Team GB medal hope Lizzy Yarnold has improved her chances of winning gold by setting a track record on her third run of the women's skeleton at the Winter Olympics.
The 25-year-old had led going into Friday, when she finished the course in Sochi in 57.91s, more than half a second faster than either of her Thursday runs.
Her nearest rival, Noelle Pikus-Pace of America, could not keep up with Yarnold as she lost 0.34 seconds on the third run to fall 0.78 seconds behind in second place overall.
Former skeleton champion Amy Williams told BBC Sport: "Lizzy Yarnold would literally have to fall of her sled now not to finish ahead after her final run. That would be unheard of. The pressure it puts on all the other competitors is enormous."
Russia's Elena Nikitina remains in third place, nearly a second behind Yarnold, as the third run continues. The fourth run is scheduled for later this afternoon, with Yarnold poised to enter it as leader.
