Smigun attempts hat trick

Eurosport commentator Mike Dixon believes that Smigun could be in line for another gold and that the preparation by the Estonians for the Turin Winter Games was crucial in producing the results they have.

"I'm not surprised, not at all. The wise thing that they've done is that they have not gone to all the World Cups. They had a window of three World Cups - that's eight, nine races they didn't do," said Dixon

"They didn't go to North America, with all the jet lag and so on. So they've only had to focus for here [Turin] and I'm not surprised. I think Smigun will get another gold and Andrus [Veerpalu] will get another in the [men's] 50km.

Smigun, who celebrated her 29th birthday on Thursday, came 7th in the same event four years ago in Salt Lake City and will look to improve on that and despite the weight of two gold medals already tucked very tightly in her belt, the pressure on her shoulders will be relatively light.

Defending Olympic champion in this event is Garbiella Paruzzi of Italy. Paruzzi was Italy's highest-placed skier in the 10km classic at 13th position.

But the 36-year old Olympic champion could find the going tough on Friday with the likes of Julija Tchepalova of Russia out to claim her first individual medal of the Games [she won gold in the team relay], while Czech Republic's Katerina Neumannova will look to improve on her double pursuit silver medal.

Despite coming second in the 10km classic race Norwegian Marit Bjoergen has not looked the powerhouse she has been in the World Cups at the beginning of the season. She looked very uncomfortable in the sprints on Wednesday and has subsequently pulled out of Friday's 30km race.

Norway's medal hopes now lie with Kristin Stormer Steira, Kristin Murer Stemland and Ella Gjomle.

Stormer Steira just missed out of a podium finish in the 10km classic when she crossed the line in fourth place.

But to add insult to injury the Norwegian added another so-close-and-yet-so-far fourth place finish in the double pursuit.

The Podium seems very elusive for Stormer Steira but she very capable of producing that little bit extra to get herself onto the steps and claim her first medal of the Games.