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Welcome to Whitelines‘ live blog of the 2014 Winter Olympics men’s slopestyle semi-final. We’ll be kicking off at 5.30am GMT on Saturday 8th February, commenting on all the action as it happens.

Here’s how the slopestyle semi-final works:

• The 4 highest-scoring riders from both of Thursday’s heats have already qualified, accounting for 8 of the 12 final places. The remaining 21 will compete in the semis.
• Riders will have 2 runs each, in the order of lowest qualification score to highest (available here). The order is the same for both runs.
• Scores are awarded out of 100 for each run, and only the top 4 will advance to the final.

Watch the coverage on BBC Two, or on BBC Online. Get involved by leaving comments on the live blog, or by hitting us up on Twitter (@whitelinesmag) or Facebook using the hashtag #BackTheBrits.

Duthie:
We’ll be live-blogging from 5.30am on Saturday morning, covering all the action from the men’s slopestyle semi-finals.
7:46

Duthie:
Until then, send us your questions and/or comments: which four riders do you reckon will join Jamie & co. in the final?
7:47

Duthie:
We’ll publish the best ones in the morning – see you then…
7:51
billy morgan@billymorgan89Gota cheeky hour of practice in today. Managed to get a full run down. Jah bless @TeamGB #slopestyle #Sochi2014
Saturday February 8, 2014

Ed:
Good morning, and welcome to the Olympic badger-watching event. Coverage is now up and running on the BBC.
5:26

Comment From Ross Dunlop

Duthie, is it true that billy morgan has styled his beard on yours?
5:26

Sam:
Dry your eyes Ed Leigh, its still 5.30am here…
5:28

Duthie:
Ed takes us through the course, including the yes-they-really-are-calling-them-that kicker names of ‘Hot’, ‘Cool’ and ‘Yours’
5:28
Nick Hope@NickHopeBBCBilly Morgan needs a big performance to reach the final, let alone win a medal & he’s throwing down triple corks in practice #Sochi2014

Sam:
Sage does look like Aimee Fuller eh?
5:29

Duthie:
Yes Ross, Billy has gone for the Duthie beard. Like me, he is not man enough to manage the Sam McMahon version
5:29
alinalevi

#sochi2014#slopestyle#snowboard
5:30

Sam:
Less of a badger watch Ed, apparently it’s all about the bunnies

Sam:
Torgeir dropping already! Here we go… HUGE front 12 but sketches the cab 10. Not a contender yet.
5:31

Duthie:
Mattias Weissenbacher, Run 1
5:32

Sam:
It was the worst start Ed, all the better that we got up this early for it
5:32

Duthie:
He bails on the first hit. “As far as starts go, that was the worst start you could do” says Tim Warwood.
5:33

Duthie:
Gaps to the lower part of the rail with a front board, but hooks up before the 270 out. Unlucky. 14.00 is his score.
5:33

Sam:
Seamus O’Connor run 1 now, the Irish ninja
5:34

Sam:
Huckest 2014 begins
5:34

Sam:
He lands the first full run of the day so will be in first after a double backie, back dub 10 and a double underflip, no scores on the beeb yet though
5:36

Duthie:
Yuki Kadono, Run 1. Japan’s finest slopestyler on course now.
5:36

Sam:
It was worth getting up for after all, thanks Yuki!
5:36

Ed:
Boom. Yuki! Did you know his name is Japanese for ‘snow’?
5:37

Duthie:
Lots of love for the Russian doll so far, Yuki gets the tap on it with a 540 after some nice rails. Switch back 12, front 10, back 12 on the kickers. WAY better than his qualifiers.
5:37

Duthie:
84.75, and he’s our new leader.
5:37

Sam:
‘Janne Korpi run 1
5:37

Ed:
Ed Leigh on Yuki: “he’s obviously read his insurance policy because it says he’s allowed to claim at the bottom.”
5:38

Sam:
Cab 2-7, back board to regs, front board 2-7, then sketches a back dub 12
5:38
Gavin Anderson@wiggytoo5 30 on a Saturday, some things are worth getting up for. @SnowEdLeigh #Sochi2014 #slopestyle go GB.

