Amy Williams British Skeleton Athlete

Latest Article in Fuse Magazine

2012-01-27T07:23:00.000-08:00

Check out memories from my Olympics in this months Fuse magazine.
http://www.fusion.uk.com/fuse

Exciting New Job!

2012-01-27T07:22:00.001-08:00

This New Year I got an exciting new job, I became an Aunty for the first time. I was lucky enough to have been able to meet him the day after he was born back home in Bath, having come home early after a race, so was able to get in my first cuddle, a big congratulations to my brother and Sarah his wife and their beautiful little boy. Its great to have family so close around you, after my training session every morning I was able to pop along and get my cuddle fix and helping out however I could. Have to get well practiced for when my sister is expecting hers in April as my job will be doubled!

First snowman of the winter

2011-12-07T09:21:00.000-08:00

Today I really wanted to build a snowman, we have had constant snow for three days here in La Plagne, so it felt only right to have a little fun, So Richard (team manager), Kay (physio) and I decided to make one...."Alan" was born!!

New World cup track La Plagne

2011-12-07T09:13:00.000-08:00

La Plagne is an interesting track, new to most sliders as the last world cup race here was in 2002, before I even knew what skeleton was! Its good as everyone is on a even playing field, apart from a a few athletes that were in the ICC race here last year. So far all is going well. The track is hard, fast, lots of pressure and feels wild to go down, there is no "rest" ie straights to get your head around the corners, instead they go straight one into the next, to the next... easy to get lost!! The push at the top is a good 40m long, alot longer and flatter then all other tracks, should suit me well! I have one more day training tomorrow, need to sort out my corner 11-12 where today I literally flew through the air and lost contact with the ice! Race 9am on sat 10th, watch it on Eurosport.

"On the Road With..."

2011-12-03T08:08:00.000-08:00

Back in October, in Lillehammer I spent the day with Matthew Stadlem, who came out to interview and follow me around for the day for one of his programs for BBC News Channel. It will be an insight into what my days are like whilst out on the skeleton circuit. It will be shown on the BBC News channel on sat 10th 04:30 and 22:30, then again on the 11th at 01:30, 10:30 ans 22:30.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00smr60/broadcasts/2011/12

WORLD CUP RACE #1

2011-12-03T07:49:00.000-08:00

It’s the start of the skeleton world cup season. The first race was yesterday in Igls, Austria.I was really happy with my self and my performance especially with my push times which were both 3rd fastest. It was then a shame that I didn’t seem to be able to hold onto this position by the time I was 14 corners down the track and crossing over the finish line, I had to settle for 12th place. Always frustrating when you drop places down the track, my speed was low, and I was loosing out the whole way down. Not sure why at the moment, but technology is such a huge part of this sport, and something is not quite right with my sled/runners/ set up on sled. I will hopefully get it sorted soon and will be back further up the standings where I know I can be. Thanks Charlie Booker for the photos!

Live Leader board photo

2011-12-03T07:46:00.000-08:00

Top Gear Live show

2011-12-03T07:42:00.000-08:00

The week after selection races I went home for a few days, these were quickly filled up with packing/unpacking but also I was involved in the Top Gear live shows in Birmingham. What great fun, as always, I was in part of the show where a race track had been made up for all different makes and model of cars, old and new. I was the star in the reasonable priced car, and with a live leader board, raced my way around to try and beat who ever else was on their. I got a few practice laps with The Stig, but then the race was on, a bit like my skeleton races, not quite enough time to perfect every corner! Maybe The Stig can come and walk down the skeleton track with me one day and see what he thinks would be the fast line!!

WINTERBERG SELECTION RACE 1

2011-10-30T01:42:00.001-07:00

This year the British selection races are both in Germany, on two different tracks, Winterberg and Altenberg. We will all race and our results will be given points, added up and then the teams selected for the season, deciding who will be on the World cup, Intercontinental and Europa cup teams.
Yesterday was the first runs down the Winterberg track, we have three days of official training with two runs a day, then race on the 1st Nov 9am.
So far its going well, I will test out a few different pairs of runners today, so see how they work on the ice conditions here, and then make a decision as to which ones to races on. I will keep you posted as to how the next’s few days go.

Start of the winter season 2011-12!

2011-10-18T08:18:00.000-07:00

I am writing this blog to you from a little log cabin in Lillehammer, Norway, it sounds rather romantic, I am sure your all thinking along the lines of big sofas, log fires, hot chocolate and being all snuggled up warm… but disappointingly it is far from that! For starters I can hardly see the keyboard as the lights are so dim, and there is no light outside even though its only 10am! No fire exists or sofas, but some hard backed chairs instead! So why am I in this log cabin? No, its not any crazy challenge that I maybe on, but it is the start of the skeleton season. That time of year has come around again so soon. Last week the whole of the British Skeleton Team had a pre season review camp in Bath, going through the season ahead, setting goals for the team and each individual athlete, arranging travel and hotels, the list is endless in what we covered! So I found myself a few days ago packing up my bags, sorting out all my kit and equipment, buying up my favourite food goodies, such as tea bags, marmite, honey, yes honey a big necessity for me, I love the stuff! My comfort food!
All our kit went onto the vans that were getting driven out by support team, so luckily we didn’t have to transport it all up to London for our flights a few days later. Love travelling with just hand luggage, what bliss!
It will be my first full competition circuit since the Olympic year in 2009/10, so I am interested to see how I feel when I am back on ice and sliding again in competitions. To start with the whole British team are here in Lillehammer, we have our first day of sliding today, after having two days sorting out our sleds and getting them ready to be fit to slide! I am on the same sled, Arthur, that I was on at the Olympics, although like you would MOT a car, a lot has changed in him! Hope he behaves himself for me!
We have our first selection race on the 1st November in Winterberg a track in Germany, then a second race in Altenberg another German track on the 6th Nov. I will let you know how they go.

BT Olympic Ball

2011-10-18T08:09:00.000-07:00

I attend the BT BOA Olympic ball that took place this year at Kensington Olympia on the 7th October in London, it was the biggest event so far with over 2500 attending. The month before I had been part of a photo shoot to promote the ball up in the BT tower in London, what great views we all had from up there! Great photo guys…
The ball is a great event with the aim to raise money for the British Olympic Association who organise everything that the athletes need to go and compete at an Olympics, from hotels to kit to travel, the list goes on. The ball this year raised over £700,000 an amazing amount. Thank you to everyone that donated, or bought the auction items on the night to help raise this huge amount. I need to find out now who won the bid to have me teach them on the skeleton track in Austria this year!
I would like to say a thank you to Watling Goldsmiths who lent me some jewellery for the night, I was able to go into their shop in Lacock which is just outside Bath, and chose anything that I wanted to wear with my dress. I felt amazing wearing their beautiful hand crafted pieces, so thank you Jane.

Olympic Day Run Race

2011-07-03T11:43:00.000-07:00

On the 24th June I helped out at Bath University with the Olympic day run.
The University of Bath hosted a sporting celebration on behalf of the British Olympic Foundation to celebrate International Olympic Day.
Building on the International Olympic Committee’s three pillars of Move, Learn and Discover, the day consisted of different secondary school students taking part in the run and a sports festival to discover new skills, a junior academy for students to learn and debate Olympic themes and an art display. More than 400 young people attended the event at the Sports Training Village. I started off the race with a few words to encourage and inspire the young athletes.

