with sparkles and black sleeves and shoulders nad gold brocade adn ruffles and a deep v....he's taking the piss right? he's sending himself up? he must be? Hair is slicked back...and there were pelvic thrusts! eeeek! triple toe....and gloves double axel....flying camel.....his hair is doing domething really wacky when it spins...shotgun....his hair is staying in one place I swear...it's like a blachmange. ....steps...in a circle....triple toe.... goes to the boards does a straight line step....end to end....lots of arm waving to the musci.... camel spin to sit biellman....and sit and scratch and he's done. and oh dear lord if I ever see that again...and that outfit....he blows kisses to the crowd....oh my dear sweet lord, that is the vilest costume I've ever seen...I thought the Vegas Matador was bad.... he gets a call back too...around he goes.... and he falls on triple toe...does a Laurent....then does it right! and at least he can laugh at himself. Lord knows I do.

Lobacheva and Averbukh

She's in a yellow tassley dress....he's in grey shirt black trousers...Some Sun byChris de Burgh....start facing away from each other...turn ...and spin....he kneels before her....and spin...she pushes him on one knee...lift and spin....and sakte around...and lift where shes upside down in front of him.... twizzles....steps....with spinny turns.... she leans bacak as he crouches and carries her....she slides on the ice..he drags her...where I come from that's spousal abuse.....turns under one anothers arms....she holds onto his foot and glides..... lift where he's upside down legs in split and he spins her.... shekneels, her runs to her and lifts her....this is quite nice actually < I remember liking this before....lift where she's hanging onto his shoulders, he's no hands..... and rotational lift where she's holding his waist, and they're done. Barry thinks it was too intense for a gala....they get them out again too.... they do their lift where he crouches and she leans back....and then into the move where he holds an arm and a leg and spins and lets her go and she spins o nthe ice as he spins around her....and both are smiling which is always ncie to see.

Irina Slutskaya

She's in cowboy outfit, brown chaps and tight orange shirt with ascot and hat...Cotton Eyed Joe.....she's got the lasso and all...and she can spin that thing....there's matching orange trim on her chap.s....triple loop with turns going into it....glides on one foot a swingin' her lasso.....kneels and spins on ice....this is so differnet for her...and I love it! triple toe.....steps and spins after that....steps the straight line of the rink.... mimes a sore backside.....side to centre ice and there goes the hat and lasso...and sit to layback....to biellman.... change to biellman....and that fringe looks cool! layback.....and she covers her head and out again...gets hat back...dance on centre ice...andshe's done. That was terrific! and lots and lots of applause... she comes out again too... mimes looking for applause....back spiral....tino flying camel to biellman....half biellman I should say...to layback....andshe's done again!

Bereshnaia and Sikharulize

His top is way too big for him...bow tie and collar...he's got a chair on the ice.... this is new....he points to the crowd.... music starts....puts napkin on chair....her comes Elena...in cap and dungaress...she shares the chair with him.... both look up at the same time... and again the opposite side....she takes his hand...he takes her cap and pushes away the chair..... skate away from one another and to one another..link ams andspin...headstand lift....carry life....her in splits....and flip over and out...that wascool! he's got no money, holds out pockets...pairs spin....chagne to pairs spin....and he swings her by the arm and around....lift with back entry to forward, her in spiral on his shoudler...that must hurt....now she's in splits on his back him in spiral....stop and he points as seh stand there...he goes to her and I think she 's asleep or supposed to be....shes awake now for the throw triple sal....leap of faith? ....music faster now....dancy bit....miming a bit of boxing...and flip over him... steps..running on the ice.... lift with upside down etntry and slide under him and back up again...and they're done! And they get a standing ovation, and I'm so glad....that was utterly charming. Back they come....back to back....he does a little hip wiggly thing....and steps....this is from Chaplin....the mimey dancey footwork bit.... upside down renty lift...and slide out.... and he taps her shoudlers.... she waves.... spirals...throw triple loop and that was a hard fall and Anton pouts and waves goodbye! that was cute! and he asks her if she's ok and she nods....and they do the spirals again....and this time she steps out of the throw! and they take their bows....