Sam:
Where are the scores?!
5:38

Sam:
41.00. Next run Janne yeah?
5:39

Duthie:
Now it’s Switzerland’s Lucien Koch, Run 1. Let’s see what Sam and Ed have left in the pun tank.
5:39

Ed:
Koch goes hardway.
5:40

Sam:
Koch bonk! On the Russian doll too…
5:40

Sam:
Ed Leigh says Koch’s bum hurts
5:40

Duthie:
Lucien goes backside onto the Russian doll. He’s the first to try it, and also the first to eat shit as a result. Shame, he was looking good.
5:41

Ed:
Good advice from Tim Warwood: “You’ve got to be careful when you’re bonking the Russian doll” Presumably he’s talking about the Olympic village.
5:41

Duthie:
He’ll have to rock out next run, or it’ll be ‘Koch out’
5:41

Sam:
Ville Paumola run 1
5:41

Sam:
Pretty standard top rail section but then hands down revert on the first jump, nerves are getting the best of the riders so far
5:42
Whitelines@whitelinesmag@edblomfield @colinholden called your pun before it happen “he Koch-ed that right up.”

Duthie:
Now it’s Aussie man Scotty James, Run 1.
5:43

Duthie:
His airs rock.
5:43

There’s been lots of chat about grabs between the board being marked down…
5:43
Comment From Jimbo

Hit snooze out of habit, i’m late! has Billy ridden yet?
5:43

Sam:
Not yet Jimbo, he’s dropping third from last

Duthie:
Can he coast to gold?
5:43

Duthie:
Strewth! After a pretty basic rail game he stepped it up on the boaters. Cab double under flip, BIG frontside 1080 and backside 1440!
5:45

Duthie:
77.25 for Scotty.
5:45

Sam:
Jan Scherrer Run 1, another Swissy
5:45
Scott@moodonthepitchScotty James take a bow! #slopestyle
Jillian Lanore@yellobrainfiles#Slopestyle #WeAreWinter Scotty James – not Canadian – but feckin’ fantastic!
Mason Buettner@masonbitsJust because it’s a Russian doll doesn’t mean you will get more if any points for tapping it… #Sochi2014 #slopestyle

Sam:
Sketchy rail section but the Russian doll is starting to see a lot more action today…
5:46

Ed:
Little flick of the wrist on the run-out from Jan – the thinking man’s claim.
5:46

Sam:
…Cab 10, sw back 12 to a back 10 double cork. ‘Mega’ cork on the second according to Duthie
5:47
Skyler Wilder@NorthWestWilder@ShawnHooper – everyone is killing it right now! #sochi2014 did a great thing adding #slopestyle to the #olympics program

Sam:
64.25, third place for Jan
5:47

Duthie:
Now its the local hero, Alexey Sobolev, Run 1.
5:47

Sam:
Backflip time!
5:47

Sam:
Horrible backflip time…
5:48

Ed:
He was Russian to get that round…
5:48

Duthie:
Wow, he’s really sticking with that awful, awful backflip? Doesn’t matter in the end, he sketches out on his first kicker and he’ll need a miracle to make the final.
5:48

Duthie:
That super slo mo of the backflip is not kind. Sam would be throwing up his breakfast, if he’d had any.
5:49

Sam:
Yuki Kadono is in first for now!
5:49

Sam:
Ryan Stassel run 1
5:49

Eeeugh.
5:50
Dan Sampayo@dansampayoThat wasn’t a case it was a trunk! Nice one @SnowEdLeigh – love it #bbcsochi #slopestyle

Sam:
Last minute US qualifier… 2 on 2 off, front blunt 2, cab double 10, backside 12 and an absolutely MASSIVE sw backside 12!
5:51
Angela Tang@angelatangWatching #slopestyle makes me so nervous. My palms are sweaty! #Sochi2014 #Olympics2014

Sam:
Sketchy rail section will let him down though
5:51
Comment From iai7

go seamus!!!
5:51

Sam:
He went.
Lily H. Wang@ohdearlilyYou get points for touching the Russian nesting doll on the #slopestyle course? That’s awesome. #Sochi2014