Top Gear

2011-07-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

Are you a fan of Top Gear? (I am!) If you haven’t already seen it, you need to get onto i-player and see the first of the new series that started last week (26th June), in which I was featured. I went out to Lillehammer to race the new Mini rally car down the track on my sled. James May was in the rally car and I was on the skeleton track, it was great fun although hard work as we filmed for two nights solid 6pm -7am! I was shattered by the end! I was in the studio last week for the last bit of filming and for a little chat with Jeremy Clarkson! Well I didn’t get to say too much in the end, but great great fun, thanks guys! http://transmission.blogs.topgear.com/2011/06/27/behind-the-scenes-james-and-amy-williams/

Wimbledon 2011

2011-07-03T11:12:00.000-07:00

I was lucky to be invited to Wimbledon on the middle Sports Saturday, I received an invitation last year and so was thrilled when I received another this year. It really is a grand day out, an early start to get dressed up (making sure my dress covered my dodgy knee!) and ready with my good friend Vicky, who had stayed over in Bath to join me for the occasion. We got to Wimbledon in good time and were met at the gates by lots of sports fans wanting autographs; they would have got a good number, as I was joining many sporting greats, such as Jonathon Edwards, Mark Foster, Sir Steve Redgrave and Martina Navratilova. It’s always lovely to be standing next to fellow athletes whom you admire so much.
Also invited to the Royal Box were many service men and women from the Armed Forces and it was particularly memorable how they received a long ovation from the crowd in honour of them all. The tennis was superb: I was lucky to have Roger Federer and Djokovic to watch - a first for me - and now today Djokovic has gone on to win Wimbledon 2011. Well done to him!
I did start thinking, throughout the matches that day, how tennis players move to that next level of competition. As an athlete who has now reached the highest level of my sport, I know the dedication and hard work that goes into reaching that level. One of which is through technology, research and development. I admit I know nothing about tennis as a sport, apart from simply the scoring! But my brain was whirring with how they must improve to the next step. When I saw Federer suddenly change his racket half-way through his match, I couldn’t help but think, “Does he know exactly how many times he can hit the ball before the tension in his racket changes and starts to have an effect on his power?” and “I wonder if tennis players work with cricketers; is there a cross-over with putting spin on the ball and how to hit it?” Maybe they already do all of this…but it made me think!

Freshford village fete

2011-06-13T13:21:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I went along as a guest to Freshford village, a beautiful little quaint English village just outside Bath. They asked if I would open up the summer fete for them, which I was delighted to do. It had been ages since I had been to one, so I took some girlfriends along to join me, and we enjoyed a sunny, yes sunny! summers day out, playing on the tombola, eating cakes with cups of tea and watching the locals brownies on the maypole.

Bath Night Walk for Macmillan Cancer Support

2011-06-11T01:05:00.000-07:00

Tonight, the 11th June, I will be starting the Bath Night walk in aid of Macmillan cancer support. It starts at 9pm at the Bath Rec, in the centre of the town. The walk will be about 4 miles long, so you can take a steady pace and enjoy the beautiful scenery around the City.
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support. Working alongside people affected by cancer, Macmillan works to improve cancer care. One in three of us will get cancer. Two million of us are living with it. If you are affected by cancer Macmillan can help so please come along and take part, It is open to women only, but men should in no way feel left out! Dozens of volunteers are needed to cheer the walkers on and man the route. Registration is £10, and no minimum sponsorship is required (though an objective of £100 is gently encouraged). To sign up for the Bath Night Walk or find out more information, simply visit www.bathnightwalk.org where you can register online or download a hard copy form to complete. Walkers will then be sent a Bath Night Walk pack with everything they need to help raise their sponsorship target and prepare for the walk. see you there!

Decathlon Store Relaunch

2011-06-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

Last week I drove up and down to Nottingham twice, a 320 mile round trip! I was at the Ikea retail park just outside Nottingham. I was asked to do a talk, to meet and greet people in the store, and give any advise on training. I also took part in many activities that had been set up in the big car park, so I scaled up climbing walls, kicked footballs as fast as possible, attempted to kick a rugby ball into different sized holes, I had a go on their archery set, table tennis and of course….space hoppers, having races against many children!! I almost lost my Olympic medal to one of them who was determined to take it home with him! Highly recommend heading to a Decathlon store for any sports equipment you need for any activity.

Hayesfield School New Sports Centre

2011-06-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

Hayesfield school in Bath used to be my old secondary school, so when I was asked whether I would mind having the new performing arts and sports centre named after me, I felt very honoured. They have built a fantastic new building which includes a sports hall, gymnasium, multi gym, netball courts and all weather pitch as well as performing arts facilities for music and dance and Art teaching. There is also a new refectory and auditorium as well as a new reception area and open learning centre at the core of the building. I officially opened the building and said some encouraging words to the girls, I hope they will be inspired to take part in sport and that this building will be a place where the community and local area can all use.

Sports Industry Awards

2011-06-09T08:08:00.001-07:00

On the 11th May I went up to London to attend the Sports Industry Awards at Battersea Evolution. I was there the year before, but this defiantly seemed to be the type of event that seems to get bigger and bigger as over 1,700 guests attended the spectacular 10th Anniversary celebration. Sports stars and celebrities were invited along with all the top business and companies in the sports industry. I was asked to present the award for Best Integrated Sport Marketing Campaign, along with Geoff Shreeves. I still find it nerve raking standing in front of that many people! However I enjoyed the night, was on a great table, mostly because it was made up of other MTC athletes such as the lovely Sally Gunnell who i was sat next to.

Kinect for Xbox 360

2011-04-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

I have never been a computer games kind of a girl but when I was asked if I wanted to represent and promote the Kinect Sports interactive game for the Xbox 360 in London last week I had the urge to say yes and give it a go. I was keen to practice before hand so I got my first ever Xbox sent to my house and got some of the skeleton girls around to play with me. We had all just been to the gym and had had a full days training so to be honest we were all ready just to sit down with a cup of tea, but oh no, within no more then 5 Min's I had set up the Xbox having never set up anything like this before, I was a bit apprehensive but it was so easy, few plugs here and there and "ta da" we were ready to play. I had moved the furniture around to create a good space in my small living room and then the fun began! We laughed so much watching each other and seeing ourselves on screen, the Xbox copies what you are doing as your character on the screen moves around following your movements, amazing, so clever. All this practice of athletics, football, table tennis and volleyball was so that when I became a team captain on the 14th April in London I would know what I was doing! I was with other team captain, Graeme Swann, fresh from the cricket World Cup who also had Darius Knight our London 2012 table tennis hopeful and I was paired with Louis Smith, our first British gymnast to win an Olympic medal (pommel horse) since the 1920s, and London medal hopeful. We all spent the day playing against each other having an amazing time chatting to journalists and school children who had come along to play with us.

Sport England Announcement

2011-04-22T06:47:00.000-07:00

My next trip was to Birmingham University to join The Minister for Sport and the Olympics, Hugh Robertson MP, to join Sport England to announce projects benefiting from investment to get more university students playing sport. 41 initiatives have secured National Lottery funding through Active Universities. They are giving tens of thousands of students the chance to try out a new sport, or get back into one they’ve tried before, as part of the mass participation legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. I believe its really important to boosting student participation and it should have a lasting impact on grassroots sport. Research shows that students who do play sport at university are far more likely to continue participating throughout their lives which can only be a good thing.

AXA Ambition Awards

2011-04-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

My trips up and down to London seem to have increased recently, I have become the AXA Ambition Awards ambassador. So went up to The Houses of Commons to launch the awards . The awards have been set up to find five exceptional young people aged between 11-18 who really want to succeed, whether its in , enterprise, the arts, science, sport, or in the community. They are an opportunity to make dreams come true. Each winner will win a prize designed specifically for them, such as mentoring from one of the five ambassadors. Go onto www.amibitionaxaawards.com to find out how you can apply or if you know someone who deserves it. I had been up in a radio studio at 5am doing over 15 interviews on various stations to promote the AXA awards so was shattered by the end of the day.

10 Downing Street Visit

2011-02-26T03:52:00.000-08:00

I was up in London this week, I had been invited to a party at 10 Downing Street hosted by Samantha Cameron and Anna Wintour of US Vogue! It was London Fashion Week and a small gathering of designers and models had been invited, so their I was standing next to Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Claudia Schiffer… the list could go on, I was amazed! I was looking at people I had only ever seen in your favourite fashion magazine! Luckily I was wearing a dress that Burberry had loaned me from a previous occasion that I hadn’t worn yet, I felt like I was dressed appropriately and was chuffed when several people commented on how lovely it looked along with the gorgeous hand bag I was carrying! So thank you Burberry for making me feel and look special amongst the room full of super models!