Alexei Yagudin

In all black. Tight tshirt, trousers and gloves. Lose the gloves and I could drool. Music is Overcome by Michael Nyman...mimes to the heartbeat....and this is Memorial....mimes being blocked in somewhere....triple toe.... turney steps out of it...besti squat.... turns and triple axel and he nailed that!! flying sit.... stops...and runs....camel to sit cahnge sit to holding blade variation...lies and does a press up on the ice.... kneels on the ice... feet go from side to side as he mimes pulling himself up first by rope then by scruff of the neck.... moonwalky steps.... throws up ice without throwing up ice...little runs and hops.... doubles the dlip and into double toe...got the flip all wrong but we;ll let him away with that especailly when he does foootwork like that! much arm throwing is now done...camel to sit change sit to spin with leg infront of him...and he's done! and they just love him....and I'm not just talking about Robin and Barry here. He's gone backstage...but they want him back. And he's shirtless ! Wonder did that go up on the jumbotron, and he's putting on his short program outfit...they went off the air when he was changing his trousers, and I'm leaving that alone like a good girl should. starts at the circular step...which I could write sonnets about ... triple toe....straight line steps....and again with the ode.... waves to crowd at each end of the rink....and he looks pooped!

and he gives Sarah Hughes a hand onto the ice! A gentleman as well!

Sarah Hughes

Fosse medley...and I know from the panel that she's down for two...starts with the hat.... and the clicking of the fingers.... little hop...dteps to double axel.... and she bows coming out of it! turns to triple loop...layback.... and she doesn't move from the spot.... turning steps....in a circle.... split jump and another....triple lutz.... spreadeagle...spiral.... camel to sit...layback....cahgen sit to shotgun a la sasha.....and stop and hand on hip ....music change....the arm waving thing....mimes punching whomever....illusion psin and another....and a third.... flying spin...and stop...into hot honey rag.....dance on the spot.... and around she goes...I love this program did I mention? tirple flip.... back spiral...flying camel with illusion......and run along the ice and do the splits and she's done! That was graet....as Barry reminds us that she was late home last night and early up this morning....

she's coming back later

Anissina and Peizerat

And its Susanna!!!!!!! And he looks good....you all know what the costumes are like, so it only remains for me to say droooooooooooooooool. He's on the phone....to me...ah....lack of sleep catches up with me...she drapes herself all oer him....and who wouldn't really? steps along the ice....gliding move where she's agian all overhim.... liftwhere he's crouched andshe stands on him...she stands on his feet...arm on shoulders, fingers through hair....she lifts him....goes under his leg as the phone rings....he throws it away as seh rolls him over and steps on him...runs away from him...why???? steps in dance hold....he lifts her...he takes offfthe jacket and there is bumping and grinding...bring it on! she slaps his face....dance spin.... andanother..... she skates away from him.....slasp him again.... s/s steps.... lift where she's lying on his front then he lifts her up...and she carries him in the split lift...leaves him lying on the ice....and good lord that smile will be the end of me....he's still got the goatee but it's thankfully its natural colour this time! and I say once more with feeling, Gwendal. droooooooooooooooool.

He slips on a red waistcoat, she puts on a ruffley red thing...he tried to get the crowd clapping as they change! The hair is being tied back...oh leave it loose...and she's actually put on her OD dress over her trousers....interesting....tango...he could tango with me anytime and you all know how I feel abotu the tango! lift where foreheads are touching...write the next line yourselves...dance spin.... steps....claps of the hands....slaps of the thigh..and do I really have to say it? spins and spinsn....andhe does his little leapy thing and they're done. Sigh. And drool.

Sarah Hughes

She's back! In her long program dress and she's got flowers in her hand. A big old bouquet. You'll Never Walk Alone..... and she does a little speech on the soundtrack....and I'm going to cry I've not seen this beofre.....she lays down the flowers.....sakes on one foot....little turn...spin.....steps around....double axel with one heck of a lean....2ax again......ina bauer.....splkit jup....flying camel....turns around the flowers....spiral....triple loop....layback....turny hops... wally...to triple flip???? spiral.... scratch spin.....and kneels to the flowers...and wow. just wow. wowly wow and what a way to end. wow. standing O as I reach for the ever present tissues beside my computer. They've come in very handy this week you know! someone throws her down an american flag which she drapes around herself.. and waves....

And now we have the finale....all the champions just one more time...and while they're doing that, I'll just say that I can't believe that these Olympics are over! It's been a blast, and rest assured that I'll be thinking of you all when I spend the next two weeks catching up on my sleep! Thanks to everyone who sent feedback for these, and I hope that you all enjoyed reading them....roll on Turin 2006, which has something that I'm personally looking forward to - it's in the same time zone as me and I can't wait! And I'm jjsust being treated to a fours death spiral from Jamie David and Elena and Anton! The skatersare making hte olympic rings....and i'm bawling here......

Next stop Nagano!