rab] the answer is RODNINA as Chalky says, but it is her surname (Irina Rodnina -3 times olympic Gold Figure Skating) as observed : ROD = bar, NINA = girl.
MF] Answer CHRISOM. lots of shiny metal = chrome (less the E - "lots but not all?") IS is in it. Chrisom is a sacramental oil.

Yup, looks good to me :)

Well, I'd got the rod and thought of 'Tina' but it didn't cross my mind also to consider 'Nina'...

please :o)

[st d] I shall try and think some up later.

Duck coop? (5)

Thanks st d for Rodnina. However, I don't agree with your definition of CHRISOM. this means the white robe used at baptism. the oil is spelt CHRISM.

[Hugo Rune] DODGE? Double definition, but I'm not quite sure of the connection with "coop".

[Raak] On the right lines...

Grateful thanks for this - I'd hunted high and low for it. Everyman 2981 just makes the post as a result and maintains my record of managing to enter every one for the past couple of years (without a sniff of a prize yet, but that's not important). I thought 2981 easy apart from this damn Soviet skater clue. Your website added to my favourites. 21/11/03.

Wow!