One Year Anniversary of the GOLD

2011-02-26T03:42:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday I spent the whole day baking cakes! My house smelled amazing like a fresh bakery. I was having that evening Champagne and Cup Cake party to celebrate my year’s anniversary of the big race, so I had decided to host a little family and friends gathering, along with my Gold Medal!
I was half way through baking when I realised that I had an interview arranged and was meant to meet someone in Bath. I met Ian Stafford, who wanted to do the interview for his website sportsvibe.co.uk. We ended up going back to my flat as the cakes were in full process and in a production line to get ready for that evening…I was decorating everyone different, so was taking a little time! It also meant that Ian could test out my new raspberry ones! I chatted to him about life in the past year, what I’ve been up to, what my dreams are in the future. A lovely guy always makes it easier to do interviews when the person generally is interested in you as a person!

Artizan Hair Stylist Zac Fennell works his magic on my hair!

2011-02-15T12:03:00.000-08:00

My hairdresser and friend Zac Fennell from Artizan Hair in Bath, www.artizan.co.uk asked if he could do a fashion shoot with me a little while ago...I have just got the photos back they are AMAZING! I also had the chance to wear the most beautifull jewlery from designer Jane Watling, take a look at her wonderful creations, www.watlings.com

End of the road this "winter"

2011-02-15T11:41:00.000-08:00

My life on the road has come to the end for another winter season. I competed in just the last four of the Skeleton World Cup races Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. A traveller’s lifestyle, a different hotel each week, different room and change of bed! Daily schedules dictate what we’re supposed to be doing and when. Now my competitions are over and I find myself a little lost!
I’ll be honest, it was a lot harder then I had imagined, coming back to the races after deciding to take the first half of the season off. There are no training guides to tell you what you are meant to feel like when you race again after experiencing such a high, like the one I had following Vancouver. You suddenly become more critical and as is common in most professional sport, you start to analyse every last detail and question things you didn’t previously. In all of my four races I didn’t perform to the level I wanted to, or felt I was capable of, which is really hard to cope with.
It’s good to feel these emotions though, because it reaffirms what I always believed, that while the competitive fire in my belly dimmed momentarily, I always knew I wanted to keep improving and build on what I achieved at the Olympics. For now though, I will take a little time out, find some adventures away from skeleton and refresh my brain, so it is ready to train, train, train again!

St Moritz Race 7

2011-02-01T12:12:00.000-08:00

The beautiful St Moritz, the only natural man made track in the world, made from blocks of ice from the frozen lake. Blue sky and sun, amazing....my training...pretty good; the race...could have gone better!!
First run was solid, although I did think it would and could have been quicker but I was very confident I would be able to pick up some time on the 2nd run. On the 2nd run as soon as I loaded onto my sled I could feel something wasn’t right, I kept getting pulled to the left so I struggled to keep it under control and was getting quite a few little hits and skids all the way down the track, so I dropped several places, wrong way around! I was planning to pick up some places!
That evening the coaches and I checked my sled (I do this before and after races, to make sure everything is in working order) we found that quite a few pieces in it were bent, not good! Don’t know how it happened, we are still trying to solve that mystery, but it did at least give me a reason as to why I was pulled to the left the whole time!
The best thing about the whole day though was the super surprise visit of my boyfriend, Petr. He had driven from Prague to see me race, I hadn’t seen him since the New Year! Was a great moment to see his face suddenly standing on the track shouting at me at the start! At least that gave me a smile to remember in St Moritz.

Great photos Charlie Booker

2011-01-22T11:09:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Charlier Booker who takes great pictures of me sliding.... This is from todays race, 22nd Jan, World cup race 6, 5th Place Winterberg, Bronze European Championships.

5th World Cup 3rd European Championships in Winterberg, Germany

2011-01-22T10:31:00.000-08:00

So the second race of my season just happened this morning in Winterberg, Germany and I came 5th. Very happy. It was also a double race as the European Championships were added in so I was 3rd in this. Again very good day at the office for me.
Everyone who knows Winterberg will know how crazy the weather is over here, but it started off not too badly, clear enough sky and a good start to the race, till about 30mins in and the light snow started, and gradually got a bit heavier...but wasn’t too drastic so everyone remained calm enough!
I had a wee few minutes of panic it has to be said before my first run when I was trying to get my coat off and my zip got jammed!!! I could hear them calling my name as the slider before me had finished, so I had to whisper to Micky my coach "Micky im stuck!!" and he also tried to yank down the zip....finally somehow I did get my coat off to push my sled but was a bit flustered and not really concentrating enough to do a good push! Second run I got the physio tape and gave my coat a slight little operation with some tape to stick down that flap inside the zip so no other issues would arise!!! Zips!!
Off to St Moritz tomorrow for the next race, an 8 hours drive, up into the beautiful mountains of Switzerland.

First Race Back after Olympics

2011-01-15T04:36:00.001-08:00

Yesterday the 14th Jan, I had my first race back from my 11 months away from the ice. The race was in Igls, near Innsbruck in Austria. It felt like the first day of school when I walked into the start room on the first day of official training, everyone had been away since October and had already done team races and then four other world cup races so were well into the swing of it, so I felt like the new kid!
I soon got back into the routine of things and training had been going really well,I was always in the top three of my training group so was feeling confident about getting a top 6 finish which would have been good for the first race back.
I was aware that my pushing at the start was a bit slower then I have normally done in previous years, but due to lack of summer training I was prepared for this.
Race day was very warm, well the whole week had been warm, and even one of days was severely delayed due to the rain damaging the track, so most of us cancelled training. But race day was about 6 degrees, compared to the week before of -14! I was last off...because your start number is from World Ranking points and I had non due to not having raced this season. The track slows very quickly here because of the warm weather and so a layer of frost comes over the top of the ice...so by the time it came to my first run about 50 minuets after the first slider had gone down, I could feel the sled sticking to the ice,I had a solid run but could only manage 17th place, not good!!
It did mean that then after the track had been prepared and spritzed with water again, I was then 3rd off for my second run, as it goes in reverse order. This gave me the quick ice and I slid another solid run that got me down in the 2nd quickest time out of everyones 2nd runs..but only moved me up to 12th place overall.

I was dissapointed of course, It is hard to come back to racing and not do as well as you are used to. But I have to start somewhere on my journey back to competitive racing, and can now only look forward to next weeks race....Winterberg World Cup race 6. Another track full of unpredictable weather!! what joys!

Youth Sport Trust talent camp, Loughborough

2011-01-08T08:46:00.000-08:00

I have been helping out recently with the Youth Sport Trust, I joined them for a 3 day talent camp at Loughborough University, where about 80 of our next generation sporting champions from across country were all joined together to find out what it takes to become the best. The National Talent Orientation Camp offered the 14-18 year olds a unique opportunity to develop their skills on a personal, sporting academic and vocational level, to mix with many sporting champions in their sports, to ask questions and to learn.
The sports represented at the 2010 camp this year were canoeing, cycling, rowing, hockey, wheelchair basketball, badminton, sailing, rugby and netball. I was there to help put the youngsters through a series of physical, mental and educational challenges and scenarios, whilst also offering advice and support. I joined in with many of the sports including some of the wheelchair basketball sessions, a great team of inspiring athletes. I was able to give my top tips, advice and help to everyone during my sessions with them, I wish them all the very best to achieve their goals and dreams.

Receiving my MBE at Buckingham Palace

2011-01-08T07:09:00.000-08:00

The past few months have been so crazy busy that I forgot to mention how beautiful my MBE award is that I received at Buckingham Palace! It was a wonderful day out for my parents and me even though it was a bit brrrrrr as we stood around for the photos after the ceremony! To be inside the rooms at Buckingham Palace was a real privilege I will never forget.

Back to racing!

2011-01-08T06:56:00.000-08:00

So my first race will be in Igls, Austria. A few days ago I searched out my big bags and started to pack my kit, last time I packed was to go to the Olympics 11 months ago. It has been a long time away from the ice and competitions, Im feeling a little apprehensive about sliding again. Lots of questions are going around in my head…will it feel different now? Will I still enjoy it, will I still have the drive inside to compete? I know I am not as prepared as the past years, so It will be a different mentally I have to adopt now for these races, but one that Im looking forward to.
Arthur my sled and I have a lot of bonding to do, and quick!! we have missed out on the last 3 months of sliding and racing, so lots of catching up to do on the other competitors! I have one week before my first race which is the 14th Jan, which will be shown on British Eurosport, I will keep you updated on how it went and how it felt!

