Injured Woods targets glory despite hip woe
FORMER world No1 slopestyle skier James Woods admits he starts qualification today hampered by injury but determined to win a medal on what could be one of Britain’s most successful days ever at a Winter Olympics.
Not since the 1936 Games in Germany has Team GB won more than one medal on a single day’s competition, yet Woods and short track speed skater Elise Christie could both ascend respective medal podiums by the time the sun sets in Sochi.
Woods’ participation was in some doubt earlier this week after injuring his hip in a practice run last Friday, but the 22-year-old has vowed to perform through the pain.
“I’m not 100 per cent and certain motions do hurt, but everyone is carrying something and this is a gnarly sport to do,” he said.
“It’s never going to be perfect, you just have to do the best you can to perform as well as you can.
“I don’t know what it will take but it’s going to be an amazing show.”
Yesterday, the British men’s curling team continued their storming start with a 4-2 win over Switzerland, but the women’s team suffered a 9-6 defeat to heavyweights Canada.
Downhill skier Chemmy Alcott, competing in her fourth Olympics, was delighted with her 19th-placed finish having spent more time on the treatment table than the slopes since the Vancouver Games in 2010.
The 31-year-old, who has broken her leg twice in the last four years, said: “A top-20 finish after what I’ve been through is amazing justice.
“It was not pretty, but it was fast and I’m really proud.”
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS
■ Slopestyle skiing qualification begins for James Woods at 6.15am British time, the final starts at 9.30am
■ Gold medal favourite Lizzy Yarnold and world champion Shelley Rudman start Skeleton qualifying at 7.30am
■ Elise Christie and Charlotte Gilmartin go in the short track speed skating 500m quarter-finals at 10am