[Chalky] I have to say Soviet skaters are not my specialist subject, and Google wasn't being very helpful. I'm of the opinion that crosswords should revolve purely around language, rather than "general knowledge" but I seem to be alone in this.

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.