Ed:
Everyone loving the Russian doll puns. “Got myself a walking, talking…”
5:52

Sam:
A generous 83.25 for Stassel
5:52

Duthie:
Charles Reid, Run 1. Will the Forgotten Canadian step it up in the semis?
5:52
Justin Saulnier@justin_saulnierThis Russian Doll is becoming a celebrity #slopestyle

Sam:
Molson ring pull on the last kicker
5:54

Duthie:
Oh dear, that wasn’t up to the standard of his countrymen. Rails were a bit shaky, and even a massive frontside 1440 on the final jump won’t help him.
5:54
Comment From Guest

i know nothing about judging but Seamus´run deserved more than a 60….
5:54

Ed:
Seemingly doesn’t have the fabled luck.

Duthie:
The magic sponge is out for Charles, he’s hurt.
5:54
Comment From Jimbo

lmao ed “I reckon that really hurt his bum”
5:55

Sam:
This too early for talk of buttock surgery I feel
5:55
Whitelines@whitelinesmagStruggling to work out what happened to Charles Reid there – he’s standing up now, but being helped off by his coach…

Ed:
We can help you there Tristan – he fell on his arse. Good job you’re in Russia ;)

Duthie:
Interestingly, this is only the second time (after Kjersti Buaas) to have a slam big enough to hold up the comp.
5:55

Sam:
Touch wood Duthie
5:55

Sam:
Sage Kotesenburg run 1 – slopestyle’s saviour?
5:55

Ed:
Wait – Duthie’s touching wood?
5:56

Comment From Neil Cruickshank

whats up dudes
5:56

Duthie:
What’s up Neil! Give us your prediction for top 4 – who’s going through?
whitelinesmag

Cold out here! Getting the pro-rights mitts out today. @transformgloves @tomkingsnorth #supportCheryl
5:58

Sam:
Solid rails from Sage, sw back double 12 japan, front double 10 cross rocket grab then back double 12 with a nose to tail! Amazing run, 89.00!
5:58

Sam:
Finally judges rewarding creativity
5:58

Duthie:
Emil Ulsletten, Run 1. Norway on course, which is always good.
5:58

Sam:
Sage wisdom…
5:58

Buzzin…
5:58
Will Perry@willperryTV Retweeted by Aimee FullerHere we go!!!! Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle semi final with @TeamGB ‘s @aimee_fuller in the house bbc5live #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/BPy12flzyd

Nick.kantola@nickkantola@sagekotsenburg putting the style in #Slopestyle

Duthie:
That was decidedly un-Norwegian from Emil, didn’t hold the speed through the rails, and so didn’t get the first kicker spin round.
5:59
Netstryke@NetstrykeSage just upped it! #SlopeStyle
Comment From seb

SAGE GOT FUCKING ROBBED
6:00

Sam:
He’s in first!

Duthie:
22.50 for Emil. He’s letten the side down.
6:00

Sam:
Mark McMorris run 1
6:00
g@gloomybb.@markmcmorris is just so damn smooth! Nearly a clean run. Can’t wait to see his second run! #Slopestyle #TeamCanada #WeAreWinter #Sochi2014

Sam:
Cab dub 12, huge front dub 10 then…the triple. Didn’t put it down though and a sketch rail section won’t put him in the running just yet
6:02

Duthie:
Unlucky for McLovin. Remember, he’s still nursing that broken rib from the X Games.
6:02

Sam:
55.50, but he might pull it out the bag in the next run
6:02

Duthie:
He’s rocking the balaclava. Perhaps he say Ed’s ‘sad face’ screen grab from the qualifiers.
6:02

McMorris, guted after that last hit…
6:03

Duthie:
Niklas Mattson Run 1. Old school pants, new school moves.
6:03

Ed:
Jim Rippey. On course ;)
6:03
Mitch Lashmar@mitch_lashmarEpic run by @markmcmorris. You make snowboarders and #CanadaProud. Much love, you’re a #slopestyle pioneer. #Sochi2014
Julia Ridgway@JuliaRidgwayHahahahaha canadians choking. That’s what happens!! #sochi #slopestyle
Hosea Cheung@hosea24hoursAt least McMorris will get another run. 55.5 on his first one, currently places him 7th. Needs to be top 4 to move on to final. #slopestyle
Comment From Jimbo

How many rider are in the semi final?
6:04

Ed:
21.

