Sochi Test Pilot - Ending Season on a High

So after the main season ended on a bit of a bum note, missing out on the World Championships by the smallest of margins, there emerged somewhat of an upshot. After Christmas we had a couple of extra races added to our schedule which saw me compete in 4 Europa cup races over a 2 week period. The races gave me valuable extra exposure to a race environment but also opened the door for something rather unexpected.

It turns out that Sochi, Russia, the Winter Olympics Venue for 2014 were to pick their test pilots for the homolgation (testing and certification) of their new track. This time around it seemed they were to pick the athletes to undertake the testing from the overall Europa Cup rankings. Admitedly my results on the Europa cup were far from spectacular. A 3rd and 6th in Igls followed by a disappointing 9th and 10th in Winterberg, they did however land me in 13th spot overall. It turned out the FIBT were going to send the 4th, 8th and 12th ranked athletes from the overall rankings and by some technicality of not having more than 1 athlete from each nation able to go, the spot designated for number 12 dropped to number 13...I was off to Russia!!!

So it was then that after going through the lengthy VISA process and sitting nervously excited for a week or two March the 4th rolled around and I was off. It was crazy to comprehend to be honest, sliding down a track that noone had been down before, not knowing at all how to drive any of the corners, not knowing what sort of speeds or tricky sections could unveil themselves. Similarly the tragic memory of Nodar the luge athlete who passed away at the previous newly built Olympic track in Whistler was still in the minds of a few. However all fears or reservation were quickly dispelled once we arived at the track.

The track itself is gorgeous, you can tell a lot of time, effort and money has gone into it, and the sheer number of people involved is confidence inspiring to say the least! The homologation didnt exactly go without any hitches, but we acheived what needed to be done while we were there, and the commoradery, banter and laughs had whilst doing so made it all the more enjoyable. The track is great fun and I am now pretty chuffed to be able to say I am the first British person ever down the Sochi Olympic track!!

What a way to end the season!! I feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity on the brand new track. I am confident people will be as impressed as I was and still am when the World Cup test event rolls around next season for the first nternational race on the track! But until then a summer of hard work lays ahead and less than 700 days are left until the Olympic Games roll into Sochi, Russia. Game on!!! :)

Myself (Obviously!) At the bottom of the Sochi Track - In one piece!!

Photo supplied by a Russian Newpaper Journalist