BBC Sports Personality

2011-01-08T06:49:00.000-08:00

What an amazing night that was, standing in front of that huge crowd in Birmingham, in front of brilliant sports stars, to be part of the same group and in the top ten of the 2010 sports personality awards was a proud moment for me and my family. I was very lucky to be loaned a beautiful dress from Burberry, thank you, and some exquisite jewellery designed and made by a local jewellers Watling goldsmiths and silversmiths of Lacock near Bath, (take a look www.watlings.com).
I didn’t realise I would get interviewed up on stage during the night, my brain suddenly scrabbled as I looked up at the 1000’s of people, whilst looking around at everyone, including David Beckham right there in front of me! I have to admit I did get a wee bit excited and made sure I went around and had my photo with everyone, including the lovely Victoria Beckham! Made my night!

Power Plate now at The Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath

2011-01-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

I was asked by The Royal Cresecent Hotel in Bath, to go and try out their new Power Plate which they now have in their gym. What a great piece of equipment, for an instant workout, in 20mins a day you can tone and strengthen your whole body, I highly recomend going up there and having a go!

A BEAUTIFULL POEM WRITTEN FOR ME

2010-12-18T14:08:00.000-08:00

I want to share with you this beautiful poem that a young boy wrote and sent to me in the post, it sums my whole experience up from the Olympics, even though I had never met him before.

Nervously she waited, waited, waited,
Nervously she waited above the frozen track.
She knew that she had trained enough,
And God was helping her above,
But inside she still felt nervous.
And she began to think no less
Of horrors that might make a mess

Amy Williams was her name
She had yet to achieve great fame.
The event she does is skeleton,
A treacherous, tight, terrifying run.
Nobody knew the girl from Bath,
But that would turn into a laugh,
If this girl could get the one gold,
Then her great story would be told.

Her first go was a beauty run,
She wizzed down...she was having fun.
Down the icy track she sped.
The blades of her fantastic sled
Were flying down the track at speed.
She did nothing but pray and plead.

Amy crossed the line in first place,
And broke a record in this case.
She lined up for her second run,
Waved to her proud dad and mum,
Before zooming down the awesome track.
The speed, she really did not lack
She crossed the line, the icy line,
And found she had a leading time.

Amy went to bed that night,
And began to think she ruled the fight.
She had just two runs left in front,
And all was down to those two stunts,
To get the only skeleton gold,
Of which her story would be told.

Her third attempt, a record run,
Now only one to go to be done.
She stood in the hut and prayed,
The top of the run is where she stayed,
Until it was her final go.
Down she went with a flow.

She flew round corners 1,2,3,
a super, stunning sight to see.
The line was crossed,
The medal was won,
The flowers were tossed,
And Amy's job was done.

FT Twin Peak Challenge

2010-11-18T03:24:00.000-08:00

I have become the ambassador for Action against hunger, and great charity which support and helps out children all over the world in over 40 different countries. Their mission is to save lives by eliminating hunger through the prevention, detection and treatment of malnutrition, especially during and after emergency situations of conflict, war and natural disaster.
On the 7th November I took part in the FT London Twin Peak Challenge. Joining participants in a race to the top of two of London’s most iconic buildings –The Broadgate Tower and CityPoint, climbing a staggering 1,512 steps. We all gathered on a very chilling morning and after a fun warm up together, I said a few words of encouragement before the challenge took place. Wow the climb was alot tougher then i thought! To be a part of London’s first double tower run was a real achievement and, more importantly, the money raised from this event went to an incredibly important cause. So make sure next year you sign up to the challenge as it provides a fantastic opportunity to take part in the ultimate tower running event, whilst helping malnourished children around the world.

British Olympic Ball

2010-10-04T13:05:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful event this was, The first event that I managed to get a date...my lovely boyfriend Petr, who came over from Prague to join me. It was my first time at the event, which was celebration of the Best of British in Olympic sport, and serves as a critical fundraiser for the British Olympic Association to support our nation’s current and future Olympic athletes. I auctioned off a day with me on the ice track in Igls, Austria so one brave person will be getting a lesson from me on the ice and will hopefully enjoy their first taste of my sport!

Volunteer for London 2012

2010-10-04T12:51:00.000-07:00

At 4am the other day I had a car waiting outside my house waiting to make it to TV Centre for BBC Breakfast news. As an ambassador for the London 2012 Volunteering Programme I was encouraging the general public to support and get behind the programme - become a London Games Maker! We are aiming to get 70,000 Londoners to sign up as volunteers. It‘s hugely important to the success of the games and it is one of the big things I remember about Vancouver. It was something for the whole nation and it will be the same here with the bubble of excitement growing in and around London and at the different venues. Obviously there are only so many people who can compete and be competitive but what a good way to help with the experience and to be part of it. Hopefuls must be at least 18 on January 1, 2012, available to volunteer for at least 10 days during either the Olympic Games or the Paralympic Games and at least three days of training before the events....so go and sign up on www.london2012.com

BGC Partners Charity Day

2010-10-04T12:49:00.000-07:00

The BGC Partners Charity Day in Canary Wharf on 13th September was an amazing event. It was started five years ago to commemorate those killed during the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York. Lots of celebrites turn up to support & man the phones, helping raise money for all the charities. There was also the opportunity for many of the children who will benefit from the money raised, to meet the stars doing all the hard work for them. Although there were some technical problems, notably when the telephone system went down late in the morning, it didn‘t stop too much trading and commission earnings for the charities. I had my chance to pick up a phone…oh help that was scary, a blur of numbers is shouted at me and I had no idea what to do! I did have someone whispering in my ear telling me what to say and at the end even though it made no sense at all, I had apparently made several thousand pounds from my few panicky minutes!

GQ Mens Awards

2010-10-04T12:27:00.000-07:00

On the 7th September I was invited to the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London, where a host of handsome men in dinner jackets and beautifully dressed women walked the red carpet to the Royal Opera House. I was lucky enough to be able to take two of my close friends with me, who were only too happy to take up the invite! Walking down the red carpet is still such a strange experience, getting shouted at by the photographers and flashes from their cameras blinding you, but it's enjoyable nonetheless! Thank you so much to the Karen Millen store in Bath who dressed me for the evening, I felt amazing in their Signature Print Dress.

BECOME A GAMES MAKER FOR LONDON 2012

2010-09-14T12:57:00.000-07:00

Here is the opportunity of a lifetime about to be given to you, why don't you become a London 2012 Games Maker and be one of the faces of London 2012. you will have the unique chance to show what our country is all about, excellence, passion and positivity. In Vancouver my experience of the Volunteers was great, they help me and my team out so much making our time in the Olympics so much easier and less stressful, they were there to help us all day long with a smile on their faces.

There is a wide range of roles for Games Makers so something to suit everyone. Many of these may be behind the scenes or may require you to work at anti-social times. Some Games Makers may have to work off-site in a warehouse distributing uniforms; others will be outside exposed to the elements for hours on end, but all as important as each other.
Sign up today everyone!!

2010-09-14T12:42:00.000-07:00

I went to 5 different countries in the space of 4 weeks in August so I'm glad its September now and wont be so much travelling planned, but recently I did take a trip to Gateshead to help out at the UK School Games, which was a Youth Sport Trust event.

It was a major multi-sport event for all elite UK athletes of school age. There were competitions in over 10 different sports as well as opening and closing ceremonies, so it gave the impression and feel of a full scale sporting event, brilliant practice for the children. As Ambassador, my role was to support and offer advice, if required for the young athletes. It’s great to have these big organised events for young athletes so they can get used to the competitive environment to realise their potential in sport and to give them a chance to shine.

SINGAPORE YOUTH OLYMPICS

2010-09-14T12:24:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I went to Singapore to be part of Team GB at the first Youth Olympic Games.We had a talented team of 39 athletes from all Olympic sports aged 14-18, participating alongside 3,600 competitors from all 205 National Olympic Committees, so a huge competition.

I was out there as an athlete supporter/mentor to inspire and help out with our young team. It was really noticeable from engaging with the athletes how much the games represent a fantastic opportunity for them to compete with other young athletes at the highest level on a global stage. It was my first time in Singapore and I soon discovered how hot, humid and sticky it is there!

