1.   European silver medallists Mandy Wtzel and Ingo Steuer of Germany will also pose a threat.

2.   In the pairs competition, European silver medallists Mandy Wtzel and Ingo Steuer of Germany overcame an evening of drama to take the lead.

3.   Decathlete Henrik Dagard, the reigning European silver medallist, bowed out of the Olympic Games with injury here on Wednesday.

4.   European champions Susanna Rahkamo and Petri Kokko of Finland, and European silver medallists Sophie Moniotte and Pascal Lavanchy of France could prove a danger to the Russian duo.

5.   European silver medallist Florian Schwarthoff of Germany, a real contender for a medal here, had fallen in the semi-final.

6.   Two-time European silver medallists Dorota Zagorska and Mariusz Siudek of Poland are in fourth position.

7.   Russian world and European bronze medallists Irina Lobacheva and Ilia Averbukh, who have missed most of the season through injury, were in third position after both rounds.

8.   Russian world and European bronze medallists Irina Lobacheva and Ilia Averbukh, competing in their first international event this season after an injury layoff, are in third position.

9.   The ISU confirmed Thursday that they have rejected the protest lodged by the former world and European bronze medallists.