Williams Pushing Towards Olympics

 

by James Skitt - 13.02.09

This months Bauhaus FIBT Bobsled & Skeleton World Championships in Lake Placid represent a significant stepping stone for British Bob Skeleton’s Amy Williams in her journey towards next years Winter Olympics.

Williams, whose domestic training takes place at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) in Bath, was the reserve to eventual silver medallist Shelly Rudman in Turin four years ago. But this time, thanks in part to her own success on the World Cup circuit, Great Britain now has two qualification spots for Vancouver next year.

“We have two places qualified for the Olympics this time but we have a strong squad so I’ll need to stay on top of my game to make sure I get one of those” she told eis2win.co.uk

When in the UK, Williams can often be found training in Bath utilising strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, sports Psychology and soft tissue therapy services from the EIS, with some nutrition support likely to become available soon too. The result of what can only be described as an effective strong working relationship between the sport and institute.

“I’ve done a lot of work with Danny Holdcroft (EIS Strength and Conditioning Coach) improving my power when pushing off at the start of a run” she says. “They reckon that every 10th of a second at the start amounts to 2/10th by the finish line so obviously the start is a really important part of the run” she adds.

“We used the push track at Bath over the summer last year and my starts have really improved this season” she says.

In addition to daily strength and conditioning sessions, Williams also keeps the physio and massage practitioners busy when she’s around.

“I tend to suffer with a bad back so the physiotherapy and massage treatment I get from Chris Price (Physiotherapy) and Simon Morris (Soft tissue Therapist) really are invaluable to me and I’ll see them at least once a week when I’m at home” she says.

Of course competing on a World Cup circuit requires spending a huge amount of time out of the country, but Williams and her coach Mickey Gruenberger keep in regular touch with practitioners back in Bath when overseas.

“Fortunately Danny and Chris often travel with us to major competitions but at other times we tend to stay in regular touch via telephone, text or email, and I know they are always on hand to answer any questions or give me some advice” she says.

Aside from a disappointing European Championships last month Williams has enjoyed a consistent 2008/09 season, achieving top six finishes in four of the five World Cup events to date. But, with her performance in Lake Placid likely to influence her funding, these World Championships have taken on added significance for her just a year out from the Winter Olympics.

“The World Championships have always been my main focus all season, especially as it effects my funding” she insists. “We used to get our funding based on our overall ranking throughout the season, but now they judge it on the strength of our World Championship performances, which obviously brings a lot of pressure” she explains.

Regardless of the result in Lake Placid though, Williams is determined not to give up on her Olympic dream.

“My performances in training would regularly have me in the top three at competitions so I know I have the ability to be on the podium consistently” she says. “The support I receive from the EIS is vital in helping me achieve that so I’ll be back there in the summer working hard again ahead of next season.”

Photography © Getty Images