It's a busy schedule here for the first Europa Cup race location in Lillehammer (Norway). In total there are 3 races over 4 days for the 2-woman competition! I’ve never known race week schedule like it. There’s a saying I heard not long ago, eat the frog for breakfast. Mark Twain speaking an apt metaphor to get the worst, the hardest part over and done with early. So, why not get the busiest week accomplished. It may make other weeks seem a little less stressful and busy (dare I say that though in the world of bobsleigh, it's always busy!)
Well, the first race presented itself with many challenges before we had even stepped up onto the start line. So, to be standing there was a great accomplishment in itself. Â
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We arrived in Lillehammer with the belief that the sled weighed 177kg. That’s what it weighed last year. The greatest mystery, that will remain a mystery is how the sled – named by my brake ladies as ‘KiKi’ – has suddenly put on 4kg! Seen as KiKi has decided to gain weight over the summer, it meant the athletes had to lose the weight instead. Don’t get me wrong we didn’t walk into that easily. We looked high and low,  and in every nook and cranny but there was no obvious weight to be found.
Not only were there the weight challenges, but the bale on the sled prior to me picking. It up had been damaged quite badly. Wrapped up by lots of tape it wasn’t obvious on first instance.  This wasn’t the biggest thing as it is repairable, but still a fine art to fibreglass the sled with our best aerodynamic skills to create a strong sleek finish. Where’s the F1 back up team when you need one??!! Aston Martin, Red Bull, I’m calling you!
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One week later and 5kg lighter between myself and my racing brakelady, we stood on the start line for the first race running on fumes, dehydrated having barely eaten. This was to ensure we weighed in under the not so magical 330kg mark. We hadn’t put in the hard work all summer to throw it away at the first race.
We came 9th in a strong field. We were chuffed! 2 strong pushes from Willa (brakelady) and I was happy with my drive in the sled. The sled itself is limiting us somewhat. I’m racing against near enough brand-new sleds and KiKi must be nearing 14-15 years old. Could you imagine a 10-year-old F1 car on the start line against the newest, latest versions? Some would laugh!
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I could dwell on it all day but that would get me no further, I’m still in this situation for the time being so make the most of what you have got and run with it, literally. So, the question loom’s, what can we do next race to make it better, make us better?
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For the moment rest up, fuel ourselves properly, hydrate ourselves (to an extent) and prepare for the back-to-back race day that rolls on.
Races 2 and 3 soon came around, and the second race day was inevitably going to be a long one. Competing and then prepping for the third race. Confidence rising with the first race results and knowing we were underweight gave us even more drive to do better. We pushed a top 6 push start which we were chuffed with, and we still finished a respectable 9th in a even stronger field. We were pleased, we did the best we could with what we had.
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Race 3, we topped the push from the previous race with a top 4 push start. I like to think that that is a very competitive amongst our competition. A 10th position rounded up the races for us, I was happy yet a little disappointed. The equipment gave the best it could, but I don’t think it reflected my drives, perhaps I was driving too much, but I could be expecting too much from the sled we had and was the best it could do. All these questions arise soon after, but I know that’s me trying to seek better placements and improve all together as an athlete and pilot. I’ll look back at this I’m sure in a couple of years’ time and probably tell myself to stop overthinking.
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All in all, a good start to the season with 3 Top 10 finishes and something to build on. As we move further into the season, I will be searching high and low for better equipment. For now, though it's back on the road we go next stop Igls Austria, it's World Cup week!