Sam:
No 90+ scores yet, those will be the ones that probably will go through
6:04
Dennis@DennisLUMYou got this @markmcmorris You the best in the world! Put it all together next run! #Slopestyle #Sochi2014 @CDNOlympicTeam #gutcheck time!

Duthie:
Wow, after a great rail section (including a handplant on the hitching post), he nailed the first two kickers but knuckled the third. 44.75 for Niklas.
6:05
Debs@DTES_Debs#TeamCanada are bringing the style to #slopestyle with them @UnderArmour uniforms
Robert Ellis@RSME22Just finishing up watching some Xgames. Oh, wait… what?? that was the Olympics? #slopestyle.

Sam:
Clemmens Schatschneider run 1 – nice off the cannon, sw back 9 then a front 9…? Speed issues from the Austrian
6:06

Ed:
Billy Morgan NEXT TO DROP! Come on Bill, take the pop.
6:06

Duthie:
Billy Morgan, Run 1. He’s got a great chance to break that top 4, will he put down a relatively safe routine to kick things off?
6:06

Comment From Nims182

Billy’s after this guy?
6:07

Duthie:
Yep.

Sam:
29.50 for Clemmens..
6:07

Sam:
Back to back trips? We’re about to see
6:07

Ed:
OHHHH!!!! THAT WAS SICK!
6:08

Sam:
No way! Best triple so far, opened out SO early!
6:08

Duthie:
YES BILLY! Cab 270 on/off as part of an amazingly smooth rail section, then cab double under flip, front dub 10, and backside triple cork 1440!
6:09

Duthie:
We were all out of out seats when he put that one down – stoker!!
6:09

Duthie:
90.75 for Billy, first place!!
6:09

Duthie:
Just two riders left, Seppe and Chuck G…
6:10

Oh yes. Celebrating like the DJ just dropped a heavy bass line.
6:10

Comment From Neil Cruickshank

woopwoop! that was boss!
6:11
Amanda ♡@amandaking_Billy Morgan had an insane run #GreatBritain #Sochi2014 #perfection
Thomas Stordalen@ThomasStordalenSouthampton har Le Tissier og nå Billy Morgan. Klasse fra kommentator @TV2Wikestad #2ol
Derek@DTang0426BILLY MORGAN! Wow, great run! @NickHopeBBC
Jones georges-alain@georgesalainJBilly morgan yeah nice run dude #JO2014

Sam:
Seppe Smits run 1, flat spins contrasting with Billy’s flipplin’ – front 12 and a sw back 12 to finish
6:11
Mehreen Farrow@sherbet_cloudBilly Morgan nailed it! #Olympics2014
Whitelines@whitelinesmagYes BILLY!!
rachel@gouvsythat run by Billy Morgan, that was unreal!!

Comment From Nims182

COME ON BILLY
6:11

Duthie:
Heart still racing – he absolutely killed it.
Dave Craft@craftyfellaGo in my son. @billymorgan89 #BackTheBrits pic.twitter.com/ceS3Tzf1Ym

g@gloomybbWow that was a really fantastic run by Billy Morgan. #TeamGB is happy! #Sochi2014
– Julz -@CDNhabsFANWow that Brit! #slopestyle #sochi2014
Comment From Sean

Lots of guys knuckling, something changed with the snow conditions?
6:12
That Snowboarder@ThatSnowboarderHyped about @billymorgan89 #slopestyle #Sochi2014
Iptimism@BlueBloodITFCBilly Morgan goodness me #Sochi2014

Sam:
77.50 for Seppe, he’ll have to step it up in the next run
6:12
Ca$herine@EberleHillsBilly Morgan holy shiT

