EURO SUCCESS AHEAD OF WINTER GAMES

by James Skitt - 25.01.10

A number of Great Britain’s Winter Olympic hopefuls warmed up for Vancouver with success on the European stage this weekend.

Short-track speed skating led the way with three medals at the European Championships in Dresden, Germany, with Jon Eley and Elise Christie both claiming silver in the 500m and 1500m respectively, whilst their was bronze for the men’s 5000m relay team on Sunday.

The British squad, who will be hoping to claim Britain’s first Olympic short-track medal since Nicky Gooch took bronze in 1994, receive Performance Nutrition, Physiotherapy and Performance Analysis support from the English Institute of Sport (EIS) at their Nottingham training base.

Performance Director Stuart Horsepool told BBC Sport: “It’s very encouraging with three weeks to go to the Games but it’s important for us not to get carried away and keep it in perspective.”

Elsewhere Shelly Rudman, who claimed Britain’s only Winter Olympic medal in Skeleton at the Turin Games four years ago, looked in good form as she won a bronze medal at the Skeleton European Championships in Igls.

Despite coming 4th in the event, which doubled up as the final round of the World Cup, Rudman claimed bronze by virtue of being the third best placed European, whilst her result in Austria also saw her earn 2nd place overall in the World Cup standings.

Compatriot Amy Williams finished 10th in Igls to claim 6th in the European Championships and 5th overall in the World Cup standings, whilst Donna Creighton was 11th, giving her 7th in the Euros and 16th in the World Cup overall.

In the men’s event on Saturday, Kristan Bromley completed his World Cup campaign with 8th place in Igls, earning him 7th place in the European Championships and 6th in the World Cup final standings.

Fellow Brits Andy Wood and Adam Pengilly finished 14th and 16th, earning them 10th and 12th places respectively in the European Championships. Wood finished 16th overall in the World Cup series whilst Pengilly, who spent most of the season on the intercontinental Cup circuit, was 20th.

The British Skeleton squad have access to a range of EIS services including Physiotherapy, Strength and Conditioning, Psychology, Performance Nutrition and Sports Medicine.

The XXI Olympic Winter Games take place in Vancouver between 12-28th February.

Photography courtesy of National Ice Skating Association (NISA)