09.12 Sochi Form Guide: Fourcade Flawless in Biathlon; Japan Joy on the Ice

MOSCOW, December 8 (R-Sport) - There was joy for Japan in figure skating and Martin Fourcade showed no sign of relinquishing the Sochi gold medal favorite tag in biathlon in the fourth weekend of winter sports action this 2013-14 Olympic season.

Elsewhere, Germany's Olympic challenge gathered pace in Alpine skiing and snowboard cross; while the United States seems set for bobsled gold come February.

Figure skating

The Grand Prix Finals at Fukuoka, Japan, brought double joy for the home crowd as Vancouver silver medalist Mao Asada won the women's title for a fourth time after Yuzuru Hanyu had consigned Canada's Patrick Chan to his first defeat of the season to win the men's title.

Russia's challenge faded badly when Maxim Kovtun beat his personal best in the free skate but could not rise above fifth, ensuring he missed a chance to impress the Russian selectors who will choose whether he or injury-plagued veteran Evgeni Plushenko takes the host nation's sole Olympic slot in the men's event.

And Germany’s Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy produced the highest score of their long career together to upset the favorites for victory in the pairs, Russian world record holders Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov.

Biathlon

French star Fourcade made it three wins in four races this season and stretched his record World Cup podium haul to 12 with victory in the 12.5km pursuit race in Hochfilzen, Austria. In brilliant sunshine the 25-year-old Fourcade clocked 32 minutes 43.3 seconds to