Duthie:
Last to drop: Chas Guldemond, Run 1
6:13
Michael Lewington@Lewi01#greatbritan #slopestyle nailed it! Good run #morgan
Joe@JWD1978@charliedewhirst billy Morgan, take was sick!
Bob Diggles@BobDigglesGo on Billy! #Sochi #slopestyle #stoked
Winter Olympic Games in Sochi

And now the #slopestyle #snowboard is on air #Sochi2014 #Winter #Olympic #Games
6:13
Gillian Finnerty@GillianFinnertyYES @billymorgan89 90.75 awesome run! :D wooo!!!! #backthebrits #sochi2014 well done!!!!
Ryan Blacquiere@RyanWilliamXII like this Billy Morgan kid.
⇜R✪B⇝™@robrendellWow, how about Billy Morgan eh? #Sochi2014 #Slopestyle #Snowboard
Michael Beattie@anothermikeybBilly Morgan just KILLED it in his first run. Go on @billymorgan89 pal!

Sam:
Billy takes first place after the first run!
6:13
Clo@satansasscrackBilly Morgan is sick!! He nailed it
Annie@isnahahYou’re cute and good Billy Morgan but you’re not American. #Olympics #slopestyle

Duthie:
Chas’ rails weren’t bad, but he’s stacked it on the with backside 12 and the rest of the run’s a write-off.
6:14
Lee Golding@Goldwig79go Billy , do that slidy thing you do so well and the flippy stuff #slopestyle #Sochi2014

Sam:
Great to see so many people up and watching the happening SO DAMN EARLY.
6:15
Whitelines@whitelinesmagHaha rad! @seppesmits rode to the theme from the N64 game WipeOut. Anyone remember that?
Aimee Fuller@aimee_fullerYes @billymorgan89 way to boss it. Your the MAN! Casual triple into 1st place. Olympic Semi finals going off!
Rich Dang@richdangBilly Morgan with the torn acl takes the lead! And im here bitchin about a sore groin and wrist #Sochi2014 #slopeside
Olive@SirmixabootySo billy morgan just slayed

Sam:
Billy Morgan – who is this guy?
6:16
Patrick Kinney@pkpickleWell screw sleeping there’s olympics on #GoCanadaGo #SlopeStyle

Billy Morgan at the centre of a media scrum now. Better get used to it.
6:17

Duthie:
Ed’s been bottling it up as best he can, but could take no more and has just erupted – “YES BILLY YAAAS YAAAAAAASSSS”
6:17
fredthefed@fedemaroliBilly Morgan semplicemente favoloso

Ed:
I don’t speak Spanish (Italian?) but I’m with you Fred. Bellissimo!
Whitelines@whitelinesmagThat’s a nice sight after run 1! @billymorgan89 like a BOSS!! #professionalbadman #backthebrits instagram.com/p/kJQ3U5Mq_i/

Ed:
My heart is still pumping. So stoked for Billy. A top lad and he’s put down a solid run. Best thing is, there’s room for improvement – he’s got so much time on those triples that he’s actually having to let go early and open it out to land, but even when he does he’s got the inner gyroscope dialled and has been setting them down like Terje of old – cat style. He also has the triple underflip to bust out if needs be…
6:20

Duthie:
Didn’t have time for a prediction this morning, but here’s mine after run 1: Billy (obviously), Sage Kotsenburg, Mark McMorris (he’ll pull it out the bag), and Emil Ulsletten.
6:20

Duthie:
Tor Bergrem, Run 2. Here we go…
6:21

Duthie:
Ouch. Second kicker didn’t go well, and that’s him out. Big shrug of the shoulders that suggests he’s thinking ‘ah well, I had fun’.
6:21

Duthie:
Big smiles and waves to the camera. Thanks for coming Tor!
6:22

Comment From Kevin Kirschner

Yes Billy! Worth getting up for
6:22

Sam:
Mathias Weissenbacher Run 1 next: Gap lip, sketch 5050, cannon back 3, laid out double back and then the second kicker ends his Olympic dream here
6:23

Duthie:
It’s the flying Irishman! Seamus O’Connor, Run 2. “He had no business going for that triple” was Ed Leigh’s opinion earlier. Still, we want to see him try it again!
6:24

Sam:
Looking proud to be ‘Irish’
6:24

Duthie:
And he stomps it!! Won’t be enough for the final, but he double-claims and we’re with him on that!
6:25

Nice one Seamus. That is a claim for the ages.
6:26

Comment From Kevin Kirschner

So Billy has landed all 3 runs so far (quailis+semis) has anyone else?
6:27

Ed:
Good question Kev. Anyone got the nerdy knowledge to answer?!