Was nice for me to be in shorts and t-shirts in this competitive environment, not the usual layers I’m normally in!

FAMILY VISITORS

2010-08-08T07:06:00.000-07:00

I had some extended family visit my parents house a few days ago and they hadn't seen the chunk of metal.. .so some very excited faces took many pictures and were happy to be able to hold a Olympic Gold medal....I promised them I would write about them on my blog....!

ARTEMIS CHALLENGE

2010-08-08T02:42:00.000-07:00

On the 3rd August I found myself on a sailing boat, sailing around the Isle of Wight for the Artemis Challenge at Cowes week. I was on board a 60ft top of the range boat (I was told the Ferrari of sailing boats). I was asked if I would be part of the team along with Zara Philips, to help win the race for charity, I did tell the team well in advance (as a warning) that I had never sailed a boat before and that I didn’t have a clue what to do, but they assured me it didn’t matter!

We were given the job of grinder, which means going as fast and as hard as you can almost pedalling your arms around a wheel to get the sails up and down. Zara and I did this together when shouted at by the skipper, but wow that’s hard work.

The whole team on the boat are constantly working together, pulling ropes, changing buttons, looking at the tides, the tactics of other boats, all to get ahead with the best wind. To think that one person does all these jobs at once when they sail around the world is crazy, I have a huge respect for all sailors after my one day out at sea.

It took me hours to stop feeling seasick and to find my land legs again. Thanks to all of the team at Artemis for inviting me and giving the most wonderful experience, my first ever sailing day out, and the first of many I hope (only once I have discovered seasickness tablets!).

HOLIDAY TIME FINALLY

2010-08-08T02:33:00.000-07:00

Just over a week ago I got back from Jamaica, where my boyfriend and I finally got to go on holiday, our first break since the Olympics 5 months ago!

The Mail newspaper asked if I would like to do a travel article for them, with Virgin holidays and Sandals Hotels – I said a big fat “yes please” ! Subsequently I took them up on their invite to travel to Jamaica to stay at Sandals Whitehouse European Village and Spa; I mean who wouldn’t say yes to that!!

As soon as we left the plane the heat quickly wafted across our faces and we were welcomed by the friendliest people I have ever come across. I had never visited the country before, but we were both impressed by the hotel, food, and beautiful countryside this amazing place has to offer. One day we went on a tour and visited the YS Falls which are Jamaica’s famous waterfalls, with 7 tiered levels where you can jump off rope swings and even jump off one of the tiers. I have to admit I did have a go, just some extra fear factor training for the skeleton!But what a holiday and what fun!

A FEW BUSY WEEKENDS

2010-07-12T01:17:00.000-07:00

I have had a few crazy weekends this past month....

Started off with Royal Ascot, handing out a Trophy and judging the best turned out horse. I was treated so well up in the Royal Enclosure and met many stars from tv and sport. I loved everything moment about the races, walking around the horses, seeing them get ready for the race in the paddock, being able to smell the leather and shine spray on them!

Then I had Wimbledon the following weekend which was equally amazing, it was my first ever tennis match and I was spoilt by watching Serena Williams, Nadal and Murray all on the same day on centre court! Watching the best of the best in tennis right in front of me, seeing and hearing the power at which they hit the ball. Wow.

Yesterday I was at Silverstone for the F1 race, I was lucky to have paddock passes and could walk around and be among the drivers and cars...walking down the Grid was the strangest experience, seeing drivers of another kind to me, how they prepare and watching the team get the cars ready. Schumacher was so calm, and even asked how I was minuets before he was ready to get in his car to drive at a crazy speed! Half wish I could of jumped in the car instead of him!

GLAMOUR AWARDS

2010-06-11T13:31:00.000-07:00

Thank you all Glamour readers for voting and giving me the Sportswoman of the year award. It means alot to get something that has been voted for by the general public...so thank you all.

The evening was in Berkeley Square London and was amazing. Again a night full of beautiful men and women from all areas of the showbiz world. Mixing with people such as Lilly Allen, Ferne Cotton and the hunky Jason Lewis or "Smith" from sex and the city!

My award was given to me by David Hayes, I realise as he was saying my name that I hadn't even prepared a speech, and all others that had been up before me were saying long speeches! oh help, i managed to say a few words and then off the stage I went for the interviews and photos behind the stage. Thank you Glamour for the wonderful night and the even more wonderful goodie bags that were delivered to my hotel room....woo it felt like 10 Christmas's all at once!

BAFTA TV AWARDS

2010-06-11T13:03:00.000-07:00

How amazing I got asked to give out a BAFTA tv award with Sir Chris Hoy up in London on the 6th of May.We were both pretty scared before heading out onto the stage in front of all those famous people you see on your TV, papers and magazines everyday!!

Ekk....."And the BAFTA goes to..."

But what a experience...my legs were shaking more then getting my medal!

FREEMAN OF BATH

2010-06-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

On the 5th of June I was made Freeman of the City of Bath, my home. What a honour to be given. The ceremony was in the abbey in the centre of Bath, and took place during the annual major-making service which saw Councillor Shaun McGall become the 783rd Major of Bath.

Again so many tourists and local people came out to watch and line the streets. the procession was led by the Bath Air Cadets Band and took me through the centre from the Guildhall to the Abbey.

It was humbling to be given this title as I was the first ever female ever to have this given to me, and only the fifth person to be made freeman of Bath since the second world war. I learnt that my name goes on a list which includes great men such as Sir Winston Churchill!!

ARMY SPORTSMANS DINNER

2010-06-06T00:40:00.000-07:00

Our Army men and women do an amazing job everyday for us, so when I was asked to go along to the 10th Signal Regiment annual Sportsman’s Dinner on the evening of Thursday 20 May 2010 at Bath Rugby Club I said yes straight away. The main aim of the evening was to congratulate personnel from the Regiment on their sporting achievements, with the main awards being Sport’s Personality of the year and Sport’s Team of the year, and also to raise money for the Army Benevolent Fund.
So many items had been given by football teams, rugby balls signed and memorabilia given, All of which were being auctioned off.

Hearing the achievements of certain individuals that evening was still an inspiration to me, to listen to what sport can do to many people, handing out the awards to the men and women and seeing what it meant to those receiving them made for a good evening.

SCHOOL PLAYGROUND OPENING

2010-06-02T01:27:00.000-07:00

On the 2oth May I was asked if I would be able to go to a local Primary School in Oldfield Park, Bath and open up their new playground.
Alot of money had been raised to build and make a huge big wooden boat structure that the children would be able to play on and enjoy in safety.
All the children were out in the playground when I arrived and were singing to me, it was the sweetest welcome I have had. I was asked lots of questions from them about the Olympics, sport and my life and ambitions. Surprisingly I almost find it harder to think of answers to children then to adults, I am aware so much that the children see me as a role model and soak up my every word, to see the look on their faces when they see me and get to touch my medal makes me realise the huge excitement it brings to people.

MY LION

2010-05-21T00:12:00.000-07:00

Its not long now till you will see the City of Bath covered in beautiful Lions. Each one has been lovingly painted by a different artist. The artist can chose what story they decide to share with you and paint on the lion for everyone to see. There are 100 in total that will all soon be placed in different positions around the city...they will look amazing. Your have to go on a trail and count how many you get to see.

We had the official launch of them this week at the Royal Crescent hotel in Bath where I got to meet a selected few...they are awesome, all together they create quite a magical sight to see.

My Lion will be outside the Bath Rugby shop on Pultney Bridge I believe so look out for him and give him a pat for me...although watch out..he does get hungry!

LONDON LUNCH

2010-05-20T10:44:00.000-07:00

I was invited to a lunch in London the next day after the Sports Industry Awards, after a very late night it was lovely to be fed some beautiful food at the Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park. Bar Boulud, a french inspired bistro, is newly opened under the direction of the illustrious Lyon born Chef Daniel Boulud.
The Daily Telegraph hosted this event in honour of Helen Skelton, Britain's amazing adventure kayaking down the Amazon woman, and me. In between course we both got interviewed by Sue Thearle who currently presents the News and Sport on the BBC News channel and on BBC World News.
It was an inspiring few hours as I listened to another persons adventure, yes a different one from my Olympic journey, but someone who I could relate to and still be overwhelmed by what she had just achieved. Having first met Helen a few months ago when I was invited onto Blue Peter, I want to say she is a true inspiration also to all women out there, Well done Helen.

BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIPS

2010-05-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

On the 18th May I drove to Virginia Water, to the biggest golf club I have ever been to, Wentworth....What a place. This week the BMW PGA Championships take place. I have to admit to everyone that I haven't ever really played a serious game of golf, but it was an honour to be invited as an ambassador of BMW and to interviewed by Gary Lineker along with with Paul Casey, Colin Montgomerie and James Cracknell, to the BMW employers that were all there.

Good luck to everyone taking part this week.

SPORTS INDUSTRY AWARDS

2010-05-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

On the 13th May I was invited to go to the Sports Industry Awards in Battersea Park, London. This was a much bigger event then I first thought it would be, A red carpet, star studed night. I was presenting an award in the evening, which was more nerve racking then doing the Olympic runs! My legs were like jelly.
I got to meet some amazing sport stars that I have watched and admired for years on the TV screen...but was great to meet them in real life! Denise Lewis, Sally Gunnel, just to name a few..
Thank you massively to Burberry who dressed and styled me for the night.

Bath University Blues Awards

2010-05-19T00:52:00.000-07:00

I got presented with another University of Bath Blues awards.... 3 years after my first!
An Honorary Blue is awarded, exceptionally, to a person connected with the University of Bath who has made outstanding contributions to World Sport, over a period of at least two years.... that's what I got!

Jonathon Ross Show

2010-05-01T03:14:00.000-07:00

How scarey...but how great. Was amazing to meet the World Famous Jonathon Ross on his sofa! He was and is a lovely man, was very kind and surprising nice to me! Seeing as I was worried about going on the show...All worked out great....

Take a look on you tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZfD1C66nlQ

Chris Evans skeleton lesson!!

2010-05-01T02:54:00.001-07:00

So we have a budding new skeleton starter...BBC 2 Radio presenter Chris Evans.
Chris and sports reporter Jonny Saunders launched themselves down the track at the University of Bath to see who could secure the fastest time for their breakfast show sporting challenge
The pair, who take on a different sporting challenge each week for his Radio 2 show,
came down to Bath for there Sport Challenge. I taught them my greatest tips and techniques and off they went down the track. It was a great fun afternoon thanks guys for coming and wanting to have a go!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/chris-evans/videos/bob-skeleton/

BBC 5 mins with.....

2010-05-01T02:41:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I meet with Matthew Stadlen in London. What a lovely man...and a great honour to be chosen to have this special 5 min interview!!
Take a look....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8654752.stm

A unique pair Oakley sunglasses

2010-05-01T02:18:00.000-07:00

Oakley have made me a pair of glasses to celebrate my achievement at the Olympics. With Queen of Speed etched along the lenses they are a unique pair just for me...Thank you Oakley.

Thanks a million BMW

2010-03-25T08:25:00.001-07:00

This morning I picked up keys to a beautiful BMW 3 series car... What more can I say apart from the words from BMW themselves, its "The ultimate driving machine" I'm hoping Arthur wont be jealous of this new relationship that is about to start... so far I haven't Christened him yet, must think of a suitable name!

WHAT A BUSY TIME!

2010-03-15T04:02:00.000-07:00

I have a few minuets to myself now to write a quick note to you all.
It has been non stop for the past two weeks, lots of interviews, some TV, and tons of media. The One Show was the first TV show, straight off the plane I had a press conference and lots of news interviews, then it was straight across London to the studios, There I was sat next to Martin Clunes, very surreal experience having only been in the country for a matter of hours! Then Blue Peter, where I was given GOLD BADGE! and then Jonathon Ross wanted me on his show, that was a great experience he was lovely and all went very smoothly!
I want to say a huge thanks to Adam Parsons who has done a amazing job looking after me and to my brother who has been on the end of a phone to hundreds of people who all want to talk to me! Thanks guys.

GOLD MEDAL

2010-02-26T10:36:00.000-08:00

I did it...I won a Gold Medal in the skeleton Vancouver 2010. I still cant believe it has happened. It is big shinny and heavy and doesn't leave my side!! It has been a whirlwind ever since I got off my sled, media, interviews and TV. An adventure is about to begin when I get home to England and my home town Bath...
I'm dashing off now to the bobsleigh so I will write more about my win and what it felt like when I'm back.

VANCOUVER JOUNRNEY BEGINS

2010-02-11T08:35:00.000-08:00

Just a quick word to say Im sat in the airport in Calgary about to board the plane to Vancouver...the real advanture is about to begin....there are about 32 of Team GB athletes here all on the flight together. Tonight we have a reception and the flag goes up and then tomorrow night the 12th Feb is the opening ceremony...So excited, cant wait......

TEAM GB HOLDING CAMP

2010-02-08T08:48:00.000-08:00

Having had a very very long journey to get to Calgary yesterday it feel good to be here and around some other Team GB athletes and staff.
We left Lake Placid (take a look at the amazing cake the staff made for us there, thank you Susie) at 8.30am and got to Calgary about 8pm....long flight delays....the usual airport hassle!!
The hotel looks great with posters and British flag stickers of athletes all around, we have our own dinning area and lounge to relax in and get to know each other.
I will still e doing some physically training sessions the few days I'm here to keep my legs ticking over and my body moving, but I will also try and use it as a chill out few days before the madness of the Games begin.....cant wait to be standing in the Opening Ceremony behind our flag.

MOVING ON...

2010-02-05T17:45:00.000-08:00

Hi there
Well, right now I'm in Lake Placid preparing and training ahead of the Olympic Winter Games and it's great to have the time and space to do everything I can to be in great shape for the biggest event in our sport. From here we move on to Calgary where for once we'll be spending time with athletes from other sports and with the guys from the British Olympic Association.
I normally travel with quite a small team, but now it's much bigger and there's a great feeling of being part of Team GB and representing my country. Of course, I still spend a lot of time with the skeleton team and with people like Adam, Shelley and Kristan.
Over the past couple of years, a lot has been written about the relationship I have with Shelley - too much has been written really. Read some of the papers and you'd imagine we're at each other's throats, but that's really not the case. The problem is that people have tried to build our rivalry into something all engrossing. If I say anything about Shelley, it gets written up as being a dig against her. But that's not what I'm interested in doing and always annoys me when it's presented that way - so let's clear things up once and for all. Shelley and I are team-mates, but we're also rival athletes. We're both going all out to win races and slide as fast as we can. True, we're not close friends, but we don't have to be, and I don't think either of us see that as a problem. We rub along just fine. Both of us share the same ambition - to be the fastest skeleton athlete in the world. We're both totally focused on performance, and on chasing success at the Games. Yes, Shelley is my rival, but so are lots of other women athletes. I want to beat Shelley just like I want to beat Mellisa Hollingsworth or Kerstin Szymkowiak. I want to beat everyone! So that's it. No wars, no fights, no big rows and no back-stabbing. Just a normal, healthy rivalry between two athletes.
Now I've got that off my chest, I want to turn my whole attention on to the Games now. If I'm going to fulfil my potential, I need to be a hundred per cent focused on getting my preparation perfect and peaking at the right time. If I can do that, I know I can deliver one of the best performances of my career!
See you soon

IM GOING TO VANCOUVER 2010 OLYMPICS

2010-01-29T09:27:00.000-08:00

Today was the official skeleton team announcement in London. The media were all there to question the team, as the names were said out loud to the world... my name was on the list... I'm going!!

I have known for a few weeks now but my mouth has been painfully sealed!! So I'm am glad to now be able to tell you all.

I picked up the Olympic kit on the way back from Austria last Sunday, such an exciting moment as the realisation of my life dream has now come true...I am competing at an Olympic Games! As you can probably tell I have to keep telling myself! Adidas has done an amazing job in kitting out the whole British Team with enough kit to last a life time...thank you.

All the hard work over the years, especially this last year has payed off. There is still alot to be done as its not over yet...I have the hardest race off my life only weeks away. None of my preparation could have been done alone though...Iv had such a great support team around me, my coaches, physio, sled tech, friends and family who have helped and guided me every step of the way...I'm doing this race for all of you .. I will give it my all, and will do everything in my power to make this Olympic Skeleton Race the best and fastest of my Life!

