Russian pair lead ice follies

TURIN, Italy -- Fiesta time on ice turned into an Olympic fallfest, with only the Russians and Americans avoiding real calamity.

With three of the final five couples taking spills, including local favorites Barbara Fusar Poli and Maurizio Margaglio of Italy, two-time world champions Tatiana Navka and Roman Kostomarov of Russia surged into the lead in ice dancing.

Their cha cha, rhumba and samba -- and ability to stay upright -- put them 1.38 points in front of Americans Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto heading into today's free dance.

Belbin and Agosto were helped immeasurably by an epidemic of falls that allowed them to move from sixth after the compulsories to second overall. No U.S. dancers have won an Olympic medal in 30 years.

The Americans, the final duo to skate, began their passionate Latin routine while the crowd was still stunned from the fall taken by Fusar Poli and Margaglio, who plunged near the end of their program.

Fusar Poli seemed to get out of position during a lift, Margaglio lost his balance and they crashed.

When they finished, her glare at him could have burned holes in the ice. Their fall probably burned a hole in their medal chances as they dropped to seventh.

While the Italians made the most noteworthy flop of the night, it was not the most painful.

Marie-France Dubreuil of Canada had a brutal fall. Near the end of her routine, she was in a split with both her hands wrapped around partner Patrice Lauzon's arm. Her hands slipped and she fell hard on her right hip and knee, forcing him to the ice, too.

Timmer wins eight years later

Marianne Timmer of the Netherlands won the Olympic gold medal in the women's 1,000-meter, eight years after winning the same event at the Nagano Games.

Defending champion Chris Witty of the United States was never a factor and finished 27th, continuing the U.S. women's struggles at these games. Jennifer Rodriguez, a Salt Lake City bronze medalist, was 10th, Amy Sannes was 25th and Elli Ochowicz 32nd. The American women have yet to win a medal in Turin.

U.S. men reach curling semis

The U.S., Finland and and Britain are into the Olympic semifinals, while Norway, Canada, Switzerland and Italy remain in contention for the fourth and final berth.

The U.S. (6-2) clinched its semifinal spot with a 9-8 morning win over Britain (6-3), then took the night session off. Canada faces the U.S. today and can clinch a semifinals berth with a win.

Women fall short

The U.S. women's curling team was eliminated from medal contention when Canada beat Italy, leaving no room for the Americans in the semifinals.

The Americans (2-6) then lost to Switzerland on a last shot.