PA Sport is following Great Britain downhill skier Roger Cruickshank
throughout his build-up to next February's Winter Olympics in Turin.
In his own weekly column, RAF flying officer Cruickshank will reveal the highs
and lows of life on the World Cup circuit as he seeks to fulfil one of his
lifetime ambitions.
I got one of the best Christmas presents I could have wished for on December
23 and now feel the Winter Olympics are within touching distance.
I had what I regard to be my second-best run to finish second in a Super-G in
the Slovenian national championships in Kope, and get a taste of life on the
podium again.
The Slovenian championships are tough, and even for that to have happened
before my injury would have been considered a huge success.
So I really am delighted - even a few weeks ago I could never have dreamed it
would happen, and things have taken a crazy turn for the better.
My success in Slovenia was all the more satisfying because of the last-minute
decision to go there in the first place. I had already booked my flights home
for Christmas before I decided to go there.
The British head coach Christian Schwaiger made a good case for me at the
Slovenian embassy because they usually only allow a certain number of foreigners
into the race.
I get on well with a lot of the Slovenian team so it was great to be involved
- although they were a little bit gutted because I had taken a medal away from
them!
I am still waiting to discover if that run will guarantee my Olympic place.
Basically I have already reached qualifying standard but now need to finish
within a certain percentage of my previous best to make sure.
Whatever happens, I am not particularly worried, because I have a number of
races ahead this month and as long as my form continues to improve it will not
be a problem.
My knee continues to give me little cause for concern and I remain convinced
that my period of time off skis has only helped me upon my return.
It gave me time to concentrate on my technique which continues to improve,
while my knee brace undoubtedly gives me the confidence to really go for it
again.
After spending Christmas back home in Scotland I saw in the new year with the
rest of the British team at our training base in Lofer.
Of course we permitted ourselves a certain degree of fun. But with the
Olympics now just over one month away, there are much more important things than
partying to occupy our minds.
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