Duthie:
70.25. He was hoping for more – not sure why. Been great having him here though. And remember, he’s only 16, so he’ll most likely be at the next games.
6:27

Sam:
So hucking triples doesn’t get you into the finals? Thanks judges
6:27

Sam:
Yuki Kadono! Run 2! Sweet front 5 Russian doll, cab 12, front 10 back dub 12! Hand down on the last but the rail section was one of the tightest so far…
6:28

Duthie:
Another double claim – no shame at the games!
6:29

Sam:
…So stoked though, biggest smile of the games. 80.5 so not enough to top his first run
6:29

Duthie:
Janne Korpi, Run 2
6:29

Sam:
Clinical judging a definite change from the X Games emotional turmoil
6:30

Sam Oetiker – stoked!
6:31
AlexPilling@revdraflashWoken up by the little A at the crack of dawn….just in time for the slopestyle…nice one son. Go Billy Morgan! #sochi2014
SnowsportEng@SnowsportEngBilly Morgan with a huge 90 score on the first run, fantastic!!! #Sochi2014 #slide2sochi @billymorgan89 @TeamGB
Nick Winn@ukboarderWe’ll done @billymorgan89 , makes it worth getting up at 5:30! Keep it up #SlopeStyle #BackTheBrits
Zachary Weeks@zacharyweeksNot surprised #ShaunWhite backed out of #slopestyle… This stuff is mind blowing!

Duthie:
Sketchy rails followed by front 10, back 12 and switch 12. Not enough, surely.
6:31
Whitelines@whitelinesmagRiding to Led Zeppelin! @yukikadono kills it! Rock n Roll!

Duthie:
68.50, and he’s out.
6:32

Sam:
Lucien Koch now, run 2. Hardway front 2 on, 5050 front 3, misses the doll, back 12 then loses the speed. He’s out too
6:33

Sam:
Looks like he Koched his leg on that Russian doll
6:33
Whitelines@whitelinesmag@NinaZietman hungover much? Our commentator friends are sounding surprisingly sprightly…

Ed:
Is this yet more evidence that you’re working hard Trist? Strong tea the order of the day here on Badger-watch.

Duthie:
Ville Pauloma, Run 2 for the Finn.
6:34
whitelinesmag

That’s a nice sight after run 1! @billymorgan89 like a BOSS!! #professionalbadman #backthebrits
6:35
whitelinesmag

Media love in with the @BBCSport crew. @snowedleigh @skigrahambell and @tim_warwood sounding hyped about Billy’s chances. #backthebrits
6:35

Sam:
Pressure getting to the riders now, but Scotty James is up next for run 2
6:35

Duthie:
Lovely rail section, making the 270s look easy. not enough speed for the first kicker though, and he bails. He’s off the course and going home.
6:35
Paul Le Breton@paullebretonjsy@whitelinesmag – let’s get behind @billymorgan89 at #Sochi2014 #BackTheBrits

Sam:
What’s Scotty gotty?
6:35
Eugene@SabiNiEugeneBilly Morgan.

Ed:
Nuff said Eugene. Nuff said.
Andrew Cooper@AjhcooperThis Billy Morgan is absolutely smashing this snow boarding TEAM GB :) #Sochi2014
Katy@katythumperThe #BBCSport #slopestyle commentators are fantastic.Making me smile.Love the enthusiasm. #Sochi2014
Tom Harding@TomBr0Have you ever heard worse commentators in your life? #Sochi2014 #Canada #slopestyle

Ed:
Stoked to be on the BBC over here then!

