From Sochi, Russia
It’s been what’s becoming a typical Sochi day so far in women’s skeleton. After a 20 minute delay, the women’s skeleton first heat saw times all over the place, with relatively clean runs falling far behind the leader. The ice conditions, coupled with the three hills make it easy to lose time, and time was lost all over the place.
American Katie Uhlaender is the leader, she was first down and clearly had the best ice on the track. Teammate Noelle Pikus-Pace is second, just ahead of Germans Anja Huber and Marion Thees. Russians Maria Orlova and Elena Nikitina are fifth and sixth.
It’s been tough going for most everyone outside of the Americans, with Mellisa Hollingsworth and Cassie Hawrysh both having forgettable runs and sitting in 14th and 17th, respectively. Same troubles for the British ladies, Lizzy Yarnold leads the way in 9th, with World Champion Shelley Rudman 11th and Donna Creighton 18th.
Results after Heat 1:
| Pos | Name | Nation | Draw | Run 1 |
| 1 | Katie Uhlaender | USA | 1 | 58.98 |
| 2 | Noelle Pikus-Pace | USA | 3 | 59.15 |
| 3 | Anja Huber | GER | 7 | 59.45 |
| 4 | Marion Thees | GER | 4 | 59.56 |
| 5 | Maria Orlova | RUS | 13 | 59.81 |
| 6 | Elena Nikitina | RUS | 12 | 59.87 |
| 7 | Michelle Steele | AUS | 2 | 59.90 |
| 8 | Olga Potylitsina | RUS | 14 | 59.91 |
| 9 | Elizabeth Yarnold | GBR | 6 | 59.96 |
| 10 | Janine Flock | AUT | 11 | 60.19 |
| 11 | Shelley Rudman | GBR | 5 | 60.22 |
| 12 | Lucy Chaffer | AUS | 9 | 60.26 |
| 12 | Katharina Heinz | GER | 17 | 60.26 |
| 14 | Mellisa Hollingsworth | CAN | 8 | 60.38 |
| 15 | Lelde Priedulena | LAT | 19 | 60.48 |
| 16 | Katharine Eustace | NZL | 16 | 60.62 |
| 17 | Cassie Hawrysh | CAN | 10 | 60.65 |
| 18 | Donna Creighton | GBR | 15 | 60.84 |
| 19 | Nozomi Komuro | JPN | 21 | 60.97 |
| 20 | Marina Gilardoni | SUI | 20 | 61.09 |
| 21 | Joska Le Conte | NED | 18 | 61.44 |
| 22 | Barbara Hosch | SUI | 22 | 62.31 |
