First snowman of the winter

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

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..."

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

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

Top Gear Live show

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!!