Sam:
Zeach! that looses his momentum but that laid out backflip for the crowd wins it for the crowd!
6:37

Duthie:
Scotty’s out, and can’t even drown his sorrows – no booze allowed for the Aussies in the Olympic village…
6:37

Sam:
Big gay air backflip, another Sochi protest?
6:37

Duthie:
Jan Scherrer, Run 2.
6:38

Duthie:
Another knuckle! Jan had his fair Scherrer of good rail tricks, but couldn’t stick the first kicker.
6:39

Scotty James finds time to point at where he’s gonna land.
6:39
Evan@2ptsoverScotty James sick back flip #Sochi2014 #snowboarding #slopestyle

Duthie:
An impromptu afterbang tutorial from Ed Leigh there.
6:39
Colin Bateman@ColinExpressBilly Morgan was ‘bummed’ on Thursday but he is ‘stoked’ today after his slopestyle run. And neither is against the law in Russia.
Damian Howe@sussexyid@TeamGB Watching slopestyle with the kids, cheering on Billy Morgan. My 2 year old Finlay thinks it’s cool.

Ed:
And that, my friend, is called legacy.
Comment From Adrian

Have just seen Billy’s 1st run, soooo smooth!
6:39

Sam:
Alexey Sobolev up next for his second run, could he be the first rider to improve his score in the second runs? Looking good for Billy…
6:40

Comment From Nims182

not a lotty
6:40

Duthie:
Is that the first pun from a commenter? Yes! Keep it up!

Sam:
The Russian drops, duct tape holding his helmet together, Russian steeze under the horse trough there, cruddy backflip, but then a pretty sweet jump section.
6:41

Sam:
Crowd going wild for their boy, only a 57 so he’s out
6:42

Duthie:
Ryan Stassel, Run 2. Perhaps he can be inspired by Alexey’s improvement and rise, Rocky IV-style, to get USA back on top.
6:42

Ed:
If anyone’s wondering why Ed the ed here is less vocal on the live blog, it’s because I’ve been given the tricky task of monitoring every conversation in the twitterverse for commentary. I feel like I’m in Tron.
6:42
DY (⌒▽⌒)@realdeewhyNone of this bs would have happened if Shaun White was here #Slopestyle #Olympics

Ed:
What bullshit would that be?

Sam:
No boot grabs?
Johno Verity@johnoverityLoving listening to @Tim_Warwood and @SnowEdLeigh on my telly #BackTheBrits almost sick with stokedness for @billymorgan89

Duthie:
Wow, his first rail (270 on/off on double kink) was one of the best of the day. Rest of the rails not so hot though. Then very smooth, robot-style spins off the kickers – will he improve on his current 4th place?
6:44
Comment From Adrian

Billy Morgan’s dad smashing it on a BBC One interview, haha!!
6:44

Duthie:
No! It’s 81.75, so his first run is the one that counts. He has to hope that Mark, Chas, Seppe etc can’t step it up.
6:45

Ed:
Ed Leigh on Charles Reid: “A little bit of Elvis leg there”. Or Forest Gump?
6:46

Ed:
Which I guess makes Billy Morgan (in his knee brace) like Forest when the miracle happens. RUUUN BILLY! RUUUN!

Sam:
Charles Reid run 2: hardway 2-7 to start, cab double under then another huge hit to the bum on the last jump. Ouch. At least you can Reid all aboot it here
6:46

Duthie:
Sage Kotsenburg, Run 2. He’s in good shape right now, 2nd place – but he knows there are some big hitters to come.
6:46

Sam:
Grabbing his boot on the second jump too, not rewarded highly
6:47

Ed:
We’ll be calling the run shortly, but Sage just put down the coolest run ever. Not the highest scoring, but a run that was in the true spirit of snowboarding. Go on son.
6:48

Duthie:
Double hand drag to back 1 melon out on the cannon! Then more double nosegrabs and Japans of the booters. We’re whooping and hollering here at Whitelines HQ.
6:48

Duthie:
Chweing gum while throwing down on course, who says men can’t multi-task?
6:49

Sam:
Emil Ulsletten getting ready to drop for run 2
6:49

Duthie:
90.50! They’ve improved his score, which seems odd. Wasn’t his first run cleaner?
6:49

