Pride key for Coltman
Pride: that’s the over-riding emotion for Amelia Coltman as she gets set to make her World Championship debut tomorrow.
The 27-year-old has been selected for her maiden major championships having previously come close to making the cut during her five seasons competing on the international circuit.
Coltman, who competes in the Women’s Skeleton at 9am on Thursday and again at 11am on Friday, is part of a five-strong British Skeleton team for the showpiece event of the season, with racing live on the IBSF website and YouTube channel.
“I’m extremely proud and honoured to represent Great Britain at my first major championships - it means a huge amount,” said Coltman.
I’ve been working really hard this season to be competitive at the top level and this feels like a reward for all that hard work.
“I’ve had big disappointments in narrowly missing out on other selections so to finally make the team is a very proud moment for me. I can’t wait to stand on the block and do my best.”
Her best has recently proven to be good enough to be in the medal mix on the big stage, meaning Coltman comes into Winterberg with plenty of confidence.
By winning European Championship bronze earlier this month in Sigulda, she showed that she can compete with the top talent in the sport despite having just 10 World Cup starts to her name.
Amelia Coltman medalled at the European Championships in Sigulda
“Recently winning European Championship bronze has given me the confidence that I can be competitive with the best skeleton athletes in the world - athletes that I’ve been looking up to for the past five years,” added Coltman.
“It’s surreal that I’m now in the mix with them and can consider myself on the same level.
Being selected has given me a lot of self belief. It also shows me how much faith the GB programme have in me to represent the country at the top level.
“This is still my first World Champs, though, so I just want to focus on putting down four really solid runs that I can be happy with. I’ll let the result take care of itself.
“I also want to soak in the atmosphere in a major championship environment to help me at future Worlds and Olympic Games.”
This year’s World Championships take place in Winterberg, Germany from February 22nd - March 3rd, with the schedule as follows:
Thurs 22 Feb
Women's Skeleton Heats 1&2 9am
Men's Skeleton Heats 1&2 1pm
Fri 23 Feb
Women's Skeleton Heats 3&4 11am
Men's Skeleton Heats 3&4 3pm
Sat 24 Feb
Women's Monobob Heats 1&2 8am
2-man Bobsleigh Heats 1&2 12pm
Skeleton Mixed Team Competition 4pm
Sun 25 Feb
Women's Monobob Heats 3&4 8.15am
2-man Bobsleigh Heats 3&4 12.15pm
Fri 1 Mar
Women's Bobsleigh Heats 1&2 2pm
Sat 2 Mar
4-man Bobsleigh Heats 1&2 9am
Women's Bobsleigh Heats 3&4 1.30pm
Sun 3 Mar
4-man Bobsleigh Heats 3&4 1pm
All races will be shown live on the IBSF YouTube channel and website