Women's skeleton race is on the 18th and 19th February 2010.

CANT WAIT FOR A BRITISH CUP OF TEA

2010-01-23T04:30:00.000-08:00

I'm finally off home tomorrow, I cant wait to sit on the sofa with my feet up and have a good British cup of tea..It never tastes the same in any other country!!

A DISSAPOINTING LAST RACE

2010-01-23T04:10:00.000-08:00

Well..that's it, last World Cup Race of the 2009-10 season is over, done.

I wasn't happy with my result from yesterday race in Igls, Austria. I'm still trying to work out why I was so slow and way behind in the times.

I had great pushes again a 5.40 which was 4 100th faster then any other girl, (but its now getting a little frustrating having the best push times and not getting down in the same position, id rather be quicker at the bottom then top!!), I had good lines especially on the first run, maybe I was just trying too hard...When you train alot faster then race, this isn't the right way round!! Training had been great again, I was working out my steers everyday, getting a respectable time of 54.86sec on one of my days, so when I saw my race times of 55.55 and 55.25 you can see why I wasn't happy!

This race needs to be parked behind me now as the slate is cleaned for this 2009-2010 World Cup season. I finished ranked World Cup overall in 5th place again, same as last season. Was 5th in the Europeans a little lower then anticipated... Iv had 4 top 6 finishes and all others minus one in the top 10 positions.

Must be positive and look forward to what may happen next... :-) The British skeleton Olympic selection is on the 29th January....lets wait and see if I'm selected on the team to go to Vancouver Winter Olympics.....

LAST WORLD CUP RACE AND EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, IGLS

2010-01-20T04:36:00.001-08:00

Its day two of the official training in Igls, Austria, World Cup number 8, which is also combined with the European Championships. I cant believe its already the last one... Its seems like each race has flown by, although It does seem like a terribly long time since spending any time at home.

I love Igls track, many athletes don't like it as its a easy one to get down and not quick or exciting, but it feels good, its not the quickest, today I got to 119kpm, so not as fast as St Moritz last week where I was 135kpm!

This is a pushers track where the time at the top does help you alot, so I'm hoping I really go for it and push hard....I'm off to the athletics track now to do some sled pulls and sprints, ciao for now.

The picture is me in the freezing lake...good recovery for the legs after a hard push! brrrrrr

MY BEST EVER ST MORITZ RESULT...4TH

2010-01-16T12:05:00.001-08:00

Woo...I got a second run was my first thought on Friday about 2pm...Some of you may know my slightly bad track record history in St Moritz...where the horseshoe corner each year seems to like to spit me out a little too hard and I end up crashing and either not getting a second run or barely making it. This year was different though, I had one crash in training, but I was testing out runners (they weren't right for me!), then a solid weeks training and a race that seems to have kicked out the horseshoe demons...I came 4th.

All week I had problems in the Nash-Dixon corners and was loosing time and speed, so on race day I had a new plan, it didn't quite work on the first run and I ended up clipping early into Dixon, loosing time..but I knew then what to do with the 2nd run and I finally nailed it, putting down a great run and moving up from 6th to 4th place. I also had the 2nd best push again.

Its a unique track in St Moritz, the only natural track in the world. Each year it is re-built with ice from the frozen lake, sticks are layed in the summer to show where the corners go, and then built up new each winter. This means the corners are always slightly different, some harder or easier.

I nearly forgot to say... I had a go at curling for the first time this week...it was amazing..!! We had a teacher for the few hours and played coaches against athletes and Rachel...GB curling team may need to watch out as the skeleton team have a few talented first timers!! I do need to add in here that Rachel, Andy and Myself were the winning team!

Now I'm in Igls, Austria for the final World Cup race which is combined with the European Championships where I would love to get a medal... Watch it on British Eurosport on Friday the 22nd Jan 2010.

ST MORITZ

2010-01-13T01:48:00.000-08:00

Just a quick hello to you all from St Moritz one of the most beautiful places on the circuit. Have had a few days of sliding so far, so good some bad..yesterday had terrifying experience on the track, was testing some new runners which in the end weren't right for me as I had no grip at all and skidded out of control the whole way down which meant a big crash out of the horseshoe corner, and very bent sled and a very bruised sore body from me! Thanks to Rachel who worked on my sled, pulled him apart and made him better and thanks to Chris my physio who looked at me to make sure I was ok!! One more day of Training left before the race on Friday...fingers crossed I'm ok today!!

KONIGSSEE FIRST RACE OF 2010

2010-01-08T11:57:00.000-08:00

First race of 2010 ... Konigssee, Germany. Such a beautiful place, idyllic setting with mountains all around and a huge lake, with the track metres away. My family had made the trip out to watch and shout for me, thanks guys for coming and supporting me it was great to have you around. In fact thanks to everyone that supports me! Especially too to Petr my boyfriend who came up with his bobsleigh team in tow, to all shout at the start thus helping me push quicker!

So back to the race....didn't go quite to plan! Had a wicked days training especially one of the days where I was flying down the track was second quickest girl behind one of the Germans on her home track, and a near track record. On the race....well..... Konigssee has a unique straight....its not straight at all! You have to hit a certain point, not too early, not too hard, not too soft and not too late....then you can just about make it through the wobble without hitting. I had been doing it great about 90% of the time in training, but I hit too early on race day which meant that i had to take another hit further down and then time was lost. the wobble straight goes into a Kreisel, which is a full circle corner, very hard to steer and get the timing and pressures, I lost time here and couldn't make it up in the bottom half of the track. However I did have a really good second run, six tenths quicker then the first, but had to settle for 12th position overall. Still leaving me ranked 5th in the fibt world cup ranking, still respectable i believe!

I do need to add in now a big positive from today's race.... I had the best sprint push times for both of my runs so I know physically I am in the worlds best shape :-)

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-01-03T00:19:00.000-08:00

I was so excited about getting home for Christmas that I never got around to writing about the last pre Christmas race in Altenberg where I came 4th... I was 4th behind 3 Germans on a German track...so I'm happy with that and giving myself a pat on the back!!It was a great week, Altenberg is a track that always scares me! Even though Iv been down it quite a few times over the years. I associate it with when I first started to learn to slide and so lots of crashes were had on it.....But I do always seem to do well on that track and I always love to slide it once I have the first day under my belt.

I was in the Christmas mood that whole week listening to festive songs on my i-pod! We left for home the morning after the race, it was so good to be going home after such a long time away, think it was about 6 weeks on the trot.

I arrived at my parents house where I was spending my Christmas, the tree was up and ready to decorate, always my job to do! I spent a few days with my parents including Christmas day and then I flew straight to Prague on Boxing day to spend the rest of the festive time with my boyfriend who lives there. So New Year in Prague old town square...I highly recommend! It was amazing. Huge tree, thousands of people and fireworks....a magical time.

RAIN-SNOW-WINTERBERG!

2009-12-16T08:11:00.000-08:00

In Winterberg you learn to accept what is thrown at you in terms of the weather..it can be sunny one minute, then 10 minutes later it starts to rain, and then the snow arrives shortly after.

So when the snow started on the morning of the race it was no surprise. It stayed snowing for the first few of us that went off in the race, then, when realising the slow times we were all producing, the whole track got swept and the snow cleared, and all other athletes got down a second quicker... Unlucky us who went first off!! It was too much to make up on the second run as I had been struggling to find speed in the middle section of the track all week, and so I had to settle for 10th place in this race. Still in top ten and still ranked 5th in the World, so onto the next race!

I thought I would include a photo of my last preparations the evening before a race...sewing my bib up! Did you know us girls have to all sew up our number bibs..? "One size fits all"...means getting out the needle and cotton and making it alot smaller!!

CHARLIE BOOKER PHOTOS

2009-12-07T11:32:00.001-08:00

This is to say a BIG thank you to Charlie Booker who is the great photographer who takes and gives me so many photos of me doing skeleton. Go to his website if you want to see more of his work. www.bobsleigh.de

CESANA PUSH PB

2009-12-07T09:50:00.000-08:00

Since Lake Placid Arthur, my sled and I have both been home for a few days, an attempt to get some much needed rest, Arthur got the rest and I didn't. Jet lag hit me hard and I felt like a zombie for the whole five days I was back, still being awake at 3am most nights.
Arthur stayed with his maker, Rachel Blackburn and had a MOT and bit of sled physiotherapy, while I stayed in Bath and did a bit of training and tried to catch up with my parents at home.