Duthie:
Billy still first though!
6:50

6:50

Sam:
Gap to 2 out, some stuff on the other jibs, not sure he’s really pushing the scores here… Got a window-winding back 5 on the last though, that’s what you get for boot grabbing!
6:51

Ed:
There was a long delay there for Sage’s score. The judges really thought about it. At least one hand down, and yet he’s narrowly behind Billy Morgan in second. Could it be that the much-criticised FIS judges are trying to ‘keep it real’?! That was certainly a run for the snowboarder’s snowboarder, rather than spin to win.
6:52

Duthie:
“Gangstas whassuuuuup” – Mark McMorris, Run 2.
6:52
Cecilia Cho@ceciliacho@sagekotsenburg’s runs are too good. so happy for him :) #sochi2014 #slopestyle

Sam:
Marky Mark McMorris fighting on his second run now!
6:52

Sam:
Stomped his run! Probably gonna put him through now, saving us the first mega upset of the Lympics
6:53

Duthie:
How relieved does McLovin look there? He looks as happy when he lands as he looks sad when he doesn’t.
6:53

Ed:
McLovin going SOOO deep on those landings. Boss.
6:53

Sam:
Double hand down on the triple but otherwise clean… 89.25 only enough for third for now, riding that bubble…
6:54

Duthie:
Niklas Mattson, Run 2
6:54

Sam:
Looked like a hurt puppy, harsh one Mark
6:55

Time to pray.
6:55

Sam:
There we go
6:55

Ed:
Well we’re talking about the judging again, that’s for sure.
6:55

Duthie:
Niklas went for easier rails, but still sketched out on the first kicker and didn’t have much speed for the second. Cleared the knuckle but washed out and had to settle for a Miller flip off the third knuckle.
6:56

Sam:
Billy is officially through to the finals now!
6:56
toddrichards@btoddrichardsYeah I said McRib is back on tv. @Craig_McMorris @markmcmorris nice job low score

Comment From Kevin Kirschner

The Mark of a professional right there
6:56

Ed:
Yep, Billy is through to join Jamie. We have 2 riders in the final!
6:56
Skyler Wilder@NorthWestWilderWell, @billymorgan89 won’t need to take another run. He is in #slopestyle final!

Sam:
Clemens Schattschneider now, run 2
6:57
H H@hholden_16@jamienichollsuk and @billymorgan89 in the finals. #BackTheBrits @TeamGB @GBFreestyleSB
Aimee Fuller@aimee_fullerBilly still in 1st place!!! 4 riders to drop atta boy Bill! Everyone going wild in the stadium.

Comment From Nims182

So are we just gonna pretend the US outfits aren’t hideous?
6:57

Sam:
Huge method on the second jump, obviously went a bit Schatt for him at the top.
6:58

Ed:
Now for the glory run Billy…
6:58
toddrichards@btoddrichards@Craig_McMorris what did you do to these judges to make them hate your brother ?

Duthie:
Go on Billy, straight airs all the way! Putin will love it, if no one else.
6:58

Duthie:
Billy Morgan, Run 2. Go on!
6:59

Sam:
Best claim of the games there!
6:59

Enjoying himself now…
7:00

Duthie:
Going for the same run through the rails, then a cab triple underflip off the first kicker… and stomps it!! Sadly he messes up the next kicker, but does a classic double-claim straight air off the third knuckle. He’s having a ball.
7:01

Sam:
Two UK riders in the top twelve olympians, fridge kids!
7:01

Ed:
This is SUCH good news for British snowboarding. 2 men in the top 12 of the Olympics means one thing: funding.
7:01
Kaity@Kaityann1986Billy Morgan of Great Britian…definitely someone to watch during the final

Sam:
Seppe Smits’ second run now: sweet back 10, front 12 and a sw back 12, super smooth! Style in the finals?
7:02
// Allastair //@allastudwow predictions from the #CBCOlympics commentators that Billy Morgan will be the first dude to do a quad in #slopestyle
LΔURΨΠ GRΔHΔM✌

My night was > then yours