Our competitive season has now begun with two Americas Cup races in Park City, Utah.
Two separate races spread over two days, Team Walker were victorious and came away with two Gold medals, beating the track record holder and Olympic Silver Medallist of the 2006 games, as well as the silver medal winner of the 2010 Olympic Games.
Paula and Brakeman Rebekah Wilson, whom won the World Juniors on this track in February, took the 1st place finish on day one with the fastest start time. Day two saw Paula with Kelly Denyer on the brakes, her debut race with GB’s number 1 driver.
As the competitive season is now underway, the weeks begin to get extremely busy on and off the ice.
Alot of time is spent in the garage with music on and a brew, preparing race runners with varying grades of sand paper and ensuring all alignment and mechanics are correct.
Jemma has us all booked in for Physio to ensure we are all in the best shape possible and now has Union Jack Tape! BOOM!!
We have qualification runs to ensure we are eligible to race and of course our hair, make up and nails must be done for race day!!
You can see the attitudes of everyone change as they get themselves focussed for competing, bags packed and early nights!
Peter Gunn, head ice coach, is the main man on race day. He likes to think he’s the main man every other day but sharing a house with 5 girls he doesn’t have a chance!! Pete ensures race runners are on and all work on the bob is complete in the correct time and puts the bob on the ice so that we can concentrate on getting ready.
Our Performance Director, Gary Anderson flew out to support us, as did Performance Manager Chris Woolley. They treated the team to a gorgeous meal to celebrate the wins. Steak all round!
We now move onto Lake Placid for another week on ice and will be staying in the Olympic Training Centre.
Not long now before World Cup begins…
Bring it on!
