PA Sport is following Great Britain downhill skier Roger Cruickshank
throughout his build-up to 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 failed to finish my Super-G race in Hinterstoder this week but I was
quickly able to put my disappointment into sharp perspective.
I was among almost half of the field who failed to reach the finish line on
what everybody agreed was one of the hardest Super-G courses we have seen for
some time.
Although my first reaction is always to feel pretty down about not finishing,
I have also found it easy to shrug it off because of everything I have been
through recently.
I am now intent on enjoying my skiing more, because most people are saying I
shouldn't even be here because of what happened to my knee.
A lot of my friends from other countries are amazed when they hear the extent
of my injuries, and I feel I have won a lot of respect for getting back on my
skis.
Most of the other guys have been through thick and thin themselves, so they
can all relate to what I have been going through. They have been supportive and
made sure I have not tried to rush myself during my recovery process.
The Hinterstoder course was dark, icy, bumpy, fast and steep. It would have
been challenging anyway, let alone with my knee, but it held up quite well once
again.
I have to admit I did find it pretty hard to commit, and that is something I
am going to have to work hard on during the next couple of weeks - to blot out
the pain and the psychological factor.
In ski racing it's essential that you are able to commit the whole time
because it is when you are defensive that you get the most pain, from increased
reactions and bumps through the ski.
But I can't complain about the way things have been going and now I have got
to focus on my big chance to make sure of my Olympic place.
It is the big Europa Cup series in Italy after the weekend, and that is going
to be my opportunity to make it without a doubt. If I can get a top-20 place it
should be good enough, so I can't wait to get there and give it a shot.
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