The next trip was to Cesana, in Italy. Our team stay in a big biathlon lodge which is right near the track which is very handy, and means not quite so early starts in the morning as those teams that stay further up in the next town of Sestriere. Cesana is about 1800m high so altitude can effect you a little, but i wasn't sure if for me it was still a bit of cheeky jet lag that was making me feel quite drained!
Cesana race wasn't the best result for me 10th place, I didn't seem to be able to pick up any speed or time down the track, but I was super pleased with my pb (personal best) push on both race runs.. 5.03 and a 5.02sec. Physically I'm in good shape which is one good reason to smile!

TWO RACES DOWN....6 MORE TILL THE BIG ONE..?

2009-11-24T10:09:00.000-08:00

Lake Placid race was great. It made me realise why I love this sport. Training went so well in the week and each day I found myself feeling more and more comfortable on my sled which I hadn't felt since the start of the season.

The race was the closest I have ever been in. After run one there was something like 0.5 sec between first place and fifteenth! I had great first run that put me into 2nd place, but then I made a small mistake in a critical part of the track of my second run which dropped down to 4th, a respectable finish I feel!

Now I'm back home for a few days to recharge the batteries and get over jet lag before the next part of the season. All three races are in Europe, Italy, and two in Germany before the Christmas break.

LAKE PLACID OFFICIAL TRAINING WC 2

2009-11-18T17:01:00.000-08:00

Today was the second day of official training back on Lake Placid track where I was a few weeks ago. The track feels quite a bit different from when I was last here. You may be thinking...how or why!? Well..... The track workers can add or take away ice at the entrances and exits of corners which then changes how I need to steer in the corner, how hard or how long I have to put pressure through my sled to change the angle of it whilst It is in the corner.
Training went well today, but still a few corners to work out before the race and the decision of which runners to use....one more day to sort it out then I race on Friday 20th Nov at 9.30am USA time, I believe it is in British Eurosport at 2pm. Wish me luck!!

FIRST WORLD CUP 6TH PLACE PARK CITY

2009-11-13T10:18:00.000-08:00

As I write this I'm on the plane flying from Salt Lake City to Detroit to Montreal, to then drive from Montreal over boarder to Lake Placid! I have just competed in the first World Cup of the season. I came 6th, it was a one run race as a snow storm came in so the second run was cancelled. I was really please with this result as its been a tough month of testing and changing alot so I hadn't been sliding as fast as id have liked to! Its great to have the first race out of the way and I'm really looking forward to the second one in Lake Placid in a weeks time.
We get a few days off to recovery from travelling, so the local cinema is waiting for me, I hear it calling me.......

I DID SEE A BEAR!

2009-11-13T10:15:00.000-08:00

Just to say that we had a bear on the driveway of our house we were staying in! We were all about to leave in the morning to pack up the cars to go to the track and there was one with its paws up on the boot of the car! Its looked rather like a large baby one, it looked at us then slowly walked away. I was only about 6metres away from it!

WHISTLER TRAINING AMONGST BEARS

2009-10-31T11:51:00.000-07:00

There are bears at the track!! Although so far I have not spotted one yet! I'm keeping one eye on track and one on the woods around the track that contains them!! Some have even been spotted around the Whistler village, mmmm, must stop eating honey so much so they don't smell me.

The track is slightly different from last years World Cup race, but I really like it, its tricky, fast and challenging. I have good and bad days so soon hoping they will dwindle out to only good days!

Our team took a trip around the Olympic Athlete village to see where all athletes will be accommodated during the Olympic period. It looks lovely the Canadians have done a great job creating an environment that will be used on after the Games.

EQUIPMENT TESTING

2009-10-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of part of the Lake Placid track looking at the view with the amazing colours of trees. It looks amazing this time of the year, it also means that its the time of year for equipment testing. Everyday In my sliding I have been trying to work out the best set up on my new sled, the best runners and settings that will make me as quick as possible, so long as I slide great lines too! Its a trial and error job but it all needs to be done so that I know more about the sled and what works well for me when I head to Whistler on the 24th Oct for two weeks of sliding that all teams get before the Olympic race runs.

OFF TO LAKE PLACID

2009-10-20T06:07:00.000-07:00

I was in Winterberg for five days, enough to get used to being on ice again and start my testing process on my new sled, but not enough to settle down and un pack my bag as now I'm in Lake Placid! A long days travel....just to give you a taster of what it was like.... Pack van Sunday 2pm, leave 3pm, travel from Winterberg to Gevena airport Holiday Inn, arrived at 3.30am Monday. Up at 7pm to get to airport for the lengthly checking in process with our hundreds of bags and sleds! Sat on plane at 12.15pm but it got delayed for over a hour, arrived in Montreal Monday afternoon as re-living hours on the plane with time change. Had long border control as we drove across into USA and onto Lake Placed, arrived about 8pm ready for dinner that all of us were way to tiered to eat! Finally went to sleep about 10pm as we all forced ourselves to stay awake so jet lag wouldn't be quite so bad...although we all awoke at 4-5am eyes PING awake!!

CHANGE OF VENUE

2009-10-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

The start of the season didn't quite happen how we all thought. Our sleds were driven out to Cesana, Italy but all the athletes never made it as there was a emergency phone call to say "HOLD don't go to the airport there is no ice on the track its melting off"!! Ahhhh. So what now... the refrigeration was broken and it was too hot to keep ice on the track. So all athletes were told to be on the end of the phone and any minuet of the day we could get the phone call to drive to any airport in Britain to fly out to any other track.
Luckily the track in Winterberg, Germany said yes so the team all rushed there a day later then the original leaving date.
Winterberg was raining as usual for this town, and the track was very very bumpy, but at least we were on the ice...first runs of the season.

PACKING TIME AGAIN....!

2009-10-03T11:46:00.000-07:00

Its that time of the year again that I start to pack my big bag and head for the ice. I have trained very hard this summer to get myself into my best ever physical shape for this Olympic season. I am at my strongest and quickest physical peak that I have ever been...now all I have to do is to put it onto ice and push as fast as I can and then slide my sled down the ice track.....easier said then done!
There has been a buzz in the air all week as I have been on a pre-season training camp in Bath. Meetings about the season and plans about the months ahead.
The British team first of all head out to Cesana, Italy where we will have our first ice runs of this 2009-2010 winter season.....the most nervous runs of the season!! Its always scary after a summer of no ice to stand at the start of the track and sprint off the top...and iv been doing it for 8 years now! I need to toughen up a little!
I will let you know how it goes very shortly.

PRE-SELECTED

2009-09-19T10:39:00.000-07:00

Forgot to say that it was great news when I got told that from my good results last season I am pre-selected onto the World Cup Team for the first half of the 2009-2010 season. So no stressfull selection races for me! Phew. I will still join the team in Cesana, Itlay and Lake Placid , USA where the British Selection races will be taking place so I can use the time to train and get used to being back on the ice. I head out to Cesana on the 5th of October...not long to go.

END OF SUMMER HAS COME....

2009-09-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

Well the end of summer is here as I start to think about the ice again. Last week the team was in Cesana, Italy on the ice push track for a few days pushig on ice. Was great to be near a track and it only means the next few weeks will fly by until we are all here again for the British Selection Races!

VANCOUVER WORLD CUP RACE 8

2009-06-30T06:43:00.001-07:00

Everyone had a tough training week here as we all got used to this new Olympic track. I got on well, even though I had my very dodgy moments and near crashes! When race day came I enjoyed myself knowing that if i work hard this following summer and winter I may find myself here again come February 2010!

PUSHING

2009-06-30T06:34:00.000-07:00

This is what a typical load looks like. I have to sprint and push my sled and then dive on and get into my position as quickly as possible. The sled can weigh anywhere from about 27-32kg for women so they are very heavy to then push with one arm. I do most of my training for the push in the summer where I train at Bath University. There we have a specially designed track which allow bobsleigh and skeleton to practice.